Several campgrounds within 30 miles of North Castle accommodate tent campers alongside RV sites, offering varied experiences from Hudson River views to forest settings. Tent sites at Croton Point Park feature picnic tables with larger spacing than RV sections, while many campers report consistent cell service even at more remote locations. Most campgrounds maintain seasonal operating schedules, with limited winter camping options typically available at higher rates and with reduced amenities.
What to do
Hiking at Clarence Fahnestock State Park: Trails for all experience levels surround the campground with paths to Canopus Lake and fishing ponds. "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 a visitor to Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground.
Swimming at local beaches: Most campgrounds with lake access maintain swimming areas with seasonal lifeguard service. "The beach is closed after Labor Day to the public, but open to people staying at the campsite. Clean and beautiful," reports a camper at Clarence Fahnestock State Park.
NYC day trips: Many campers use these locations as bases for exploring New York City. At Liberty Harbor RV Park, "The light rail is a block away, and the path train is about 8. The bath house was above average and heated. The laundry was helpful and was acceptable. Having a view of Lady Liberty out your window is priceless."
What campers like
Easy NYC transit access: Several campgrounds offer convenient public transportation options. "This is a great spot with views of Manhattan, Statue of Liberty, etc. Expect to pay pretty good to be gear, but from here you can pretty much easily get anywhere in NYC," writes a visitor to Liberty Harbor RV Park.
Clean facilities despite high usage: Many campgrounds maintain bathrooms and showers despite heavy seasonal traffic. At Beaver Pond Campground, "Facilities were clean and what you'd expect from a campground."
Platform tent sites: Several campgrounds feature raised wooden platforms for tent setup. "The campground offers several different sties, from platform tent spaces to those for 25' trailers. All sites have a standard picnic table and fire ring," notes a camper at Beaver Pond Campground.
What you should know
Wildlife encounters: Bears and other wildlife frequent many campgrounds in the area. "We were told not to be alarmed if we heard a shotgun being fired," reports one visitor to Clarence Fahnestock State Park regarding wildlife management activities.
Reservation challenges: Most campgrounds require advance booking, especially for weekend stays. At Croton Point Park, "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."
Noise concerns: Several campgrounds experience noise from nearby infrastructure or other campers. "There is a train depot right outside and you can hear them shunting trains all night," notes a Croton Point Park visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer play equipment for children. At West Point FMWR Round Pond Outdoor Recreation Area, "We were 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."
Beach swimming options: Supervised swimming areas operate at several campgrounds during summer months. "The park has 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," writes a Clarence Fahnestock visitor.
Tent site selection: Campground layouts vary considerably in privacy and access. "This is one of my favorite campsites I have been to but only because after several visits we have finally found our favorite site...I highly recommend this place but check out the sites online to get one that is private," advises a camper at Mahlon Dickerson Reservation.
Tips from RVers
Cell service reliability: Mobile connectivity varies significantly between locations. At Skyline RV Camp, "During the day, I saw another RV patron walking to do their laundry just outside the complex on the next street over. On-site bathrooms were warm and clean. There were portable showers available but beware the broken shower head holders and lack of shelving/hooks for towels & clothing."
Water hookup distances: Pay attention to water connection placement when selecting sites. At Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, "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."
Seasonal road conditions: RV access may be affected by weather and seasonal construction. "Getting in and out of the city is an adventure. Stay right off the highway to avoid the $30 tunnel toll. Follow RV life pro and not Waze," recommends a Liberty Harbor visitor.
