Camping options near Golden's Bridge provide access to the diverse ecosystems of the Hudson Valley region at elevations ranging from 200 to 1,300 feet. Several campgrounds remain open during spring and fall shoulder seasons when temperatures average 45-65°F. Cell service varies significantly with stronger coverage on higher elevation campsites.
What to do
Hiking trails nearby: Clarence Fahnestock State Park offers multiple hiking options including a 1.5-mile Pelton Pond loop trail accessible directly from several campsites. A camper noted, "The 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!"
Water activities: Taconic State Park's Rudd Pond area provides swimming and fishing opportunities. "There is plenty of fishing access from shore and you can rent a boat for the whole day to fish on the water. There is a lot of hiking in the area- def check out Bash Bish Falls!" reports one visitor.
Historical sites: Visit the FDR National Historic Site located 20-30 minutes from Interlake RV Park. A camper shared: "Close to FDR home and library...a must to see. Quaint towns nearby."
Outdoor adventure: The Appalachian Trail passes through the area with access points near several campgrounds. "There are walking paths outside of the campground that are located within the park" notes one reviewer of Croton Point Park.
What campers like
Affordable camping options: Basic tent sites at Beaver Pond Campground offer significant savings. A visitor mentioned, "About 30 minutes from sleepy hollow and tarrytown NY and only an hour to central park!! Deer running everywhere and surprisingly beautiful and quaint. Free Hot showers in the bathrooms, with plenty of room to change."
Private campsites: Some campgrounds offer more secluded options. At Clarence Fahnestock State Park, "Almost all of the sites offered privacy.... Even when the campground was full," according to one camper.
Fishing opportunities: Several lakes and ponds offer excellent fishing. A visitor to Fahnestock State Park reported, "our neighbor campers said [the lakes] were great for catching panfish - one fisherman said he had caught several bass weighing over 3 pounds!!"
Off-season tranquility: Many rv campgrounds near Golden's Bridge, New York have different personalities depending on timing. A camper at Fahnestock noted, "Weekends - this park is FULL! Make sure to reserve at least two weeks out. Weekdays? You should be in luck!"
What you should know
Reservation timing: Most campgrounds require reservations well in advance during summer. At Croton Point Park, "They have cabins and RV sites and now that the Tapan Zee bridge work is done most of them are now open again as the bridge workers have moved out."
Wildlife awareness: Bears and other wildlife are active in the area. At Beaver Pond, a ranger greets visitors with "Welcome to Bear Mountain" and "gives us the run down on bear activity in the area."
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds can get noisy, especially on weekends. A Croton Point Park visitor reported, "The site was very loud (dance music) until after 11pm. Quiet time at 10pm."
Transportation options: Convenient transit options exist for campers without vehicles. "Came in on MetroNorth from NYC then took a pre-arranged taxi ($25 flat rate) to the campground," noted one visitor to Fahnestock State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Thousand Trails Rondout Valley offers multiple recreational amenities. One visitor shared: "This campground is great. Lots of activities a pool access, food court and basketball courts."
Beach facilities: Some campgrounds offer beach access with lifeguards during summer. At Croton Point Park, a camper noted, "Short 5 minute drive to nearby supermarket to pick up food or firewood... and a private beach which is opened from Wednesday to the weekend with life guards on duty!"
Seasonal activities: Many campgrounds host special events during summer and fall. At Interlake RV Park, a camper experienced "Christmas in July while I was there, with decorations and planned activities to accompany it."
Wildlife viewing: Children often enjoy the abundant wildlife. One Croton Point visitor mentioned, "Clean park with a place to swim but only within buoys and when a life guard is present... On the bright side, there are lots of bunnies!"
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Black Bear RV Park provides full hookups year-round. A visitor reported, "Great location and nice, full hook-up sites. Back-in and pull through sites and can accommodate large rigs. A little expensive but everything is included."
Winter camping considerations: Off-season camping requires preparation. One winter visitor noted, "Unfortunately at this site, the heated water pipe was broken so we had no water for the night."
Public transportation access: Some rv campgrounds near Golden's Bridge provide unique transit options. At Liberty Harbor RV Park, a visitor shared, "This is a prime location for visiting the city or heading down the shore. The light rail is a block away, and the path train is about 8."
Site selection strategies: Request specific sites based on needs. At Interlake, "Sites are close, some are sunnier than others. I was below the bath house/rec hall, but wasn't disturbed by lights or noise."
