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Best Campgrounds near Brewster, NY

431 Reviews

Camping areas near Brewster, New York span across several state parks and reservations within a 30-mile radius. Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground, located in Carmel, offers tent and RV camping with amenities including electric hookups, showers, and reservable sites. Ward Pound Ridge Reservation provides year-round camping options with tent and RV sites in a more secluded setting. The region includes both established campgrounds with facilities and more primitive options, with several parks offering cabin accommodations for those seeking alternatives to traditional tent camping. Most campgrounds in the area maintain seasonal operations, typically running from April through early December.

Many campgrounds require advance reservations, particularly during summer weekends when sites fill quickly. Access to most camping areas involves paved roads, though some walk-in sites require short hikes from parking areas. "Weekends - this park is FULL! Make sure to reserve at least two weeks out. Weekdays? You should be in luck!" noted one visitor about Fahnestock State Park. The camping season generally runs from spring through fall, with limited winter options available at select locations like Ward Pound Ridge Reservation. Weather conditions vary significantly by season, with summer temperatures typically ranging from 70-85°F during the day and cooler nights, while spring and fall bring more variable conditions and occasional rainfall that can affect trail conditions.

Campers report high satisfaction with the proximity to water features at several campgrounds. Croton Point Park and Beaver Pond Campground at Harriman State Park offer lake access, making them popular destinations for swimming and fishing during summer months. "A gorgeous camping ground right on the Hudson with beach and trails," described one visitor about Croton Point Park. Mixed-use campgrounds throughout the region accommodate various camping styles, from tent-only areas to RV sites with hookups. Wildlife sightings are common, with several reviews mentioning encounters with local fauna. "Welcome to Bear Mountain" is a common greeting at Harriman State Park, where proper food storage is essential. The campground options near Brewster balance accessibility to New York City (typically within a 1-2 hour drive) with natural settings that provide a retreat from urban environments.

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Best Camping Sites Near Brewster, New York (100)

    1. Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground

    34 Reviews
    Fishkill, NY
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 225-7207

    $17 / night

    "This park has 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!"

    "When you are camping with a large group of friends and don't all have access to a car, this is the perfect spot."

    2. Ward Pound Ridge Reservation

    9 Reviews
    Cross River, NY
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (914) 864-7317

    $45 - $55 / night

    "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"

    3. Mountain Lakes Park

    3 Reviews
    North Salem, NY
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (914) 864-7312

    "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."

    4. Beaver Pond Campground — Harriman State Park

    41 Reviews
    Pomona, NY
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 947-2792

    $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."

    5. Camp W Herrlich

    1 Review
    Holmes, NY
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 319-3084

    6. Kettletown State Park Campground

    13 Reviews
    Stevenson, CT
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (203) 264-5678

    $17 - $50 / night

    "We love this State Park because it's close to our home for a quick getaway. 

    This time we tried one of the sites on the water, and I probably wouldn't choose the same site again. "

    "Semi private with great view and nice walks to the water. Noise was not a problem overnight as to having problems with noises neighbors at other CT state parks."

    7. Croton Point Park

    10 Reviews
    Croton-on-Hudson, NY
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (914) 862-5290

    $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!"

    8. Jellystone Park Gardiner

    32 Reviews
    Gardiner, NY
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 255-5193

    "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."

    "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."

    9. West Point FMWR Round Pond Outdoor Recreation Area

    5 Reviews
    Highland Falls, NY
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 774-9524

    $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."

    10. Lake Waramaug State Park Campground

    9 Reviews
    New Preston, CT
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 868-0220

    $17 - $50 / night

    "One of my favorite so far , went with family , to comply w covid and social distancing, the camp only rent your site and no one on your left or right or across ! Amazing !"

    "My family has been camping at Lake Waramaug for over 20 years. I can say most of what’s been said is true or partially so but whether it’s bad or good depends on your point of view."

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Recent Camping Photos near Brewster, NY

646 Photos of 100 Brewster Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Brewster, NY

431 Reviews of 100 Brewster Campgrounds

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 29, 2025

    Gentiles Campground

    Nice place to stay

    Quiet CG near Waterbury CT. Close to major stores for resupply. CG has lots of friendly seasonal campers and lots of other sites. Most sites seem pretty level, but there are some steep roads in the CG. There is an airport next to CG, but it is for single engine private planes only so not a problem. Not by a major road so little traffic noise. I would stay here again.

