Camping sites near Tuxedo Park, New York offer diverse terrain across northern New Jersey and southern New York state, with elevations ranging from 400 to 1,200 feet. The region's glacial history created numerous lakes and ponds that form the backdrop for camping opportunities. Most campgrounds in the area sit within deciduous forest dominated by oak, maple and hickory trees that provide partial shade to sites.
What to do
Hiking to viewpoints: The Appalachian Trail crosses through Harriman State Park with multiple access points. "Great trails to hike for novices looking to branch out but not too large that you'll be lost forever," notes a camper at Stephen & Betsy Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center.
Swimming in designated areas: Lake swimming remains a popular activity during summer months. A visitor at Croton Point Park observed, "Short 5 minute drive to nearby supermarket to pick up food or firewood. I would highly recommend it. Oh...and did i say, gorgeous scenery along the river and a private beach which is opened from Wednesday to the weekend with life guards on duty!"
Exploring historic sites: West Point Military Academy sits within 30 minutes of several campgrounds. At Round Pond Recreation Area, one camper mentioned, "Beautiful but small-ish tent sites. Lots of great hiking in the area in addition to beautiful Cold Spring, NY for the small-town charm."
What campers like
Platform camping options: Raised wooden platforms at several campgrounds keep tents dry during wet weather. A visitor to Beaver Pond Campground appreciated that "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."
Off-season tranquility: Shoulder season camping provides a different experience than peak summer months. "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," reported a September visitor to Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground.
Proximity to NYC: Most campgrounds sit within 30-60 miles of New York City. A visitor at Croton Point Park noted, "Nice site and a 30-40 minute drive from Western Queens. Tent site is after the RV site, so use their LX before you get to site if you can."
What you should know
Alcohol regulations: Policies vary between campgrounds. One reviewer at Mahlon Dickerson Reservation cautioned, "FYI.... Campground rules do not list anything about alcohol on the website or the emailed rules given after reservation, however there is a alcohol prohibited sign as you enter."
Bear activity: Proper food storage remains essential throughout the region. At Sebago Cabin Camp, visitors noted wildlife interactions: "The wildlife do roam around your campsite so be mindful of putting food and garbage away before sleeping."
Weekend crowds: Many campgrounds fill completely on weekends from June through August. "During summer weekends the grounds fill up and can be quite noisy," observed one camper at Clarence Fahnestock State Park.
Site differences: Individual sites vary considerably within the same campground. A reviewer 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 and are not camping on top of your neighbor."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. A visitor to Mahlon Dickerson Reservation was "Very impressed with the playground on site! Unfortunately, due to our early start in the camping season the weather did not allow us to enjoy fishing or the beach or water hook ups, however all areas looked well maintained."
Cabin options: For families wanting more protection from weather, cabins provide an alternative. At Sebago Cabin Camp, a camper explained, "We were able to rent a cabin which was equipped with an outside grill and picnic area. It is great if you are going with a group/family and people want to sleep inside a cabin as opposed to a tent outside."
Variety of activities: Multiple recreation options keep children engaged. "Lake Welch- which is phenomenal for easy nearly-beach like camping. The cabins are 'rustic' - but there's what you need: cots, electricity, a fridge," reported a camper at Sebago.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: RV sites with utilities remain limited near Tuxedo Park. A visitor to Black Bear RV Park shared, "Great location and nice, full hook-up sites. Back-in and pull through sites and can accommodate large rigs. A little expensive but everything is included."
Water connections: Some campgrounds provide creative solutions for distant hookups. At Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, a camper noted, "Website lists water hook ups at long distances but they have hose reels to help with that. Our site (15) said 75' however the 50' hose reel made it to our rv connection."
Winter access: Few campgrounds remain open year-round. At Black Bear RV Park, a winter visitor reported, "I imagine that camping here during the regular season is a much better experience. As it seems to be rare to find open campgrounds for winter camping, this is probably a good option."
