Campsites around Greenwood Lake, New York sit in the Ramapo Mountains region at 600-1,200 feet elevation. This mountainous terrain creates variable cell reception across most camping areas and limited access roads in certain sections. Winter camping options remain sparse with only a few year-round facilities maintaining heated water systems from November through March.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Several campgrounds offer fishing access with varying catch restrictions. At Beaver Pond Campground in Harriman State Park, visitors can fish at Welch Lake during summer months. "Short distance from the NYC, very organized, clean pond, has a playground, showers, bathroom. Your phone will have signal," notes one Beaver Pond visitor.
Trail exploration: Multiple hiking routes connect directly from camping areas. Mountain Top RV Park features trail access with "a nice lounge room with games, a pool table, a tv and puzzles/board games" for after-hike relaxation according to @HomegrownRV.
Urban excursions: For campers based near Jersey City, Liberty Harbor RV Park serves as a gateway to NYC. "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," reports Joe R., who stayed at Liberty Harbor.
What campers like
Platform camping sites: Elevated wooden platforms at Beaver Pond Campground prevent water issues during rain. "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," one camper noted, adding that "the communal sink made it very convenient and easy to wash dishes and fill up water."
Farm animal interaction: Pleasant Acres Farm RV Resort offers livestock viewing as a popular activity. "The farm has goats, a donkey, and a pony within the campground. Very cool," writes Faith D. Another visitor mentions "the amazingly beautiful miniature horse that wonders around its huge pin located in the middle of the campground."
Relative privacy: Despite proximity to urban areas, some campgrounds maintain secluded sites. Beaver Pond's campsites are "spread out" where "you definitely feel like you have your own space and are not camping on top of your neighbor." Traffic levels vary significantly by season, with one ranger reporting that "during summer weekends the grounds fill up and can be quite noisy, but mid-week during the off-season it was great."
What you should know
Variable site conditions: Campsite quality differs significantly between locations and seasons. At Tri-State RV Park, one reviewer described it as "basically in a old parking lot right below the freeway. Very easy to get on & off the highway but loud highway noise almost all night."
Wildlife awareness: Multiple campgrounds report active wildlife, particularly bears. At Harriman State Park, rangers specifically warn about bear activity. One camper advised: "The wildlife do roam around your campsite so be mindful of putting food and garbage away before sleeping."
Limited sanitation facilities: Some campgrounds operate with minimal bathroom facilities. At Skyline RV Park, a reviewer reported "There was only 1 bathroom with small shower for all guests, however they are in the process of adding 5 more."
Seasonal closures: Operating seasons vary by campground location and elevation. Thousand Trails Rondout Valley runs from April through November while certain facilities at Beaver Pond like the swimming beach operate only during peak summer months.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play equipment for children. Mountain Top RV Park includes "a small playground that would be better suited for older children," while Beaver Pond Campground offers both playground facilities and beach access.
Animals as entertainment: Children typically enjoy the farm animals at Pleasant Acres. "My daughter loved the horses and goats," reports one visitor. Another mentions they "offer several planned activities for kids and they have nice facilities like a great swimming pool and ping pong."
Off-peak timing: Consider weekday visits during fall or spring for a quieter experience. At Harriman State Park's Beaver Pond Campground, visitors noted significant differences between weekend and weekday atmosphere: "Quiet time at night is laughable as the enjoyment of being in nature rages on into the early morning."
Tips from RVers
Elevation challenges: RV sites near Greenwood Lake, New York often require navigating steep terrain. At Mountain Top RV Park, a camper advised: "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."
Winter hookup status: Limited campgrounds maintain functioning water systems year-round. At Black Bear RV Park, one winter visitor reported: "Unfortunately at this site, the heated water pipe was broken so we had no water for the night."
Garbage access: Several campgrounds maintain centralized trash disposal rather than site pickup. At Pleasant Acres, campers noted "no garbage anywhere near the RV sites" with one visitor explaining, "Most campsites have a service, they tell you to leave it at a specific location by a certain time or they have many garbage cans throughout. This place had their garbage and recycling very far away."
