Camping options within an hour of Ossining, New York include both public and military-only facilities throughout Westchester County and the Hudson Highlands. The elevation in this region ranges from near sea level along the Hudson River to over 1,300 feet in parts of Harriman State Park, creating diverse camping environments. Many campsites are seasonal with the main camping season running from April through October, though some sites like Ward Pound Ridge Reservation remain open year-round.
What to Do
Hiking trails from campsites: At Clarence Fahnestock State Park, you can access multiple trails directly from the campground. "Lots of water spickets throughout the ground. We walked 20 min from our site to the beach across the 2-lane highway. The lake is clear and sandy," reports one visitor who appreciated the convenient beach access.
Swimming at lakes: Sebago Cabin Camp in Harriman State Park offers swimming options. "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," shares a camper. They add that "Sebago has a ton of activities like outdoor movies and communal bonfires on weekends."
Off-season camping: For those wanting to avoid crowds, Clarence Fahnestock State Park provides a quieter experience during non-peak times. "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," notes a camper who visited in September.
Fall activities: Mountain Lakes Park offers autumn camping with seasonal activities nearby. "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," reports one visitor who explored the park's terrain.
What Campers Like
Privacy between sites: Ward Pound Ridge Reservation receives high marks for site separation. "Beautiful campsites! Lots of lean to sites with fireplaces in them. You have to go in person to make a reservation and pay. The camp area is beautiful, especially in the fall," mentions a satisfied camper who particularly recommends site #25 for its privacy.
Platform tent sites: Beaver Pond Campground in Harriman State Park features elevated tent platforms that campers appreciate. "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," writes one reviewer who also noted the "communal sink which made it very convenient and easy to wash dishes and fill up water."
Military-only options: For service members, West Point FMWR Round Pond Recreation Area offers dedicated facilities. "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 a long-time visitor.
Lakefront recreation: Camping near lakes ranks highly among the best places to camp near Ossining. "This must be one of the most breathtaking camp grounds (family friendly) right on the Hudson. Tent sites are very private with some dirt roads to exit out but thats what make it unique experience," writes a visitor to Croton Point Park who also mentioned the "private beach which is opened from Wednesday to the weekend."
What You Should Know
Reservation systems vary: Many campgrounds near Ossining require in-person booking. At Ward Pound Ridge, "You have to go in person to make a reservation and pay," notes one camper. Similarly, for Lake Frederick, phone reservations are required with no online option.
Wildlife considerations: While bears are mentioned in existing descriptions, raccoons are also common at Croton Point Park. One visitor advises to "Keep your food in the dry bag and away from the tent or benches provided or face the packs of fearless racoons at night."
Site differences: Campsite quality varies dramatically within the same campground. "I had originally booked site 65 and upon arriving, was told there was an error in the system and it was double-booked... I would absolutely try to check your site before you get there because each site varied quite a bit from the other," explains a Fahnestock visitor.
Noise levels: Train noise affects some campgrounds. At Croton Point Park, "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," suggests one camper who stayed in site 9.
Tips for Camping with Families
Playground access: Mountain Lakes Park provides playground facilities for children. The park offers "a lookout and Mt. Bailey, the highest point in Westchester County. A dirt road loops through the property with trails off and through it," making it accessible for families with younger hikers.
Lean-to options: Family campers with limited experience appreciate the shelters. "We took my 5 year old-son and wife, all of us first time campers. this place was great. The site was very nice, all the people friendly and area beautiful," shares a new camper who visited Croton Point Park.
Weekend activities: Some campgrounds organize family-friendly events. At Sebago, a camper mentions they "do big bon 🔥 on Saturday very kid friendly ranger Joe is 👌 with the kids and they have 🔥 wood for purchase on site." These structured activities can help keep children engaged.
Off-peak visits: For quieter family camping, consider weekday trips. "Short distance from the NYC, very organized, clean pond, has a playground, showers, bathroom. Your phone will have signal," notes a Beaver Pond visitor, highlighting features important for families with children.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup options: Most top camping spots near Ossining offer only partial hookups. At West Point FMWR Round Pond, a visitor notes "No frills but beautiful. Bath houses are absolutely spotless. Fire pits, electric and water hook ups only," indicating the limited but functional services available.
Site leveling: For RV campers, knowing about site condition is crucial. "We had a loosely defined gravel pad that was level. All sites appeared level," reports a visitor to Croton Point Park, where they also note the "FHU sites were back-to-back and although there were trees separating the sites, they were close together."
Cell service considerations: Connectivity varies widely across the region's best camping areas. At Round Pond, "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."
