Winding Hills Park
Nice but dated
Nice campground, bathrooms are clean but dated, first come first serve for the sites.
70 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping options near Yonkers, New York range from developed campgrounds with amenities to more rustic sites within an hour's drive of the city. Harriman State Park, located about 30 miles northwest, offers several camping areas including Beaver Pond Campground and Sebago Cabin Camp with accommodations for tents, RVs, and cabins. Croton Point Park on the Hudson River provides year-round camping with tent, RV, and cabin options approximately 15 miles north of Yonkers. Liberty Harbor RV Park in Jersey City offers urban camping with Manhattan skyline views, primarily serving RV campers with 90 designated sites.
Reservations are essential for most campgrounds in the region, particularly during summer months when sites fill quickly. Harriman State Park campgrounds typically operate from April through October, while some facilities like Croton Point Park remain open year-round. Most developed campgrounds provide basic amenities including toilets, showers, and picnic tables, though availability varies by location. Tent platforms are available at select sites in the region, offering more comfortable setup on level surfaces. Cell service can be limited in more remote areas of Harriman State Park, so advance planning is recommended. As one camper noted about Beaver Pond Campground, "Weekends this park is FULL! Make sure to reserve at least two weeks out. Weekdays? You should be in luck!"
Campers frequently mention the balance of natural settings with proximity to urban areas as a key advantage. Several campgrounds feature waterfront access, including Croton Point Park situated directly on the Hudson River. Reviewers particularly appreciate the private beach access at Croton Point, with one visitor describing it as "a gorgeous camping ground right on the Hudson with beach and trails." The region's camping areas often provide recreational opportunities beyond camping, with hiking trails, fishing spots, and water activities commonly available. Proximity to New York City makes these campgrounds popular weekend destinations, with sites at Harriman State Park often filling completely on summer weekends. Campers seeking more privacy should consider weekday visits or select more secluded sites at the back of campgrounds where noise levels tend to be lower.
"15 dolares la noche para los que viven en el Estado de New York o New York city .. si es fuera del estado son $5 dolares mas!!"
"Drive-in tent campgrounds. Adequate restroom facilities sprinkled amongst tent sites. Some campsites have raised platforms. All sites have picnic tables and fire ring with flip-top grill."
from $21 - $24 / night
Check Availability"Very plain & functional, no frills but right on the harbor & on the very edge of Jersey City, close to a ferry & the train that takes u across to New York City."
"Very easy to hop on transit to get to New York City. People were friendly."
from $145 - $180 / night
Check Availability"Tent sites are very private with some dirt roads to exit out but thats what make it unique experience! Bathrooms with shower is near by and has plenty porta potties all around."
"Was close to bear mountains state part and the train station is right there!"
from $30 - $60 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $85 - $120 / night
Check Availability"It is a step up from cabin camping. They also have a beach behind it."
"This place is only an hour away from NYC with so much to do and see. These cabins are VERY rustic, four walls, a cot, and a fridge."
from $130 / night
Check Availability"This was beautiful campground with an even nicer lake. You are able to do a hike around the lake."
"Beautiful lakes all over the place. The AMC camp in Harriman is fantastic too! Those are reserved and paid cabins and platforms."
"A little intimidating driving in to a nondescript gate at the end of a narrow street but the overall experience exceeded expectation."
from $130 / night
Check Availability"Close to the city and civilization, yet large enough to have nice trails and creeks to feel away from it all. The camping sites are very different so it’s useful to go in person and select the area."
"The shelter sites are large and private with access to hiking trails and make for a unique experience. The staff is friendly as well"
from $45 - $55 / night
Check Availability"When you are camping with a large group of friends and don't all have access to a car, this is the perfect spot."
"We were right next to the entrance for hiking trails which was convenient. The facilities are a bit of a walk, but that means it is spread out and there's plenty of room to relax and have fun."
from $21 / night
Check Availability"One rustic place with many hiking trails to choose from. Camp also provides trucking of gear weather permitting. No vehicles allowed to drive through camp. Trading Post for treats and other items."
"Lots of hiking trails. Trading post is well stocked and volunteers are always friendly and able to answer any questions"
from $5 - $200 / night
Check Availability











Nice campground, bathrooms are clean but dated, first come first serve for the sites.
