122 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
State parks and forests surrounding Putnam Valley, New York feature diverse camping experiences within a short drive of New York City. Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground in nearby Carmel offers tent and RV sites with standard amenities like fire rings and picnic tables, operating from April through early December. Harriman State Park's Beaver Pond Campground, approximately 20 miles southwest, provides lakeside camping with access to swimming beaches and hiking trails including portions of the Appalachian Trail. Ward Pound Ridge Reservation maintains year-round camping with both tent sites and lean-tos. Croton Point Park along the Hudson River offers waterfront camping with cabin options, while West Point's recreation areas provide military-affiliated camping opportunities.
Advance reservations are essential during peak summer months, particularly for weekend stays. According to camper Shelly B., "Weekends this park is FULL! Make sure to reserve at least two weeks out. Weekdays? You should be in luck!" Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from April through October, though some like Ward Pound Ridge remain open year-round. Wildlife considerations include proper food storage due to bear activity in the area. As one camper noted, "Never keep food or anything with odor inside tents because bears come for the food." Cell service varies throughout the region, with better coverage at campgrounds closer to towns. Public transportation options exist for car-free campers, with MetroNorth train service to Cold Spring providing access to Fahnestock State Park.
Lakeside sites receive consistently high ratings from visitors, with Welch Lake at Beaver Pond and Canopus Lake at Fahnestock offering swimming beaches during summer months. Many campgrounds feature varying levels of privacy between sites. One reviewer mentioned, "If looking for privacy, back end of campgrounds provide adequate quietness, a bit hidden and tucked away from the rest." Weekday camping typically offers a quieter experience than weekends, when family groups are more common. Fall camping is particularly popular for viewing changing foliage. Facilities range from basic outhouses to modern bathhouses with hot showers. Visitors frequently mention the region's proximity to New York City as a major advantage, with most campgrounds accessible within a 45-90 minute drive from the metropolitan area.
"When you are camping with a large group of friends and don't all have access to a car, this is the perfect spot."
"We were right next to the entrance for hiking trails which was convenient. The facilities are a bit of a walk, but that means it is spread out and there's plenty of room to relax and have fun."
from $21 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $21 - $24 / night
Check Availability"Tent sites are very private with some dirt roads to exit out but thats what make it unique experience! Bathrooms with shower is near by and has plenty porta potties all around."
"Was close to bear mountains state part and the train station is right there!"
from $30 - $60 / night
Check Availability"Love the proximity to NYC - I always look for areas that are not too far, but not too close to NY. Beautiful but small-ish tent sites."
"We are looking forward to stopping by Round Pond again in the near future."
from $25 - $40 / night
Check Availability"Close to the city and civilization, yet large enough to have nice trails and creeks to feel away from it all. The camping sites are very different so it’s useful to go in person and select the area."
"The shelter sites are large and private with access to hiking trails and make for a unique experience. The staff is friendly as well"
from $45 - $55 / night
Check Availability"This was beautiful campground with an even nicer lake. You are able to do a hike around the lake."
"Great trails to hike for novices looking to branch out but not too large that you'll be lost forever lol highly recommend and can't do so enough 👍🏽"
"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."
"It is a step up from cabin camping. They also have a beach behind it."
"This place is only an hour away from NYC with so much to do and see. These cabins are VERY rustic, four walls, a cot, and a fridge."
from $130 / night
Check Availability"Yes, this is a military-only campground but, that doesn't take away from how incredible it is and that is properly advertised.
This place is incredible. "
from $20 - $150 / night
Check Availability"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."
GuideMade a reservation (site44) since I arrived as the sun had set. Office registration was open until 8. Staff was neither friendly nor unfriendly. Bathroom was dated but fine and a short walk from my site. CG was emptier being a Tuesday night in mid-October, so was plenty of space.
Great trail following the Hudson River. Beautiful fall colors.
ScoutNice campground, bathrooms are clean but dated, first come first serve for the sites.
TravelerThe staff were very friendly and helpful. The facilities: bathrooms, showers, dump station were spotless. The sites vary from tent only to some sites offering electric. Quiet, peaceful, lovely campground!
