1 campground with availability next weekend
Tent campsites near Scarsdale, New York primarily cluster around Westchester County's natural areas and extend to nearby state parks with a mix of established sites and more primitive options. Ward Pound Ridge Reservation offers tent campers clean, well-maintained sites with lean-to shelters as an alternative to traditional tent setups. Croton Point Park provides tent camping on the Hudson River peninsula with designated tent areas separated from RV sections.
Tent sites at Ward Pound Ridge feature picnic tables, fire pits, and relatively level terrain, though campers should note that sites are considerably far from the comfort stations. Portable toilets are positioned near camping areas, important for families with young children. Croton Point's tent area consists of loosely defined spaces with new picnic tables, with a layout that places higher-numbered sites closer to water sources. According to one visitor, "The sites are very different so it's useful to go in person and select the area." Reservations at Ward Pound Ridge must be made in person at the office, while Croton Point requires calling ahead.
The terrain throughout these tent campgrounds varies considerably, offering different experiences depending on your preference for seclusion or amenities. Harriman State Park provides more primitive tent camping options with platforms available at The Stephen & Betsy Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center, where walk-in tent access is required. A camper remarked that the platforms "did not feel crowded even with other people on neighboring platforms." For more secluded backcountry tent camping, the Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail from Gate Hill Road offers free primitive tent sites accessible only by hiking in. Most tent sites in the area remain open year-round, though Ward Pound Ridge is particularly noted for its all-season accessibility, allowing for tent camping experiences from summer through winter, with trails that connect directly to campsites making it ideal for backpackers and day hikers alike.
"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."
"Peaceful and gorgeous campsite, with plenty of space between sites. Great view of the Hudson, and playground within sight of our camper."
from $30 - $60 / night
"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."
"There’s elevation gain, creeks, and open fields for stargazing. You have the options of a lean to here."
from $45 - $55 / night
"Campfires are restricted to certain areas and you have to share. They do have bear boxes available as this is bear country. Very well run campground and cabins. Great Lake to swim."
"I camped on one of the platforms, which was very nice and did not feel crowded even with other people on neighboring platforms. One highlight was having meals cooked by the stellar chef."
"I have lived 6 miles from this campground for the last 20 years and never knew they had tent sites. The park is clean the bathrooms are well maintained and there is a playground for the kids."
"They have shower and restroom facilities , the showers were amazing and also so clean ! I had such a great stay and this is deffinatly one of my top favorite campgrounds."
from $5 - $60 / night
"Mountain Lakes park is a great place to camp within driving distance from NYC. A fun option available at Mountain lakes is to rent a yurt to camp in."
"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."
"Suffern-Bear Mountain from Gate Hill Road is a high difficulty 15 mile out and back trail. At one point of the trail is a very difficult, but doable, rock scramble up the side of the mountain."
"There are 20 tent sites spread across four loops. There is NO beach access. Some sites have shelters, others do not. Pay attention when reserving. All sites have a fire pit and picnic table."
"Very reasonable rates to pitch a tent. You get a private space with a fire pit. Ocean is close with lifeguards. Good fishing and pleasant people. Boat from New York City."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $30 - $50 / night
"You have a clear view of the Narrow bridge and at night the city lights light up your surroundings light a nigh light. The camp here has 7 campsites here and it fill up really fast."
"this place is awesome when it comes to finding an affordable place to stay while in NY, this camp ground isnt your usual forest camp sites, however there are some beautiful views, and it is located in"
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $30 / night
"Stonetown Circular trail is a 11 mile medium/high difficulty loop trail. This is the first of two primitive sites along the trail. The trailhead is across the street from a large parking lot."
TravelerMike grandson and I had a fun time he enjoyed the little beach and especially the playground. The staff in the office were very nice. Bathrooms were clean but can be updates.
ScoutNice campground, bathrooms are clean but dated, first come first serve for the sites.
