Croton Point Park's cabin options allow pets alongside traditional tent and RV camping, offering overnight visitors and their dogs access to a peninsula setting along the Hudson River. Ward Pound Ridge Reservation and Beaver Pond Campground at Harriman State Park also welcome pets throughout their grounds, with most sites providing picnic tables and fire rings where dogs can rest nearby while owners enjoy campfires. The campgrounds maintain varying policies regarding leashed pets, with all requiring owners to keep dogs under control. Restroom facilities with showers are available at most locations, though campers note the varying distance between sites and facilities. Raccoons frequent Croton Point Park after dark, so campers with pets should store food securely to avoid unwanted nighttime visitors.
The extensive trail networks surrounding these pet-friendly campgrounds provide excellent opportunities for dog walking, particularly at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation where over 40 miles of hiking paths wind through the property. Beaver Pond Campground offers platforms at many tent sites, which campers with dogs appreciate during wet weather conditions. Campers should be prepared for wildlife encounters, as deer frequent Ward Pound Ridge Reservation and bear activity is common around Harriman State Park. The proximity to New York City makes these locations convenient weekend destinations, with most campgrounds situated within 30-60 minutes of the metropolitan area. Campgaw Mountain Reservation provides a budget-friendly option with free camping, though hikers with dogs frequently pass through the camping area starting early in the morning.
$17 - $20 / night
"15 dolares la noche para los que viven en el Estado de New York o New York city .. si es fuera del estado son $5 dolares mas!!"
"Drive-in tent campgrounds. Adequate restroom facilities sprinkled amongst tent sites. Some campsites have raised platforms. All sites have picnic tables and fire ring with flip-top grill."
$30 - $60 / night
"Tent sites are very private with some dirt roads to exit out but thats what make it unique experience! Bathrooms with shower is near by and has plenty porta potties all around."
"Was close to bear mountains state part and the train station is right there!"
$45 - $55 / night
"Pet friendly and kid friendly with a playground available. Our favorite site is #25. Up a hill, totally private and has a lean-to."
"Close to the city and civilization, yet large enough to have nice trails and creeks to feel away from it all. The camping sites are very different so it’s useful to go in person and select the area."
$145 - $180 / night
"Very plain & functional, no frills but right on the harbor & on the very edge of Jersey City, close to a ferry & the train that takes u across to New York City."
"Very easy to hop on transit to get to New York City. People were friendly."
$17 / night
"With Covid/social distancing requirements, many sites are closed so it’s extra quiet and spread out. I stayed at site 6 with my seven year-old daughter from Tue-Thur."
"When you are camping with a large group of friends and don't all have access to a car, this is the perfect spot."
$74 - $130 / night
"It is a step up from cabin camping. They also have a beach behind it."
"This place is only an hour away from NYC with so much to do and see. These cabins are VERY rustic, four walls, a cot, and a fridge."
$130 / night
"A little intimidating driving in to a nondescript gate at the end of a narrow street but the overall experience exceeded expectation."
$25 - $40 / night
"Love the proximity to NYC - I always look for areas that are not too far, but not too close to NY. Beautiful but small-ish tent sites."
"We are looking forward to stopping by Round Pond again in the near future."
$85 - $120 / night
GuideI grew up in Long Beach. If you’re looking for a spot to camp so you can surf, this is perfect! It’s basically a parking lot, but it’s steps away from some of the greatest waves on the east coast. Showers are clean, there’s a dog park nearby, and the island is very bikable to get around.
benefits: allows dogs childrens playground beach programs like movie nights throughout the summer
GuideCamp Gateway in Brooklyn New York is one of my favorite places to visit. I went to college in New York, and loved to get out of the busy city and go camping and be outdoors. Camp Gateway was always a place that I loved to go. It is pretty close to town-which is crazy because you feel like you are miles away. Camp Gateway does offer a lot of different activities for everyone. One thing I love to do is go kayaking and stand up paddle boarding. My girlfriends and I tried to do this once a month to get away from the city and school. Because you are so close to the city, you can plan outdoor activities as well as some activities in the city. My friends and I stayed 1 night in the campground, and the next day went to a recital show that took us 10 minutes to get to. You can also walk, hike or ride your bike along multiple paths- I have done the Fort Tilden trail (I just walked, but there were multiple people that passed us on their bikes). Within the campground they do have some fire pits- which my friends and I always use because we love cooking smores and hot dogs for dinner. A little further away from the campground, about 10-15 miles there is a place where you can do horseback riding, see the Statue of Liberty (which is gorgeous!), and there is a little beach area. This beach area is where I do my kayaking and stand up paddle boarding. Again, its not very far away...you can either drive there, walk or ride your bike. The road is paved, which is nice. I stayed here also with my parents, and I know my dad went golfing one day (I didn't go, but he said it was awesome)- and again that was only a 10 minute drive from our camping spot. This campground like I said, does offer quite a bit. Sometimes it doesn't really feel like you are "camping" because things are pretty close by, but it definitely is worth going to and trying.
