Best Tent Camping near Stamford, NY

Tent campgrounds near Stamford, New York range from primitive backcountry sites to established campgrounds with basic amenities. Duck Pond Campsite offers tent-only sites with fire rings and stream access, while Alder Lake provides free primitive tent camping with lake views. Giant Ledge Primitive Camp in the Catskill Mountains offers backcountry tent sites accessible via hiking trails, providing a more secluded experience for those willing to carry their gear.

Access roads to many tent camping areas require careful navigation, particularly at Duck Pond Campsite where reviews mention rough road conditions suitable only for small vehicles or those with higher clearance. Most primitive tent sites have fire pits but lack drinking water, requiring campers to filter water from nearby streams or bring their own supply. Toilet facilities vary significantly—some areas like Giant Ledge have no facilities whatsoever, while others provide basic vault toilets. During peak summer weekends, especially at Alder Lake, tent sites fill quickly and parking areas become congested.

Tent campers at these locations benefit from natural surroundings with streams, ponds, and forest views. Many walk-in tent sites offer greater privacy and connection to nature than drive-in alternatives. Sites at Giant Ledge Primitive Camp provide spectacular mountain vistas for those willing to hike in with their gear. Alder Lake features spacious tent sites with room between campers, though the lake can draw crowds during peak seasons. As one visitor reported about Alder Lake, "The campsites are very spacious with lots of room between you and other campers, and have a fire pit and some have picnic tables." Duck Pond offers a quieter tent camping experience, with a recent camper noting: "We arrived at surprisingly well maintained beautiful campsites. The pond is small so the mosquitos were not too bad."

Best Tent Sites Near Stamford, New York (36)

    1. Duck Pond Campsite

    2 Reviews
    North Blenheim, NY
    10 miles

    "After driving unpaved dirt road for a while, we arrived a surprisingly well maintained beautiful campsites. The pond is small so the mosquitos were not too bad."

    "Intermittent cell service which was frightening while driving on these rough roads"

    2. Artisan Hill Farm & Studio

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    Stamford, NY
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 431-0444

    $20 - $40 / night

    3. Alder lake

    7 Reviews
    Margaretville, NY
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 256-3076

    "We arrived here early afternoon, which ended up being perfect timing as we could set up everything and catch sunset by the fire."

    "There are several beautiful, secluded hike-in sites along the lake which I would love to return to someday. The hike around the lake is a lovely, easy walk."

    4. Creek Hill Camping

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    Summit, NY
    7 miles
    +1 (631) 219-6657

    $25 / night

    5. Betty and Wilbur Davis State Park — Betty & Wilbur Davis State Park

    1 Review
    Cooperstown, NY
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 547-8662

    $57 / night

    "Although there may be times when there may be people and groups around for day use, the small number of cabins and they way they are spread out will make you feel like you are at your own private retreat"

    6. Giant Ledge Primitive Camp

    6 Reviews
    Big Indian, NY
    27 miles

    "Get tracking poles if you don't already have some. Very helpful here. This was one of my favorite weekend backpacking trips."

    "However the descriptions of this place in reviews here and elsewhere provided very little info and once I got out to the trail realized how different it was to what I expected."

    7. Grandpa's Back 40 Glamping

    1 Review
    Milford, NY
    23 miles
    +1 (518) 321-3734

    $125 - $145 / night

    8. Upper Esopus Creekside Camp

    1 Review
    Big Indian, NY
    25 miles
    +1 (917) 577-8780

    $130 / night

    9. The Peekamoose Valley

    7 Reviews
    Claryville, NY
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 256-3076

    "Quiet, next to a lightly trafficked road. There was a port a potty. Campsites in middle field are just clearings with fire pits and nothing else. Soft ground for staking a tent. Very few bugs."

    "This was a good campground for a base point for hiking around the peekamoose area. I stayed in the middle field campground site #6 (which is the worst spot on that field)."