Primitive camping dominates the landscape north of Montrose, New York, with Harriman State Park offering designated primitive sites along hiking trails at elevations ranging from 400-1,300 feet. Backcountry camping options typically require hikers to carry all necessary supplies between 1-5 miles from trailheads. Winter camping remains available at select locations when temperatures average between 20-40°F from December through February.
What to do
Explore lake activities: Clarence Fahnestock State Park features Canopus Lake with a concession area, clean bathhouse, and boat rentals. "They even have boat rentals - or you can bring your own boat to launch! If you are into fishing, there is another lake and two ponds that our neighbor campers said were great for catching panfish - one fisherman said he had caught several bass weighing over 3 pounds!!" notes camper Shelly B.
Hike primitive trails: Suffern-Bear Mountain from Gate Hill Road offers challenging but rewarding terrain with primitive camping options. "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 Ethan K., who advises packing light for the 2.5-mile trek from the trailhead.
Enjoy family-oriented activities: Jellystone Park Gardiner provides structured recreation for families with children. "This campground has a lot of activities and has kids of all ages galore. I was worried my 12 year old would be too old for it but he enjoyed making friends there," reports Stephanie H.
What campers like
Proximity to NYC: Beaver Pond Campground provides camping within a short drive of metropolitan areas. "About 30 minutes from sleepy hollow and tarrytown NY and only an hour to central park!! Deer running everywhere and surprisingly beautiful and quaint," writes Megan B.
Affordable options: Budget-conscious campers appreciate the value at several locations. "This is an off-grid camping experience. You can use your generator at certain hours. They have a beach. Their staff is friendly. I love going here," states Adaly about Beaver Pond Campground, noting it costs "just $15" for a campsite.
Platform camping: Several of the best places to camp near Montrose feature raised platforms that keep tents dry. "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," explains Ethan K.
What you should know
Military-only options: Several quality campgrounds near Montrose restrict access to military personnel. West Point FMWR Round Pond Outdoor Recreation Area is "camping reserved for active and retired military personnel only. We drove through and the whole space is rather large. There are several signs everywhere making it clear that it is only for military," reports Ethan K.
Bathroom conditions vary significantly: Facilities range widely between campgrounds. At Clarence Fahnestock State Park, Courtney D. reports: "Bathrooms and dishwashing... UGH. So old and dirty!!!" This contrasts with other locations offering modern facilities.
Seasonal variations affect experience: Timing impacts crowd levels substantially. At Clarence Fahnestock, Rebecca S. notes: "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."
Tips for camping with families
Phone service considerations: Croton Point Park offers connectivity that some families need for emergencies. "Peaceful and gorgeous campsite, with plenty of space between sites. Great view of the Hudson, and playground within sight of our camper. Site does not have Wi-Fi and street address didn't work correctly with multiple GPS apps," reports Thomas.
Beach access for supervised swimming: Several area campgrounds provide guarded beach areas. "The beach is closed after Labor Day to the public, but open to people staying at the campsite. Clean and beautiful," writes Courtney D. about Clarence Fahnestock State Park.
Consider weekday camping with kids: Weekend crowds impact family camping experiences. "This park is FULL! Make sure to reserve at least two weeks out. Weekdays? You should be in luck!" recommends Shelly B. about Clarence Fahnestock State Park.
Tips from RVers
Shelter and cabin options: Sebago Cabin Camp provides simple alternatives to RV parking. "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. Absolutely zero phone service (for T-Mobile) which was AMAZING," explains Sara P.
Check site specifications: Ward Pound Ridge Reservation offers diverse camping sites with varying characteristics. "The camping sites are very different so it's useful to go in person and select the area. Parking is close, but some of the sites are also pretty close to each other so there is less privacy," advises Susana M.
Limited hookup availability: Most top camping destinations near Montrose offer only partial hookups for RVs. When full hookups are unavailable, prepare for dry camping. "RV hook-ups, tent platforms, and rustic tent sites were available. Our rustic tent site had a few good options for pitching a tent, as well as picnic table and fire ring," notes Rebecca S. about her stay at Clarence Fahnestock State Park.
