Croton Point Park accommodates pets at both tent sites and RV spaces on a peninsula along the Hudson River, with cabin options that welcome four-legged companions. Campers must keep dogs leashed throughout the 508-acre park, which includes walking paths and beach areas where pets can join their owners. Ward Pound Ridge Reservation provides more secluded pet-friendly camping across its 4,315 acres with lean-to shelters and tent sites nestled amid 40+ miles of hiking trails. Harriman State Park's Beaver Pond Campground offers additional pet-friendly options with tent and RV sites featuring electric hookups, though sites can become noisy during holiday weekends when many families bring their dogs. The Sebago Cabin Camp within Harriman also welcomes pets in their rustic cabins, providing electricity, water hookups, and fire rings where campers and their dogs can relax together. Campground shower facilities remain clean and regularly maintained, though weekend crowding may affect the experience during peak summer months.
Trails throughout these pet-friendly campgrounds allow dogs to explore alongside their owners, with Ward Pound Ridge offering particularly scenic hiking options alongside small creeks and waterways. Most campgrounds provide porta-potties or restroom facilities close to camping areas, important when managing pets during overnight stays. Campers report minimal mosquito problems at most sites, especially at Ward Pound Ridge's shelter areas which accommodate multiple tents while keeping pets comfortable. Sites at Croton Point Park require extra vigilance with food storage due to fearless raccoons that may approach pets or their food. Families camping with children and pets find Croton Point's playground within sight of camper spots particularly convenient. During cooler months, these campgrounds become significantly quieter and more enjoyable for pet owners seeking peaceful experiences, with significantly fewer generators and noise disturbances compared to summer holiday weekends.
$17 - $20 / night
"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."
$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."
"Was close to bear mountains state part and the train station is right there!"
$45 - $55 / night
"Pet friendly and kid friendly with a playground available. Our favorite site is #25. Up a hill, totally private and has a lean-to."
"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."
$17 / night
"With Covid/social distancing requirements, many sites are closed so it’s extra quiet and spread out. I stayed at site 6 with my seven year-old daughter from Tue-Thur."
"When you are camping with a large group of friends and don't all have access to a car, this is the perfect spot."
$74 - $130 / night
"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."
$145 - $180 / night
"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."
$25 - $40 / night
"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."
$130 / night
"A little intimidating driving in to a nondescript gate at the end of a narrow street but the overall experience exceeded expectation."
"We got a red carpet site by the Gaga pit and near the water park (Cindy bear lane) and it was a convenient yet noisy site. Kids were at the playground 8 am or before and the noise woke us up."
"With a new check in area, Gardiner has really stepped up. They expanded the pool area to include another pool plus splash area and water slides."
GuideI grew up in Long Beach. If you’re looking for a spot to camp so you can surf, this is perfect! It’s basically a parking lot, but it’s steps away from some of the greatest waves on the east coast. Showers are clean, there’s a dog park nearby, and the island is very bikable to get around.
benefits: allows dogs childrens playground beach programs like movie nights throughout the summer
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.
RangerVery 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. Shopping & restraunts are right next door. We brought scooters & had a great stay! Plus you can see the Statue of Liberty from there!
LegendWe tried this campground without knowing what was safe and where to stay for visit New York City. It is located in Brooklyn and is little removed from everything. The sites are at Floyd Bennett Field which is an old airfield. The atmosphere here is eerily cool at the same time. You basically park and camp on the asphalt by the old hangars. No hookups at all but they do have a camp store and bath house. If you are tent camping, there are some grassy sites.
The campground is located right on Jamaica Bay so there were people fishing all the time from the seawall. At night, you could hear cars doing burnouts right next to us. To get to all the action in the city, we had to take a bus and then the subway. The travel was a headache but better than trying to drive in to New York City in our RV. One way to improve here would be to have some security at night as well as access to clean water and dump station. They remained locked most of the time for some reason.
The best part of this place was the free tour of Hangar B by some guys doing restoration of old planes (HARP). They had some great stories and gave us history of the planes on display.
ScoutRecently, we camped here for a week. We don’t ever post negative reviews like this. The last day, we experienced a violent attack by a very large and aggressive Pit Bull. The Pit Bull did not have a collar or a leash and was accidently let out of the RV to roam free and unsupervised. It immediately ran to our site(4 sites away) and attacked our dog that was tied at the time. The incident was unprovoked. While trying to save our dog, my wife and I were also attacked. The wounds were serious enough to require emergency transport to a hospital for treatment including stitches. All we could think of was what might have happened if our granddaughter had been playing with our dog.
To put it mildly, their existing pet policy is grossly lacking. They never checked what breed of dog or ask to see documentation of shots when we were registering. Yogi Bear Jellystone Park needs to better manage their pet policy to address aggressive dog breeds and ensure the safety of campers. We camped there for seven days and saw multiple sites have more than one large dog, which in many places we’ve camped at would have been banned due to breed type or size. We have RV’ed extensively across the US and have never seen such careless enforcement of a pet policy regarding aggressive dog breeds. Seriously, think about avoiding this park if you have pets or small children.
GuideThis place is kind of a toss up for me. On one hand, I enjoy it because it's a little slice of heaven in the hell of one of the busy areas of New York. I hate this place for the same reason. It's not really camping if you're going to see a play and then go tour the Statue of Liberty. It just doesn't seem right to me. If I HAVE to be in New York, maybe I'd consider staying here again just to get myself out of the city for a bit. But this definitely isn't your "great outdoors/rest and relaxation" kind of place.
