Camping near Scarsdale, NY

Camping spots near Scarsdale, New York range from basic tent sites to rustic cabins within Westchester County and surrounding areas. Most campgrounds sit at elevations between 200-1,200 feet, with summer temperatures typically reaching 75-85°F during the day and dropping to 55-65°F at night. Many campsites require reservations up to 9 months in advance, especially for weekend stays between May and October.

What to do

Hiking trails access: 40+ miles of trails at Mountain Lakes Park provide numerous day hike options directly from the campgrounds. According to one visitor, "There are over 40 miles of trails in this area. Would definitely recommend for those who want to camp near NYC but not drive too far." Mountain Lakes Park also contains Mt. Bailey, "the highest point in Westchester County," making it ideal for day hikers seeking elevation.

Swimming options: beach access varies by season at Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground. The park has "a nice open beach on Canopus Lake with a concession area and bathhouse," and as one camper notes, "the beach is closed after Labor Day to the public, but open to people staying at the campsite. Clean and beautiful." This makes September an excellent time for a quieter beach experience.

Fishing: multiple stocked ponds provide fishing opportunities near several campsites. At Fahnestock State Park, "there is another lake and two ponds that our neighbor campers said were great for catching panfish - one fisherman said he had caught several bass weighing over 3 pounds!!" Most fishing areas require a New York State fishing license for anyone 16 or older.

What campers like

Proximity to NYC: under 60 minutes makes camping convenient for weekend trips. One camper at Beaver Pond Campground noted it's "About 30 minutes from sleepy hollow and tarrytown NY and only an hour to central park!! Deer running everywhere and surprisingly beautiful and quaint." The accessibility allows for short-notice weekend getaways without extensive planning.

Platform tent sites: raised camping areas keep tents dry during wet weather. At Beaver Pond, campers appreciate that "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." Some campgrounds offer these platforms as alternatives to standard ground sites.

Wildlife viewing: common deer and bird sightings occur at multiple camping areas. Beaver Pond Campground visitors have noted seeing "a pack of fearless raccoons at night" while another camper mentioned watching beavers "from the dining hall patio" at The Stephen & Betsy Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center. Wildlife watching is best early morning or at dusk.

What you should know

Seasonal bathroom maintenance: variable quality across campgrounds depending on season. One camper at Croton Point Park noted "Clean but a bit dated. No shelves or hooks for toiletries" while another pointed out "There was a sign warning that the toilets were slow flushing." Bathroom facilities at most campgrounds remain open from April through November.

Noise levels: weekends vs. weekdays vary dramatically at most sites. A ranger at Fahnestock indicated that "during summer weekends the grounds fill up and can be quite noisy, but mid-week during the off-season it was great." Some campgrounds also have proximity to transportation: "There is a train depot right outside and you can hear them shunting trains all night."

Reservation timing: in-person vs. online varies by campground. Ward Pound Ridge Reservation requires visitors to book in person: "There is no phone or internet reservations and has to be made in person at the office. I would recommend call earlier and come in few minutes earlier to 9 am when the office opens to find the best spots." This contrasts with state parks that offer online reservations.

Tips for camping with families

Playgrounds: centrally located at several campgrounds provide supervised play areas. Battle Row Campground has "a playground and a basketball court" with facilities that are "centrally located" making it easier for parents to supervise children while setting up camp or preparing meals.

Site selection: privacy levels vary significantly between numbered sites. One experienced camper at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation advises: "The camping sites are very different so it's useful to go in person and select the area. Parking is close, but some of the sites are also pretty close to each other so there is less privacy." Research specific site numbers before booking.

Swimming beaches: lifeguards present at designated hours only. Visitors note "You can use the generator at certain hours. They have a beach. Their staff is friendly" and others mention "a private beach which is opened from Wednesday to the weekend with lifeguards on duty!" Many campgrounds restrict swimming to designated areas.

Tips from RVers

RV hookups: varied availability means checking specific sites for compatibility. At Liberty Harbor RV Park, "The sites had electric and water and were in a fenced off section of the marina parking area" but other campers warned "It's basically a parking lot with a dump station. Not much else. Pick one of the larger end row sites to get a little extra elbow room."

Dump station accessibility: timing matters for emptying tanks. One RVer commented "On a slow checkout day, you might get lucky enough to not wait in line for the dump station." Most campgrounds with dump stations have limited hours between 8am-12pm for emptying tanks.

Site spacing: tight quarters at most RV-specific campgrounds. Multiple reviews mention "It is just a gravel parking lot, with water and electricity" and warn "If it's packed, your neighbor will be within inches of your rig." Setting up outdoor living spaces may be challenging in densely packed RV areas.