Camping options near Yorktown Heights feature diverse terrain across Putnam and Westchester Counties with elevations ranging from 400 to 1,300 feet above sea level. The region's mixed hardwood forests provide seasonal camping experiences with fall foliage typically peaking mid-October. Most campgrounds in the Hudson Valley operate from April through November with limited winter availability.
What to do
Lake swimming and beach access: At Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground, campers can enjoy Canopus Lake which features a sandy beach area. "The beach is closed after Labor Day to the public, but open to people staying at the campsite. Clean and beautiful," notes a recent visitor. The park maintains swimming areas with lifeguards during summer months.
Hiking options: Beaver Pond Campground at Harriman State Park offers access to numerous trail systems including portions of the Appalachian Trail. "Hike trails are all over the place and the lake is nearby," mentions one camper. The park contains over 200 miles of marked hiking trails with difficulty levels ranging from accessible paths to challenging mountain routes.
City day trips: Liberty Harbor RV Park provides a convenient base for exploring New York City. "This is a pricey park, but options are limited. The light rail is a block away, and the path train is about 8. Having a view of Lady Liberty out your window is priceless," explains a camper. The campground is approximately 45 minutes from Manhattan with public transportation options that avoid tunnel tolls.
What campers like
Privacy levels: Thousand Trails Rondout Valley campground receives praise for its secluded setting. "This is what I want for a Catskill campground. It is not a concrete pad haven and yes, there is mud. Our site was even and easy to level on," shares one camper. Sites are set among mature trees with varying degrees of separation between neighbors.
Wildlife viewing: Black Bear RV Park offers opportunities to observe local wildlife. "The best part was at dusk when the animals came out!" reports one visitor. The wooded setting attracts deer and smaller woodland creatures, particularly in early morning and evening hours.
Swimming facilities: Beaver Pond Campground gets positive reviews for its water access options. "Great location and quick to get to from NYC. 45 minute drive and location has a lot of amenities. Full bathrooms and slop sinks throughout the campsite," notes a camper. The nearby Lake Welch provides a lifeguard-monitored swimming area during summer months.
What you should know
Site selection importance: Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground has significant variation between sites. "This is one of my favorite campsites I have been to but only because after several visits we have finally found our favorite site. Check out the sites online to get one that is private," advises a repeat visitor. Campsite selection tools on reservation websites allow sorting by size, shade level, and proximity to facilities.
Platform camping available: Several campgrounds in the area offer raised tent platforms. "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. Many of the camping options were on platforms which is especially nice if it recently rained," explains a camper. Platform sites typically cost $5-10 more than standard tent sites.
Bear awareness: Wildlife management practices vary across campgrounds. "Welcome to Bear Mountain" grumbles the park ranger as he sits in complete darkness!" reports a Beaver Pond camper. "He offers us a highlighted map to our site, wishes us a good stay, and gives us the run down on bear activity in the area." Bear-resistant food storage is required at most Harriman State Park camping areas.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Thousand Trails Rondout Valley offers family-friendly facilities. "As part of the Thousand Trails group, this campground has many amenities. It offers a pool, playground, and activities that include bocce ball, shuffleboard, and horseshoes," describes a visitor. Supervised activity programs run throughout summer weekends.
Creek exploration: Natural water features provide engagement opportunities for children. "The creek that runs by the campground is gorgeous, and my kids had fun finding Crayfish," shares a Thousand Trails Rondout Valley visitor. Most campgrounds permit wading in shallow creek areas, though swimming is generally restricted to designated beaches with lifeguards.
Off-season benefits: Family camping during shoulder seasons offers advantages. "We stayed here on a Thursday night in September prior to taking off backpacking. The campground was clean and quiet," notes a Beaver Pond visitor. "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." School-year weekdays typically see 70% lower occupancy rates than summer weekends.
Tips from RVers
Accessibility considerations: Liberty Harbor RV Park provides urban RV camping with mixed reviews. "Very convenient location. My wife visited Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. The sites had electric and water and were in a fenced off section of the marina parking area," shares one RVer. "Easy access with our 32 foot RV pulling our Jeep." The park accommodates large RVs despite its urban setting.
Seasonal hookup variations: Black Bear RV Park maintains year-round operations with seasonal limitations. "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," notes a winter visitor. "Unfortunately at this site, the heated water pipe was broken so we had no water for the night." Winter camping requires checking which utilities remain operational.
Site leveling challenges: Mountain Top RV Park receives praise for accommodating larger vehicles but warns about specific site locations. "If you're booking, it may be best to book on the upper levels because the lower area where we were did flood pretty bad a couple times when there was a lot of rain," cautions a visitor. Topography impacts drainage at many RV campgrounds in the Hudson Valley region.
