Best Tent Camping near Chester, NY

Tent campers visiting the Chester, New York area have access to several established campgrounds within Harriman State Park, including The Stephen & Betsy Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center and Sebago Cabin Camp. The region also offers primitive tent sites along the Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail from Gate Hill Road, where campers can find free, hike-in sites without amenities. Most tent areas are within a 30-minute drive of Chester, with several situated along lakes or near hiking trails.

Tent sites at established campgrounds typically feature flat, cleared areas with fire rings. The Corman AMC Center provides electric hookups and trash service, while most primitive sites have no facilities beyond basic fire rings. Many campsites require advance reservations, particularly at popular locations like Sebago. A camper noted that "walk-in sites are a little bit more set back and kind of wonderfully wooded all around," describing the tent sites at Shawangunk Gateway Campground. Bear activity is common throughout the region, requiring proper food storage in bear boxes or vehicles at all locations.

Areas farther from main roads provide deeper wilderness experiences for tent campers. The primitive sites along the Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail offer free camping with fires allowed but no amenities, making them suitable for self-sufficient backpackers. Walk-in tent sites (sites 8-15) at the Samuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground are particularly praised for their seclusion. "This is a very nice modern campground with great access to amazing hiking and climbing in the area," according to feedback on The Dyrt. Most tent sites throughout the region provide access to trail networks, with several campgrounds serving as popular basecamps for day hikes into the surrounding mountains and nature preserves. Tent campers should bring adequate water, as most primitive sites lack potable water sources.

Best Tent Sites Near Chester, New York (51)

    1. The Stephen & Betsy Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center — Harriman State Park

    6 Reviews
    Pomona, NY
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (617) 523-0636

    "Campfires are restricted to certain areas and you have to share.  They do have bear boxes available as this is bear country.  Very well run campground and cabins. Great Lake to swim."

    "I camped on one of the platforms, which was very nice and did not feel crowded even with other people on neighboring platforms. One highlight was having meals cooked by the stellar chef."

    2. Sebago Cabin Camp — Harriman State Park

    6 Reviews
    Sloatsburg, NY
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 429-2039

    $74 - $130 / night

    "Near lake Welch- which is phenomenal for easy nearly- beach like camping. The cabins are "rustic" - but there's what you need: cots, electricity, a fridge."

    "Theae do not have plumbing or heat. It is a step up from cabin camping. They also have a beach behind it."

    3. Peace and Carrots Farm Bluebird Tiny Home

    1 Review
    Chester, NY
    2 miles
    Website

    $90 / night

    "In September my Girlfriend (who has never been camping) and I made the trip to New York."

    4. Wawayanda State Park Campground

    5 Reviews
    New Milford, NY
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (973) 853-4462

    "Fantastic loop hike near some amazing hidden lakes. One downside is there were obviously people who had visited and didn't understand what LEAVE NO TRACE means. We'll bring a trashbag next time."

    "It is off the beaten path without any running water or showers within walking distance."

    5. West Point FMWR Lake Frederick Outdoor Recreation Area

    1 Review
    Highland Mills, NY
    9 miles
    Website

    $20 - $150 / night

    "Yes, this is a military-only campground but, that doesn't take away from how incredible it is and that is properly advertised. 

    This place is incredible. "

    6. Moon Valley Campground

    2 Reviews
    New Milford, NY
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (973) 900-2773

    $50 - $275 / night

    "This was a great campsite nestled in the foothills of Northern NJ on the NY border. Small, clean with great views and great location for hiking , cruising etc."

    "The campground is also near the Appalachian trail while still only about an hour from Manhattan!  Check them out and leave a review with your adventures during your stay!"

    7. Croton Point Park

    10 Reviews
    Croton-on-Hudson, NY
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (914) 862-5290

    $30 - $60 / night

    "Tent sites are very private with some dirt roads to exit out but thats what make it unique experience! Bathrooms with shower is near by and has plenty porta potties all around."

