The camping areas surrounding Peekskill, New York span across nearly 46,000 acres of forested land within the Hudson Highlands region. Most campgrounds in this area sit at elevations between 200-1,300 feet, creating varied microclimates that typically remain 5-10 degrees cooler than New York City during summer months. Primitive camping along the Appalachian Trail corridor requires campers to follow strict 'pack it in, pack it out' protocols, with no trash receptacles available at most backcountry sites.
What to do
Swimming at Lake Welch: Harriman State Park offers swimming at Lake Welch beach with lifeguard supervision during summer months. A camper at Beaver Pond Campground noted, "The grounds are just steps away from Welch Lake, offering a lifeguard monitored sandy beach which is open during the summer season for swimming, fishing, and small boat craft further out."
Hiking the Appalachian Trail: Multiple trailheads within a 20-minute drive of Peekskill connect to the historic Appalachian Trail. According to a visitor at The Stephen & Betsy Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center, "Great trails to hike for novices looking to branch out but not too large that you'll be lost forever."
Off-season lakeside access: Fall and spring visitors can enjoy private beach access at several campgrounds. One camper at Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground mentioned, "The beach is closed after Labor Day to the public, but open to people staying at the campsite. Clean and beautiful."
What campers like
Tent platforms: Many campsites in the region offer raised wooden platforms for tent setup. A camper at Beaver Pond Campground shared, "Many of the camping options were on platforms which is especially nice if it recently rained or if you are expecting rain during your stay."
Community amenities: Some campgrounds offer unexpected social features. A visitor to The Stephen & Betsy Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center highlighted, "One highlight was having meals cooked by the stellar chef. The lake is very peaceful, and home to beavers we watched from the dining hall patio."
Site variety: The region offers dramatic differences between individual campsites. A camper at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation explained, "I've been coming here for years. They have great sights and are open all year round. I've stayed in hammocks, tents, lean-tos, and even did a good share of car camping."
What you should know
Military-only options: Some campgrounds in the region restrict access to military personnel. A visitor to West Point FMWR Round Pond Outdoor Recreation Area noted, "Unfortunately for me, Round Pond is camping reserved for active and retired military personnel only. We drove through and the whole space is rather large."
Bathroom quality varies: Bathroom facilities range widely across campgrounds. At Clarence Fahnestock State Park, one camper reported, "Bathrooms and dishwashing... UGH. So old and dirty!!! The bath house really needed more attention... while it had clearly been painted this past year, it was very 'buggy' - and did not appear to have been thoroughly cleaned since spring."
Wildlife management practices: Some parks implement wildlife control measures that might impact visitor experience. A visitor at Clarence Fahnestock State Park shared, "We were told we didn't have to rush, but that the public needed to evacuate, so they wouldn't be present when the wildlife exterminator arrived."
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: Several campgrounds feature playgrounds visible from campsites. At Croton Point Park, a family noted, "Peaceful and gorgeous campsite, with plenty of space between sites. Great view of the Hudson, and playground within sight of our camper."
Phone connectivity: Cell service varies significantly across campgrounds. A camper at Round Pond Recreation Area advised, "Just a note to other campers with T-Mobile, 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."
Weekend crowding: Family-oriented campgrounds become significantly more crowded on weekends. A visitor at Clarence Fahnestock State Park warned, "Weekends - this park is FULL! Make sure to reserve at least two weeks out. Weekdays? You should be in luck!"
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup options: Full-hookup RV sites are limited in the region. A visitor to Croton Point Park explained, "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 FHU sites were back-to-back and although there were trees separating the sites, they were close together."
Off-grid camping requirements: Some campgrounds require self-sufficiency. A visitor to Croton Point Park noted, "This is an off-grid camping experience. You can use your generator at certain hours. Their staff is friendly. I love going here."
Site access challenges: Several campgrounds have specific parking arrangements. At the Stephen & Betsy Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center, a camper noted, "No RV and campers allowed. The parking for your car is 1/4 mile away but they allow you to unload and give you a wagon to take stuff to your site."
