The Katonah area sits at the intersection of the Hudson Highlands and Taconic Mountains, with elevations ranging from 400 to 1,000 feet, creating diverse camping terrain. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing from December through February, with summer highs averaging in the mid-80s°F. Most campgrounds in the region remain open from April through October, with several offering extended shoulder seasons.
What to do
Hiking trails for all levels: West Point FMWR Round Pond Outdoor Recreation Area offers multiple trails accessible from the campground. Becky G. notes, "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."
Fishing in local lakes: Mountain Lakes Park provides several lakes for fishing. Ben H. mentions, "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."
Kayaking and paddleboarding: Lake Waramaug State Park Campground offers water activities on a scenic lake. One camper explains, "The lake is great for kayaking, paddle boarding, canoes and for fishing. Bring your own gear but kayak and canoe rentals are available. The swim area is marginal- best for little ones."
Visit nearby breweries: Several breweries operate within 30 minutes of most campgrounds in the area. G Y. recommends, "This park is remote from all conveniences- pack it in or expect a drive. There have been several times I've driven to the Dunkin Donuts miles down the road for coffee but I find using a French press is more convenient. For takeout there's the White Horse on 202."
What campers like
Large, private sites: Mahlon Dickerson Reservation receives high marks for spacious sites. Christina L. shares, "The sites are very large and I suggest site 7. It is on a hill so have a hand truck or a few people to carry stuff. Trust me it is worth it and I think it's the best tent site they have."
Clean facilities: Lake Compounce Campground maintains well-kept shower and restroom facilities. Diane R. notes, "Restrooms are clean and spacious. Showers are great. Whoever planned this campground is/was a camper. They have cabins, teepee and tent sites."
Military-only options: For service members seeking glamping near Katonah, New York, designated facilities provide exclusive access. Heather M. explains, "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. Being military-only keeps standards high, the campground clean and well maintained."
Proximity to NYC: Many campsites offer a balance between accessibility and wilderness. Ethan K. says, "Mountain Lakes park is a great place to camp within driving distance from NYC. A fun option available at Mountain lakes is to rent a yurt to camp in."
What you should know
Seasonal availability: Most luxury camping options near Katonah operate on limited schedules. Mo S. mentions, "This campground is an absolute joke, unless you are 18 months old, and then its probably perfect. (Extremely small, extremely shallow, and some sand to dig in.)"
Bear activity in the region: Bear Creek Campground at Lake Compounce and other sites require proper food storage. One camper notes, "This is an interesting camp ground. As I am set up for bed I see one other large green tent that looks deserted. People left their left over food scraps in the grass by my camp so not only has my dog been eating it, I also hear coyotes. Won't be surprised if I see a bear in the morning."
Limited cell service: Many campgrounds have poor reception. A visitor to Lake Waramaug shares, "Yes, cell service is basically non-existent. Our trip this weekend was the first time we received more than 1 bar in 20 years. Actually we were a bit disappointed because this camp ground is a great place to disconnect and relax."
Bathroom availability: At peak times, facilities may be limited. Elizabeth M. warns, "They need to add more bathrooms. They rarely cleaned the bathroom in all the 6 days that I stayed. The showers didn't have enough water pressure, 2 out of 6 had only hot water, some had no paper, hairs everywhere."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Jellystone Park Gardiner specializes in family entertainment. Amanda S. confirms, "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 there they have lasertag which they enjoy. And a bounce pillow."
Weekday vs. weekend visits: For quieter family experiences, avoid peak times. Stephanie H. advises, "This campground has a lot of activities but some were repetitive. It looks like Saturdays have the best activities but we were not there on a Saturday."
Pack entertainment for kids: Some campgrounds offer limited diversions. According to Mo S., "There is a lot of good hiking that can be done within a 20 min-1/2 hour 8-12 mile drive. A good one would be the Steep Rock Association's Macricostas Preserve, where you can hike up and see the sun set over the lake."
Wildlife education opportunities: Teach children about local animals safely. Katrina M. warns, "There are lots of skunks and squirrels that will get into EVERYTHING even in a bin."
Tips from RVers
RV site selection: Thousand Trails Rondout Valley offers various hookup options. Inez W. shares, "The only problem I had was that my Starlink didn't work at the first site (372 - full hookup) but they let me choose another site (435 - no sewer) and I was happy as a clam. Oh yea, the sewer connection in 372 ran uphill for me, but my pipe sits very low."
Hose length requirements: Some sites require longer connections. Antruze explains, "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."
Dump station access: Plan for no-sewer sites. Ray B. notes, "Very well maintained and friendly staff will stay again when in the area. Does not have sewer hookups, but does have a dump station."
Golf cart rentals: Some larger campgrounds offer mobility options at additional cost. Scott shares, "Love it here but renting a golf cart is prob not the best option $175 for 2 days and it only goes 5mph I can walk faster than that."