    "Peaceful and gorgeous campsite, with plenty of space between sites. Great view of the Hudson, and playground within sight of our camper."

    8. Suffern-Bear Mountain from Gate Hill Road Primitive

    1 Review
    Stony Point, NY
    14 miles

    "Suffern-Bear Mountain from Gate Hill Road is a high difficulty 15 mile out and back trail. At one point of the trail is a very difficult, but doable, rock scramble up the side of the mountain."

    9. Stonetown Circular trail Primitive #2

    1 Review
    Ringwood, NJ
    17 miles

    "Stonetown Circular trail is a 11 mile medium/high difficulty loop trail. This is the second of two primitive sites along the trail. The trailhead is across the street from a large parking lot."

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Tent Camping Reviews near Chester, NY

806 Reviews of 51 Chester Campgrounds


  • Emma N.
    Sep. 27, 2018

    Beaver Pond Campground — Harriman State Park

    Lacking in privacy

    I stayed at Beaver Pond Campground in Harriman State Park for two nights with my husband. We chose this campground because of its close proximity to Schunemunk Mountain. We found a lovely 6.4 mile lollipop/loop route hike that weekend, complete with beautiful rolling meadows, gradual hills, and steep climbs.

    Due to some mentally-draining traffic on the way, we arrived to the campground around 9:30pm. The camp office was closed, but we were able to check in at the ranger station across the parking lot. At the ranger station we were greeted by a bunch of spiders in their webs. I'm not going to lie, I freaked out! Once we were all checked-in, the ranger explained the usual rules (quiet hours are from 10pm-7am, check out by 11am, etc.). A rule that he made sure to stress was that no alcohol is allowed in the campground.

    Harriman State Park is located in a densely-forested area, and there is very little light pollution, so we didn't notice until the morning how little privacy there is between sites. There are hardly any trees within the campground, and you can see and hear just about everything. We had some rowdy neighbors, so it was a long night.

    We stayed in a regular tent site, but there was also the option of sites with platforms. Each site had a picnic table and fire ring. The campground had restrooms with flush toilets and showers. There were a good amount of insects crawling around in the restrooms, including what we think were ticks. The showers were a bit dirty and old-looking. However, the showers were free and hot, so I won't complain. :)

    My 3-star rating mainly stemmed from the noise an major lack of privacy.

  • Shelly B.
    Oct. 3, 2017

    Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground

    Busy Place on Weekends - Quiet On Weekdays

    Fahnestock State Park, Carmel, NY

    Busy Campground on Weekends!

    This park has a nice open beach on Canopus Lake with a concession area and bathhouse, which we found to be quite clean! They even have boat rentals - or you can bring your own boat to launch! If you are into fishing, there is another lake and two ponds that our neighbor campers said were great for catching panfish - one fisherman said he had caught several bass weighing over 3 pounds!!

    Weekends - this park is FULL! Make sure to reserve at least two weeks out. Weekdays? You should be in luck! We stayed in site number 1, and I found it to be just wooded enough. Almost all of the sites offered privacy.... Even when the campground was full. I do feel the campground bathhouse really needed more attention... while it had clearly been painted this past year, it was very “buggy” - and did not appear to have been thoroughly cleaned since spring... (yuck!).

    PRODUCT REVIEW: As a ranger for Dyrt.com, sometimes I am offered the opportunity to test and review various products. At Fahnestock State Park in New York state, I reviewed my Gregory Maven 55L Women’s backpack (see accompanying video).

    Weighing in at 3 pounds 6 ounces, the Gregory Maven was a nice mid-weight pack for me to take on my yearly 2 1/2 week Appalachian Trail hike.