RangerVery plain & functional, no frills but right on the harbor & on the very edge of Jersey City, close to a ferry & the train that takes u across to New York City. Shopping & restraunts are right next door. We brought scooters & had a great stay! Plus you can see the Statue of Liberty from there!
LegendWe tried this campground without knowing what was safe and where to stay for visit New York City. It is located in Brooklyn and is little removed from everything. The sites are at Floyd Bennett Field which is an old airfield. The atmosphere here is eerily cool at the same time. You basically park and camp on the asphalt by the old hangars. No hookups at all but they do have a camp store and bath house. If you are tent camping, there are some grassy sites.
The campground is located right on Jamaica Bay so there were people fishing all the time from the seawall. At night, you could hear cars doing burnouts right next to us. To get to all the action in the city, we had to take a bus and then the subway. The travel was a headache but better than trying to drive in to New York City in our RV. One way to improve here would be to have some security at night as well as access to clean water and dump station. They remained locked most of the time for some reason.
The best part of this place was the free tour of Hangar B by some guys doing restoration of old planes (HARP). They had some great stories and gave us history of the planes on display.
ScoutRecently, we camped here for a week. We don’t ever post negative reviews like this. The last day, we experienced a violent attack by a very large and aggressive Pit Bull. The Pit Bull did not have a collar or a leash and was accidently let out of the RV to roam free and unsupervised. It immediately ran to our site(4 sites away) and attacked our dog that was tied at the time. The incident was unprovoked. While trying to save our dog, my wife and I were also attacked. The wounds were serious enough to require emergency transport to a hospital for treatment including stitches. All we could think of was what might have happened if our granddaughter had been playing with our dog.
To put it mildly, their existing pet policy is grossly lacking. They never checked what breed of dog or ask to see documentation of shots when we were registering. Yogi Bear Jellystone Park needs to better manage their pet policy to address aggressive dog breeds and ensure the safety of campers. We camped there for seven days and saw multiple sites have more than one large dog, which in many places we’ve camped at would have been banned due to breed type or size. We have RV’ed extensively across the US and have never seen such careless enforcement of a pet policy regarding aggressive dog breeds. Seriously, think about avoiding this park if you have pets or small children.
GuideThis place is kind of a toss up for me. On one hand, I enjoy it because it's a little slice of heaven in the hell of one of the busy areas of New York. I hate this place for the same reason. It's not really camping if you're going to see a play and then go tour the Statue of Liberty. It just doesn't seem right to me. If I HAVE to be in New York, maybe I'd consider staying here again just to get myself out of the city for a bit. But this definitely isn't your "great outdoors/rest and relaxation" kind of place.
TravelerSome things you should be aware of before booking: The office, playground, dog park, pool, laundry are located at the top of the hill. Camping spots are downhill, a good distance from the office and amenities. Trash is located off site in a pullout on the road you drive in on. There are 2 showers for women and 2 for men. Both are old and not well maintained or in our experience clean, either. In general the camping spots are not well maintained, weedy, un-level and picnic tables are weathered and warped. This resort campground is composed of mainly residents, the rules (we observed) apply to the overnight campers, not the residents. Children of the residents run free all day and past curfew in the evenings unsupervised. The setting is quiet, the views from the upper level are lovely. With some updating of bath facilities, cleaning and leveling of campsites, uniform enforcement of rules, Pleasant Acres could become a resort destination.
ScoutThere is only a small place for tents. Mostly people go there with campers. Not your typical campground. Very easy to hop on transit to get to New York City. People were friendly.