RangerI'll start by saying this is a site-specific review (C20). I booked using Campspot and didn't select my own site but put in the criteria for my rig (30ft TT plus truck) and got a 50A back-in spot. The site was big but abnormal. Between the picnic table placement and the trees, I ended up right around 50ft from the electric and water, and the water spigot was so low I could barely put on my camco filter. With the uneven dirt roads, I had to unhitch with my truck in a gigantic puddle (lol). The site was otherwise fine aside from my gate code not working on Day 2. As for the campground as a whole, I thought it was pretty unique place by the river that offered several good amenities and activities, like downstream river tubing, an arcade, bathroom/shower facilities, a small store, little trails, and more. I would say this place borders the more primitive side.
ScoutPast reviews has mentioned that the office seems to be closed often, while I found that to be true I had no reason to contact anyone. This is definitely one of the cleanest quiets site I’ve ever visited
GuideDefinitely a wide variety of sites—look at the site pictures before booking—there are two areas where it’s just an open field with bonfires and picnic tables that I’d avoid. I could see a large group going there or something but personally it doesn’t offer any privacy.
BUT if you book one of the other sites that DOES have privacy you’ll be in camping heaven. The “hike in” sites are more like “walk-in,” I was worried at first but it’s some are as little as a few yards from the road. The most annoying part was lugging the cooler back and forth, but totally worth it
TravelerThis area seems to be devoid of campgrounds except for this one. It’s basically just a large parking lot with hook ups. Completely open, which is great for Starlink. Bathrooms were slightly above average; fairly clean and places to hang clothes for your shower. Has a laundry but be sure to bring quarters. It is about 100 yards from the interstate so you’ll get a lot of noise and diesel exhaust fumes.
ScoutNo hookups. It was wooded, quiet and dark at night. I used the dump station on my way out. The first time I ever saw a poop fountain. The sewer opening sticks up above ground level. The cover swivels away, so I couldn't put it on top of my hose. And then, when I tried to rinse it, there was nowhere for it to go, because the inlet is elevated.
ScoutWe reserved for a day. Very bad service. The river is super dirty and they did not even clean the trash cans. Besides, the fire ring has no grill cooking grate, so if you don’t bring your own NO GRILLING. Ryan was the person in front that took care of us, he was rude, my kids felt weird because he was not welcoming at all. Also, we try to ask for a partial refund since we did not felt comfortable since the beginning, and they said NO. We have experience camping, but this one was simply THE WORST. We lost the money but we won’t put our kids in a difficult situation. Thanks.
The Putnam Valley area sits at the eastern edge of the Hudson Highlands, where elevations range from 400 to over 1,000 feet. This transitional zone between the Hudson River Valley and the higher peaks to the north creates microclimates that affect camping conditions. Temperatures can drop significantly at night even during summer months, with typical summer highs reaching 80-85°F and evening temperatures sometimes falling below 60°F.
Beach activities: Lake swimming is available at several campsites near Putnam Valley, New York. At Harriman State Park's Beaver Pond Campground, "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," according to camper Steve W.
Hiking options: Multiple trail systems connect throughout the region, including portions of the Appalachian Trail. Ward Pound Ridge Reservation offers "endless trails in the area...I believe there are over 40 miles of trails in this area," as Ethan K. notes. The reservation makes a good base camp for hikers since "it is large enough to have nice trails and creeks to feel away from it all," according to Susana M.
Primitive camping adventures: More remote options exist for experienced backpackers. The Suffern-Bear Mountain from Gate Hill Road Primitive trail offers challenging terrain with rewards. "At one point of the trail is a very difficult, but doable, rock scramble up the side of the mountain. At the top of the scramble is a primitive camping site with amazing views," describes Ethan K.
Platform camping sites: Elevated tent areas provide practical benefits. At Beaver Pond Campground, "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," according to Ethan K. These elevated sites minimize ground moisture issues during wet periods.
Dishwashing facilities: Communal wash stations reduce campsite water needs. Beaver Pond Campground users appreciate "the communal sink which made it very convenient and easy to wash dishes and fill up water," reports Ethan K. Similar facilities exist at Fahnestock State Park, where "there are even dish washing sinks available with hot running water," notes Jess M.