    Normally, I like to save the best for last when I do a review; however, this time I just can’t wait to spread the news about my favorite features! The Maven has a Matrix Ventilation System, which provides exceptional ventilation on the pack’s back panel. This kept my back from being its usual sweaty mess! The second feature that blew me away was how cool my water stayed in this backpack! With other packs, the water gets warmed up from heat radiating off the hiker’s back. This didn’t happen with my Gregory pack! Every pull off my water - from the beginning of the day until hours later - provided me with a refreshingly cool drink. I actually questioned other hikers with Gregory packs to see if I was the only one experiencing this - The other hikers, who had different Gregory models, confirmed that their backs and water were staying cooler too! Added bonus: I was able to pull out the hydration sleeve and use it as a daypack a few times!

    The Maven’s pockets helped me keep my pack much more organized than in the past. It has a lower sleeping bag compartment, top pocket with separate zipper areas (one has a place to attach a car key!), side pockets, hip pockets, and even pockets on the shoulder harnesses! I can’t forget the front pocket, which held the rain fly!

    The pack fit was great, but do be careful to check your sizing if you are looking at both the 45L and 55L. While I am a XS/S with the 55L, I would have been a S/M with the 45L.

    I used this pack for 2 1/2 weeks backpacking over 200 miles on the Appalachian Trail through the states of New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. The Maven did an outstanding job keeping my possessions organized and dry as well as keeping me comfortable and happy on the trail! This will definitely be my pack of choice for future hikes!

  • Doug W.
    Jul. 31, 2019

    Valley View Group Campground

    Beautiful River Site

    This is a great campsite right on the river. There are 5 different sites all nicely marked out. Each has its own fire ring. There is also a central area with a big fire ring for everyone to get together. Bear boxes at each site for food storage.

  • Dwight D.
    Sep. 26, 2021

    Jenny Jump State Forest

    Cute Comfortable Shelter

    This is the first time we decided to forgo tent camping and reserve a shelter at a state park. We had a much better experience than we were expecting! The "shelter" is what we would describe as a "cabin"; four walls, a roof, locking door, locking windows, large picture frame front window, four beds(two bunks), a wood burning stove, and a porch. Even compared to our glamping this was luxury!!

    There are eight shelters at Jenny Jump State Park. Shelter 2 is a minute walk from the restroom with sink/shower and water. Shelters 7 & 8 are even closer while 4 & 5 are the furthest, may an extra 5 minutes walk? The dead end means there isn't too much traffic, though the road is right there so you can wave to the other campers heading to the restroom or for hikes. There is a trail head at one of the parking lots. During the day the parking lots filled up and there was some overflow parking for day-hikers across the road. We got to see their dogs, so that was a bonus for us! Otherwise, this shelter is not situated too close to the other shelters and feels very private.

    We brought battery-powered lights since there is no electricity. There were coat hooks and a built-in shelf for our snacks, games, and other supplies. There was a picnic table and benches inside. We brought camping chairs for relaxing on the porch. We spent most of our time on the porch; cooking, chatting, and crafting while enjoying the sunshine and breeze.

    Oh, this shelter is wheelchair accessible. Some of the others are not.

  • R
    Aug. 22, 2018

    Beaver Pond Campground — Harriman State Park

    Quiet, off-season, mid-week retreat

    We stayed here on a Thursday night in September prior to taking off backpacking. The campground was clean and quiet. RV hook-ups, tent platforms, and rustic tent sites were available. Our rustic tent site had a few good options for pitching a tent, as well as picnic table and fire ring.

    Ranger said that during summer weekends the grounds fill up and can be quite noisy, but mid-week during the off-season it was great. Expect to purchase firewood, although scrounging for kindling was possible. Facilities were clean and what you'd expect from a campground.

    Would definitely return!!

  • Christina H.
    Aug. 6, 2019

    Stokes State Forest

    Stokes State Forest: A nature-lovers dream (Review for Shotwell Campsite)

    I would definitely recommend this campsite to anyone wanting a beautiful, remote setting, but with all of the conveniences that the campgrounds offer. Anyone from a beginner to an expert would enjoy Stokes. Whether it be just a short, relaxing weekend trip or an adventure-packed week long trip, this place has the potential to be whatever you make it.

