30 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Mountain Lakes Park and Jellystone Park Gardiner stand out among glamping destinations in the Hudson Valley region, both offering distinctive accommodation options beyond traditional camping. Mountain Lakes Park features yurt rentals set amid multiple lakes, trails, and Mount Bailey—the highest point in Westchester County. Jellystone Park Gardiner provides safari-style glamping accommodations with full amenities, comfortable bedding, and proximity to the Shawangunk Mountains. Both locations maintain clean facilities with electricity and modern conveniences while preserving a natural setting. Each glamping site includes a picnic table and fire ring for outdoor dining experiences. Sites are strategically positioned to maximize privacy while maintaining access to shared amenities. A recent visitor mentioned, "Moon Valley Campground is a great campsite nestled in the foothills with great views and great location for hiking—bring your tent or use the existing glamping tents."
The luxury outdoor experience extends beyond comfortable accommodations with numerous recreational opportunities. Walking distance from most glamping sites, visitors find hiking trails connecting to larger networks including segments near the Appalachian Trail. Jellystone Park provides family-focused amenities including a water park, bouncy pad, mini golf, basketball courts, and seasonal entertainment programming. For those seeking a more serene experience, Mountain Lakes Park offers multiple lakes for fishing and paddling surrounded by wooded trails. Moon Valley Campground features unique geodesic dome structures that provide panoramic mountain views while remaining just an hour from Manhattan. One camper noted, "This was a great place for those who want to camp in luxury with their awesome dome structures, near the Appalachian trail while still only about an hour from Manhattan." Most boutique camping locations in the area are open from April through October with peak season reservations recommended at least 2-3 months in advance.
"Bath houses are absolutely spotless. Fire pits, electric and water hook ups only. Will return! Staff is friendly and helpful. Military families should check it out!"
"The campground is beautiful and the staff was wonderful! We started our camping season off right with a quick weekend stay at Round Pound. We were very impressed with the playground on site!"
from $25 - $40 / night
Check Availability"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. "
from $20 - $150 / night
Check Availability"Mountain Lakes park is a great place to camp within driving distance from NYC. A fun option available at Mountain lakes is to rent a yurt to camp in."
"A gorgeous piece of land that contains lakes, a lookout and Mt. Bailey, the highest point in Westchester County. A dirt road loops through the property with trails off and through it."
"The camp is set up in a “blank slate, parking lot” type style, with a big field, center for tent camping or to be used for sports or other activities."
"We had full hookups with 50-amp electrical service- which all worked fine. The entire park seemed to be well maintained and clean."
"Cabins are always clean and stocked with firewood. Lots of hiking trails. Trading post is well stocked and volunteers are always friendly and able to answer any questions"
"One rustic place with many hiking trails to choose from. Camp also provides trucking of gear weather permitting. No vehicles allowed to drive through camp. Trading Post for treats and other items."
from $5 - $200 / night
Check Availability"Location- 4 stars- close to NYC but kinda just in the woods and close to homes, not much around. Sites- 4 stars- a real mixed bag- the rv/trailer only section is really nice, wooded."
"Amenities Bathrooms are older and need of some repair but let me tell you I was very happy to see a normal shower head with real hot water! So no complaints here."
"Arrived to campsite late but easily found. Campsite and lean to was clean. Fire pit with grill and picnic table."
"There are level padded sites with electric and water (in warmer months). Sites were spaced out with beautiful woods in the background. Hiking trail goes right through the campground."
"Camping for summer is pretty limited to Sawmill Lake, as the other locations are for groups or winter camping."
"It is not very private/secluded as it is right by the road, but we enjoy waving at neighbors driving or walking by. Short 5-10 min walk to the restroom and water, no sinks or showers."
from $5 - $20 / night
Check Availability"No pets or alcohol allowed. The campground has a pit toilet and a well. Each large campsite has a picnic table, fire pit, and lantern hook. Some sites also have a tent platform."
"So it rained during set up and it rained during take down. It stopped raining for a bit and we took a nice walk around the campsite, out to the lake and back. Then night fell and so did the rain."
from $7 - $55 / night
Check Availability"The staff was friendly and accommodating, and the camp store was well-stocked with essentials."
