Camping sites near Stormville, New York range in elevation from approximately 300 to 1,200 feet above sea level, creating varied terrain experiences across the Hudson Valley region. Winter camping is limited, with temperatures regularly dropping below freezing from December through March. Cell service remains spotty at most campgrounds, with Beaver Pond Campground having virtually no coverage and several others offering connectivity only at specific locations within the grounds.
What to do
Hiking trails with lake views: At Beaver Pond Campground — Harriman State Park, numerous trails connect to both the campground and nearby Welch Lake. A camper noted, "A quick 40 minutes north of NYC, Harriman State Park has an eclectic little campground called Beaver Pond. The grounds are just steps away from Welch Lake, offering a lifeguard monitored sandy beach which is open during the summer season."
Fall foliage viewing: Mills Norrie State Park Campground offers exceptional autumn colors, typically peaking in mid-October. "We spent two separate weekends at this campground; one during October and the other during early May. Camping here during October was, by far, better. The foliage was turned to all hues of orange, yellow, green, and red," shared a visitor.
Apple picking and farm visits: Several orchards operate within 15-20 minutes of most campgrounds from September through November. A camper at Fahnestock State Park mentioned, "If you are in to apple picking it is a short drive and it is easy to get into town to take the train to and from NYC."
Fishing for panfish: Many campgrounds offer fishing in stocked lakes and ponds, with certain species limits in effect. At Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground, a visitor observed, "If you are into fishing, 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!!"
What campers like
Large, private sites: Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground offers secluded campsites with good tree coverage. A reviewer mentioned, "We stayed in site number 1, and I found it to be just wooded enough. Almost all of the sites offered privacy.... Even when the campground was full."
Water activities: Several parks have swimming areas with beach access from May through September. A camper at Beaver Pond Campground commented, "The camp ground is laid back away from the busy activity of the big city. If you want to get away and relax you can come here to walk, swim and camp. The beach is secured with lifeguards and shower and bathroom facilities are available."
Public transportation access: Some campgrounds are accessible without a car, using train service. A visitor to Ward Pound Ridge Reservation wrote, "This is a great place for camping. The shelters are great for people who want to camp and not have to worry about unplanned weather. Would definitely recommend for those who want to camp near NYC but not drive too far."
Free dispersed camping: For those seeking a more primitive experience, Taconic Hereford Multiple Use Park offers no-fee camping with minimal amenities. A camper described it as "99% off people don't even know this area exists. If you want a quiet piece of beautiful forest to truly rough it and go camping for a few days, then this is what you have been looking for."
What you should know
Site differences matter: Research specific sites before booking as quality varies widely even within the same campground. One camper at Jellystone Park Gardiner advised, "The R and S sites...its just a large gravel parking area with little to no shade. Would be okay for a quick overnight but not a vacation week."
Weekend crowds vs. weekday quiet: Many campgrounds transform completely between weekdays and weekends. A visitor to Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground shared, "Weekends - this park is FULL! Make sure to reserve at least two weeks out. Weekdays? You should be in luck!"
Bears require food precautions: Proper food storage is essential at most campgrounds in the region. A camper at Beaver Pond warned, "Welcome to Bear Mountain" grumbles the park ranger as he sits in complete darkness! He is in his ranger hut, checking in the late evening arrivals to the campground... and gives us the run down on bear activity in the area."
Train noise: Some campgrounds are affected by nearby train lines. At Mills Norrie State Park Campground, a visitor reported, "It was situated right across the Hudson River from a highly active nighttime freight train route, and the noise from the horns and then being awake for a few minutes as the train clattered by."
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and activities: New York City North-Newburgh KOA offers numerous activities for children. One parent shared, "I love this campground they have counselors who lead activities with kids in the summer and two pools plus a rock climbing tower, manifold, basketball and a bounce pillow and more."
Swim safety for younger children: Choose beaches with designated shallow areas for young swimmers. A parent visiting Beaver Pond Campground mentioned, "Short distance from the NYC, very organized, clean pond, has a playground, showers, bathroom. Your phone will have signal."
Elevated tent platforms: Several campgrounds offer raised platforms, keeping tents dry during wet weather. As one camper at Beaver Pond noted, "The biggest positive about Beaver Pond is how spread out it was. You definitely feel like you have your own space. Many of the camping options were on platforms which is especially nice if it recently rained."
Wildlife education opportunities: Many parks have nature centers with educational programs, typically operating Thursday-Sunday. A visitor to Ward Pound Ridge Reservation shared, "The Trailside Nature Museum is also fun for the kids. There is wide open space and the paths are well paved so kids can have fun riding the bikes or running around."
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup availability: Most state parks have few full-hookup sites, requiring early reservations. At Mills Norrie State Park Campground, an RVer observed, "There are only a handful of sites with electric hookups and only one (site 51) is level."
Road clearance concerns: Some campgrounds have entrance roads with challenging clearance issues. One RVer warned about Mills Norrie, "Some have a steep descent off the road, abs there's a lip on the road that can scrape bottom of campers/RVs. This happened to our neighbor and it took out his RV sewer system."
Dump station locations: Not all campgrounds offer dump stations, requiring planning for longer stays. A visitor to Jellystone Park Gardiner mentioned they appreciate the on-site sanitary dump station, which many state parks lack.
Weekend reservation needs: RV sites book particularly quickly for summer weekends. A camper at New York City North-Newburgh KOA advised, "if staying here and concerned about branches I'd suggest one of the pull through sites. Specifically 138, 146 and 145 have a nice concrete patio and nicer firepit if you want to spend a little more."
