Tent campsites near Goshen, New York range from primitive backcountry sites requiring significant hiking to more accessible options with comfort stations. The region sits at elevations between 400-1,300 feet with a moderate climate that sees average summer temperatures of 75-85°F during peak camping season. Winter snowfall often makes remote sites inaccessible from December through early March, with spring bringing frequent precipitation.
What to do
Hiking to hidden lakes: Wawayanda State Park offers trails to secluded water bodies for day hikes from your campsite. As John C. notes in his review, there are "beautiful hiking trails around the area with a cool, shaded stream that runs close by the sites and is fun to walk along."
Farm-based camping: At Peace and Carrots Farm Bluebird Tiny Home, campers can experience a working produce farm with a unique twist. According to Anthony S., "This site was a small tiny home located on an active produce farm. The host was fantastic and catered to all of our needs giving us some firewood, a tour of her farm, and some fresh produce she picked that morning."
Rock scrambling: For experienced hikers, Suffern-Bear Mountain from Gate Hill Road Primitive offers challenging terrain with rewards. A reviewer describes it as "a high difficulty 15 mile out and back trail. At one point of the trail is a very difficult, but doable, rock scramble up the side of the mountain."
What campers like
Platform camping: The elevated tent platforms at The Stephen & Betsy Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center provide practical benefits in wet weather. One camper, Ilya F., shared: "I camped on one of the platforms, which was very nice and did not feel crowded even with other people on neighboring platforms."
Communal campfires: At Samuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground, the social aspect of a shared fire pit creates community. As Cory D. explains, "All of this happens, its just a little earlier in the night! Most go to sleep relatively early with a full day of climbing ahead of them. That being said, the climbing community is pretty friendly and the campgrounds have eliminated fire rings at each site and opted for one, communal fire pit."
Level tent pads: Many campers appreciate the well-maintained surfaces at designated tent sites. Kelsey R. found that Shawangunk Gateway Campground offers "The nicest, most level tent site you'll ever find. So easy to set up, and no worries whatsoever about roots or rocks."
What you should know
Bear safety requirements: Bear activity requires proper food storage at all camping areas near Goshen. At many campgrounds, bear boxes are provided but their placement might surprise you. As one camper at Shawangunk noted, "With all the heavy bear traffic signs that were up, I was surprised to see how close bear boxes were to our tents. They seemed to be 1-10 feet away from tents in each campsite."
Reservation processes: Many campgrounds have specific booking procedures. For example, Croton Point Park has an unusual system described by a reviewer: "The reservation process is a bit wonky. You need to call (no online reservations) and then wait for an e-mail, but the e-mail does not tell you your assigned site; you have to wait until you check in."
Seasonal access limitations: Weather impacts site availability dramatically. Moon Valley Campground operates primarily in warm months, while some sites in Harriman State Park close when snow is present, typically December through March.
Tips for camping with families
Rustic cabins as transition: For families new to camping, cabins provide a gentle introduction. At Sebago Cabin Camp, "Sebago cabins the way to get away and relax enjoy the lake... they have movie nights they do big bon 🔥 on Saturday very kid friendly ranger Joe is 👌 with the kids."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Multiple campgrounds offer chances to observe local animals safely. At The Stephen & Betsy Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center, one camper mentioned "The lake is very peaceful, and home to beavers we watched from the dining hall patio."
Campground activities: Some facilities organize regular events for younger campers. Sara P. notes about Sebago: "Sebago has a ton of activities like outdoor movies and communal bonfires on weekends. I was told by ranger Joe they also do Karaoke nights too."
Tips from RVers
Limited RV amenities: Most camping areas near Goshen have limited facilities for recreational vehicles. At Croton Point Park, even with RV sites available, a reviewer notes "We had 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."
Site selection strategy: For those with smaller RVs, choosing the right location matters. A visitor to Croton Point Park shared: "The tent site is after the RV site, so use their LX before you get to site if you can. Dumpster and water near sites."
Noise considerations: Campers in RVs should be aware of potential noise issues. One reviewer mentioned about Croton Point: "There is a train depot right outside and you can hear them shunting trains all night."