    Pros:

    • Has the perfect balance of feeling secluded without feeling completely alone in the middle of nowhere; the campsite we were specifically on was just far enough to be remote-feeling and fully private with trees surrounding it

    • Cute little pond right on the campgrounds

    • Our site had a fire ring, a picnic table, and a large sturdy pole with a hook for your lantern/mesh dry bag/etc

    • Even, rocky, yet soft enough ground to sleep on, many trees available for hammock camping

    • There was a huge, nasty storm one night that we stayed there, with terrible downpour and flash flood warnings, our site was elevated and did not get flooded

    • A lot of firewood and kindling in the area to be gathered, or you can buy firewood right from the office

    • Lots of stuff to do in the area for nature-lovers and outdoors-enthusiasts (Hiking trails, fishing/fly-fishing, sightseeing, mountain-biking, kayaking/paddle-boarding (rentals in the area if you do not own), hunting, swimming, horseback riding, waterfall-hunting, bird/wildlife watching (there are hawks, rabbits, owls, deer, toads, snakes, turtles, frogs, foxes, bats, salamanders, many interesting bugs, beavers, and bears in the area, you never know what you will see), lots of beautiful brooks and streams throughout the entire park, many awesome remote areas to set up your hammock and relax) Whoever said that there wasn't much to do here is just either not an outdoors person or straight up lying!

    • Water and dumpsters are within walking distance, or if you are not up to walking you can just take a short drive to fill up and dispose of your trash

    • There are outhouses scattered around, or if you are really needing a clean restroom where you can wash your hands, the park office's restroom is always open and very clean

    • Can be buggy at night time however, I was pleasantly surprised to have experienced zero mosquito bites and ZERO ticks on ourselves and even our dog (however she did have a leech on her from playing in the brook all day). We moderately used bug spray on ourselves and the dog had her flea and tick topical on.

    • Beautiful view of the stars on a clear night (Which can be breathtaking especially to city folk or those that cannot see stars from their homes)

    Cons:

    • Can hear the traffic from 206, but generally gets much quieter at night

    • Campsites are close enough that you may occasionally hear other groups if they are being very loud (We were next to a group campsite that had a very noisy party crowd, but could really only hear them at their loudest, and we weren't bothered)

    • Tent sites are located just off the dirt road where people travel to get to their sites, which means other campers' cars will occasionally pass right through your area. If this bothers you, be sure to book a site as far back as possible. Ex: Site T137 should have no vehicle traffic but your own and is the most remote of that area

    • Water fill stations can be a bit busy at certain times

    • Our fire ring rack was bent, but luckily we came prepared with our own rack to place on top of it and it worked out

    • Lots of poison ivy in the area, if you are not immune to it be very mindful of where you are stepping!

    • Our neighbor warned us that they got a flat tire after arriving at their campsite, and after searching their site found a bunch of nails almost intentionally thrown about. It's not the park's fault and the rangers were made aware of it. Carefully check your site after arriving for anything out of place and report to the office if necessary to keep these campsites safe and enjoyable.

    Points of interest nearby the campsite:

    • Big Flat Brook - A beautiful babbling brook that runs all throughout the area. Has great fly fishing for stocked rainbow trout. Access to the brook was only a short but beautiful hike north from our site through some thistle fields and woodlands.

    • Buttermilk falls (Tallest waterfall in NJ), Tillman Ravine, Dingmans Ferry/Falls, and my personal favorite, Silver Spray Falls - Multiple gorgeous waterfalls and ravines just waiting to be explored, all within ~15-20 min by car. I definitely recommend checking them out while you are camping here especially if you live far away from the area.

