Campsites near Haverstraw, New York range from primitive hike-in spots to full-service campgrounds along the Hudson River. Most local campgrounds sit at elevations between 400-1,200 feet, creating moderate temperature variations between day and night, especially in spring and fall. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F with higher humidity levels than surrounding mountain areas, while nighttime temperatures can drop 15-20 degrees.
What to do
Swimming at sandy beaches: Croton Point Park features a supervised swimming area along the Hudson River. "This must be one of the most breathtaking camp grounds right on the Hudson. 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!" notes a Croton Point Park visitor.
Rock scrambling on trails: Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail offers challenging terrain with steep rock scrambles. "Suffern-Bear Mountain from Gate Hill Road is 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. At the top of the scramble is a primitive camping site with amazing views," explains a camper at Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail.
Stargazing in open fields: Ward Pound Ridge Reservation provides excellent stargazing opportunities. "There's elevation gain, creeks, and open fields for stargazing. You have the options of a lean to here," reports a visitor to Ward Pound Ridge Reservation.
What campers like
Platform tent sites for wet weather: Elevated tent platforms provide extra comfort during rainy periods. "The biggest positive about Beaver Pond is how spread out it was. You definitely feel like you have your own space and are not camping on top of your neighbor. 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," explains a camper at Beaver Pond Campground.
Communal dish washing facilities: Shared washing stations make cleanup more convenient. "I also particularly enjoyed the communal sink which made it very convenient and easy to wash dishes and fill up water," notes another Beaver Pond visitor.
Off-season tranquility: Many campgrounds offer a completely different experience during non-peak times. "Ranger said that during summer weekends the grounds fill up and can be quite noisy, but mid-week during the off-season it was great. Expect to purchase firewood, although scrounging for kindling was possible," advises a camper at Clarence Fahnestock State Park.
What you should know
Train noise near some campgrounds: Railroad proximity affects sleep quality at certain locations. "Only down side is there is a train depot right outside and you can hear them shunting trains all night," warns a Croton Point Park visitor.
Wildlife encounters: Raccoons frequently visit campsites searching for food. "Keep your food in the dry bag and away from the tent or benches provided or face the packs of fearless racoons at night," cautions a camper at Croton Point Park.
Site privacy varies significantly: Noise levels differ based on campsite location. "The site was very loud (dance music) until after 11pm. Quiet time at 10pm. Great site for a party, try to stay away from this end of the site or choose a site away from other bookings if you'd like quiet," recommends a visitor to Croton Point Park.
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: Some campsites offer play areas within view of camping spots. "Peaceful and gorgeous campsite, with plenty of space between sites. Great view of the Hudson, and playground within sight of our camper," shares a visitor to Croton Point Park.
Educational nature centers: Families can learn about local ecosystems. "The Trailside Nature Museum is also fun for the kids," mentions a camper at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation.
Kid-friendly trail options: Trails of varying difficulty levels suit different age groups. "The trails in the area are friendly to hikers, bikers, and the non arthritic kneers, as most are rated moderate to challenging. Don't fret, trails that are rated easy and accessible to disabled are equally enjoyable and beautiful," explains a visitor to The Stephen & Betsy Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup availability: RV sites with connections are limited in the area. "This is an off-grid camping experience. You can use your generator at certain hours. They have a beach. Their staff is friendly," notes a visitor to Beaver Pond Campground.
Back-to-back site configurations: Some RV areas have sites arranged for maximum capacity. "The FHU sites were back-to-back and although there were trees separating the sites, they were close together," observes a visitor to Croton Point Park.
Reservation complexity: Some campgrounds have multi-step booking processes. "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 to find out your site," explains another Croton Point Park camper.