ScoutOn Friday, September 4, 2026, I rented a trailer and brought my family to Cheesequake State Park to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary over the extended Labor Day weekend. Around 9:20 PM—well before the park's designated 10:00 PM quiet hours—we were sitting inside our canopy, playing Jenga, and listening to low background music. Two officers from the Matawan Police Department approached our campsite. They were polite and courteous, simply offering a standard reminder to wrap things up by 10:00 PM. Before they could leave, however, a third, senior officer intervened. Wanting to"show them how it's done," he made the two polite officers return and stand by to watch as he demonstrated how to aggressively harass campers. Flashlight in hand, the senior officer approached with an immediate hostile attitude, treating us like criminals as he demanded to know who rented the site. He began reiterating rules and claimed we had too many vehicles. We had three cars, one belonging to my brother-in-law's girlfriend, who was visiting with her daughter. She had paid the$10 visitor fee at the main office and was instructed by staff to obtain the gate access code from us, the primary renters, if she got locked in. No staff member ever informed her of an 8:00 PM visitor departure deadline, leading us to reasonably assume visitors were permitted until quiet hours began at 10:00 PM. The officer rudely snapped that she had been given wrong information. The senior officer then used profanity in front of three small children, aggressively telling her to ("get her shit and get the fuck out!") in that manner or use profanity, the officer went from hostile to furious. He angrily declared that these were official violations and threatened that he could be issuing us tickets instead. Desperately searching for anything and everything to throw at us, he demanded that we turn off our idling car—which was supplying power to our campsite—and instructed us to make sure the campfire was doused before shutting down for the night. He then proceeded to shine his flashlight into our private setup—including our canopy, tents, and the inside of our trailer—searching for any other possible violation while the two polite officers were forced to watch. What was supposed to be a special 10th wedding anniversary celebration with my family was completely ruined by a senior officer misusing his authority to put on an unnecessary display of intimidation. Worse than just ruining our night, he spent that evening teaching those two police officers how to be bad cops. He corrupted two officers in real time, demonstrating firsthand exactly why most people have lost faith in the police force. The next day we was ready for them. We turned off our lights and quietly by the fire while they went next door to harass an asian family that had just set up camp and had their leds lights on.
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
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.
ScoutThe main issue with the sites was that they were primitive -- no water. The campsites were basically just wooden platforms, with a picnic table and fire pit. There were also a lot of bugs, though this may be due to the rain. The location itself was fairly pretty and there were a number of hiking trails of not-overly-serious difficulty. The particular site we picked left is a little farther from our car than we would have liked, but for other sites you can bring your car closer.
TravelerWe’re here for the Rock, Ribs, and Ridges festival and what a great experience! Make sure to bring a 50’ power cord as the hook ups are grouped together on telephone poles rather than at each individual site. As far as I know camping is only available during select events.
TravelerArrived at night on a weekday to find two other vehicles parked in the lot, srilll was able to find a fire ring with a level area relatively easy. Very quiet, just the sounds of owls hooting at night. Very nice mixed forest, seems managed well. It is somewhat buggy. But doesn’t seem to be overly infested with ticks at least.
TravelerTo start, Andrew was phenomenal. I arrived at 6:40 PM and he was able to hook us up with the last campground and was so patient and friendly when answering our questions. Overall staff was great, I saw someone picking up trash after campers checked out. Bathrooms are clean, 1 mile walk from campgrounds to beach area. Very spider and tick heavy if you don’t stay on the walking trail. Campers were very respectful and friendly, overall an amazing first time camping trip. Paid about $32 for a night. Drinking water on site.
Tent campsites near Scarsdale, New York provide access to natural areas within an hour's drive of the metropolitan region. Ward Pound Ridge Reservation offers established tent sites with both drive-in and walk-in options, while Harriman State Park provides primitive tent camping opportunities along its extensive trail network. Both locations maintain seasonal availability with most sites open year-round, though winter camping requires additional preparation and sometimes special permits.
Tent campers at Ward Pound Ridge will find sites positioned on level, well-maintained grounds with a mix of wooded and more open areas. Sites include fire pits and picnic tables, though most are positioned at some distance from comfort stations. Portable toilets are available near camping areas, an important consideration for families with young children. According to one visitor, "The sites are large and private with access to hiking trails and make for a unique experience." Sites must be reserved in person at the reservation office, as online booking is not available.
The primitive tent setups along the trails in Harriman State Park attract hikers seeking a more secluded backcountry tent camping experience. The Suffern-Bear Mountain primitive area offers free walk-in tent sites accessible from Gate Hill Road. These sites lack amenities such as running water, trash service or toilet facilities, requiring campers to pack in all supplies and pack out all waste. A recent review mentioned that "firewood can be scarce" at some of the backcountry sites, suggesting visitors prepare accordingly. The Stephen & Betsy Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center provides a more structured camping experience with platform tent sites and access to facilities including meals, which can be a good option for those seeking a middle ground between primitive camping and developed campgrounds. Most sites throughout the region fill quickly during summer weekends and fall foliage season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Scarsdale, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Scarsdale, NY is Croton Point Park with a 3.7-star rating from 10 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Scarsdale, NY?
TheDyrt.com has all 21 tent camping locations near Scarsdale, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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