Leo C.
Scout
ScoutWinding Hills Park
Nice but dated
Nice campground, bathrooms are clean but dated, first come first serve for the sites.
Camping near Elmsford, NY
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The Hudson Valley surrounding Elmsford, New York features a variety of developed campgrounds across Westchester County and neighboring areas. Croton Point Park on the Hudson River provides tent and RV sites along with cabin accommodations open year-round, while Ward Pound Ridge Reservation offers primitive lean-to shelters and tent sites amidst 40+ miles of hiking trails. Several state parks within a 30-mile radius, including Harriman State Park with its Beaver Pond Campground and Sebago Cabin Camp, provide additional mixed-use camping options with varying levels of amenities and seasonal availability.
Many campgrounds in the region require reservations, particularly during the busy summer months. Roads and access points are generally well-maintained and suitable for standard vehicles, though some primitive sites require hiking to reach. "Ward Pound Ridge is very well known to the locals as a great place for sled-riding in winter and a place for big group gatherings. The many different trails are frequented by the locals as well," noted one visitor. Weather patterns follow typical Northeast seasonal variations, with camping being most popular from April through October, though several facilities remain open year-round. Prospective campers should note that campfire restrictions vary by location, and some sites prohibit alcohol consumption according to county or state regulations.
Campers frequently mention the scenic qualities of the region, with waterfront sites at Croton Point Park offering Hudson River views being particularly popular. "This must be one of the most breathtaking camp grounds right on the Hudson with beach and trails," reported one review. The proximity to New York City (within 30-60 minutes) makes these campgrounds accessible weekend destinations, though this convenience can lead to crowding during peak times. Several campers noted noise concerns at certain locations, particularly at Croton Point Park due to nearby train activity. The region's mixed-use facilities accommodate various camping styles, from RV hookups at Liberty Harbor RV Park to primitive hiking trails with backcountry sites along the Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail, providing options for both novice campers and experienced outdoor enthusiasts.
Best Campgrounds near Elmsford (75)
1. Beaver Pond Campground in Harriman State Park
"15 dolares la noche para los que viven en el Estado de New York o New York city .. si es fuera del estado son $5 dolares mas!!"
"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."
from $21 - $24 / night
Check Availability2. Croton Point Park
"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."
"Was close to bear mountains state part and the train station is right there!"
from $30 - $60 / night
Check Availability3. Ward Pound Ridge Reservation
"Close to the city and civilization, yet large enough to have nice trails and creeks to feel away from it all. The camping sites are very different so it’s useful to go in person and select the area."
"The shelter sites are large and private with access to hiking trails and make for a unique experience. The staff is friendly as well"
from $45 - $55 / night
Check Availability4. Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground
"When you are camping with a large group of friends and don't all have access to a car, this is the perfect spot."
"We were right next to the entrance for hiking trails which was convenient. The facilities are a bit of a walk, but that means it is spread out and there's plenty of room to relax and have fun."
from $17 / night
Check Availability5. The Stephen & Betsy Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center — Harriman State Park
"This was beautiful campground with an even nicer lake. You are able to do a hike around the lake."
"Great trails to hike for novices looking to branch out but not too large that you'll be lost forever lol highly recommend and can't do so enough 👍🏽"
6. Sebago Cabin Camp — Harriman State Park
"It is a step up from cabin camping. They also have a beach behind it."
"This place is only an hour away from NYC with so much to do and see. These cabins are VERY rustic, four walls, a cot, and a fridge."
from $130 / night
Check Availability7. Liberty Harbor RV Park
"Very plain & functional, no frills but right on the harbor & on the very edge of Jersey City, close to a ferry & the train that takes u across to New York City."
"Very easy to hop on transit to get to New York City. People were friendly."
from $145 - $180 / night
Check Availability8. Mountain Lakes Park
"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."
9. Suffern-Bear Mountain from Gate Hill Road Primitive
"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."
10. West Point FMWR Round Pond Outdoor Recreation Area
"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."
"We are looking forward to stopping by Round Pond again in the near future."
from $25 - $40 / night
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Drive Time
- 26 min from New York, NY
- 34 min from Kiryas Joel, NY
- 39 min from Bridgeport, CT
- 55 min from New Haven, CT
Recent Camping Photos near Elmsford, NY
230 Photos of 75 Elmsford Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Croton Point Park
Ward Pound Ridge Reservation
Beaver Pond Campground in Harriman State Park
Campgaw Mountain Reservation
Tentrr Signature Site - Hunter Brook Mountain
Clarence Fahnestock State Park CampgroundJ
Camp Gateway- Brooklyn NY - CLOSED — Gateway National Recreation Area
Wawayanda Group Shelter
Malouf's Mountain Campground
Staten Island — Gateway National Recreation Area - CLOSED for 2025
Black Bear RV ParkT
Blydenburgh County ParkK
Recent Reviews near Elmsford, NY
444 Reviews of 75 Elmsford Campgrounds
Thomas B.
