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On the Hudson about 25 miles north of the city, Tarrytown is central to the Washington Irving legacy — nearby Sleepy Hollow Cemetery and his estate, Sunnyside, are key local landmarks — and the riverfront parks give good Hudson River access. Rockefeller State Park Preserve north of town protects over 1,700 acres of carriage road trails through farmland and forest. Camping access in this part of the county is primarily at private campgrounds to the east; the river communities themselves are residential.
May through October is the primary camping window in Westchester, with May and October offering the best combination of weather and manageable weekend crowds. July and August see peak demand from city residents escaping the heat. The county's position on Long Island Sound and the Hudson River moderates temperatures somewhat year-round — winters are milder than the interior Hudson Valley but still cold.
The Hudson Valley greens up in April and the river's spring migration of fish and birds is active. May is the best spring camping month, with temperatures reaching the mid-60s, the forest trails drying from April mud, and campgrounds opening for the season. The Hudson shad run peaks in May and brings anglers to the river access points from Peekskill south.
July temperatures average in the low-to-mid 80s with 34–42% clear days and the humidity that defines mid-Atlantic summers. Swimming is not permitted in the county's reservoir lakes; the Hudson River is navigable but not swimmable at most points. Demand peaks on summer weekends; county park campground reservations require advance planning. Midweek camping is notably more available throughout July and August.
October is excellent: 43–59% clear days, comfortable temperatures in the 60s, and foliage on the Croton Ridge and the Highlands approaches turning from late September through mid-October. The crowds thin significantly after Labor Day, making fall the best time to actually enjoy the trails without competition. Campgrounds close in early November.
Winter in Westchester is cold but manageable by Northeast standards — January lows average in the low 20s, highs in the upper 30s to low 40s. Most campgrounds close from November through April. The trails and river access remain open for day use, and winter hiking on the Highlands approaches offers Hudson River views without foliage obstruction.