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.
What to do
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.
What campers like
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.
What you should know
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.
Tips for camping with families
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."
Tips from RVers
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.
