October Mountain State Forest Campground offers tent sites on three different tiers of a forested hill. The lower level contains RV sites, the middle level has tent sites, and the upper level features yurts. Each camping level has its own bath house with toilet stalls and showers. Outside the entrance station near the RV sites sits a large power station that creates a constant humming noise. Several trails begin right at the campground, making it convenient for hikers to explore the surrounding forest.
What to do
Hiking at Savoy Mountain: Access numerous hiking trails directly from Savoy Mountain State Forest Campground. A visitor noted, "There are some nice trails nearby, so all-in-all a good place." The nearby Tannery Falls waterfall is approximately 20 minutes away and "beautiful, worth a visit" according to one camper.
Swimming in state park ponds: Woodford State Park Campground includes a reservoir with a swimming area. "The reservoir is beautiful- plenty of space to spread out for paddling and swimming," reports a recent visitor. The park divides swimming areas between a dog-friendly section and a separate no-dog swimming area.
Water activities on Deerfield River: Located near the Deerfield River, Country Aire Campgrounds provides access to river recreation. One camper mentioned, "Seconds from the Deerfield river. The campground is well-maintained the staff is friendly. So it will back from the road with a little brook running through it."
What campers like
Quiet wooded sites: Spacious Skies Woodland Hills offers secluded camping options. A visitor noted, "My first visit to New York state was amazing, largely in part due to my campsite at the Woodland Hills campground... The pond has a fountain which sounds like a small waterfall at night, and wildflowers were in bloom."
Clean facilities: Bathrooms at state parks receive regular maintenance. A Woodford State Park visitor mentioned, "Bathrooms were fine (cold water sinks, hand soap, paper towels). Token operated showers that we didn't use this time. We heard coyotes at night and loons in the morning."
Family activities: Multiple campgrounds organize scheduled events. At Country Aire Campgrounds, "They have a pool they have games we even have a hayride pulled by a tractor. It is run by a family business, wife and I've been here many times and we will keep coming back."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Walk-ups are not always accepted at October Mountain. One reviewer noted, "First off no same day reservations or walk ups allowed, second it yells you that the fee is $17.50 per site, I expected a little added extra fee for booking etc.... check out was $58.50 per night."
Site privacy varies: At Copake Falls Area — Taconic State Park, proximity to other campers depends on site selection. A visitor stated, "A lot of complaints that up front the sites were too close together and this was true, but more towards the back was more spacious and private sites."
Noise considerations: State forest campgrounds may have background noise. At October Mountain, one camper reported, "There is a road that seems to house construction vehicles that were busy going by early evening and early morning... there is an electrical plant that has a hum all day & night—makes for great white noise when sleeping."
Tips for camping with families
Look for kid-friendly amenities: Northampton / Springfield KOA offers numerous activities for children. A visitor mentioned, "They had hayless rides and fire truck rides. This time they had a haunted house walk through."
Consider platform tent sites: Some parks offer raised platforms for tent setup. At Taconic State Park, "Each of the sites had a large platform (enough room for one very large tent or 2-3 smaller tents), a fire pit, and picnic table... There was a very large open grassy field for play/sports, a playground and life guarded portion of the lake for swimming."
Pick sites away from common areas: At Prospect Mountain Campground, site location affects experience. A visitor noted, "What site you get makes all the difference. There are many, I would say most, sites that you feel very exposed and out in the open. Just plopped next to someone on the grass. Look for the sites that go off to the side (not on the loops) like 39-40."
Tips for RVers
Choose appropriate access routes: When traveling to Savoy Mountain with an RV, route selection matters. One camper warned, "It is important to follow the directions and turn off of Rt. 2 onto Central Shaft Road. The other road that accesses the campground is nearly unpassable with an rv, and there are signs about being towed at your own expense."
Check electrical capacity: Some campgrounds offer limited electrical service. At October Mountain, sites have hookups but visitors should verify amperage before arrival. One camper shared, "Our specific site was a little close to others, but not all were like that. The facilities were clean and the campground was fairly quiet."
Consider seasonal site options: For extended stays, Prospect Mountain offers longer-term options. A visitor noted, "We did a three month seasonal Site. Staff is super nice and helpful. We had a nice quiet spot even though we were on the road to the lake."
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