On Friday, September 4, 2026, I rented a trailer and brought my family to Cheesequake State Park to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary over the extended Labor Day weekend. Around 9:20 PM—well before the park's designated 10:00 PM quiet hours—we were sitting inside our canopy, playing Jenga, and listening to low background music. Two officers from the Matawan Police Department approached our campsite. They were polite and courteous, simply offering a standard reminder to wrap things up by 10:00 PM. Before they could leave, however, a third, senior officer intervened. Wanting to"show them how it's done," he made the two polite officers return and stand by to watch as he demonstrated how to aggressively harass campers. Flashlight in hand, the senior officer approached with an immediate hostile attitude, treating us like criminals as he demanded to know who rented the site. He began reiterating rules and claimed we had too many vehicles. We had three cars, one belonging to my brother-in-law's girlfriend, who was visiting with her daughter. She had paid the$10 visitor fee at the main office and was instructed by staff to obtain the gate access code from us, the primary renters, if she got locked in. No staff member ever informed her of an 8:00 PM visitor departure deadline, leading us to reasonably assume visitors were permitted until quiet hours began at 10:00 PM. The officer rudely snapped that she had been given wrong information. The senior officer then used profanity in front of three small children, aggressively telling her to ("get her shit and get the fuck out!") in that manner or use profanity, the officer went from hostile to furious. He angrily declared that these were official violations and threatened that he could be issuing us tickets instead. Desperately searching for anything and everything to throw at us, he demanded that we turn off our idling car—which was supplying power to our campsite—and instructed us to make sure the campfire was doused before shutting down for the night. He then proceeded to shine his flashlight into our private setup—including our canopy, tents, and the inside of our trailer—searching for any other possible violation while the two polite officers were forced to watch. What was supposed to be a special 10th wedding anniversary celebration with my family was completely ruined by a senior officer misusing his authority to put on an unnecessary display of intimidation. Worse than just ruining our night, he spent that evening teaching those two police officers how to be bad cops. He corrupted two officers in real time, demonstrating firsthand exactly why most people have lost faith in the police force. The next day we was ready for them. We turned off our lights and quietly by the fire while they went next door to harass an asian family that had just set up camp and had their leds lights on.
Past reviews has mentioned that the office seems to be closed often, while I found that to be true I had no reason to contact anyone. This is definitely one of the cleanest quiets site I’ve ever visited
Definitely a wide variety of sites—look at the site pictures before booking—there are two areas where it’s just an open field with bonfires and picnic tables that I’d avoid. I could see a large group going there or something but personally it doesn’t offer any privacy.
BUT if you book one of the other sites that DOES have privacy you’ll be in camping heaven. The “hike in” sites are more like “walk-in,” I was worried at first but it’s some are as little as a few yards from the road. The most annoying part was lugging the cooler back and forth, but totally worth it
Booked the day before—even on the holiday weekend! Just 1.5 hours outside of NYC, site was a bit close to the neighbors (fire pit was very far back and basically in the neighbors’ campsite, but we put up a “privacy clothesline” and hung a tarp over it for a bit of extra coverage.
The staff was friendly and helpful, they said it was the busiest they’ve seen the campground all year (there were lots of large groups but everyone seemed to settle down by 9:30pm
Poison ivy was EVERYWHERE at our site so make sure to stick to the open areas and the paths. Lots of families around, we felt very safe Bathrooms were fine—it was my impression they’re usually cleaner but the high traffic of the weekend left a bit to be desired, (lots of families around=dirty diapers in the bathroom trash bin) but it’s camping! I’m not gonna argue w a flushing toilet!
No hookups. It was wooded, quiet and dark at night. I used the dump station on my way out. The first time I ever saw a poop fountain. The sewer opening sticks up above ground level. The cover swivels away, so I couldn't put it on top of my hose. And then, when I tried to rinse it, there was nowhere for it to go, because the inlet is elevated.
This is an A.T. shelter and campsite. First come, first served. Privy was nice. Flat tentsites for 6 or more. Good for Hammocking also.
The main issue with the sites was that they were primitive -- no water. The campsites were basically just wooden platforms, with a picnic table and fire pit. There were also a lot of bugs, though this may be due to the rain. The location itself was fairly pretty and there were a number of hiking trails of not-overly-serious difficulty. The particular site we picked left is a little farther from our car than we would have liked, but for other sites you can bring your car closer.
The park was open but camping was not. After a little extra digging they do have a few sites, but hike in only.
Camping near Yonkers, New York offers seasonal access to both urban and woodland settings within a 40-mile radius. The region experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and winter temperatures often below freezing. Fall camping from September through early November provides colorful foliage viewing opportunities while spring brings moderate rainfall with temperatures ranging from 50-70°F.
Hiking trails and water recreation: Harriman State Park features over 40 miles of hiking trails connecting to the Appalachian Trail network. Beaver Pond Campground provides access to both wooded paths and Welch Lake. "The hike trails are all over the place and the lake is nearby," notes camper Kelvin.
Seasonal apple picking: Fahnestock State Park sits near several apple orchards open from late August through October. Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground serves as a convenient base for autumn fruit harvesting. One camper mentioned, "It is easy to get into town to take the train to and from NYC. I highly recommend this place but check out the sites online to get one that is private."
Swimming at controlled beaches: Several parks maintain swimming areas with lifeguards during summer months. "The beach is secured with lifeguards and shower and bathroom facilities are available," reports Brian O. about Beaver Pond. Swimming areas typically operate from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, with some remaining open for campers after public access ends.