ScoutVery reasonable rates to pitch a tent. You get a private space with a fire pit. Ocean is close with lifeguards. Good fishing and pleasant people. Boat from New York City.
Campgrounds near Hartsdale provide access to the Hudson Highlands terrain, characterized by rocky outcroppings and mixed hardwood forests across elevations ranging from 200 to 1,300 feet. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F during day and 55-65°F at night, making proper layering essential. Most campsites sit within the eastern portion of the Hudson Valley, where fog frequently forms in low-lying areas during spring and fall mornings.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple locations offer pond and lake access where campers can catch various species. At Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground, "one fisherman said he had caught several bass weighing over 3 pounds" according to reviewer Shelly B. The park provides access to Canopus Lake and two additional ponds.
Beach activities: Several campgrounds feature swimming beaches with designated areas. At Beaver Pond Campground — Harriman State Park, "the grounds are just steps away from Welch Lake, offering a lifeguard monitored sandy beach which is open during the summer season for swimming, fishing, and small boat craft further out," notes Steve W.
Historic exploration: The region contains numerous Revolutionary War sites and historic landmarks. Beaver Pond Campground serves as a starting point for exploring historic areas where, as Steve W. describes, "trails in the area are friendly to hikers, bikers, and the non arthritic kneers, as most are rated moderate to challenging" with some that "terminate at Iona Island Bird Sanctuary."
Private camping areas: Many campgrounds offer secluded sites despite their proximity to New York City. At Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, "the shelter sites are large and private with access to hiking trails and make for a unique experience," according to Jeremy S., with Misty V. noting that site #25 is "up a hill, totally private and has a lean-to."
Platform tent sites: Raised platforms at several campgrounds provide practical benefits during wet weather. Ethan K. observed at Beaver Pond Campground that "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."
Waterfront views: Several campgrounds offer direct water access or waterside camping. At Croton Point Park, Anil S. describes the setting as "breathtaking camp grounds right on the Hudson" with "gorgeous scenery along the river and a private beach which is opened from Wednesday to the weekend with life guards on duty."
Wildlife considerations: Local fauna requires proper food storage and awareness. According to Anil S. at Croton Point Park, campers should "keep your food in the dry bag and away from the tent or benches provided or face the packs of fearless raccoons at night."
Seasonal variations: Campgrounds experience significant changes throughout the year. At Sebago Cabin Camp — Harriman State Park, seasonal programming includes various activities, as Sara P. notes: "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."
Reservation requirements: Booking systems vary between parks, with some requiring in-person registration. Ward Pound Ridge Reservation has specific requirements as Paul R. explains: "The one downside is that you need to book in person but it can be done well in advance if need be."
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. At West Point FMWR Round Pond Outdoor Recreation Area, Thomas notes there's a "playground within sight of our camper" making supervision easier while maintaining camp comfort.
Dog-friendly trail options: For those seeking dog friendly campgrounds near Hartsdale, several parks offer pet-specific amenities. Susana M. mentions that at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, "dogs are welcome on a leash" and the park has "nice trails and creeks to feel away from it all."
Budget considerations: Campsite costs vary significantly across the region's pet-friendly camping areas. Jake R. notes that Campgaw Mountain Reservation offers good value as "it is not a terrible site, especially considering the cheap price" though he cautions the campground becomes busy with day hikers early in the morning.
City access considerations: RV campers often use these campgrounds as bases for city exploration. Missy S. describes Liberty Harbor RV Park as having "sites very close to one another" but notes it's "close to ferry for downtown and Statue of Liberty" making it convenient for NYC excursions.
Electrical hookups: Several campgrounds offer limited electrical service. At Clarence Fahnestock State Park, sites with hookups tend to book quickly during peak season, with Rebecca S. noting that "during summer weekends the grounds fill up" while "RV hook-ups, tent platforms, and rustic tent sites were available."
Dump station access: Not all campgrounds with RV sites provide full sewage facilities. At Croton Point Park, Jonathan C. recommends that when using the tent sites that come after the RV area, you should "use their LX before you get to site if you can" since facilities are distributed unevenly throughout the campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Hartsdale, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Hartsdale, NY is New York City North/Newburgh KOA with a 4.2-star rating from 40 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Hartsdale, NY?
TheDyrt.com has all 44 dog-friendly camping locations near Hartsdale, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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