Camping options near Cross River, New York range from basic tent sites to full-service RV parks within a 35-mile radius. The area sits at elevations between 400-1,000 feet with the surrounding Westchester County terrain characterized by rolling hills, mixed hardwood forests, and numerous lakes and reservoirs. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F with humidity levels higher than surrounding regions due to the prevalence of water bodies.
What to do
Hiking accessible trails: Hikers at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation find over 40 miles of maintained paths for all skill levels. According to visitor Ethan K., "The best part of this campsite are the endless trails in the area. I believe there are over 40 miles of trails in this area."
Fish local waters: Fishing opportunities abound at Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground, where campers report good catches. One visitor noted, "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!!"
Winter activities: Unlike many seasonal campgrounds, some locations remain open year-round. The Mountain Lakes Park area maintains trails for cold-weather hiking and snowshoeing when conditions permit. A camper described it as "a gorgeous piece of land that contains lakes, a lookout and Mt. Bailey, the highest point in Westchester County."
Beach swimming: Dedicated swimming areas provide summer relief at several campgrounds. Kettletown State Park Campground offers "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!"
What campers like
Site privacy levels: Campsites vary significantly in privacy across the region. At Beaver Pond Campground, "The biggest positive about Beaver Pond is how spread out it was. You definitely feel like you have your own space and are not camping on top of your neighbor."
Proximity to NYC: Many campers appreciate the relatively short drive from urban areas. One reviewer at Harriman State Park noted, "Great location and quick to get to from NYC. 45 minute drive and location has a lot of amenities. Full bathrooms and slop sinks throughout the campsite."
Platform camping options: Several campsites offer raised platforms for tent setup. As one Beaver Pond camper explained, "Many of the camping options were on platforms which is especially nice if it recently rained or if you are expecting rain during your stay."
Wildlife observation: Wildlife encounters are common throughout camping areas near Cross River. At Croton Point Park, one camper reported, "Plenty of parking and hiking trails! Not a lot of loud noises or wild animal issues that we experienced. It was beautiful!"
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds in the area require advance booking, especially for prime weekends. At Kettletown State Park Campground, staff advise that "Weekends - this park is FULL! Make sure to reserve at least two weeks out. Weekdays? You should be in luck!"
Food storage concerns: Wildlife necessitates proper food handling. One Croton Point camper warned, "Keep your food in the dry bag and away from the tent or benches provided or face the packs of fearless raccoons at night."
Bathroom facilities vary: Bathroom quality differs significantly between campgrounds. A Kettletown visitor noted that "The bathrooms weren't the best but we aren't picky" while another camper at Clarence Fahnestock reported, "The bathrooms were clean and well-kept (saw toilet bowl cleaner in the morning), no stalls ran out of toilet paper, and there was soap most of the time at the sinks."
Service access: Cell phone reception varies widely throughout the best places to camp near Cross River. As one reviewer at West Point FMWR Round Pond Outdoor Recreation Area explained, "Just a note to other campers with T-Moblie, we did not have any service on the campsite, however just a hop in the car or a quick walk down the mountain for 5G service near the entrance off the main road."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. At Jellystone Park Gardiner, "This campground has a lot of activities and has kids of all ages galore. I was worried my 12 year old would be too old for it but he enjoyed making friends there."
Kid-friendly water features: Swimming areas designed for children exist at multiple locations. One Jellystone visitor described, "Nice pool that is shallow so you can relax and let the little ones go in the water park section alone or they have a 3 ft pool also."
Nature programs: Some parks offer educational programming. At Clarence Fahnestock, sites are "located next to the Nature Center and a water spigot," providing convenient access to educational resources.
Activity scheduling: Weekends typically feature more organized events. A Jellystone camper observed, "It looks like Saturdays have the best activities but we were not there on a Saturday."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Electric and water connections vary by campground. At Beaver Pond Campground, "All sites have a standard picnic table and fire ring. Our site is a trailer site, it's perfect for the trusty old pop-up, and feels nice and roomy. Although no site offers electric or water hook up."
Site sizing differences: RV sites range from small pop-up spots to larger full-hookup areas. At Kettletown, one visitor explained the layout: "There are lean-to sites as well as tent sites. A maximum of eight people in two tents are allowed at each site."
Amenities for longer stays: Facilities like laundry are limited in the region. Harriman State Park provides "a moderately stocked store, public bath houses, a laundry facility, playground for the kids and camp-sinks with access to water."
