Seasonal camping availability is a key consideration for the West Haverstraw region, where elevation ranges between 400-1,300 feet throughout the surrounding parklands. Most campgrounds operate from April through October, with limited winter options mainly at Croton Point Park. The area's proximity to the Hudson River creates microclimates that can vary significantly between riverfront and higher elevation sites.
What to do
Swimming access: 2 miles from beach to campsite at Sebago Cabin Camp, though you'll need to drive to Lake Welch for the best experience. "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!" explains Katharine T.
Wildlife viewing: Dawn/dusk optimal for spotting local fauna near Croton Point Park. Prepare for encounters with small mammals at night. "Keep your food in the dry bag and away from the tent or benches provided or face the packs of fearless racoons at night," warns Anil S.
Playground facilities: Available for children at multiple locations. Croton Point Park offers family-friendly activities within sight of camping areas. Thomas reports, "Site does not have Wi-Fi and street address didn't work correctly with multiple GPS apps... After hours guy was grouchy. But the site is beautiful with plenty to do in the area, especially outdoors. We had a very peaceful visit."
What campers like
Weekday tranquility: Sunday-Thursday recommended at Fahnestock State Park campgrounds. Rebecca S. 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. Expect to purchase firewood, although scrounging for kindling was possible."
Site privacy: Request sites 60-70 at Beaver Pond Campground for maximum seclusion. "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," shares Ethan K.
Lake activities: Mornings less crowded for water recreation at most park lakes. According to Anil at Croton Point Park, there's a "private beach which is opened from Wednesday to the weekend with life guards on duty!" Many lakes restrict swimming to designated hours when lifeguards are present.
What you should know
Reservation windows: Plan 2-4 months ahead for summer weekends. Most area campgrounds open reservations on a rolling basis. Rebecca S. from Fahnestock recommends, "We stayed here on a Thursday night in September prior to taking off backpacking. The campground was clean and quiet."
Site variations: Physical inspection recommended before booking. "This place can book up during camping season in the Northeast so make sure to book early in advance... I highly recommend this place but check out the sites online to get one that is private," advises Asher K.
Noise levels: Train sounds audible at some locations, particularly at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation. "There is no phone or internet reservations and has to be made in person at the office. I would recommend call earlier and come in few minutes earlier to 9 am when the office opens to find the best spots," suggests Anil S.
Tips for camping with families
Platform sites: Better for rainy conditions at several parks. "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," explains Ethan K. about Beaver Pond Campground.
Off-season benefits: September camping offers fewer crowds and bugs. According to a camper at Fahnestock, "The beach is closed after Labor Day to the public, but open to people staying at the campsite. Clean and beautiful."
Phone coverage: Variable throughout region with stronger signals at Camp Glen Gray. "Cabins are always clean and stocked with firewood. Lots of hiking trails. Trading post is well stocked and volunteers are always friendly and able to answer any questions," notes Christopher M.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup options: Call ahead to confirm availability. Most campgrounds offer fewer than 10 full-hookup sites, which fill quickly. At Croton Point Park, a visitor noted, "A county park with a mix of w/e (6 sites) and FHU sites plus about a dozen tent sites."
Reservation process: Phone reservations only at some locations. "The reservation process is a bit wonky. You need to call (no online reservations) and then wait for an e-mail, but the e-mail does not tell you your assigned site; you have to wait until you check in."
Site dimensions: Most accommodate up to 30-foot rigs in designated RV areas. Croton Point Park can handle larger rigs, while Beaver Pond is more limited. "RV hook-ups, tent platforms, and rustic tent sites were available," reports one camper.
