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Best Campgrounds near Poughquag, NY

638 Reviews

The camping landscape surrounding Poughquag, New York encompasses several established campgrounds and natural areas within an hour's drive. Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground, located about 20 miles northeast of Poughquag, provides tent and RV sites with both drive-in and walk-in options. Taconic Hereford Multiple Use Park offers free dispersed camping on over 900 acres with hike-in access for those seeking more primitive experiences. The region includes a mix of state parks and private campgrounds accommodating various camping styles, from basic tent sites to cabins and glamping options at places like Jellystone Park in Gardiner, which features amenities such as electric hookups, water, and shower facilities.

Reservations are highly recommended during the peak camping season from May through October, when most campgrounds in the area operate at full capacity. Many campgrounds near Poughquag have seasonal operations, with Clarence Fahnestock running from April 15 to December 4 and Jellystone Park Gardiner open from April 16 to November 1. The terrain varies from relatively flat, accessible areas to more rugged woodland settings requiring moderate hiking to reach campsites. Weather considerations include warm, humid summers and increasingly cool temperatures in fall, with potential for rain throughout the camping season. "99% of people don't even know this area exists. If you want a quiet piece of beautiful forest to truly rough it and go camping for a few days, then this is what you have been looking for," noted one review of Taconic Hereford Multiple Use Park.

Campers consistently highlight the region's accessibility from New York City as a major advantage. Several visitors mentioned appreciating the forested setting and relative seclusion of certain campsites despite their proximity to urban areas. Clarence Fahnestock State Park receives particular attention for its hiking opportunities, with trails surrounding Canopus Lake and connecting to the Appalachian Trail. According to feedback on The Dyrt, "This is one of my favorite places to go camping with friends. It is so close to the city and has easy access to all the wonderful things in the area." Site privacy varies considerably, with some campgrounds offering well-spaced sites while others feature more communal layouts. Mosquitoes can be problematic during summer months, and campers should be prepared for varying levels of bathroom cleanliness and maintenance at different facilities throughout the region.

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Best Camping Sites Near Poughquag, New York (139)

    1. Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground

    34 Reviews
    Fishkill, NY
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 225-7207

    $17 / night

    "This 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 - or you can bring your own boat to launch!"

    "When you are camping with a large group of friends and don't all have access to a car, this is the perfect spot."

    2. Jellystone Park Gardiner

    32 Reviews
    Gardiner, NY
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 255-5193

    "With a new check in area, Gardiner has really stepped up. They expanded the pool area to include another pool plus splash area and water slides."

    "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."

    3. Macedonia Brook State Park Campground

    7 Reviews
    Kent, CT
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 927-3238

    $14 / night

    "Our camp spot was right above the river the flows behind this spot. You can go sit down by the water. But be careful!"

    "We camped next to the brook and one couldn't have had a much better experience! Had supper in nearby Kent which is a fantastic small village."

    4. Mills Norrie State Park Campground

    14 Reviews
    Staatsburg, NY
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 889-4646

    $17 - $102 / night

    "There are great hiking trails on the Hudson River right outside your campsite. Amenities are the great outdoors and an ancient bath house built during the New Deal in the 1930's."

    "Firewood wasn’t available at the camp, had to drive about a mile to grab some. Close to town so easy to grab needed items."

    5. Taconic Hereford Multiple Use Park

    2 Reviews
    Verbank, NY
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 256-3000

    "Less then 10 min drive from town, but hiking in and finding a suitable place to make camp has the feeling of the wild, with the safety of having full cell service."

    6. Lake Waramaug State Park Campground

    9 Reviews
    New Preston, CT
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 868-0220

    $17 - $50 / night

    "One of my favorite so far , went with family , to comply w covid and social distancing, the camp only rent your site and no one on your left or right or across ! Amazing !"

    "My family has been camping at Lake Waramaug for over 20 years. I can say most of what’s been said is true or partially so but whether it’s bad or good depends on your point of view."

    7. Camp W Herrlich

    1 Review
    Holmes, NY
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 319-3084

    8. New York City North-Newburgh KOA

    13 Reviews
    Plattekill, NY
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 564-2836

    "They have the best staff and they are everywhere, if you need someone they are always around and super friendly also."

    "Location- 4 stars- close to NYC but kinda just in the woods and close to homes, not much around.

