114 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
State parks and forests surrounding Lake Mohegan, New York feature diverse camping options within an hour's drive of New York City. Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground in Carmel offers both tent and RV sites with electric hookups, operating from April through early December. Harriman State Park's Beaver Pond Campground provides lakeside camping with access to swimming beaches and hiking trails, including sections of the Appalachian Trail. Croton Point Park on the Hudson River remains open year-round with tent, RV, and cabin accommodations. Ward Pound Ridge Reservation features more manicured grounds with lean-to and tent sites, appealing to families seeking accessible outdoor experiences.
Reservations are essential during summer weekends at most campgrounds in the region, with many sites booking up weeks in advance. As one camper noted about Fahnestock State Park, "Weekends this park is FULL! Make sure to reserve at least two weeks out. Weekdays? You should be in luck!" Bear activity requires proper food storage throughout the area, particularly in Harriman State Park where rangers regularly warn campers about wildlife encounters. Cell service varies significantly between campgrounds, with better coverage at locations closer to towns. Spring and fall offer more availability and comfortable temperatures, though facilities like showers may be limited during shoulder seasons.
Waterfront sites consistently receive the highest ratings from visitors, particularly at Croton Point Park where campers praise the "breathtaking" Hudson River views and private beach access. According to one review, "Tent sites are very private with some dirt roads to exit out but that's what makes it unique!" Several campgrounds feature wooden tent platforms, which campers appreciate for keeping equipment dry and level. Proximity to hiking trails ranks as another key highlight, with Beaver Pond Campground offering immediate access to numerous trailheads. Weekday visitors report significantly quieter experiences than weekend campers, with one reviewer noting Mills Norrie State Park is "deserted during the week but packed on weekends."
"When you are camping with a large group of friends and don't all have access to a car, this is the perfect spot."
"We were right next to the entrance for hiking trails which was convenient. The facilities are a bit of a walk, but that means it is spread out and there's plenty of room to relax and have fun."
from $21 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $21 - $24 / night
Check Availability"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!"
from $30 - $60 / night
Check Availability"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."
"The shelter sites are large and private with access to hiking trails and make for a unique experience. The staff is friendly as well"
from $45 - $55 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $25 - $40 / night
Check Availability"This was beautiful campground with an even nicer lake. You are able to do a hike around the lake."
"Great trails to hike for novices looking to branch out but not too large that you'll be lost forever lol highly recommend and can't do so enough 👍🏽"
"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."
"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."
"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."
from $74 - $130 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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."
"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."
ScoutThis is not the place to come if what you are looking for is a nice quiet, peaceful nature retreat. The "full shade" sites really aren't, it's crowded with kids yelling and running everywhere, and honestly, you're better off camping in your backyard.
RangerThis is an A.T. shelter and campsite. First come, first served. Privy was nice. Flat tentsites for 6 or more. Good for Hammocking also.
LegendExcellent campground! The forest is beautiful, the Hudson River is super close, there are great trails, and the surrounding area is beautiful. Sites are electric only, so make sure your water pump is working and fresh water tank is full. There are spigots for filling and a nice dump station. The player is excellent. I don't think tetn camping here would be great because the tent sites are closer together and there are trains that pass regularly. We couldn't hear the trains in our camper and our site was large and private with great Forest and hammock trees. The mansion tours at Vanderbilt and Mills were awesome!
ScoutThe main issue with the sites was that they were primitive -- no water. The campsites were basically just wooden platforms, with a picnic table and fire pit. There were also a lot of bugs, though this may be due to the rain. The location itself was fairly pretty and there were a number of hiking trails of not-overly-serious difficulty. The particular site we picked left is a little farther from our car than we would have liked, but for other sites you can bring your car closer.
GuideTall pines, the sound of the mighty housatonic river, and some car noise on the nearby 2 lane. The campground is landscaped and maintained beautifully. the highlight is the river, ever-present in sound. The primo sites are on the northern end , where most sites are right on the water, and just a small descent. Bathrooms are good, not great. Showers are push button automatic, water was warm. We have a small RV, the dump site is up the main road about a 1/2 mile in a turnout. Free for campers, on your honor. At office were college aged young men and women in very casual street clothes all very nice, and mannerly, but not very knowledgeable, and hard to believe they could handle an adverse situation. I asked for the soap to be filled in the mens room on Thursday afternoon at 4 and it was still not done at noon the next day. -it’s a 2 minute walk from the office. I asked about a hike, they told me a trail head was a mile up the road. We found a spur directly across the street. I miss real docents, with knowledge, and wearing the garb. All sites not directly on the river side have paths down to get there. Did a nice little moderate hike just across the street called Pine Knob. Nice vista, quick 760ft ascent, combines withe AT for a length, then back down total 3 miles the way we did it. Some nice restaurants in Kent. Found a good breakfast in Goshen. We’ll be going back.
TravelerWe’re here for the Rock, Ribs, and Ridges festival and what a great experience! Make sure to bring a 50’ power cord as the hook ups are grouped together on telephone poles rather than at each individual site. As far as I know camping is only available during select events.
TravelerNot an NPS location as was described. Now a campsite and canoe rental at $77 a night
TravelerArrived at night on a weekday to find two other vehicles parked in the lot, srilll was able to find a fire ring with a level area relatively easy. Very quiet, just the sounds of owls hooting at night. Very nice mixed forest, seems managed well. It is somewhat buggy. But doesn’t seem to be overly infested with ticks at least.
