Camping spots near Stony Point, New York range from primitive backcountry sites to military-only recreation areas. The region sits at the foot of the Hudson Highlands with elevations reaching 1,300 feet in nearby mountains. Summer temperatures typically range from 60-85°F, while spring and fall camping seasons often see nighttime temperatures drop into the 40s, requiring adequate sleeping gear.
What to do
Swimming in Canopus Lake: During summer months, Fahnestock State Park offers swimming at a clean, sandy beach area. "They have a nice open beach on Canopus Lake with a concession area and bathhouse, which we found to be quite clean! They even have boat rentals - or you can bring your own boat to launch," notes one visitor to Clarence Fahnestock State Park.
Explore historic trails: The region features significant Revolutionary War-era paths. "Bear Mountain State Park has various smaller trail heads for this historic (Revolutionary Times 1770s) part of the region including the one to Doodle Town. Long since the last resident left, the area is a ruins with markers showing where a house was," explains a camper from Beaver Pond Campground.
Rock scrambling for adventure seekers: For experienced hikers, challenging terrain awaits. "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," shares a hiker at Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail.
Off-season beach access: Campground guests receive exclusive lake access when public beaches close. "The beach is closed after Labor Day to the public, but open to people staying at the campsite. Clean and beautiful," writes a camper at Fahnestock State Park.
What campers like
Platform tent sites: Elevated tent platforms provide practical advantages in wet conditions. "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. I also particularly enjoyed the communal sink which made it very convenient and easy to wash dishes and fill up water," reports a visitor to Beaver Pond.
Privacy between sites: Ward Pound Ridge Reservation offers well-separated campsites. "The shelter sites are large and private with access to hiking trails and make for a unique experience," notes one camper. Another adds: "All sites were so different. There was a storm the night before our arrival date, all campers were evacuated and they did a fantastic job clearing all the debris and downed trees before our arrival."
Access to multiple recreation options: Croton Point Park provides diverse activities within walking distance. "This is state park, very large nested on Peninsula on the Hudson River," writes one camper. Another mentions: "This must be one of the most breathtaking camp grounds (family friendly) right on the Hudson. Tent sites are very private with some dirt roads to exit out but that's what make it unique experience!"
Off-season tranquility: Lower visitation periods offer a different experience. "We stayed here on a Thursday night in September prior to taking off backpacking. The campground was clean and quiet. Ranger said that during summer weekends the grounds fill up and can be quite noisy, but mid-week during the off-season it was great."
What you should know
Bear activity: Wildlife encounters require proper preparation. "Welcome to Bear Mountain grumbles the park ranger as he sits in complete darkness! He offers us a highlighted map to our site, wishes us a good stay, and gives us the run down on bear activity in the area. I mean, we are in Bear Mountain, what do you expect?!?" shares a camper at Beaver Pond.
Military-only facilities: Several excellent campgrounds restrict access to military personnel. West Point FMWR Round Pond offers "Beautiful Military Campgrounds. The campground is beautiful and the staff was wonderful! We were very impressed with the playground on site!" However, another visitor cautions: "Unfortunately for me, Round Pond is camping reserved for active and retired military personnel only."
Bathroom conditions vary significantly: Facilities receive mixed reviews across campgrounds. "The bathrooms and showers were also pretty clean too. Lots of water spickets throughout the ground," writes one camper. In contrast, another notes: "Bathrooms and dishwashing... UGH. So old and dirty!!! The showers didn't have enough water pressure, 2 out of 6 had only hot water."
Noise levels fluctuate: Campground atmosphere changes with location and timing. "Quiet time at night is laughable as the enjoyment of being in nature rages on into the early morning. I myself could go either way; I'm not overly bothered by the late nights and chorus of noise, but living in the megalopolis that I call home, it would be nice to not have the ruckus constantly follow you to the great outdoors."
Tips for camping with families
Shallow swimming areas: Jellystone Park Gardiner features "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. And a bounce pillow."
Playground accessibility: Some campgrounds offer convenient playground access from campsites. One visitor to West Point FMWR Round Pond mentions: "Great view of the Hudson, and playground within sight of our camper." This arrangement allows parents to monitor children while maintaining their campsite.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many campsites feature small animal sightings. "There are lots of bunnies!" reports one camper. Another notes: "The lake is very peaceful, and home to beavers we watched from the dining hall patio."
Off-peak camping with children: Consider weekday or shoulder-season visits for quieter family experiences. "Short distance from the NYC, very organized, clean pond, has a playground, showers, bathroom. Your phone will have signal," writes a visitor to Beaver Pond.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup options: Full-service sites are limited in the region. At Croton Point, "A county park with a mix of w/e (6 sites) and FHU sites plus about a dozen tent sites near a capped dump! The FHU sites were back-to-back and although there were trees separating the sites, they were close together."
Reservation complexities: Booking systems vary between parks. "The reservation process is a bit wonky. You need to call (no online reservations) and then wait for an e-mail, but the e-mail does not tell you your assigned site; you have to wait until you check in to find out your site."
Cell service considerations: Coverage varies significantly by location and carrier. "Just a note to other campers with T-Mobile, 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. There is also free wifi at the commissary/exchange, which is about 2 miles away."
Site verification recommended: RVers should confirm site details before arrival. "I would absolutely try to check your site before you get there because each site varied quite a bit from the other." Site amenities, size, and accessibility can differ dramatically even within the same campground.