    Sites- 4 stars- a real mixed bag- the rv/trailer only section is really nice, wooded."

    9. Beaver Pond Campground — Harriman State Park

    41 Reviews
    Pomona, NY
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 947-2792

    $17 - $20 / night

    "$15 dolares la noche para los que viven en el Estado de New York o New York city .. si es fuera del estado son $5 dolares mas!!"

    "Drive-in tent campgrounds. Adequate restroom facilities sprinkled amongst tent sites. Some campsites have raised platforms. All sites have picnic tables and fire ring with flip-top grill."

    10. Freedom Farm Homestead

    1 Review
    New Milford, CT
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (914) 508-1594

    $50 - $70 / night

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Recent Camping Photos near Poughquag, NY

876 Photos of 139 Poughquag Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Poughquag, NY

638 Reviews of 139 Poughquag Campgrounds

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 10, 2025

    Skyway Camping Resort

    One night stoo

    Nice well maintained park, full hookups with cable and wifi. Office forgot to give us wifi info and had closed early. Very nice staff.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 29, 2025

    Gentiles Campground

    Nice place to stay

    Quiet CG near Waterbury CT. Close to major stores for resupply. CG has lots of friendly seasonal campers and lots of other sites. Most sites seem pretty level, but there are some steep roads in the CG. There is an airport next to CG, but it is for single engine private planes only so not a problem. Not by a major road so little traffic noise. I would stay here again.

  • Paul K.
    Aug. 26, 2025

    Croton Point Park

    Not the Best Place to Go in the Northeast By a Longshot

    Croton Point Campground is a modest little campground, located along the Hudson River within Croton Point Park in NY. In addition to camping, the park itself offers many of its own attractions, including swimming, hiking, kayaking, cabin rentals, and a host of other family-oriented activities just along the Hudson. 

    The park, which is honestly probably the largest attraction here, is located just an hour and a half outside of the city. This proximity is both its perk and its downfall, as the park itself, but particularly the campground, has become laden with all sorts of inexplicable and burdensome rules, endless guidelines, and restrictions only a New York State-run bureaucracy could ever make sense of, let alone hope to justify. 

    This includes all manner of restrictions on how you can camp, where you can camp, what equipment can be used, and use in relation to what particular site you may have been lucky enough to reserve. Much of this you can understand while imagining what may have taken place here to bring them to such measures, but it doesn't make it any easier to contend with. 

    In terms of the actual camping conditions Both the tenting section and RV sites are each very clustered together, and quite crowded, with regular patrols🚓(actual patrols) being made day and night, by both the Park Rangers and what appears to be general park staff members, all looking to see if you or your family might be doing something that they might consider outside of the guidelines or not in compliance with the many restrictions. 

    This is not to say you can't possibly have a good time here. It just might mean being a bit more diligent toward reviewing the potential legitimacy of your normal camping routine to ensure it meets with many restrictions and guidelines imposed, while also making yourself comfortable with some fairly regular surveillance during your stay here. These all being things we hoped to get away from while camping ourselves It just turned out to be a bit much for our particular liking.

  • Nicole G.
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Tolland State Forest Campground

    Great Lakeside Campground

    This was only my second camping trip ever (and first tent camping) so grain of salt here - We had a great time at Tolland. The site was spacious and equipped with a bear box, fire ring, and picnic table. The ground at the site was large gravel which was not great in the tent, but walking around it looks like most sites are more dirt and pine needles.

    The swimming area is small but sandy, great for kids, and my daughter loved thethe campfire and nature talk given on Saturday night by park staff.

  • Mike W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 16, 2025

    Cozy Hills Campground

    First time here

    Nice facility, friendly staff. They pack us in pretty tight in some sites.

  • Bob F.
    Aug. 10, 2025

    Moon Valley Campground

    Very unique smaller private campground

    This was a great campsite nestled in the foothills of Northern NJ on the NY border. Small, clean with great views and great location for hiking , cruising etc. Bring your tent or use the existing glamping tents. Headed back for a fall weekend in the "dome" which has incredible views. Try it you won't be sorry.

  • Olivia K.
    Aug. 1, 2025

    Never Sink Hideaway

    Full of Trash

    I just arrived at this location and it is filled with trash. Do NOT book here. There are houses right behind and it’s just off the side of a dirt road. The river isn’t even visible.