Weekday versus weekend experiences: Dramatic differences exist in campground atmosphere. Fahnestock State Park experiences show "Weekends this park is FULL! Weekdays? You should be in luck!" according to Erinn N., who adds that "All sites were so different...super unique layouts." Campers seeking solitude should consider non-peak days.
Beach access limitations: Swimming areas may have restricted hours or seasonal availability. At Croton Point Park, "The beach is opened from Wednesday to the weekend with life guards on duty," explains Anil S. Other campgrounds may limit beach access based on capacity, especially during holidays.
Noise considerations: Train sounds affect certain campgrounds. Croton Point Park campers note "there is a train depot right outside and you can hear them shunting trains all night," according to Andrew A. Research campground locations relative to transportation corridors before booking.
Wildlife preparedness: Raccoons and bears frequent camping areas. At Croton Point Park, campers should "keep your food in the dry bag and away from the tent or benches provided or face the packs of fearless racoons at night," warns Anil S. Most campgrounds require proper food storage to prevent animal encounters.
Military-only options: Restricted campgrounds require service verification. West Point FMWR Round Pond Outdoor Recreation Area is "camping reserved for active and retired military personnel only," explains Ethan K. Similar restrictions apply at Lake Frederick, making these options unavailable to civilian campers.
Playground access: Recreation areas provide children's activities at several locations. Jellystone Park Gardiner features "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," according to Amanda S. The park also offers "a bounce pillow" that younger children enjoy.
Camp store considerations: Some locations require bringing all supplies. At Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, campers should note that "stores are not near by and had to drive into Bedford to grab food items and camping necessities," explains Anil S. Plan accordingly, especially with children.
Public transportation options: Car-free camping is possible with some advance planning. At Fahnestock State Park Campground, Jess M. reports: "Came in on MetroNorth from NYC then took a pre-arranged taxi ($25 flat rate) to the campground." This makes the location accessible to families without vehicles.
Bathroom facilities: Varying quality across campgrounds affects family comfort. At Sebago Cabin Camp, "The bath house is always well stocked and clean, ready for end of the day cleanup," notes camper Heather M. Meanwhile, at Jellystone Park, Elizabeth M. found "very few for the number of sites and people it covers. They need to add more bathrooms."
Hookup limitations: Electrical options vary significantly between campgrounds. While Croton Point Park offers "a mix of w/e (6 sites) and FHU sites," according to Lee D., many other campgrounds provide minimal or no hookups. Fahnestock State Park Campground offers electric hookups but no water connections at individual sites.
Site privacy considerations: Layout differences affect the camping experience. At Croton Point Park, "Both the tenting section and RV sites are each very clustered together, and quite crowded," notes Paul K. Research site maps and consider requesting specific locations when booking.
Site terrain: Level parking is available at most developed campgrounds. Lee D. reports that at Croton Point Park, "We had a loosely defined gravel pad that was level. All sites appeared level." This makes setup easier for RVers concerned about stabilization.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Putnam Valley campground located?
Putnam Valley is located in the Hudson Valley region of New York. While there isn't a specific campground called "Putnam Valley," nearby camping options include Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground in Carmel, NY, which features access to Canopus Lake. The area is part of the greater Hudson Valley recreation region that includes camping opportunities within driving distance of New York City, making it accessible for weekend getaways.
What facilities are available at Putnam Pond for campers?
Putnam Pond camping facilities typically include basic amenities for a comfortable outdoor experience. In the broader Putnam region, campgrounds like Croton Point Park offer facilities including swimming access, hiking trails, kayaking opportunities, cabin rentals, and family-oriented activities along the Hudson River. The park provides campsites with picnic tables and fire rings, though specific amenities may vary by season and availability. For the most current information on Putnam Pond facilities, check with park management before your trip.
What camping is available near Putnam Valley, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, Putnam Valley, NY offers a wide range of camping options, with 122 campgrounds and RV parks near Putnam Valley, NY and 2 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Putnam Valley, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Putnam Valley, NY is Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 34 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Putnam Valley, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Putnam Valley, NY.
What parks are near Putnam Valley, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 13 parks near Putnam Valley, NY that allow camping, notably Hop Brook Lake and Northfield Brook Lake.
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