Best Tent Camping near White Plains, NY
State parks and county-managed lands surrounding White Plains, New York offer diverse tent camping options within an hour's drive. Croton Point Park, located on a peninsula jutting into the Hudson River, provides tent-only sites with scenic water views and beach access. Ward Pound Ridge Reservation in nearby Pound Ridge features both tent sites and lean-tos with well-maintained grounds and extensive trail networks. For more primitive tent camping experiences, Harriman State Park offers walk-in tent sites at The Stephen & Betsy Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center, where platform tent sites provide a more structured backcountry experience.
Most tent campgrounds in the region require reservations, with varying amenities across locations. Croton Point Park tent sites sit on level ground with nearby bathroom facilities and showers, though campers should secure food properly due to raccoon activity. Ward Pound Ridge tent sites accommodate up to eight people in two tents per site, with comfort stations located some distance away but portable toilets positioned closer to camping areas. Primitive tent camping areas in Harriman State Park require campers to pack in all supplies, with limited facilities available. Fire regulations vary by location, with some sites requiring contained fires or restricting them to designated areas only.
Tent campers frequently mention the privacy found at certain sites despite their proximity to urban areas. According to reviews, Croton Point Park offers "very private" tent sites with convenient access to bathrooms, showers, and a seasonal beach with lifeguards. One camper noted that at The Stephen & Betsy Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center, platform tent sites "did not feel crowded even with other people on neighboring platforms." Wildlife encounters are common throughout the region's campgrounds, with raccoons being particularly active at Croton Point Park. For backcountry tent camping enthusiasts, the Suffern-Bear Mountain primitive sites provide free hike-in opportunities with more solitude but require proper preparation as no facilities are available.