  • Elizabeth M.
    Jul. 20, 2025

    Jellystone Park Gardiner

    Dirty bathrooms

    This is my second time I visited the park, the first time was 4 years ago and we stayed in a cabin, but a few weeks ago we decided to stay in a tent side and it was a nice experience except for some things, the campers don't respect the quiet time at night and morning too. A lot noises until 2 am and early from 6 am. But the worst experience was bathrooms, very few for the number of sites and people it covers. They need to add more bathrooms. They rarely cleaned the bathroom in all the 6 days that I stayed. The showers didn't have enough water pressure, 2 out of 6 had only hot water, some had no paper, hairs everywhere, the toilets didn't work, and super dirty, the truth was a disgusting thing that didn't encourage to use them but there was no other option. For the price you pay is not for having the bathrooms under those conditions. I hope you get better because the truth is a park that has many things to have a good time but with the bathrooms with that condition, is not encouraged to reserve again. And please add more shadows in the areas of the tents and MORE BATHROOMS, is not enough to cover all the tents area.

  • sdwalter@bellsouth.net
    Jul. 10, 2025

    Interlake RV Park & Campground

    Great campsite.

    Great Campsite. Well maintained. Lots of pretty lots under the shade. Good for Families. Pool. Recreation Barn. Recycling. Some people stay here all summer. Close to FDR home and library...a must to see. Quaint towns nearby.

Guide to Poughquag

Camping near Poughquag, New York, offers a mix of beautiful nature and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful getaway or a family-friendly adventure, there are plenty of campgrounds to explore.

What to do:

  • Hiking: There are great trails nearby, especially at Clarence Fahnestock State Park. One visitor mentioned, "The NYS Parks has done a lot of work on the surrounding trails," making it perfect for all hiking levels.
  • Fishing: Many campgrounds, like Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Gardiner, have ponds for fishing. A reviewer said, "The campground has a lot of activities and has kids of all ages galore," making it a great spot for family fishing trips.
  • Swimming: If you enjoy swimming, check out Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground. One camper noted, "The cleanliness of the facilities at the campsite is influenced by the volume of activity," so it’s a good idea to visit during quieter times.

What campers like:

  • Scenic views: Campers love the beautiful surroundings. A visitor at Beaver Pond Campground — Harriman State Park said, "I enjoy the beach/lakefront, option for platform sites, and regularly cleaned bathroom and shower facilities."
  • Family-friendly activities: Many campgrounds offer activities for kids. One family at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Gardiner shared, "This place is so much fun. My whole family loved the activities."
  • Quiet spots: Campers appreciate the peaceful areas. A reviewer at Copake Falls Area — Taconic State Park mentioned, "I feel like we got lucky with our site. It had a nice wooded area behind us and felt more private."

What you should know:

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose the right campground: Look for family-friendly spots like Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Gardiner, where one parent said, "My kids enjoyed themselves a lot, and that is what matters."
  • Plan activities: Make sure to check out the activities available. A reviewer at New York City North-Newburgh KOA mentioned, "They have a pond for fishing, basketball, a mini golf course, and a playground."
  • Pack for comfort: Bring items like tablecloths for picnic tables. A camper at Beaver Pond Campground — Harriman State Park advised, "Their picnic tables also are disgusting, bring a table cloth!"

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A visitor at Rondout Valley RV Campground said, "We were given a site that we were told we should be able to back in to. When we found it, there wasn't enough room to get in."
  • Look for amenities: Choose campgrounds with good facilities. A reviewer at New York City North-Newburgh KOA mentioned, "You can tell they maintain the campground and do their best to keep everything clean."
  • Be prepared for check-in: Some campgrounds can have long check-in times. A camper at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Gardiner noted, "It took 45-minutes to check-in."

Camping around Poughquag, New York, has something for everyone, whether you're in a tent or an RV. Just be sure to plan ahead and choose the right spot for your needs!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Poughquag, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, Poughquag, NY offers a wide range of camping options, with 139 campgrounds and RV parks near Poughquag, NY and 7 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Poughquag, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Poughquag, NY is Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 34 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Poughquag, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 free dispersed camping spots near Poughquag, NY.

What parks are near Poughquag, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 17 parks near Poughquag, NY that allow camping, notably Northfield Brook Lake and Hop Brook Lake.

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