RV camping near Fort Montgomery, New York offers access to the Hudson Highlands region with elevations ranging from 900 to 1,300 feet. Sites typically receive moderate rainfall even in summer months, with nighttime temperatures dropping 15-20 degrees below daytime highs. Winter camping is limited to a few year-round facilities that maintain plowed access roads during snow events.
What to do
Waterfront activities: At Beaver Pond Campground — Harriman State Park, campers enjoy the adjacent Welch Lake. "The creek that runs by the campground is gorgeous, and my kids had fun finding Crayfish," notes a visitor who appreciated the water access beyond just swimming.
Historic exploration: The area features Revolutionary War sites within hiking distance from most campgrounds. "Scenic Willride on 44-55 to Mohonk House and trails," mentions a camper at Thousand Trails Rondout Valley, highlighting the historic structures accessible via scenic drives.
Wildlife observation: Dawn and dusk offer prime wildlife viewing opportunities. One visitor at Black Bear RV Park noted: "The best part was at dusk when the animals came out!" indicating the natural surroundings support wildlife even near developed camping areas.
What campers like
Proximity to NYC: The region serves as a practical escape from urban environments. "About 30 minutes from sleepy hollow and tarrytown NY and only an hour to central park!! Deer running everywhere and surprisingly beautiful and quaint," shared one visitor at Beaver Pond Campground, emphasizing the unexpected wilderness so close to the city.
Seasonal variation: Fall camping receives particular praise for foliage viewing. "We make a habit of going during the end-of-summer/fall when you can watch the leaves change along the hiking trails, go apple and pumpkin picking near the campsites," reported a camper at Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground.
Platform camping options: Several campgrounds feature raised wooden platforms for tent setup. "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," noted a visitor appreciating the practical advantage of elevated sites.
What you should know
Bear awareness: As expected in the region, black bears are active. "Welcome to Bear Mountain grumbles the park ranger as he sits in complete darkness! He offers us a highlighted map to our site, wishes us a good stay, and gives us the run down on bear activity in the area," explains a visitor describing the standard orientation at Beaver Pond Campground.
Seasonal limitations: Most facilities operate on restricted schedules. "Open during the winter. Easy on, easy off. Lots of pull through sites... CLEAN bathrooms, showers, laundry. Perfect for an overnight stop," notes a winter visitor to Tri-State RV Park, one of the few year-round options.
Site variations: Campsite quality differs significantly within each campground. "This is one of my favorite campsites I have been to but only because after several visits we have finally found our favorite site... check out the sites online to get one that is private," advises a regular at Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Animal encounters: Farm-based campgrounds provide additional entertainment. At Pleasant Acres Farm RV Resort, "Lots of seasonals and lots of cabins, many RV sites I think all with full hookups... Plenty to occupy the kids. Playground, hayride, animals to feed (goats, chickens, donkey and pony)," reports a family who visited in October.
Noise considerations: Campground sound levels vary by season and day of week. "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.
Swimming access: Several campgrounds maintain supervised swimming areas. "They have a beach. Their staff is friendly. I love going here," shared a visitor about Beaver Pond Campground, where swimming is permitted with lifeguards on duty during summer months.
Tips from RVers
Winter hookups: For cold-weather camping, confirm which services remain active. "There was only 1 bathroom with small shower for all guests, however they are in the process of adding 5 more," notes a visitor at Skyline RV Camp, highlighting the limited facilities during improvement projects.
Dump station protocols: Not all parks maintain year-round dump services. "There is a dump station, but not the easiest to use," mentioned an RVer at Liberty Harbor RV Park, suggesting larger rigs should plan accordingly or use alternative dump facilities.
Site leveling needs: Many campgrounds require significant leveling. "If you're booking, it may be best to book on the upper levels because the lower area where we were did flood pretty bad a couple times when there was a lot of rain," advised a visitor to Mountain Top RV Park, noting topography affects site conditions during precipitation.