    • Sunrise Mountain and Rattlesnake Mountain - Catch a beautiful sunrise or sunset on top of Sunrise Mountain, which is a pleasant, scenic car ride directly to the top where there is a small parking lot, a smelly outhouse, and a nice picnic table area with a great view. Rattlesnake Mountain is a part of the Appalachian Trail and is somewhat barren towards the top which makes for excellent views. Like its name, it's not uncommon to see many snakes in the area, rattlesnakes tend to hang out on the top and sunbathe on the rocks. Keep your pets on a leash and have a stick handy just in case, however, they will leave you alone if you keep your distance.

    • Lake Ashroe, Stony Lake, Lake Ocquittunk - Many lakes for multiple activities in the area such as fishing (trout stocked waters), kayaking, swimming (Stony lake has a beach area with lifeguards, restrooms, and picnic areas. Check their website for more info.)

    • Horseback riding - A few great horseback riding places nearby, some offering trail rides through the beautiful park.

    • Appalachian Trail - The widely-known Appalachian Trail, the longest hiking-only trail in the world, that runs all the way from Maine to Georgia goes right through this area. You may run into very interesting people from all over who are thru-hiking the AT.

    PLEASE CLEAN UP AFTER YOUR VISIT. LEAVE NO TRACE. KEEP OUR PARKS BEAUTIFUL. THANK YOU.

  • S
    Jun. 2, 2019

    Beaver Pond Campground — Harriman State Park

    Lovely campgrounds an hour north of NYC

    Drive-in tent campgrounds. Adequate restroom facilities sprinkled amongst tent sites. Some campsites have raised platforms. All sites have picnic tables and fire ring with flip-top grill. If looking for privacy, back end of campgrounds (#’s 1, 13, 15, 21, 23, etc) provide adequate quietness, a bit hidden and tucked away from the rest. Very near many trailheads and the expansive Lake Welsh. Alcohol prohibited... Uploaded photo/vid from off-season 2019.

  • M
    May. 17, 2015

    High Point State Park Campground

    Large Private Lakeside Sites

    We recently stayed at site 3 at the campground at High Point State Park in NJ. It was our first time there, and we were surprised at how nice it was.

    There are about 40 to 50 sites around Sawmill Lake. Many of these sites , like ours, are walk in sites (about a 50 yard walk) that sit lakeside. The sites were large and spread out, and we felt like we had a good amount of privacy.

    Our site had a picnic table, and a fire ring with a cooking grate. Although, we didn't have one, we saw some sites had tent platforms

    There are a few sites that sit higher up, and further from the lake, for RV and or car campers not looking to walk to there site. These had less privacy because they sit close to the road.

    The bathrooms with flush toilets were ok when we were there. There are water spigots around the campground, but there are no showers or sinks. It's noted that there is no camp store at the campground, and the closest grocery was about 1/2 hour away, so come prepared. They did sell firewood at the park headquarters , which is about 10 minutes away from the campground.

    It was pretty buggy (including ticks), so don't forget your deep woods.

  • Angel A.
    Aug. 20, 2018

    Lower Lake Campground Northwoods Area — Promised Land State Park

    Northwoods Campground

    Big sites with 30 amp service available for RVs and trailers. Each site has a large picnic table and a fire ring with an adjustable grate. The pull-through sites don’t offer much in the way of privacy, but that’s the trade off for convenience. There are two potable water spigots in the campground. The bathhouse offers warm showers, 2 dishwashing sinks, and a coin-operated washer and dryer. The facilities are kept very clean. On the weekends it can get pretty crowded, so it tends to be louder at night then, but the camp hosts and the rangers do a good job of enforcing quiet hours. Access points to several trails are very near the campground. As with all PA state parks, alcohol is prohibited. The park doesn’t have a camp store, however, there is a small general store on Route 390 (The Lake Store) just north of the park that would have any essentials you may have forgotten, as well as ice for your cooler.


Guide to Chester

Tent campsites near Chester, New York are situated in the Hudson Highlands region, with elevations ranging from 400 to 1,300 feet. The area experiences typical northeastern seasonal changes with hot, humid summers and cold winters. Most primitive camping options require hikers to carry all supplies as the terrain features rocky outcroppings and moderate elevation changes throughout the hiking trails leading to campsites.

