114 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping near Shrub Oak, New York ranges from developed campgrounds with electric hookups and showers to primitive tent sites, all within an hour's drive. The region includes facilities like Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground about 13 miles northeast and Beaver Pond Campground in Harriman State Park approximately 15 miles southwest. These campgrounds accommodate tent and RV camping, with some locations also offering cabins and glamping setups. Several parks in the Hudson Valley provide lakeside sites with amenities ranging from basic (picnic tables and fire rings) to more developed (electric hookups and showers).
Road access varies throughout the region, with some campgrounds requiring walk-in access to reach the most secluded sites. Many campgrounds operate seasonally, with Clarence Fahnestock open from April 15 to December 4 and Beaver Pond available from April 22 to October 9. A visitor to Beaver Pond noted, "If looking for privacy, back end of campgrounds (#'s 1, 13, 15, 21, 23, etc) provide adequate quietness, a bit hidden and tucked away from the rest." Wildlife encounters are common in the area, particularly at campgrounds in Harriman State Park where bears are active. Campers should follow proper food storage practices at all locations. Most campgrounds require reservations, especially during summer weekends when sites fill quickly.
Lakefront camping stands out as a popular feature in the Hudson Valley region. Croton Point Park offers year-round camping with views of the Hudson River. As described in feedback on The Dyrt, "This must be one of the most breathtaking camp grounds right on the Hudson with beach and trails." The Ward Pound Ridge Reservation receives consistently high ratings for its secluded sites and well-maintained trails. Campers report that weekday visits typically offer more quiet and privacy than weekends when many parks reach capacity. While some campgrounds like Croton Point Park and West Point FMWR Round Pond Recreation Area welcome pets, others have restrictions. Facilities vary significantly between campgrounds, with some offering full amenities including showers and laundry, while others provide more primitive experiences with pit toilets and limited water access.
"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"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"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"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 👍🏽"
"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."
"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 $74 - $130 / night
Check Availability"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."
ScoutThis is not the place to come if what you are looking for is a nice quiet, peaceful nature retreat. The "full shade" sites really aren't, it's crowded with kids yelling and running everywhere, and honestly, you're better off camping in your backyard.
RangerThis is an A.T. shelter and campsite. First come, first served. Privy was nice. Flat tentsites for 6 or more. Good for Hammocking also.
LegendExcellent campground! The forest is beautiful, the Hudson River is super close, there are great trails, and the surrounding area is beautiful. Sites are electric only, so make sure your water pump is working and fresh water tank is full. There are spigots for filling and a nice dump station. The player is excellent. I don't think tetn camping here would be great because the tent sites are closer together and there are trains that pass regularly. We couldn't hear the trains in our camper and our site was large and private with great Forest and hammock trees. The mansion tours at Vanderbilt and Mills were awesome!
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.
GuideTall pines, the sound of the mighty housatonic river, and some car noise on the nearby 2 lane. The campground is landscaped and maintained beautifully. the highlight is the river, ever-present in sound. The primo sites are on the northern end , where most sites are right on the water, and just a small descent. Bathrooms are good, not great. Showers are push button automatic, water was warm. We have a small RV, the dump site is up the main road about a 1/2 mile in a turnout. Free for campers, on your honor. At office were college aged young men and women in very casual street clothes all very nice, and mannerly, but not very knowledgeable, and hard to believe they could handle an adverse situation. I asked for the soap to be filled in the mens room on Thursday afternoon at 4 and it was still not done at noon the next day. -it’s a 2 minute walk from the office. I asked about a hike, they told me a trail head was a mile up the road. We found a spur directly across the street. I miss real docents, with knowledge, and wearing the garb. All sites not directly on the river side have paths down to get there. Did a nice little moderate hike just across the street called Pine Knob. Nice vista, quick 760ft ascent, combines withe AT for a length, then back down total 3 miles the way we did it. Some nice restaurants in Kent. Found a good breakfast in Goshen. We’ll be going back.
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.
TravelerNot an NPS location as was described. Now a campsite and canoe rental at $77 a night
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.
GuideA really nice campground for tenters and dry campers. No hookups, but decent bathrooms, lukewarm showers and well kept. The Housatonic river is wide and shallow but good for soaking on a hot day and right behind pretty much every campsite. The riverside sites have a clear view, the others you walk through the woods. The only negative is Route 7, which gets busy in the mornings, and at rush hours, but quiets down at night. Not a busy highway to begin with, but a major route. A good up and down hike right across the street, 760 ft ascent in a mile or so, 3 mile loop, you see AT through hikers on the portion of the combined trail. There is a drinking water tap you can hook a hose to for filling your RV, or jugs. No dump station. We had our class B here. Sites mostly level. Come during the week for better privacy. Supposedly fly fisherman come on weekends. Cute cabins for rent in a awesome location.
