Camping near West Harrison, New York offers access to both urban and natural experiences with elevations ranging from sea level to over 1,300 feet in surrounding highlands. The Hudson Valley's temperate climate creates comfortable camping conditions from April through October, with fall foliage typically peaking in mid-October. Winter camping options are limited, with only a few campgrounds remaining open year-round.
What to do
Hiking trails in Fahnestock State Park: The 14,000-acre preserve offers trails for all skill levels, with the 1.5-mile Pelton Pond loop particularly accessible for families. "We always hike to the lake here, it's a very easy hike and also very peaceful," notes a visitor to Mahlon Dickerson Reservation.
Lake swimming from spring to fall: Most park lakes open Memorial Day weekend and close after Labor Day, though campers may have extended access. "The beach is closed after Labor Day to the public, but open to people staying at the campsite. Clean and beautiful," reports a camper at Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground.
NYC day trips: For urban exploration, campers can access Manhattan via multiple transportation options. "The light rail is a block away, and the path train is about 8," explains a visitor at Liberty Harbor RV Park. Another camper adds, "Close to train to N.Y. City," when describing Mahlon Dickerson Reservation's location advantages.
What campers like
Peaceful weekday stays: Campgrounds near West Harrison experience significant differences in crowd levels between weekends and weekdays. "Busy Campground on Weekends! Weekends - this park is FULL! Make sure to reserve at least two weeks out. Weekdays? You should be in luck!" explains a camper at Clarence Fahnestock State Park.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many campers appreciate the natural animal encounters in the region. "At dusk when the animals came out!" was highlighted as the best part of staying at Black Bear RV Park. Be prepared for various wildlife, including bears in some areas. "There are a lot of bear warnings here so that gave us a bit of pause with our three little boys," notes a family at Mahlon Dickerson.
Water access: Multiple campgrounds offer water features from fishing ponds to swimming beaches. "The lake is clear and sandy (some rocks in sand on shore, but standard for imported sand), and many families seemed to have traveled up for a day trip," describes a camper at Croton Point Park.
What you should know
Bathroom facilities vary widely: Bathroom quality differs significantly between campgrounds. "Bathrooms and dishwashing... UGH. So old and dirty!!!" reports one camper at Clarence Fahnestock, while another noted, "The bathrooms were clean and well-kept (saw toilet bowl cleaner in the morning), no stalls ran out of toilet paper."
Reservation requirements and timing: Most campgrounds require advance booking, with varying reservation windows. "Make sure to book at least two weeks out" for weekend stays, advises one camper. At Beaver Pond Campground, a ranger explained that "during summer weekends the grounds fill up and can be quite noisy, but mid-week during the off-season it was great."
Site selection is crucial: Campsite quality varies significantly within the same campground. "This is one of my favorite campsites I have been to but only because after several visits we have finally found our favorite site," shares a Clarence Fahnestock visitor. Another notes, "Some sites are side by side other campers, which is an interesting way to meet new people and expand your circles. Other sites are more isolated and provide a greater amount of privacy."
Tips for camping with families
Look for dedicated play areas: Several campgrounds offer playground facilities, which provide entertainment for children. "There is a model airplane air field and a decent playground for young kids," writes a reviewer about Croton Point Park. Another family at Pleasant Acres Farm RV Resort shared, "Good family fun though! Plenty to occupy the kids. Playground, hayride, animals to feed (goats, chickens, donkey and pony)."
Noise levels fluctuate: Sound can be an issue at some campgrounds due to proximity to transportation routes or other campers. "There is a train depot right outside and you can hear them shunting trains all night," warns a Croton Point Park camper. At Beaver Pond, a visitor noted, "There is a constant buzz in the air of conversation, music, laughter and shrieking toddlers. Quiet time at night is laughable as the enjoyment of being in nature rages on into the early morning."
Animal encounters add educational value: Several campgrounds feature farm animals or wildlife viewing opportunities. "My daughter loved the horses and goats," shares a Pleasant Acres visitor. Another camper notes, "The farm has goats, a donkey, and a pony within the campground. Very cool."
Tips from RVers
Dump station availability: Several campgrounds offer dump stations, but not all. "Dump stations are available at Black Bear RV Park, though not at all facilities," notes a reviewer. Another RVer at Woodland Trails shared, "The site was supposed to have electric and water hookup. Electric worked but the water did not."
Site dimensions matter: RV sites vary significantly in size and layout. "Have stayed here several times - great location and nice, full hook-up sites. Back-in and pull through sites and can accommodate large rigs," writes a visitor to Black Bear RV Park. At Liberty Harbor RV Park, an RVer cautions, "This is a pricey park, but options are limited. Sites kind of level and very close."
Limited winter operations: Most RV campgrounds near West Harrison close seasonally. "We are returning to the south after spending a couple months of fall in New England... This was our first stop and primarily chosen because it was one of the few places along our route that was open for RVs in the off season," explains a winter visitor to Black Bear RV Park, one of the few year-round options for RV camping near West Harrison.
