The New York-New Jersey border area surrounding Peekskill features diverse topography with forested hills, lakes, and streams at elevations ranging from 200 to 1,800 feet. Visitors can find upscale glamping options close to Peekskill, New York alongside traditional tent camping, with most sites open from April through October when temperatures average 55-80°F. Winter camping opportunities exist at select locations where cabin accommodations provide shelter from temperatures that can drop below freezing.
What to do
Hiking at elevation: High Point State Park Campground features access to the highest point in New Jersey at 1,803 feet. "You can drive to High Point monument that is 1803 feet above sea level and you get a spectacular panorama view. There are hiking trails and fresh water for kayaking," explains one visitor who found the trail system diverse enough for multiple skill levels.
Family water activities: Jellystone Park Gardiner offers extensive water-based recreation for families. "Nice pool that is shallow so you can relax and let the little ones go in the water park section alone or they have a 3 ft pool also," notes one camper, highlighting the kid-friendly setup that makes it easy for parents to supervise children of different ages.
Fishing access: Mahlon Dickerson Reservation provides nearby fishing opportunities with lakeside trails. "We always hike to the lake here, it's a very easy hike and also very peaceful," says one regular visitor who has been frequenting the area for over two years with family and pets, appreciating the electric and water hookups alongside natural recreation.
What campers like
Clean facilities: West Point FMWR Round Pond Outdoor Recreation Area maintains exceptionally clean bathhouses. "Bath houses are absolutely spotless. Fire pits, electric and water hook ups only," reports a military family visitor who appreciated the no-frills but beautiful setting, noting that active and retired military personnel receive priority access.
Secluded camping spots: Stokes State Forest offers private, quiet sites with natural features. "We stayed on a beautiful mossy bank, next to a river and a lake. The area was quiet and peaceful, and areas with waterfalls and great views were easily accessible," writes one camper who valued the combination of privacy and natural beauty.
Proximity to New York City: Camp Glen Gray provides rustic glamping close to Peekskill, New York and the greater NYC area. "Great Camp!!! One rustic place with many hiking trails to choose from. Camp also provides trucking of gear weather permitting," notes a visitor who appreciated the camp's policy of not allowing vehicles to drive through, preserving the natural setting.
What you should know
Military-only access: Some premium camping options have restricted access. "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. There are several signs everywhere making it clear that it is only for military," explains one would-be visitor who couldn't stay but noted the beautiful lake would be ideal for summer visits.
Varying bathroom quality: High Point State Park Campground has limited shower facilities with specific hours. "Showers are at the day use area, from 10-5:30, no trailer dump, website says laundry, but apparently not," reports one RVer who found the campground serviceable despite these limitations.
Bear safety requirements: Wildlife precautions are necessary in the region. "Remember, this is bear country so proper food storage is a must. Bear lockers are not provided. The area also has ticks and rattlesnakes," warns a visitor to Stokes State Forest who noted the importance of bringing proper food storage containers.
Tips for camping with families
Activity scheduling: Jellystone Park Gardiner organizes regular family events. "This campground has a event just about every weekend with kid activity," notes a parent who found the structured programming beneficial for keeping children engaged throughout their stay.
Site selection for noise control: Choose locations carefully for family stays. "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," advises a parent who recommends considering the trade-off between convenience and quiet.
Tent platforms: Mountain Lakes Park provides helpful tent setup features. "There are many hikes which can be trekked straight from the campgrounds which is always a huge plus in my mind. When we were there it was right after a rain storm and everything was a bit muddy and slippery," shares a visitor who appreciated being able to keep gear elevated off wet ground.
Tips from RVers
Water hookup distance: Mahlon Dickerson Reservation provides solutions for distant water connections. "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," explains a camper who found the campground had anticipated and solved this common RV challenge.
Dump station quality: High Point Park offers sanitary services with some limitations. "Showers are only located INSIDE High Point State Park, not throughout the campsites, but entry is free for campers," notes a visitor who found that while the park had basic services, RVers should plan accordingly for shower and dump station access.
Site leveling challenges: Prepare for terrain variations at area campgrounds. "So, we got in with no reservation, which was great. It's in the same park as the high point, also great. The sites are varied, some have tent platforms, it's just off the AT, but we have a trailer and the 'trailer' sites aren't level," advises an RVer who found the campground functional despite this limitation.
