Campsites around Tuxedo Park range from 41.01 to 41.46 degrees latitude, positioning them in a temperate climate zone with four distinct seasons. Summer temperatures typically reach 75-85°F during day and drop to 55-65°F at night. Most campgrounds in this region feature wooded sites on uneven terrain with moderate to difficult hiking trails connecting various recreation areas.
What to do
Lake swimming at multiple locations: Sebago Cabin Camp offers excellent swimming options with a large lake and beach area. According to Ethan K., "Sebago has a huge lake and great beach area. It was perfect for lounging and swimming in during a hot summer day." While Croton Point Park provides additional swimming opportunities with some restrictions, as Jonathan C. notes: "a private beach which is opened from Wednesday to the weekend with life guards on duty!"
Hiking the Stonetown Circular Trail: This challenging 11-mile loop offers primitive camping options for backpackers seeking solitude. Ethan K. describes it as "a 11 mile medium/high difficulty loop trail" with a campsite that's "right next to a flowing stream with fresh water." The trail includes difficult uphill rock scrambles, so pack light for this adventure.
Visit nearby attractions: Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground provides access to numerous attractions beyond the immediate campground. Jess M. explains, "We walked 20 min from our site to the beach across the 2-lane highway. The lake is clear and sandy, and many families seemed to have traveled up for a day trip." The park's location also makes it convenient for "apple picking... and it is easy to get into town to take the train to and from NYC," according to Asher K.
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: Mahlon Dickerson Reservation earns high marks for site layout. Jeff W. notes, "This county park has large, wooded campsites with electric and water. It's beautiful and quiet, and close to beautiful hiking trails, lakes, and other outdoor recreation opportunities." Christina L. adds, "The sites are very large and I suggest site 7. It is on a hill so have a hand truck or a few people to carry stuff. Trust me it is worth it."
Proximity to NYC: Camping near Tuxedo Park provides a convenient escape from urban life. Kelvin from Beaver Pond Campground describes it as a "Great location and quick to get to from NYC. 45 minute drive and location has a lot of amenities." Similarly, Esther L. from Sebago describes it as "Close enough to the city, far enough to enjoy the nature."
Variety of camping styles: Beaver Pond Campground accommodates different camping preferences. Elliot G. shares, "I have gone from tent platform, tent camping, tarp, and now hammock camping. The sites can be a bit tight, at times and you may find a few visitors, not necessarily on two legs, but always a delight." Ethan K. adds, "Many of the camping options were on platforms which is especially nice if it recently rained."
What you should know
Wildlife presence: Black bears are active throughout the region, requiring proper food storage. Steve W. reports, "Welcome to Bear Mountain" grumbles the park ranger as he sits in complete darkness! He's nice, but you can tell he's given this welcome speech too many times to get overly excited about it." Kelvin warns, "The wildlife do roam around your campsite so be mindful of putting food and garbage away before sleeping."
Seasonal considerations: Visiting during off-peak times can provide a quieter experience. Rebecca S. from Beaver Pond notes, "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." Similarly, Asher K. suggests, "We make a habit of going during the end-of-summer/fall when you can watch the leaves change along the hiking trails."
Varied bathroom facilities: Croton Point Park has limited facilities according to Isabel L.: "Only one or two bathrooms in the whole place so be prepared to go for a walk when you have to go." Meanwhile, Fahnestock receives mixed reviews, with Jess M. noting, "The bathrooms were clean and well-kept, no stalls ran out of toilet paper, and there was soap most of the time at the sinks," while Courtney D. disagrees: "Bathrooms and dishwashing... UGH. So old and dirty!!!"
Tips for camping with families
Consider pet-friendly options: Many campgrounds beyond Beaver Pond welcome dogs. At Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, Paulene-Amanda M. reports, "My fiancé, dog, and I have been going here for over 2 years and we love it. We always hike to the lake here, it's a very easy hike and also very peaceful." This makes it an excellent option among dog-friendly campgrounds near Tuxedo Park.
Look for child-friendly amenities: Several campgrounds offer features specifically for children. Zorina N. mentions that Beaver Pond "has a playground, showers, bathroom. Your phone will have signal." At Round Pond Recreation Area, Jacey H. was "very impressed with the playground on site!" Though this is a military-only facility.
Take advantage of cabin options: For families not ready for tent camping, cabins provide a middle ground. Sara P. describes Sebago cabins as "VERY rustic, four walls, a cot, and a fridge. You still feel like you are 'roughing it' but with the convenience of a fridge." Katherine T. advises, "Ignore the hotplate and just cook on a fire out other outdoor set up. Don't expect to swim on site- go to Lake Welch near by!"
Tips from RVers
RV site layouts and hookups: Black Bear RV Park offers complete hookups but at a premium price. Dave S. shares, "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." Harold C. adds, "Campsite 44 for just one night. I can hear distant cars from time to time but, not like highway sounds."
Water hookup considerations: At Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, the water setup requires some planning. According to the reviewer "antruze", "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." Greg S. confirms, "The water hoses provided are plenty long. We didn't need to use our hose at all, just the filter."
Seasonal RV camping notes: Winter camping requires special considerations. Gabbie Y. warns, "As it seems to be rare to find open campgrounds for winter camping, this is probably a good option, just be warned that some sites might not have working water and staff could be difficult to get in touch with after hours." For summer visits, check each campground's generator policies as they vary throughout the region.
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