Off-season solitude: Weekday and non-summer visits offer significantly reduced crowds. "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," notes Rebecca S. about Ward Pound Ridge Reservation. Most campgrounds operate at 30-40% capacity on weekdays outside summer.
Tent platforms: Raised wooden platforms keep tents dry during wet conditions. "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. Platforms typically measure 10-12 feet square.
Wildlife observation: Morning and evening hours provide opportunities to see local fauna. "Deer running everywhere and surprisingly beautiful and quaint," reports Megan B. Croton Point Park offers additional wildlife viewing with one camper noting, "There are lots of bunnies!"
Bear activity: Bears frequent several campgrounds in the region, requiring proper food storage. Steve W. warns about Beaver Pond: "Welcome to Bear Mountain grumbles the park ranger as he sits in complete darkness! He is in his ranger hut, checking in the late evening arrivals to the campground... and gives us the run down on bear activity in the area." Bear-resistant food containers are recommended at most Harriman State Park locations.
Reservation timing: Sites fill quickly during peak seasons, particularly at popular parks. "This is an off-grid camping experience. You can use your generator at certain hours. They have a beach. Their staff is friendly. I love going here," states Adaly about camping for just $15 at Beaver Pond.
Transportation options: Several campgrounds offer public transit connections from New York City. The Stephen & Betsy Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center provides unique accessibility: "This campsite is accessible by public transportation. There is a shuttle run by the campsite to and from Tuxedo Park Train Station (reservations on shuttle required)," explains Ilya F.
Playground proximity: Some campsites offer direct access to play areas. Thomas notes about Croton Point Park: "Peaceful and gorgeous campsite, with plenty of space between sites. Great view of the Hudson, and playground within sight of our camper."
Educational nature programs: The region's parks offer seasonal ranger-led activities for children. Sebago Cabin Camp provides structured events: "Sebago cabins the way to get away and relax enjoy the lake... they also have movie nights they do big bon fire on Saturday very kid friendly ranger Joe is great with the kids," reports Hashim C.
Cell phone coverage: Signal strength varies significantly across campgrounds, affecting family communication. "Short distance from the NYC, very organized, clean pond, has a playground, showers, bathroom. Your phone will have signal," confirms Zorina N. about Beaver Pond Campground.
Urban RV options: Liberty Harbor RV Park provides unique city access for RVers. "There is a ferry 100-yards away that takes you to Wall Street M-F. There is a great market about 1/4 of a mile away, and the path that can take you to WTC or 33rd Street area is only a mile away," explains Shawn B. Sites provide 30/50 amp electrical service and water hookups.
RV site privacy: Many regional campgrounds offer varied spacing between sites. "Pick one of the larger end row sites to get a little extra elbow room. If it's packed, your neighbor with be within inches of your rig," advises Keith and Tia S. about Liberty Harbor RV Park.
Dump station logistics: Limited facilities require planning for longer stays. "There is a dump station, but not the easiest to use," notes Shawn B. Most RV sites in the region lack full hookups, with dump stations often limited to specific hours, typically 8am-7pm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds near Yonkers, NY?
The best campgrounds near Yonkers include Beaver Pond Campground — Harriman State Park, offering affordable rates ($15/night for NY residents) with various site options and peaceful surroundings just about an hour from Yonkers. Another excellent option is Croton Point Park, located along the Hudson River approximately 20 minutes north of Yonkers, featuring swimming, hiking, and kayaking opportunities for families. For those seeking more amenities, Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground provides a nice open beach and tends to be busy on weekends. Ward Pound Ridge Reservation is even closer to Yonkers and offers a more secluded camping experience with hiking trails.
Are there any private campgrounds with lake access near Yonkers?
Yes, there are private campgrounds with lake access within driving distance of Yonkers. Peace and Carrots Farm Bluebird Tiny Home offers a unique glamping experience with water access, perfect for those new to camping. For a more traditional camping experience with lake access, The Stephen & Betsy Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center in Harriman State Park features a beautiful lake for swimming and boating activities. Lake access is limited close to Yonkers, so be prepared to drive 45-60 minutes to reach these locations. Most lakeside campgrounds in the region require advance reservations, especially during summer months.
Where can I rent an RV in Yonkers, New York?
While there aren't dedicated RV rental facilities directly in Yonkers, several options exist in the surrounding area. After renting, Liberty Harbor RV Park is one of the closest RV-friendly campgrounds to Yonkers, offering easy transit access to NYC. Online rental platforms like Outdoorsy and RVshare connect you with local RV owners in the greater NYC area who rent their vehicles. For a traditional RV rental experience, several dealerships in northern New Jersey and the Hudson Valley offer rentals. National chains like Cruise America have pickup locations in the region as well. Book several weeks in advance during peak camping season (May-September) for the best selection and rates.
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