RangerNeversink River Resort
Cool Riverside Campground
I'll start by saying this is a site-specific review (C20). I booked using Campspot and didn't select my own site but put in the criteria for my rig (30ft TT plus truck) and got a 50A back-in spot. The site was big but abnormal. Between the picnic table placement and the trees, I ended up right around 50ft from the electric and water, and the water spigot was so low I could barely put on my camco filter. With the uneven dirt roads, I had to unhitch with my truck in a gigantic puddle (lol). The site was otherwise fine aside from my gate code not working on Day 2. As for the campground as a whole, I thought it was pretty unique place by the river that offered several good amenities and activities, like downstream river tubing, an arcade, bathroom/shower facilities, a small store, little trails, and more. I would say this place borders the more primitive side.
Edwin R.ScoutCheesequake State Park Campground
Park uses county cops to shut down park by 9pm.
On Friday, September 4, 2026, I rented a trailer and brought my family to Cheesequake State Park to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary over the extended Labor Day weekend. Around 9:20 PM—well before the park's designated 10:00 PM quiet hours—we were sitting inside our canopy, playing Jenga, and listening to low background music. Two officers from the Matawan Police Department approached our campsite. They were polite and courteous, simply offering a standard reminder to wrap things up by 10:00 PM. Before they could leave, however, a third, senior officer intervened. Wanting to"show them how it's done," he made the two polite officers return and stand by to watch as he demonstrated how to aggressively harass campers. Flashlight in hand, the senior officer approached with an immediate hostile attitude, treating us like criminals as he demanded to know who rented the site. He began reiterating rules and claimed we had too many vehicles. We had three cars, one belonging to my brother-in-law's girlfriend, who was visiting with her daughter. She had paid the$10 visitor fee at the main office and was instructed by staff to obtain the gate access code from us, the primary renters, if she got locked in. No staff member ever informed her of an 8:00 PM visitor departure deadline, leading us to reasonably assume visitors were permitted until quiet hours began at 10:00 PM. The officer rudely snapped that she had been given wrong information. The senior officer then used profanity in front of three small children, aggressively telling her to ("get her shit and get the fuck out!") in that manner or use profanity, the officer went from hostile to furious. He angrily declared that these were official violations and threatened that he could be issuing us tickets instead. Desperately searching for anything and everything to throw at us, he demanded that we turn off our idling car—which was supplying power to our campsite—and instructed us to make sure the campfire was doused before shutting down for the night. He then proceeded to shine his flashlight into our private setup—including our canopy, tents, and the inside of our trailer—searching for any other possible violation while the two polite officers were forced to watch. What was supposed to be a special 10th wedding anniversary celebration with my family was completely ruined by a senior officer misusing his authority to put on an unnecessary display of intimidation. Worse than just ruining our night, he spent that evening teaching those two police officers how to be bad cops. He corrupted two officers in real time, demonstrating firsthand exactly why most people have lost faith in the police force. The next day we was ready for them. We turned off our lights and quietly by the fire while they went next door to harass an asian family that had just set up camp and had their leds lights on.
- eedgar V.Scout
Black Bear RV Park
Super clean and quiet
Past reviews has mentioned that the office seems to be closed often, while I found that to be true I had no reason to contact anyone. This is definitely one of the cleanest quiets site I’ve ever visited
- KKelly B.
GuideClarence Fahnestock State Park Campground
Check site photos first
Definitely a wide variety of sites—look at the site pictures before booking—there are two areas where it’s just an open field with bonfires and picnic tables that I’d avoid. I could see a large group going there or something but personally it doesn’t offer any privacy.
BUT if you book one of the other sites that DOES have privacy you’ll be in camping heaven. The “hike in” sites are more like “walk-in,” I was worried at first but it’s some are as little as a few yards from the road. The most annoying part was lugging the cooler back and forth, but totally worth it
- JJoyceScout
Beaver Pond Campground in Harriman State Park
Bare bones
No hookups. It was wooded, quiet and dark at night. I used the dump station on my way out. The first time I ever saw a poop fountain. The sewer opening sticks up above ground level. The cover swivels away, so I couldn't put it on top of my hose. And then, when I tried to rinse it, there was nowhere for it to go, because the inlet is elevated.
Lauren Q.ScoutJellystone Park™ Gardiner
Overall good stay
We stay at a lot of Jellystone parks so have become accustomed to the park layouts and activities. This one was well maintained with clean facilities. Some things like the mini golf and fire pits needed maintenance. The pools were nice but get very busy later in the day. The sites up on the hills are nice but beware, it’s a hill! There is little to no WiFi or cell service or it gets easily bogged down, so be ready for that. Food was basic but good. Some activities like bingo were a bit chaotic and there were a lot of ground hornets around the jumping pillows. Would totally go again.
