Camping options near Harriman, New York span several state forests and private facilities across northern New Jersey and southern New York. The region sits at elevations ranging from 400 to 1,800 feet with mixed hardwood forests and rocky terrain. Seasonal camping conditions vary dramatically, with summer temperatures reaching the high 80s and winter often dropping below freezing with substantial snowfall.
What to do
Hiking the Appalachian Trail: Several campgrounds provide direct access to notable sections of the AT. High Point State Park Campground offers strategic positioning for trail access. "Stopped at this shelter while hiking the AT in High Point SP. It was raining the entire day and the shelter provided a dry place to take a break. The shelter has the usual facilities, privy, water source (must be filtered), bear box, etc," notes Richard M.
Kayaking on local lakes: Water recreation options extend beyond the main attractions. Stokes State Forest offers rentals at their main office. "You can also rent kayaks and SUP at the main office. Highly recommend Stokes," reports E.M.V., who stayed at the Lake Ocquittunk Area.
Winter camping options: Unlike many seasonal campgrounds, several locations maintain year-round operations. A camper named W L. who rented cabins in Stokes State Forest explained: "Rented a cabin in November (#009) and again in December (#008) of 2021. The mattresses are vinyl covered, so you can wipe them down with your own sanitizing wipes. There was hand sanitizer in each cabin as well."
What campers like
Military-only campgrounds: For service members and veterans, exclusive camping options offer unique environments. West Point FMWR Lake Frederick Outdoor Recreation Area receives praise for its standards. "This place is incredible. Being military-only keeps standards high, the campground clean and well maintained," explains Heather M., who added, "The new docks around the swimming area create a safer swimming experience for even the most inexperienced swimmers."
Tent platforms at select sites: Many campers appreciate the elevated sleeping surfaces available. At Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, Christina L. noted during her solo trip: "They have these 12x12 platforms to put your tent on. This was pretty cool especially since some of the sites are all gravel with surrounding dirt. The sites are very large and I suggest site 7."
Dome structures with panoramic views: Beyond standard yurts, unique accommodation designs stand out. At Moon Valley Campground, Bob F. shared: "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. Headed back for a fall weekend in the 'dome' which has incredible views."
What you should know
Military-only restrictions: Some of the region's campgrounds limit access to military personnel. Ethan K. explained after visiting Round Pond: "Unfortunately for me, Round Pond is camping reserved for active and retired military personnel only. We drove through and the whole space is rather large. There are several signs everywhere making it clear that it is only for military."
Bathroom availability varies widely: Facilities differ significantly between locations. At Jellystone Park Gardiner, one camper reported: "The bathrooms needed updating and people at the tent area made a comment that it took a while to get a turn at the showers."
Terrain challenges: Rocky sites and elevation changes can impact camping comfort. Josh S. noted at Stokes State Forest: "Site was located on a small hill next to the lake with the road directly in front and water about 50 yards away. Most of the campsites were very rocky, but you can find some that have a little bit of grass."
Tips for camping with families
Activity-focused campgrounds: Camp Glen Gray offers structured experiences for children. Christopher M. reports: "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."
Water features for children: Families appreciate accessible swimming areas. At Jellystone Park Gardiner, Amanda S. explained: "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. My older kids preferred a deeper pool but they still had a great time."
Yurt camping for beginners: Yurt accommodations near Harriman provide comfort for families new to camping. Jennifer I. noted that Jellystone Park Gardiner "is great for kids. It has a event just about every weekend with kid activity."
Tips from RVers
Hookup access challenges: Some campgrounds require additional equipment to access utilities. At Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, a camper noted: "Website lists water hook ups at long distances but they have hose reels to help with that. Our site (15) said 75' however the 50' hose reel made it to our rv connection."
Limited big rig access: Many campgrounds in the Harriman area have restrictions on larger vehicles. While some sites accommodate RVs, navigation can be challenging. "Easy to navigate our 38 ft. RV. Easy to dump and fill," reports Nancymike K. about Mahlon Dickerson Reservation.
Weekend noise levels: RVers should be aware of varying noise patterns. Adeline M. observed at Stokes State Forest: "We came on a Friday night. Everyone was up pretty late, but was not crazy loud. The rest of the weekend it seemed like everyone's simmered down. The campground was full of mostly families."