"Rafting and hiking is always a great time, and you can have a good campfire with music and a few beers and nobody is going to bother you."
from $75 - $400 / night
Check Availability
ScoutThis 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. Bring your tent or use the existing glamping tents. Headed back for a fall weekend in the "dome" which has incredible views. Try it you won't be sorry.
GuideStayed 2 nights and it was really nice. Camping for summer is pretty limited to Sawmill Lake, as the other locations are for groups or winter camping. Camps are secluded from each other and most if not all have an elevated space to put tents or chairs. Each place comes with a lamp hang, a fire pit, and a picnic table. Bathrooms are spaced out. No running water except for pump founded outside of the bathrooms. Toilets are pump flushed. Showers are only located INSIDE High Point State Park, not throughout the campsites, but entry is free for campers. One hiking trail is accessible in Sawmill campground, 3 others are accessible on the road outside of the campground and the rest are located inside the park. When you arrive you have to check in with the park office for your campsite tag. Hours are 8-4. Park officials come through the campsites pretty regularly, a few times a day which is nice. Areas are clean and well maintained.
RangerCampground Review
Stokes State Forest has four campgrounds. The Steam Mill Camping Area is tucked out the of the way and is the most primitive. It is the smallest of the campgrounds with 27 sites only suitable for tents or small trailers/campervans. No pets or alcohol allowed.
The campground has a pit toilet and a well. Each large campsite has a picnic table, fire pit, and lantern hook. Some sites also have a tent platform. Many sites are a bit rocky.
We selected site T219. It was a solid choice: private but close to the toilet and water. Some sites located around the opposite side of the ring back up to a babbling brook. The rushing water will soothe you to sleep.
Remember, this is bear country so proper food storage is a must. Bear lockers are not provided. The area also has ticks and rattlesnakes.
Outdoor activities in the area abound. Go fishing, hiking, biking, horseback riding, kayaking, and more. There are 21 marked trails that cover over 63 miles within the boundaries of Stokes State Forest. Twelve miles are part of the Appalachian Trail. Pick up a hiking map at the park office or download the Avenza Maps app.
This visit we hiked the Tillman Ravine trail (tip: make the trail a loop and visit both the ravine and the nearby old cemetery).
You can also drive or hike to Sunset Mountain Scenic Overlook for a view of High Point Monument. High Point Monument is the highest elevation in New Jersey and is located in High Point State Park which borders Stokes State Forest on the north. High Point State Park also offers camping, hiking, sightseeing opportunities. And, on the western border of Stokes State Forest is the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. So, there is lots of outdoors to get out and explore!
Product Review
We camped at the Steam Mill Camping Area in Stokes State Forest in our campervan over a chilly autumn weekend. We had the opportunity to cook some soup on our stovetop and chill out by the campfire. And, as Rangers for The Dyrt, we get products to test from time to time so we were psyched to try out some new dinnerware and cutlery. This included the FlexiBowl and GoBites from humangear.
What made these humangear products pretty awesome? Well, the fun colors to start. I mean, seriously, my orange bowl rules. The FlexiBowl also has some neat features: it’s flexible - just like the name suggests - and foldable. The bowl can be squished and stuffed anywhere. And, the top section can be folded down to create a smaller bowl. The FlexiBowl is versatile yet durable. It held my hearty, warm soup just perfectly.
I paired the FlexiBowl with one of the GoBites utensils (the Uno model). The Uno model is my favorite - it has a fork on one side and a spoon on the other side. Very simple and convenient. The other GoBites models include the Duo (separate fork and spoon that can snap together) and the Trio (a fork, spoon, and knife - with bottle opener - in a case).
PRO TIP: I keep the Trio GoBites model in my travel pack at all times. It recently came in handy on a (non-camping) trip to Sardinia. The knife on the Trio allowed me to slice some delicious local cheese to pair with bread, jam, and wine that was purchased from the grocery store. YUM.
ScoutNice, family friendly campground with 3 levels to camp at. Top level has a pool, showers and bathrooms with laundry area and game room. Middle level has open field with bathrooms with sinks and running water. There is water and electric on the sites at the middle level. River level has more primitive bathrooms and some bathrooms with running water. You can camp right next to the river and it has a great view.
