Camping around Garrison sits in the Hudson Highlands region where elevations reach over 1,800 feet at High Point Monument, the highest point in New Jersey. The area experiences moderate summers with average highs in the 80s and cold winters that often drop below freezing. Sites near water bodies like Sawmill Lake and Round Pond offer respite from summer heat but bring additional insects, especially during July and August.
What to do
Hiking to scenic vistas: West Point FMWR Round Pond Outdoor Recreation Area offers access to several trails with views of the Hudson Valley. "Lots of great hiking in the area in addition to beautiful Cold Spring, NY for the small-town charm," notes a camper.
Water activities: Stokes State Forest provides multiple water options for recreation. "Clear streams and lake. Stunning overall. Lake Ocquittunk campground had showers, flush toilets and was popular with families," reports one visitor who appreciated the water clarity.
Family adventures: Jellystone Park Gardiner features activities specifically designed for children. A visitor mentioned, "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," highlighting the water features suitable for different ages.
What campers like
Proximity to NYC: Many campgrounds in the area serve as weekend escapes from urban areas. "Close enough to NYC area for comfortable and scenic drive. Great setting for a spontaneous camping trip," explains a camper at Round Pond.
Military-dedicated spaces: West Point FMWR Lake Frederick Outdoor Recreation Area maintains high standards for service members. One regular visitor noted, "Being military-only keeps standards high, the campground clean and well maintained," highlighting the benefits of the restricted access.
Rustic accommodations: Camp options range from basic tent sites to cabins with amenities. A visitor at Camp Glen Gray mentioned, "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."
What you should know
Service limitations: Cell coverage varies significantly across the region. At Round Pond, a camper advised, "Just a note to other campers with T-Mobile, we did not have any service on the campsite, however just a hop in the car or a quick walk down the mountain for 5G service near the entrance off the main road."
Site terrain challenges: Many campsites in the area have uneven ground that can make setting up difficult. A camper at High Point State Park Campground warned about site selection: "The photos did not convey the actual steepness of this site!! The gravel driveway is on a 30-40 degree incline."
Bathroom facilities: Quality and availability of restrooms differs between campgrounds. At Jellystone Park Gardiner, one visitor noted concerns: "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."
Tips for camping with families
Weather preparation: Temperature drops can be significant after sunset, even during summer months. At Mountain Lakes Park, conditions can change quickly: "When we were there it was right after a rain storm and everything was a bit muddy and slippery."
Activity planning: Schedule water activities during warmest parts of day and bring alternative entertainment. At Thousand Trails Rondout Valley, families appreciate the options: "It offers a pool, playground, and activities that include bocce ball, shuffleboard, and horseshoes. We loved our full hookup site."
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds maintain stricter quiet hours than others. A camper at Kittatinny Campground reported: "Busy campground no quiet time loud music till 3 in the morning. Very clean, workers very friendly and helpful but after dark no one around."
Tips from RVers
Hookup limitations: Many glamping close to Garrison, New York offers limited or no hookups. At Stokes State Forest, RVers stay in designated areas: "We stayed in one of the RV areas across the pond. It was peaceful to hear the frogs chirping at night, but definitely didn't think about how many more bugs the pond would bring."
Site selection strategies: Request sites away from high-traffic areas for more privacy. At Thousand Trails Rondout Valley, one RVer advised: "The only problem I had was that my Starlink didn't work at the first site (372 - full hookup) but they let me choose another site (435 - no sewer) and I was happy as a clam."
Terrain navigation: Many access roads have steep sections or tight turns. A camper at West Point FMWR Round Pond noted, "Bath houses are absolutely spotless. Fire pits, electric and water hook ups only," highlighting the limited but clean facilities.