  • Paul K.
    Aug. 26, 2025

    Croton Point Park

    Not the Best Place to Go in the Northeast By a Longshot

    Croton Point Campground is a modest little campground, located along the Hudson River within Croton Point Park in NY. In addition to camping, the park itself offers many of its own attractions, including swimming, hiking, kayaking, cabin rentals, and a host of other family-oriented activities just along the Hudson. 

    The park, which is honestly probably the largest attraction here, is located just an hour and a half outside of the city. This proximity is both its perk and its downfall, as the park itself, but particularly the campground, has become laden with all sorts of inexplicable and burdensome rules, endless guidelines, and restrictions only a New York State-run bureaucracy could ever make sense of, let alone hope to justify. 

    This includes all manner of restrictions on how you can camp, where you can camp, what equipment can be used, and use in relation to what particular site you may have been lucky enough to reserve. Much of this you can understand while imagining what may have taken place here to bring them to such measures, but it doesn't make it any easier to contend with. 

    In terms of the actual camping conditions Both the tenting section and RV sites are each very clustered together, and quite crowded, with regular patrols🚓(actual patrols) being made day and night, by both the Park Rangers and what appears to be general park staff members, all looking to see if you or your family might be doing something that they might consider outside of the guidelines or not in compliance with the many restrictions. 

    This is not to say you can't possibly have a good time here. It just might mean being a bit more diligent toward reviewing the potential legitimacy of your normal camping routine to ensure it meets with many restrictions and guidelines imposed, while also making yourself comfortable with some fairly regular surveillance during your stay here. These all being things we hoped to get away from while camping ourselves It just turned out to be a bit much for our particular liking.

  • Mike W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 16, 2025

    Cozy Hills Campground

    First time here

    Nice facility, friendly staff. They pack us in pretty tight in some sites.

  • Bob F.
    Aug. 10, 2025

    Moon Valley Campground

    Very unique smaller private campground

    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. Headed back for a fall weekend in the "dome" which has incredible views. Try it you won't be sorry.

  • Elizabeth M.
    Jul. 20, 2025

    Jellystone Park Gardiner

    Dirty bathrooms

    This is my second time I visited the park, the first time was 4 years ago and we stayed in a cabin, but a few weeks ago we decided to stay in a tent side and it was a nice experience except for some things, the campers don't respect the quiet time at night and morning too. A lot noises until 2 am and early from 6 am. But the worst experience was bathrooms, very few for the number of sites and people it covers. They need to add more bathrooms. They rarely cleaned the bathroom in all the 6 days that I stayed. The showers didn't have enough water pressure, 2 out of 6 had only hot water, some had no paper, hairs everywhere, the toilets didn't work, and super dirty, the truth was a disgusting thing that didn't encourage to use them but there was no other option. For the price you pay is not for having the bathrooms under those conditions. I hope you get better because the truth is a park that has many things to have a good time but with the bathrooms with that condition, is not encouraged to reserve again. And please add more shadows in the areas of the tents and MORE BATHROOMS, is not enough to cover all the tents area.

  • sdwalter@bellsouth.net
    Jul. 10, 2025

    Interlake RV Park & Campground

    Great campsite.

    Great Campsite. Well maintained. Lots of pretty lots under the shade. Good for Families. Pool. Recreation Barn. Recycling. Some people stay here all summer. Close to FDR home and library...a must to see. Quaint towns nearby.

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 6, 2025

    Alander Trail Camground — Mount Washington State Forest

    Amazing Dispersed Camping

    Absolutely love this spot and highly recommend if you’re looking for a super private, true primitive camping experience. You have to park at the entrance and hike in about 1.5-2 miles with everything on your back to get to the spots. Once you get there, theres quite a few sites to choose from and each offer quite a bit or privacy. It’s completely free and it usually isn’t too busy since most people don’t like having to carry all their stuff in that far. You will be in the heart of the forest/woods so definitely make sure to be prepared. We had some scares with coyotes and bears in the past but never anything crazy. They give you a semi-flat area for a tent, a fire pit and grill rack, one picnic table, and a bear box you would be sharing with other campers nearby

  • Brittany V.
    Jul. 3, 2025

    Skyridge Trails Campground

    Fantastic new campground!

    A little over a year old, and they have tons to do! Weekly themed events, spacious sites with fantastic views. The sites are level gravel with full hook ups and include a fire pit and picnic table. Beautiful swimming pond and a serene fishing pond located on site. The outpost has anything you might have forgotten to bring and everyone is ready to make sure you are enjoying your stay!