- Sue B.Ranger
Wawayanda Group Shelter
Appalachian Trail Shelter/Campsite
This is an A.T. shelter and campsite. First come, first served. Privy was nice. Flat tentsites for 6 or more. Good for Hammocking also.
S G.ScoutMahlon Dickerson Reservation
Primitive
The main issue with the sites was that they were primitive -- no water. The campsites were basically just wooden platforms, with a picnic table and fire pit. There were also a lot of bugs, though this may be due to the rain. The location itself was fairly pretty and there were a number of hiking trails of not-overly-serious difficulty. The particular site we picked left is a little farther from our car than we would have liked, but for other sites you can bring your car closer.
Guide to Elmsford
Camping options near Elmsford, New York range from primitive tent sites to cabins with varying accessibility levels. The area sits at elevations between 200-400 feet above sea level with average summer temperatures of 75-85°F, making May through September the prime camping season. Winter camping is available at several year-round facilities, though temperatures typically drop to 20-30°F from December through February.
What to do
Hiking trails with elevation: At Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, campers can access over 40 miles of trails with various difficulty levels. "This is a great place for camping. The shelters are great for people who want to camp and not have to worry about unplanned weather. The best part of this campsite are the endless trails in the area," notes one visitor.
Swimming in clean lakes: Enjoy swimming at Clarence Fahnestock State Park, which features a sandy beach area on Canopus Lake. "The beach is closed after Labor Day to the public, but open to people staying at the campsite. Clean and beautiful," reports one camper. The beach has lifeguards on duty during summer months.
Rock scrambling adventures: For more adventurous campers, the Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail offers challenging terrain. "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," explains one hiker who tackled the 15-mile route.
What campers like
Wide-spaced campsites: Campers appreciate the privacy at Beaver Pond Campground, where sites aren't crowded together. "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," writes one reviewer who also mentioned enjoying the raised platforms at many sites.
Off-season weekday solitude: Many campers prefer visiting during less crowded times. "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," notes a September visitor to Clarence Fahnestock State Park, adding that facilities were clean and well-maintained.
Early morning wildlife viewing: Dawn offers opportunities to spot local wildlife. "Deer running everywhere and surprisingly beautiful and quaint," reports one visitor to Beaver Pond Campground, just 30 minutes from Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown.
What you should know
Campsite reservation challenges: Several campsites near Elmsford require in-person booking. At Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, "There is no phone or internet reservations and has to be made in person at the office. I would recommend call earlier and come in few minutes earlier to 9 am when the office opens to find the best spots."
Train noise concerns: Campsites at Croton Point Park experience railroad noise. "Only down side is there is a train depot right outside and you can hear them shunting trains all night," mentions one camper. Another noted the tent site was "very loud (dance music) until after 11pm" despite the 10pm quiet hours.
Primitive conditions: For backcountry camping at Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail, pack accordingly. "The most difficult part about camping in this location is that you will have to carry your supplies up the mountain to the site. I would advise packing light if planning on camping here. The campsite is about 2.5 miles from the trailhead."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Mountain Lakes Park offers family-friendly amenities. "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," writes one visitor. The park's lakes provide recreational opportunities for children.
Short hikes for kids: Beaver Pond Campground offers easy access to family activities. "Short distance from NYC, very organized, clean pond, has a playground, showers, bathroom. Your phone will have signal," notes a parent who brought children to the campsite.
Bear safety awareness: Teach children about wildlife safety, especially at Beaver Pond Campground where bear encounters are possible. "Welcome to Bear Mountain grumbles the park ranger as he sits in complete darkness! He is in his ranger hut, checking in the late evening arrivals to the campground... and gives us the run down on bear activity in the area."
Tips for RVers
RV site selection: At Liberty Harbor RV Park, location matters. "Pick one of the larger end row sites to get a little extra elbow room. If it's packed, your neighbor with be within inches of your rig," advises one experienced RVer. The park offers water and electric hookups.
Transportation options: Many RVers appreciate easy access to public transportation. "This is all about location. The closest RV park to NYC... minutes walk to the Statue of Liberty, Liberty Science center. Two blocks away from NJ Path train into Manhattan or take the ferry to Wall Street!"
Road access challenges: RVers should be aware of route restrictions. "Getting in and out of the city is an adventure. Stay right off the highway to avoid the $30 tunnel toll. Follow RV life pro and not Waze," suggests one Liberty Harbor RV Park visitor who navigated the area with a 32-foot RV towing a Jeep.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Elmsford, NY?
What camping is available near Elmsford, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, Elmsford, NY offers a wide range of camping options, with 75 campgrounds and RV parks near Elmsford, NY and 3 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Elmsford, NY?
Which is the most popular campground near Elmsford, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Elmsford, NY is Beaver Pond Campground in Harriman State Park with a 4.2-star rating from 41 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Elmsford, NY?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Elmsford, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 free dispersed camping spots near Elmsford, NY.
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