Round Pond Recreation Area provides military families privileged access to camping facilities near Highland Falls, New York. Located near West Point, this reservation-only campground features traditional tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin options amid wooded surroundings. Campers should note the reservation is specifically designated for military personnel and their families. The area experiences typical Hudson Valley seasons with warm summers and colorful fall foliage.
What to do
Hiking to nearby lakes: At Mountain Lakes Park, trails connect directly to camping areas for convenient access. "A gorgeous piece of land that contains lakes, a lookout and Mt. Bailey, the highest point in Westchester County. A dirt road loops through the property with trails off and through it," notes Ben H.
Fishing opportunities: Round Pond Recreation Area offers fishing options with convenient lake access from the campgrounds. "The campground is beautiful and the staff was wonderful! We started our camping season off right with a quick weekend stay at Round Pound. We are looking forward to stopping by Round Pond again in the near future," writes Jacey H.
Water activities: High Point State Park provides multiple water recreation options within driving distance. "I spent two nights camping with my niece and this campground was perfect. We fit in a hike up to the Appalachian Trail from our campsite, swam at the pond (Lake Marcia), and got in a fishing session at Steeny Kill Lake," states Justin P.
What campers like
Military-only accommodations: West Point FMWR Round Pond Recreation Area provides dedicated facilities for service members. "We've been coming here for at least 13 years. We love that its a place specifically for Vets and active Military. Everyone is amazingly respectful of each other and the caretakers take such care of the grounds," shares one reviewer.
Proximity to NYC: Multiple campsites offer accessibility from urban areas without long travel times. "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. Lots of great hiking in the area in addition to beautiful Cold Spring, NY for the small-town charm," explains Becky G.
Spacious sites: Mahlon Dickerson Reservation provides well-separated camping areas. "Located in the Skylands of New Jersey, Mahlon Dickerson Campgound is a perfect place to spend a few nights or a couple of weeks. The campsites are paved and mostly level. They are wooded and large," notes Jeff W.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Fall camping offers spectacular foliage views but requires preparation for cooler temperatures. "We very impressed with the playground on site! Unfortunately, due to our early start in the camping season the weather did not allow us to enjoy fishing or the beach or water hook ups, however all areas looked well maintained," reports Jacey H.
Cell service limitations: Some campgrounds have limited connectivity. "Just a note to other campers with T-Moblie, we did not have any service on the campsite, however just a hop in the car or a quick walk down the mountain for 5G service near the entrance off the main road," advises Jacey H.
Bathroom conditions: Facility quality varies significantly between campgrounds near Highland Falls. "Bath houses are absolutely spotless. Fire pits, electric and water hook ups only. Will return! Staff is friendly and helpful. Military families should check it out!" writes Mindie C. about Round Pond Recreation Area.
Reservation requirements: Historic Hudson Valley Riverside Hemp Farm and other glamping close to Highland Falls, New York require advance bookings. The Tentrr platform manages most luxury camping experiences with standardized setups.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Thousand Trails Rondout Valley offers numerous recreation options. "This is a large family campground with tons of stuff to do, I was pleasantly surprised by how quiet it was. I really enjoyed our visit," reports Katie B.
Quiet hours enforcement: Some campgrounds strictly maintain quiet hours while others allow more extended socializing. "We were expecting a weekend of kayaking and relaxation when in fact we got an overcrowded, noisy and dirty weekend that was overpriced," notes a visitor to Kittatinny Campground, highlighting the importance of researching atmosphere.
Platform tent sites: Several campgrounds provide raised platforms for tent setups. "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," explains Christina L. at Mahlon Dickerson Reservation.
Wildlife awareness: Bear activity requires proper food storage. "There are a lot of bear warnings here so that gave us a bit of pause with our three little boys," notes Greg S., emphasizing the importance of following wildlife safety protocols.
Tips from RVers
Hookup details: Campgrounds offer varying levels of services. "Easy to navigate our 38 ft. RV. Easy to dump and fill. Peaceful. Close to train to N.Y. City," advises Nancymike K. about Mahlon Dickerson Reservation.
Water access solutions: Some sites have innovative solutions for water hookup challenges. "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," explains a reviewer at Mahlon Dickerson.
Site leveling considerations: Terrain varies significantly throughout the region. "The sites are paved and mostly level. They are wooded and large. Water and electric hookups and a dump station," writes Jeff W. about accommodations at Mahlon Dickerson that work well for RVs of various sizes.