GuideA really nice campground for tenters and dry campers. No hookups, but decent bathrooms, lukewarm showers and well kept. The Housatonic river is wide and shallow but good for soaking on a hot day and right behind pretty much every campsite. The riverside sites have a clear view, the others you walk through the woods. The only negative is Route 7, which gets busy in the mornings, and at rush hours, but quiets down at night. Not a busy highway to begin with, but a major route. A good up and down hike right across the street, 760 ft ascent in a mile or so, 3 mile loop, you see AT through hikers on the portion of the combined trail. There is a drinking water tap you can hook a hose to for filling your RV, or jugs. No dump station. We had our class B here. Sites mostly level. Come during the week for better privacy. Supposedly fly fisherman come on weekends. Cute cabins for rent in a awesome location.
Camping options near Lake Mohegan, New York sit at elevations between 200-1,300 feet in the Hudson Highlands region, where summer temperatures typically range from 60-85°F. Most campgrounds in this area remain open from mid-April through October, though several offer year-round access with reduced services during winter months.
Hiking the Appalachian Trail access points: Several campgrounds near Lake Mohegan connect to segments of the Appalachian Trail. At The Stephen & Betsy Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center, campers note that "Great trails to hike for novices looking to branch out but not too large that you'll be lost forever." The trail sections are well-marked with white blazes and vary in difficulty.
Swimming in lakes with beach access: Beaver Pond Campground offers swimming in Welch Lake with a sandy beach maintained throughout summer. "A stones throw from NYC this beautiful area combines Lake Welch and Harriman State Park. This camp ground is laid back away from the busy activity of the big city. The beach is secured with lifeguards and shower and bathroom facilities are available," reports one visitor to Beaver Pond Campground.
Rock scrambling with primitive camping: For experienced hikers seeking more challenging terrain, primitive camping sites along the Suffern-Bear Mountain trail provide scenic overlooks. "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," notes a camper who completed the 2.5-mile hike from the trailhead.
Wooden platforms for tents: Many campers appreciate the raised tent platforms available at several campgrounds in the region. At Sebago Cabin Camp, campers can rent rustic cabins or use tent platforms. "These cabins are VERY rustic, four walls, a cot, and a fridge. You still feel like you are 'roughing it' but with the convenience of a fridge," explains one visitor. These platforms keep tents dry even after rainfall.
Proximity to New York City: Many campgrounds in the area serve as quick escapes from urban environments. According to one camper at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park: "About 30 minutes from sleepy hollow and tarrytown NY and only an hour to central park! Deer running everywhere and surprisingly beautiful and quaint." This accessibility makes these locations popular for weekend trips.
Well-spaced campsites: Unlike some crowded camping areas, several parks offer sites with adequate spacing. "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," notes one visitor. Sites at most parks can be reserved up to 9 months in advance through the New York State Parks reservation system.
Bear activity requires proper preparation: Multiple campgrounds report regular bear sightings and activity, particularly in Harriman State Park. "A quick 40 minutes north of NYC, Harriman State Park has an eclectic little campground called Beaver Pond. 'Welcome to Bear Mountain' grumbles the park ranger as he sits in complete darkness! He is in his ranger hut, checking in the late evening arrivals to the campground... and gives us the run down on bear activity in the area," reports a camper. Most campgrounds require food to be stored in vehicles or provided bear boxes.
Mid-week visits offer significantly different experiences: Campgrounds throughout the region show marked differences between weekday and weekend camping. At Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground, a camper notes: "Busy Campground on Weekends! Weekends - this park is FULL! Make sure to reserve at least two weeks out. Weekdays? You should be in luck!" This pattern holds true across most camping areas in the region.
Limited cell service at most locations: Cell coverage varies significantly across campgrounds, with many reporting limited or no service. A visitor to Round Pond Recreation Area mentions: "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."
Look for campgrounds with playgrounds: Several family-friendly campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. "We were very impressed with the playground on site!" notes a visitor to West Point FMWR Round Pond Outdoor Recreation Area. Other family-friendly amenities at various parks include basketball courts, shallow swimming areas, and nature centers.
Consider camping at Ward Pound Ridge for safer hiking with children: This reservation offers well-maintained trails appropriate for various skill levels. "The grounds are far too well trimmed, as you can see in one of the videos. There is wide open space and the paths are well paved so kids can have fun riding the bikes or running around. There is also many trails of various difficulty levels to suit everyone," explains one visitor with children.
Check site positioning when booking: Site locations can significantly impact family camping experiences. At Croton Point Park, a visitor warns: "The tent site is after the RV site, so use their LX before you get to site if you can. 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."
Electric options limited but available: Several campgrounds offer electric hookups for RVs, though full hookup sites are less common. At Croton Point Park, "A county park with a mix of w/e (6 sites) and FHU sites plus about a dozen tent sites near a capped dump! 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."
Prepare for tight clearances: Some campgrounds have limited space for larger rigs. "The FHU sites were back-to-back and although there were trees separating the sites, they were close together," notes an RV camper. Most campgrounds in the region can accommodate rigs up to 30 feet, but larger vehicles may find limited options.
Consider alternate access routes: Many roads leading to campgrounds in the area include winding mountain routes that can be challenging for larger vehicles. RV campers should research routes carefully before arrival, especially when approaching from the north where roads tend to have steeper grades and tighter turns.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Lake Mohegan, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, Lake Mohegan, NY offers a wide range of camping options, with 114 campgrounds and RV parks near Lake Mohegan, NY and 2 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Lake Mohegan, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Lake Mohegan, NY is Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 33 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Lake Mohegan, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Lake Mohegan, NY.
What parks are near Lake Mohegan, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 13 parks near Lake Mohegan, NY that allow camping, notably Hop Brook Lake and Northfield Brook Lake.
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