The Waccabuc area sits in northern Westchester County where elevation ranges from 400-600 feet above sea level, creating varied terrain for glamping and camping experiences. The region experiences four distinct seasons with fall bringing vibrant foliage from mid-September through October, making it a popular time for luxury outdoor stays. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing, limiting some glamping options to three-season operations.
What to do
Hiking Mount Bailey: Take the trail at Mountain Lakes Park to reach the highest point in Westchester County. "A gorgeous piece of land that contains lakes, a lookout and Mt. Bailey, the highest point in Westchester County. A dirt road loops through the property with trails off and through it," notes Ben H. about Mountain Lakes Park.
Military-restricted recreation: West Point FMWR facilities offer exclusive access for military personnel. "We've been coming here for at least 13 years. We love that its a place specifically for Vets and active Military. Everyone is amazingly respectful of each other and the caretakers take such care of the grounds," shares a reviewer about West Point FMWR Round Pond Outdoor Recreation Area.
Beach access: Camp near the Long Island Sound for rocky beach experiences. "Beach is beautiful, very rocky, bring your water shoes, sunset scenery is beautiful!" advises Ossama B. about Wildwood State Park Campground.
What campers like
Seasonal activities: Fall camping offers quieter experiences and unique scenery. "When we were there it was right after a rain storm and everything was a bit muddy and slippery. We will definitely be planning a trip back to Mountain Lakes when the weather gets nicer though!" mentions Ethan K. about Mountain Lakes Park.
Family-friendly amenities: Some glamping resorts near Waccabuc focus on child-oriented activities. "This campground is great for kids. It has events just about every weekend with kid activity," says Jennifer I. about Jellystone Park Gardiner.
Military community: Service member-exclusive sites foster community connections. "It has become a home away from home for us and a chance to connect with other Vets. So grateful for a place just for Military and their families and guests. It is a sweet reminder that there are still places that appreciate their service," writes a reviewer about West Point FMWR Round Pond.
What you should know
Limited amenities: Some parks lack expected facilities despite natural beauty. "No facilities that I can think of, but there are a few lean-to's scattered off the looping road," mentions Ben H. about Mountain Lakes Park.
Site privacy varies: Campground layouts affect noise levels and privacy. "You will not feel like you are getting out in nature. The lake area is very built up and all private, except for the nice promenade area of the state park campground, which is not at all rustic," reports Mo S. about Lake Waramaug State Park Campground.
Seasonal restrictions: Many glamping sites near Waccabuc operate limited schedules. "The campground is beautiful and the staff was wonderful! We started our camping season off right with a quick weekend stay at Round Pound. 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," shares Jacey H. about West Point FMWR Round Pond.
Tips for camping with families
Playground accessibility: Check for play areas appropriate for different age groups. "We were very impressed with the playground on site!" notes Jacey H. about West Point FMWR Round Pond.
Activity scheduling: Plan your visit around scheduled events for maximum engagement. "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," explains Amanda S. about Jellystone Park Gardiner.
Noisy times: Prepare for varying noise levels at family-focused resorts. "The campground had a lot of activities but some were repetitive. It looks like Saturdays have the best activities but we were not there on a Saturday," shares Stephanie H. about Jellystone Park Gardiner.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Review site layout before booking. "Sites are HUGE. Bathrooms, water, showers are close by. You will almost always have a view of the water," notes katrina M. about Lake Waramaug State Park Campground.
Site privacy: RV sections often have different privacy levels than tent areas. "Stayed here for two nights with my popup and was surrounded by large motor homes/RVs. sites had zero privacy and were all pull through," cautions Michael G. about Wildwood State Park Campground.
Utility positioning: Check hookup layouts for practicality. "The sewer connection in 372 ran uphill for me, but my pipe sits very low," mentions Inez W. about Thousand Trails Rondout Valley.