TravelerSome things you should be aware of before booking: The office, playground, dog park, pool, laundry are located at the top of the hill. Camping spots are downhill, a good distance from the office and amenities. Trash is located off site in a pullout on the road you drive in on. There are 2 showers for women and 2 for men. Both are old and not well maintained or in our experience clean, either. In general the camping spots are not well maintained, weedy, un-level and picnic tables are weathered and warped. This resort campground is composed of mainly residents, the rules (we observed) apply to the overnight campers, not the residents. Children of the residents run free all day and past curfew in the evenings unsupervised. The setting is quiet, the views from the upper level are lovely. With some updating of bath facilities, cleaning and leveling of campsites, uniform enforcement of rules, Pleasant Acres could become a resort destination.
ScoutThere is only a small place for tents. Mostly people go there with campers. Not your typical campground. Very easy to hop on transit to get to New York City. People were friendly.
ScoutVery reasonable rates to pitch a tent. You get a private space with a fire pit. Ocean is close with lifeguards. Good fishing and pleasant people. Boat from New York City.
Harriman State Park's Beaver Pond Campground sits just 30 minutes from Elmsford in the Hudson Highlands region at an elevation of about 900 feet. The campground operates seasonally from April through October, with fall offering spectacular foliage as oak, sumac, maple, and poplar trees create a colorful canopy. Campsites feature raised platforms that prove especially valuable during wet conditions, keeping tents dry and comfortable.
Explore city access points: Beaver Pond Campground at Harriman State Park offers surprisingly easy access to New York City. "About 30 minutes from sleepy hollow and tarrytown NY and only an hour to central park!! Deer running everywhere and surprisingly beautiful and quaint," notes Megan B. Many campers don't realize how quickly they can transition from forest to metropolis.
Visit historic sites: Croton Point Park serves as an excellent base for exploring Sleepy Hollow and regional attractions. "We came in October to celebrate Halloween in sleepy hollow! This is a great campsite and reasonably priced. Was close to bear mountains state part and the train station is right there!" writes Wendy C. The train station access makes car-free exploration possible.
Discover Appalachian Trail sections: Hikers can access portions of the Appalachian Trail and other historic routes near the Bear Mountain area. "A quick 15 minute drive from Beaver Pond, is Bear Mountain State Park. Here you can find some of the Appalachian Trail, with various smaller trail heads for this historic (Revolutionary Times 1770s) part of the region including the one to Doodle Town," reports Steve W., who found ruins dating back to the Revolutionary era.
Spacious sites with privacy: Ward Pound Ridge Reservation offers more secluded camping experiences than other options near Elmsford. "Beautiful campsites! Lots of lean to sites with fireplaces in them... Our favorite site is #25. Up a hill, totally private and has a lean-to," shares Misty V., highlighting the reservation's commitment to maintaining space between sites.
Year-round availability: Unlike seasonal options, several dog friendly campgrounds near Elmsford remain open throughout winter. "Ive been coming here for years. They have great sights and are open all year round. Ive stayed in hammocks, tents, leantos, and even did a good share of car camping," notes Paul R. about Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, making it ideal for off-season camping when crowds diminish.
Clean facilities: Sebago Cabin Camp within Harriman State Park maintains well-kept restrooms and showers. "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. You still feel like you are 'roughing it' but with the convenience of a fridge," explains Sara P., who appreciated the balance between comfort and authentic camping experience.
Reservation requirements vary: Each pet-friendly campground near Elmsford has different booking systems. "You need to book in person but it can be done well in advance if need be," Paul R. explains about Ward Pound Ridge Reservation. This in-person requirement differs significantly from most campgrounds' online systems.
Seasonal crowd fluctuations: Clarence Fahnestock State Park sees dramatic differences between weekend and weekday use. "Weekends - this park is FULL! Make sure to reserve at least two weeks out. Weekdays? You should be in luck!" advises Shelly B. Similar patterns occur across most Elmsford-area campgrounds, with significant tranquility Monday through Thursday.
Wildlife management concerns: Dog owners should know about wildlife management practices that might affect their camping experience. One reviewer noted that Fahnestock State Park conducts wildlife management operations that may temporarily close certain areas without advance notice. Keep pets leashed at all times both for their safety and to minimize wildlife disruptions.
Look for accessible water features: Jellystone Park Gardiner offers family-friendly water options. "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," shares Amanda S. This provides safe swimming options for different age groups.
Consider noise levels for sleeping: Camp areas have varying noise patterns that affect family rest. "Our site was 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, camp amenities include: a moderately stocked store, public bath houses, a laundry facility, playground for the kids and camp-sinks with access to water," explains Steve W. about Beaver Pond, also noting the "constant buzz in the air of conversation, music, laughter and shrieking toddlers."
Check playground proximity: Some campsites offer convenient playground access. "Peaceful and gorgeous campsite, with plenty of space between sites. Great view of the Hudson, and playground within sight of our camper," shares Thomas about Croton Point Park. This visibility allows parents to monitor children while maintaining their own campsite activities.
Utility limitations: Most dog friendly camping areas near Elmsford offer partial hookups only. "Sites at Croton Point Park have a loosely defined gravel pad that was level. All sites appeared level. The FHU sites were back-to-back and although there were trees separating the sites, they were close together," notes Lee D., highlighting the trade-off between hookups and privacy.
Security considerations: RV campers should understand security measures at each campground. "When we checked in, we had to write down our credit card number on a slip of paper before we were given a key that opened the gate to the campground," reports Lee D. about Croton Point Park, raising valid concerns about information security protocols.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Elmsford, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Elmsford, NY is New York City North/Newburgh KOA with a 4.2-star rating from 40 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Elmsford, NY?
TheDyrt.com has all 46 dog-friendly camping locations near Elmsford, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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