Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Hawthorne, NY

Beaver Pond Campground and Ward Pound Ridge Reservation accept pets on leashes throughout their camping areas. Both locations offer dedicated tent and RV sites where dogs can join their owners. Croton Point Park provides additional pet-friendly cabin accommodations alongside traditional camping options. Bathrooms with showers are accessible at most locations, though Ward Pound Ridge maintains more primitive facilities with port-a-potties near the campsites. The fenced area spans two acres at several parks, giving dogs space to exercise safely. Harriman State Park's Beaver Pond location features raised platform tent sites that create comfortable spaces for campers with dogs, particularly useful during wet weather conditions. The campground store stocks basic pet supplies for emergency needs.

Hiking trails throughout these pet-friendly campgrounds vary in difficulty levels, accommodating both energetic dogs and older pets with mobility limitations. Dogs must remain leashed on all trails due to frequent wildlife encounters, including deer that roam freely through camping areas. Raccoons regularly visit campsites after dark, so securing pet food is essential to prevent unwanted visitors. Clean porta potties positioned near campsites provide convenience when walking dogs at night. West Point FMWR Lake Frederick and Round Pond recreation areas offer additional pet-friendly camping options with more extensive amenities. During summer months, early morning walks are recommended before temperatures rise, as several parks offer limited shade in common areas. Nearby veterinary services can be found within a 15-20 minute drive from most campgrounds.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Hawthorne, New York (48)

    1. New York City North/Newburgh KOA

    40 Reviews
    Pomona, NY
    17 miles
    +1 (845) 947-2792

    $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."

    2. Croton Point Park

    10 Reviews
    Croton-on-Hudson, NY
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (914) 862-5290

    $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!"

    3. Ward Pound Ridge Reservation

    10 Reviews
    Cross River, NY
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (914) 864-7317

    $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."

    4. Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground

    33 Reviews
    Fishkill, NY
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 225-7207

    $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."

    5. Sebago Cabin Camp — Harriman State Park

    6 Reviews
    Sloatsburg, NY
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 429-2039

    $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."

    6. West Point FMWR Round Pond Outdoor Recreation Area

    6 Reviews
    Highland Falls, NY
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 774-9524

    $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."

    7. Liberty Harbor RV Park

    16 Reviews
    Jersey City, NJ
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (201) 516-7500

    $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."

    8. Campgaw Mountain Reservation

    1 Review
    Ramsey, NJ
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (201) 327-3500

    9. West Point FMWR Lake Frederick Outdoor Recreation Area

    1 Review
    Highland Mills, NY
    23 miles
    Website

    $20 - $150 / night

    "Yes, this is a military-only campground but, that doesn't take away from how incredible it is and that is properly advertised. 
    This place is incredible. "

    10. Jellystone Park™ Gardiner

    32 Reviews
    Gardiner, NY
    44 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 255-5193

    "We got a red carpet site by the Gaga pit and near the water park (Cindy bear lane) and it was a convenient yet noisy site. Kids were at the playground 8 am or before and the noise woke us up."

    "With a new check in area, Gardiner has really stepped up. They expanded the pool area to include another pool plus splash area and water slides."

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Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Hawthorne, NY

419 Reviews of 48 Hawthorne Campgrounds


  • Mackenzie B.
    Aug. 4, 2018

    Nickerson Beach Park Campground

    surfers dream

    I 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

  • Nadia V.
    Aug. 24, 2016

    Camp Gateway- Brooklyn NY - CLOSED — Gateway National Recreation Area

    Definitely a place to visit!

    Camp 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.

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Liberty Harbor RV Park

    Functional with excellent access to the City

    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. Shopping & restraunts are right next door. We brought scooters & had a great stay! Plus you can see the Statue of Liberty from there!

  • Christy C.
    Jun. 10, 2017

    Camp Gateway- Brooklyn NY - CLOSED — Gateway National Recreation Area

    "Camping" in Brooklyn

    We 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.

  • Allen N.
    Aug. 12, 2020

    Jellystone Park™ Gardiner

    Serious Dog Bite Incident

    Recently, 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.

  • C
    Sep. 21, 2021

    Pleasant Acres Farm RV Resort

    Not a Resort, despite the name and per night fee.

    Some 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.

  • Carrie J.
    Sep. 30, 2016

    Camp Gateway- Brooklyn NY - CLOSED — Gateway National Recreation Area

    Weird One

    This 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.