Camping opportunities near Shrub Oak, New York extend beyond developed campgrounds to include tent platforms, lean-tos, and primitive sites within state parks. The region sits at elevations between 400-1,200 feet with moderate summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping season from June through September. Weekday camping typically offers more solitude and availability than weekend dates, especially at sites within an hour's drive of New York City.
Hiking network access: At The Stephen & Betsy Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center, trails connect directly to the campground. One camper noted, "This camp is run by AMC (The Appalachian Mountain Club)... Great Lake to swim. They offer a meal plan (Option for breakfast, lunch, dinner) that you can get at their dinning hall and I HIGHLY recommend that option."
Rock scrambling adventures: The Suffern-Bear Mountain trail provides challenging terrain for experienced hikers. "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 a camper who tackled this 15-mile route.
Swimming options: Several campgrounds feature lake access with varying amenities. Jellystone Park Gardiner offers more structured water activities with "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 one visitor.
Platform tents for weather protection: Several campgrounds in the region feature raised platforms for setting up tents. A visitor to Beaver Pond Campground noted, "The biggest positive about Beaver Pond is how spread out it was. You definitely feel like you have your own space and are not camping on top of your neighbor. Many of the camping options were on platforms which is especially nice if it recently rained."
Seclusion and privacy: Some of the best places to camp near Shrub Oak provide secluded sites. At Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, "The shelter sites are large and private with access to hiking trails and make for a unique experience," according to one camper who gave the site five stars.
Seasonal wildlife viewing: Local parks offer opportunities to observe wildlife throughout the year. One visitor to The Stephen & Betsy Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center mentioned, "The lake is very peaceful, and home to beavers we watched from the dining hall patio."
Train accessibility: Several campgrounds near Shrub Oak can be reached via public transportation. A camper at Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground shared, "When you are camping with a large group of friends and don't all have access to a car, this is the perfect spot. MetroNorth takes you right into Cold Spring, a charming, quaint town with antique shops and beautiful views of the Hudson. From there, it is a short drive to the campgrounds."
Limited cell service: Mobile reception varies significantly between locations. At Sebago Cabin Camp, a visitor reported, "Absolutely zero phone service (for T-Mobile) which was AMAZING."
Park-specific rules: Different parks maintain distinct regulations. At Croton Point Park, a camper observed, "The campground has become laden with all sorts of inexplicable and burdensome rules, endless guidelines, and restrictions only a New York State-run bureaucracy could ever make sense of."
Activity scheduling: For families seeking structured recreation, consider timing. At Sebago Cabin Camp, "There's a ton of activities like outdoor movies and communal bonfires on weekends. I was told by ranger Joe they also do Karaoke nights too."
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. At West Point FMWR Round Pond Recreation Area, a military family mentioned, "We were very impressed with the playground on site!" while another visitor appreciated that Mountain Lakes Park has "a playground within sight of our camper."
Noise considerations: When camping with children who need consistent sleep, site selection matters. At Croton Point Park, one visitor warned, "We stayed in site 9. The higher number sites were closer to the RV site and the water. The site was very loud (dance music) until after 11pm. Quiet time at 10pm."
Utility hookups: RV campers should note that Croton Point Park offers a mix of partial and full-hookup sites. One RVer detailed, "A county park with a mix of w/e (6 sites) and FHU sites... All sites appeared level. The FHU sites were back-to-back and although there were trees separating the sites, they were close together."
Seasonal bathroom access: Facilities may vary by season at campgrounds like Clarence Fahnestock State Park. "The beach is closed after Labor Day to the public, but open to people staying at the campsite. Clean and beautiful. Great hikes. Bathrooms and dishwashing... UGH. So old and dirty!!!"
Fire regulations: Some campgrounds have specific fire rules. At The Stephen & Betsy Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center, campers note that "Campfires are restricted to certain areas and you have to share."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Shrub Oak, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, Shrub Oak, NY offers a wide range of camping options, with 114 campgrounds and RV parks near Shrub Oak, NY and 2 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Shrub Oak, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Shrub Oak, NY is Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 33 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Shrub Oak, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Shrub Oak, NY.
What parks are near Shrub Oak, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 13 parks near Shrub Oak, NY that allow camping, notably Hop Brook Lake and Northfield Brook Lake.
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