What to do

Lake activities: At The Stephen & Betsy Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center, visitors can enjoy canoeing and swimming in the on-site lake. "You can also rent canoes and take them out on the lake for an afternoon activity," explains Ethan K., who recommends this option for summer recreation.

Trail exploration: The Suffern-Bear Mountain from Gate Hill Road Primitive offers challenging hiking with rock scrambles. A camper notes, "At one point of the trail is a very difficult, but doable, rock scramble up the side of the mountain. At the top of the scramble is a primitive camping site with amazing views."

Farm exploration: For a unique camping experience near Chester, Peace and Carrots Farm offers camping with agricultural activities. A visitor describes, "This site was a small tiny home located on an active produce farm. The host was fantastic and catered to all of our needs giving us some firewood, a tour of her farm, and some fresh produce she picked that morning."

What campers like

Peaceful settings: Campers at Sebago Cabin Camp appreciate the natural environment. "Sebago has a huge lake and great beach area. It was perfect for lounging and swimming in during a hot summer day," states Ethan K., highlighting the water features that attract visitors.

Communal activities: Weekend organized events enhance the camping experience. According to Hashim C., Sebago Cabins offer "movie nights they do big bon 🔥 on Saturday very kid friendly ranger Joe is 👌 with the kids and they have 🔥 wood for purchase on site."

Wildlife viewing: The natural setting supports diverse wildlife viewing opportunities. At Corman AMC Center, campers can observe local fauna: "The lake is very peaceful, and home to beavers we watched from the dining hall patio," reports Ilya F.

What you should know

Bear precautions: Bear activity requires proper food storage throughout the region. Thomas M. advises, "They do have bear boxes available as this is bear country," at Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center, emphasizing the importance of securing food items.

Water access: Not all sites provide drinking water, particularly primitive locations. At Stonetown Circular trail Primitive #2, Ethan K. notes a benefit: "This is a nice spot to set up camp because it is right next to a flowing stream with fresh water," though water should be treated before consumption.

Connectivity limitations: Cell service varies significantly by location and carrier. At Croton Point Park, Thomas notes there is "no Wi-Fi and street address didn't work correctly with multiple GPS apps," suggesting campers should download offline maps before arrival.

Tips for camping with families

Cabin options: For families new to camping or with young children, cabins provide comfort while maintaining an outdoor experience. Sara P. describes Sebago cabins as "VERY rustic, four walls, a cot, and a fridge. You still feel like you are 'roughing it' but with the convenience of a fridge."

Playground access: Wawayanda State Park Campground offers play structures for children. As Andrew A. points out about Croton Point Park, there is "a model airplane air field and a decent playground for young kids" to keep children entertained.

Transportation options: Families without vehicles can still access some camping areas. According to Ilya F., "This campsite is accessible by public transportation. There is a shuttle run by the campsite to and from Tuxedo Park Train Station (reservations on shuttle required)."

Tips for RVers

Parking logistics: Many tent campsites near Chester have limited vehicle access. Thomas M. notes at Corman AMC Center, "The parking for your car is 1/4 mile away but they allow you to unload and give you a wagon to take stuff to your site," requiring RVers to plan accordingly.

Alternative accommodations: The Moon Valley Campground offers unique structures for those seeking RV alternatives. Bob F. recommends, "Try it you won't be sorry," noting that visitors can "Bring your tent or use the existing glamping tents" if an RV isn't suitable for the site.

Hookup availability: Most primitive tent camping areas near Chester lack RV hookups. For those needing utilities, Croton Point Park offers some options, though as one camper states, they have "a mix of w/e (6 sites) and FHU sites," with limited availability requiring advance planning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Chester, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Chester, NY is The Stephen & Betsy Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center — Harriman State Park with a 5-star rating from 6 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Chester, NY?

TheDyrt.com has all 51 tent camping locations near Chester, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.