Located in New York's Hudson Highlands region, Putnam Valley sits amid forested hills with elevations ranging from 400-1,100 feet above sea level. The area offers both established campgrounds and luxury glamping options within a one-hour drive of New York City. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F, making it ideal for outdoor recreation from May through October.
What to Do
Hiking diverse terrain: Mountain Lakes Park contains multiple trails directly accessible from glamping sites, letting visitors explore Mount Bailey, the highest point in Westchester County. According to one visitor, "A gorgeous piece of land that contains lakes, a lookout and Mt. Bailey, the highest point in Westchester County. A dirt road loops through the property with trails off and through it."
Water activities: At West Point FMWR Round Pond Outdoor Recreation Area, campers can enjoy swimming, fishing and boating. One military family noted, "The campground is beautiful and the staff was wonderful! We are looking forward to stopping by Round Pond again in the near future... We were very impressed with the playground on site!"
Family recreation: For those seeking organized activities, Jellystone Park Gardiner offers laser tag, bounce pillows, and pools. A visitor mentioned, "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. My older kids preferred a deeper pool but they still had a great time there they have lasertag which they enjoy."
What Campers Like
Military-focused facilities: West Point FMWR Round Pond serves military families with clean, well-maintained facilities. A veteran explained, "We've been coming here for at least 13 years. We love that it's a place specifically for Vets and active Military. Everyone is amazingly respectful of each other and the caretakers take such care of the grounds."
Stream-side camping: At Thousand Trails Rondout Valley, campers appreciate natural water features. One review shared, "We had one and a babbling brook was 30 feet behind us. Great spot for morning coffee. Clean restrooms, showers and laundry."
Proximity to NYC: Campers value locations that balance wilderness with accessibility. As one camper at High Point State Park Campground noted, "I spent two nights camping with my niece and this campground was perfect. The site was maybe a 50-yard walk-in and we barely heard anyone around us and had a real wilderness feel."
What You Should Know
Military-only access: Some campgrounds in the area restrict access. One visitor 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. There are several signs everywhere making it clear that it is only for military."
Limited cellular service: Cell coverage varies significantly throughout the region. One camper at West Point FMWR Round Pond shared, "Just a note to other campers with T-Moblie, 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."
Bathroom facilities: Glamping in Putnam Valley varies widely in terms of bathroom quality. A recent visitor to Jellystone Park Gardiner wrote, "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."
Tips for Camping with Families
Consider spacing between sites: At Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, families appreciate room to spread out. One camper shared, "We really like this campground. Quiet and spacious. No facilities, just a porta-jon, but I think that makes it better. Police patrolled, and dog friendly."
Pack for variable weather: The Hudson Valley region experiences significant temperature drops at night, even in summer. Be prepared with layers and rain gear, especially when glamping in Putnam Valley with kids.
Check noise levels: Some campgrounds enforce strict quiet hours while others don't. A visitor to Jellystone Park Gardiner noted, "This campground has a lot of activities and has kids of all ages galore. I was worried my 12 year old would be too old for it but he enjoyed making friends there."
Tips from RVers
Water hookup planning: At Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, RVers should note water access logistics. One camper explained, "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."
Leveling challenges: RV sites vary in levelness throughout the region. One camper at Camp Glen Gray shared, "Great Camp!!! One rustic place with many hiking trails to choose from. Camp also provides trucking of gear weather permitting. No vehicles allowed to drive through camp."
Seasonal considerations: Most glamping sites around Putnam Valley operate seasonally. High Point State Park Campground is open "April 1 to October 31," and Thousand Trails Rondout Valley operates "Apr 1 - Nov 1," requiring advance planning for RVers.