RangerMy first trip to this campground was September 2020. We wanted to get out of the house, but stay clear of other campers during the pandemic. This campsite, CS52, was in the woods and we were able to get the illusion of privacy by parking the cars along the road as a makeshift wall and pitching our tents beside them, facing inward. The other 3/4 of the campsite was bound by trees and shrubs which was nice and why we chose the spot. Other sites are more open and only the darkness of night will give you privacy. Each campsite has a firepit/ring, picnic table, and lantern hook.
We hung out at the campsite mostly, using the fire pit, playing frisbee, and relaxing in our hammocks. When we did roam a bit, there was a nice lake, with seating every so often and a boat dock ramp thing in the campground. There was also a playground, beach, pavilion, and picnic tables, but we did not use any of that.
Campsite sells fire wood. Clean bathrooms with flush toilets and showers, masks required for the pandemic.
GuideCamp Gateway in Brooklyn New York is one of my favorite places to visit. I went to college in New York, and loved to get out of the busy city and go camping and be outdoors. Camp Gateway was always a place that I loved to go. It is pretty close to town-which is crazy because you feel like you are miles away. Camp Gateway does offer a lot of different activities for everyone. One thing I love to do is go kayaking and stand up paddle boarding. My girlfriends and I tried to do this once a month to get away from the city and school. Because you are so close to the city, you can plan outdoor activities as well as some activities in the city. My friends and I stayed 1 night in the campground, and the next day went to a recital show that took us 10 minutes to get to. You can also walk, hike or ride your bike along multiple paths- I have done the Fort Tilden trail (I just walked, but there were multiple people that passed us on their bikes). Within the campground they do have some fire pits- which my friends and I always use because we love cooking smores and hot dogs for dinner. A little further away from the campground, about 10-15 miles there is a place where you can do horseback riding, see the Statue of Liberty (which is gorgeous!), and there is a little beach area. This beach area is where I do my kayaking and stand up paddle boarding. Again, its not very far away...you can either drive there, walk or ride your bike. The road is paved, which is nice. I stayed here also with my parents, and I know my dad went golfing one day (I didn't go, but he said it was awesome)- and again that was only a 10 minute drive from our camping spot. This campground like I said, does offer quite a bit. Sometimes it doesn't really feel like you are "camping" because things are pretty close by, but it definitely is worth going to and trying.
LegendLocation- 4 stars- close to NYC but kinda just in the woods and close to homes, not much around.
Sites- 4 stars- a real mixed bag- the rv/trailer only section is really nice, wooded. Has a classic campground feel. The other tent/cabin side was loud and not private. Ours is really great- very woodsy and private, close to amenities.
Staff- 5 stars. Friendly and helpful.
Camping Clientele- 4- a real mixed bag here too.
Amenities- 4 stars. Two pools but both were overcrowded. Playground was large and in decent condition. Mini golf looked pretty small and basic. Jumping pad was under construction and closed, oh well.
Pleasant place overall. Worked well for us as a one night stop. Kids really enjoyed it.
GuideNo frills but beautiful. Bath houses are absolutely spotless. Fire pits, electric and water hook ups only. Will return! Staff is friendly and helpful. Military families should check it out!
LegendI really enjoyed camping at Shotwell. To get there, you have to drive about 2 miles down a road away from the welcome center. This is nice because it is quiet from traffic from cars. Each campsite is fairly big and far enough away from each other so you feel like you have your own space. Some of the sites had a platform to set up your tent on which is nice, especially if you are going after it recently rained. Our site had a picnic table and fire ring. There was a communal bathroom which was fairly well maintained and a large dumpster near the front of the site to drop off your trash. They did have a cabin-like option but I did not stay in it and do not know much about renting those.
Camping options near Croton-on-Hudson, New York span diverse terrains across three states. This region forms part of the Hudson Highlands, where elevations range from 400 to 1,500 feet above sea level. The area experiences moderate seasonal temperature variations with summer highs averaging 85°F and winter lows dropping to 20°F. Rainfall patterns create varied conditions across campgrounds, with western sites typically receiving more precipitation than those east of the Hudson River.
Trail connections from campsites: Stokes State Forest offers numerous trail options accessible directly from camping areas. "We took one afternoon to visit the High Point Monument, which was lovely. No room for yard games, but we spent the time relaxing and burning stuff. The site was very secluded," notes a reviewer from High Point State Park Campground. Multiple interconnected trail systems provide routes for various skill levels.