  • Karla S.
    Aug. 31, 2018

    Liberty Harbor RV Park

    New York City View

    There 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.


Guide to Hawthorne

Pet friendly camping near Hawthorne, New York sits within the Hudson Valley region at elevations ranging from 200-1,300 feet above sea level. Summers average 75-85°F while spring and fall bring milder 55-70°F temperatures. Most campgrounds in this area offer both standard tent sites and raised platform options, providing drainage advantages during the region's frequent spring rainfall which averages 4-5 inches monthly from April through June.

What to do

Hiking with dogs along local trails: At Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, the trail system extends over 40 miles through diverse terrain. "This is a great place for camping. The shelters are great for people who want to camp and not have to worry about unplanned weather. The best part of this campsite are the endless trails in the area," notes Ethan K.

Swimming in Canopus Lake: Clarence Fahnestock State Park offers a designated swimming area with sand beaches. "They have a nice open beach on Canopus Lake with a concession area and bathhouse, which we found to be quite clean! They even have boat rentals - or you can bring your own boat to launch!" according to Shelly B.

Winter activities: Campgaw Mountain Reservation transforms during colder months with snow activities. Located at a higher elevation than other regional options, this area provides winter recreation opportunities from December through February when temperatures average 30-40°F during daytime hours.

What campers like

Seasonal swimming access: Croton Point Park provides swimming access at specific times. "Short 5 minute drive to nearby supermarket to pick up food or firewood. I would highly recommend it. Oh...and did i say, gorgeous scenery along the river and a private beach which is opened from Wednesday to the weekend with life guards on duty!" shares Anil S.

Camping structures: Shelter options at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation offer an alternative to traditional tenting. "Beautiful campsites! Lots of lean to sites with fireplaces in them. You have to go in person to make a reservation and pay. The camp area is beautiful, especially in the fall. Pet friendly and kid friendly with a playground available," reports Misty V.

Site spacing and privacy: Beaver Pond Campground offers well-spaced sites compared to others in the region. "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," states Ethan K.

What you should know

Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds near Hawthorne require advance bookings, especially during peak summer months. Ward Pound Ridge has specific reservation procedures: "You have to go in person to make a reservation and pay," according to Misty V.

Seasonal timing considerations: Visiting during non-peak periods provides a quieter experience. "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," explains Rebecca S. from Beaver Pond Campground.

Wildlife management awareness: Sebago Cabin Camp maintains wildlife management protocols. "Absolutely zero phone service (for T-Mobile) which was AMAZING. There's a few very cute small towns nearby with surprisingly modern restaurants and friendly people," notes Sara P., highlighting both connectivity limitations and nearby resources.

Tips for camping with families

Look for playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated children's areas. "A gorgeous camping ground right on the Hudson with beach and trails. This must be one of the most breathtaking camp grounds (family friendly) right on the Hudson," says Anil S. about Croton Point Park.

Consider campgrounds with activities: Jellystone Park Gardiner offers programmed recreation for children. "This is a very nice campground for families. Has a lot of activities and facilities for campers. It is a bit more open and campsite can be a bit close to each other. But the place was very clean a friendly," states Jenna S.

Plan for morning noise: Family-oriented campgrounds often become active early. "Kids were at the playground 8 am or before and the noise woke us up. The kids were around until about 10:30 or so each night," shares Stephanie H. about the activity levels at Jellystone.

Tips from RVers

Limited RV options with amenities: Some campgrounds near Hawthorne restrict RV access or limit hookups. "It has a huge lake and great beach area. It was perfect for lounging and swimming in during a hot summer day. We were able to rent a cabin which was equipped with an outside grill and picnic area," explains Ethan K. about amenities at Sebago Cabin Camp.

Early arrival recommended: For RV sites, arriving midweek and during non-peak hours improves site selection options. "We stayed here on a Thursday night in September prior to taking off backpacking. The campground was clean and quiet. RV hook-ups, tent platforms, and rustic tent sites were available," notes Rebecca S.

Off-season advantages: Consider camping in spring or fall months for less crowded conditions. Weather in May and September typically ranges from 55-75°F with reduced rainfall compared to summer months, creating ideal camping conditions with fewer reservation challenges.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Hawthorne, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Hawthorne, 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 Hawthorne, NY?

TheDyrt.com has all 48 dog-friendly camping locations near Hawthorne, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.