  • Kim J.
    Jun. 8, 2025

    Cozy Hills Campground

    Very nice campground however…

    We have enjoyed our stay. Nice campground with lots of activities and things to do. However, we picked this place because it has an enclosed dog park. It does have an enclosed dog park but the fence is only 3 feet high. While this might be fine for some dogs, I have 2 young border collies that will jump that fence like it is not even there.

Guide to Brewster

Camping near Brewster, New York, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor fun. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do

  • Hiking: Explore the trails around the area. Many campers enjoy the scenic hikes, with one reviewer mentioning, "The Catskills are very scenic & we enjoyed our time there!" at North-South Lake Campground.
  • Fishing and Swimming: Spend a day at the lake. One camper at Beaver Pond Campground — Harriman State Park noted, "This is also an ideal place to relax and explore," highlighting the lake's appeal.
  • Beach Activities: Enjoy the beach at Hammonasset State Park Campground. A visitor shared, "The beach was popular," making it a great spot for families.

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. One reviewer at Kenneth L Wilson Campground said, "The bathrooms were very clean and new," which adds to the overall camping experience.
  • Privacy: Many sites offer a sense of seclusion. A camper at Clarence Fahnestock State Park mentioned, "Some sites are grouped in open areas. These lack privacy," indicating that some spots are better for those seeking solitude.
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often highlight the helpfulness of campground staff. One visitor at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Gardiner noted, "Our interactions with the staff were helpful and attentive."

What you should know

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can get noisy, especially on weekends. A camper at Wildwood State Park Campground mentioned, "The crowd stayed awake playing music all night very loudly," so plan accordingly.
  • Wildlife: Bears are known to visit some campgrounds. One reviewer at North-South Lake Campground shared, "There are bears that visit the campground," so be cautious with food storage.
  • Limited Cell Service: Many campgrounds have poor cell reception. A visitor at Woodland Valley Campground stated, "No cell service anywhere close," which can be a plus for those wanting to unplug.

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with activities for kids. One parent at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Gardiner said, "This place is so much fun," highlighting the variety of activities available.
  • Plan for Noise: If your family prefers quiet, avoid busy weekends. A camper at Hammonasset State Park Campground noted, "It was loud, crazy busy," during peak times.
  • Pack Essentials: Bring everything you need, as some campgrounds lack stores. A visitor at Beaver Pond Campground mentioned, "There is NO market," so be prepared.

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Sizes: Some campgrounds have limited space for larger RVs. A reviewer at Clarence Fahnestock State Park advised, "Careful which site you choose," especially for bigger rigs.
  • Look for Full Hookups: If you need amenities, choose campgrounds with full hookups. One camper at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Gardiner appreciated the "full hookups with 50-amp electrical service."
  • Plan for Dump Stations: Make sure your chosen campground has a dump station. A visitor at Mahlon Dickerson Reservation noted, "Dump station also on site," which is helpful for RVers.

Camping near Brewster, New York, offers a variety of experiences, from serene lakes to family-friendly activities. Whether you're in a tent or an RV, there's something for everyone to enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the best campgrounds in Brewster?

The Brewster area offers several excellent camping options. Croton Point Park stands out with its breathtaking location right on the Hudson River, offering private tent sites and family-friendly facilities. For a more secluded experience, Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground provides a peaceful setting with access to Canopus Lake for swimming, fishing, and boating. Both offer a great balance of natural beauty and camping comfort within reasonable proximity to Brewster.

Are there RV parks in Brewster that accommodate large vehicles?

Totoket Valley RV Park is an excellent option for RV campers near Brewster, offering full hookups with electrical, clean water, and sewer connections. Each site features grass areas and picnic tables, with a friendly owner maintaining the facilities. For those willing to travel a bit further, Jellystone Park Gardiner is big-rig friendly and offers reservable sites with water and toilet facilities. Both parks provide comfortable accommodations for larger recreational vehicles while serving as great home bases for exploring the Brewster area.

What amenities are available at Brewster camping facilities?

Camping facilities near Brewster typically offer essential amenities to enhance your outdoor experience. Beaver Pond Campground — Harriman State Park provides picnic tables, fire rings with grills, and restroom facilities throughout the campground. Some sites even feature raised platforms. At Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, you'll find spaces suitable for group gatherings and access to numerous hiking trails. Most campgrounds in the area offer water access, toilet facilities, and designated camping areas, though amenities can vary by season.

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