Wildlife observation spots: Early mornings provide the best viewing at lake edges throughout the region. A visitor to Stokes State Forest mentioned, "It was peaceful to hear the frogs chirping at night, but definitely didn't think about how many more bugs the pond would bring." Designated wildlife areas are maintained at several conservation sites.
Water activities beyond swimming: At several locations, campers can fish in designated lakes without permits for certain species. "The area, as the name implies, is home to several lakes which can be used for various recreational purposes," writes a camper at Mountain Lakes Park. Non-motorized watercraft rentals typically cost $10-25 per hour depending on boat type.
Clean bathroom facilities: Despite rustic settings, some campgrounds maintain well-serviced facilities. A visitor to West Point FMWR Round Pond Recreation Area observed, "Bath houses are absolutely spotless. Fire pits, electric and water hook ups only. Will return! Staff is friendly and helpful." Most facilities with full bathrooms are regularly maintained throughout the day.
Proximity to urban centers: Many campers appreciate the reasonable distance from city areas. "Love the proximity to NYC - I always look for areas that are not too far, but not too close to NY. Beautiful but small-ish tent sites," notes a camper at West Point FMWR Round Pond Recreation Area. Most campgrounds remain within 60-90 minutes of major metropolitan areas.
Distinctive camping structures: Glamping close to Croton-on-Hudson, New York includes unique accommodation options. A reviewer at Moon Valley Campground shared, "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. Bring your tent or use the existing glamping tents." Specialty accommodations typically require reservations 3-4 weeks in advance.
Military-only access: Some camping areas restrict general public access. As one visitor discovered at West Point FMWR Round Pond Recreation Area, "Unfortunately for me, Round Pond is camping reserved for active and retired military personnel only. We drove through and the whole space is rather large. There are several signs everywhere making it clear that it is only for military."
Rustic cabins have varied facilities: Cabin amenities differ significantly between locations. A camper at Camp Glen Gray reported, "Cabins are always clean and stocked with firewood. Lots of hiking trails. Trading post is well stocked and volunteers are always friendly and able to answer any questions." Most cabins require guests to bring their own bedding and cooking supplies.
Site selection considerations: Campground topography affects comfort levels. "The gravel driveway is on a 30-40 degree incline. The tent was too long for the 12'x10' platform, so we had to set it up on the flattest part and hope not to roll down the hill in the night," warned a visitor to High Point State Park. Review site descriptions carefully before booking, especially regarding tent platforms.
Kid-specific amenities: Some campgrounds target younger visitors. A camper at Jellystone Park Gardiner noted, "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. My older kids preferred a deeper pool but they still had a great time." Consider age-appropriate activities when selecting locations.
Activity scheduling: Weekdays typically offer less crowded conditions at popular family sites. "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," shared a Jellystone Park Gardiner visitor. Review programming schedules before booking to align with children's interests.
Safety considerations: Sites vary in terrain safety for younger visitors. "The new docks around the swimming area create a safer swimming experience for even the most inexperienced swimmers, allowing them safe and obvious perimeters," mentioned a camper at West Point FMWR Lake Frederick Outdoor Recreation Area. Many locations provide safety equipment at water features.
Hookup availability: Water connections may require additional equipment at some sites. A visitor to Mahlon Dickerson Reservation observed, "Website lists water hook ups at long distances but they have hose reels to help with that. Our site (15) said 75' however the 50' hose reel made it to our rv connection." Bring extension hoses and power cords for all hookup types.
Dump station access: Facilities vary widely between locations. "Easy to navigate our 38 ft. RV. Easy to dump and fill. Peaceful. Close to train to N.Y. City," reported a Mahlon Dickerson Reservation camper. Not all campgrounds accommodate larger vehicles or provide full hookup services.
Site leveling challenges: Terrain varies significantly across the region's glamping options near Croton-on-Hudson. "The campsites are paved and mostly level. They are wooded and large. Water and electric hookups and a dump station," noted a visitor to Mahlon Dickerson Reservation. Bring leveling blocks even at sites advertised as level.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Croton-on-Hudson, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Croton-on-Hudson, NY is West Point FMWR Round Pond Outdoor Recreation Area with a 3.9-star rating from 7 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Croton-on-Hudson, NY?
TheDyrt.com has all 30 glamping camping locations near Croton-on-Hudson, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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