The Albany region offers camping opportunities within a 35-mile radius, encompassing both public lands and private facilities. Situated where the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers meet, the terrain ranges from 200 feet elevation in riverside locations to over 1,400 feet in the surrounding hills. Most campsites are open from mid-April through late October, with limited winter access available at certain locations.
What to do
Hiking trails access: Cherry Plain State Park Campground provides trail access directly from the camping area. One visitor noted, "Hiking trails are accessible from the park," while another mentioned the park's proximity to "multiple kinds of sites" including steep "hike in" options near bathroom facilities.
Fishing opportunities: Arrowhead Marina & RV Park offers fishing on the Mohawk River with boat launch access. According to a camper, it's a "well maintained" facility "located on the Mohawk River" with "boat launch and pier" facilities for water activities.
Swimming options: Several campgrounds feature swimming areas, but North-South Lake Campground stands out for water recreation. As one visitor described it: "I go there almost every year to go swimming with my family and friends and it's always a good time." The campground features two connected lakes with designated swimming areas.
Mountain exploration: For those wanting higher elevation experiences, Mt. Greylock Campsite Park offers proximity to multiple trails. A visitor mentioned, "Great access to Mt Greylock and LOTS of hiking close by. Staff was so accommodating-always willing to spend time giving recommendations."
What campers like
Privacy levels: Schodack Island State Park Campground receives praise for site layout. A camper wrote, "The state did an excellent job designing sites with dense foliage as sound and site barriers creating good privacy for campers." Another mentioned, "The sites are spaced out enough and have greenery in between so it feels a little more private than some places."
Wildlife encounters: Several campgrounds offer opportunities to observe local fauna. At Schodack Island, a camper reported, "Lots of bunnies, weasels, chipmunks, birds, and butterflies. Plenty of space to walk the dog." Bird watching is particularly popular, with one visitor noting "excellent birding" and the chance to "see a juv eagle."
Bathroom facilities: Clean facilities are frequently mentioned in reviews of camping sites near Albany, New York. At Thompson's Lake Campground — Thacher State Park, visitors appreciate the "nice bathroom facilities and dish washing station." Another camper stated, "All public areas including the bathrooms are very clean."
Family-friendly environments: Multiple campgrounds cater to families. A Thompson's Lake visitor noted, "This campground has always been my go to. Now that I have kids, I appreciate the playground area near the beach more."
What you should know
Pet policies: Requirements vary by campground. At Schodack Island, campers should "bring your dogs rabies records!! They don't let you in with just the tag, it has to be the paper records. They are very strict on rabies requirements."
Site characteristics: Terrain can be challenging at some locations. At Mt. Greylock Campsite Park, a visitor observed, "The site was slightly slanted but that did help with drainage when we had torrential downpours." Another noted how the campground has "so many different ducks and crannies and so many different levels up and down the hill and Valley."
Cell service: Connectivity varies widely throughout the region. At Schodack Island, a camper reported, "ATT and Verizon fluctuate between 1-3 bars. It was enough for me to work - downloading files, sending emails, and conducting non-video zoom calls. At night we were able to stream with just a little buffering."
Water access: Several campgrounds offer varied water features. At Cherry Plain, "Some camp sites are very small but others are really good... The view is great. My site was amazing. No close neighbors. Lots of space. Right near bathroom."
Tips for camping with families
Activity options: Dingman's Family Campground provides river access popular with families. A visitor reported, "Great walking access to the river where you can launch your kayak/go tubbing or just go for a swim." The campground's location means families can enjoy water activities without traveling from their site.
Kid-friendly amenities: Multiple campgrounds offer facilities designed for children. Adventure Bound Camping Resort at Deer Run features water attractions that receive positive reviews: "Family oriented. The kids loved love water attractions." The campground includes multiple pools and water features.
Playground access: Many families appreciate campgrounds with play areas. Thompson's Lake offers a "playground area near the beach" that parents value, while North-South Lake is described as a "large family friendly campground with all the amenities - boating, showers, great hiking."
Quiet hours: Most campgrounds enforce quiet periods, typically starting at 10-11pm. A visitor to Mt. Greylock noted, "quiet hours seemed to be well respected" despite some typical noise from "kids/teens were typical kids/teens and did get a little rowdy/noisy but it wasn't anything excessive."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Ushers Road State Forest offers more primitive camping without hookups. According to a visitor, "camping is permitted anywhere in the woods as long as it's at least 150 feet off the trail," making it suitable for self-contained RVs seeking secluded experiences.
Site leveling: RVers should prepare for uneven sites at some campgrounds. At Deer Run, a camper advised, "where you need to park the camper is about 7 inches out of level. If we stay in the same site again we would come better prepared."
Pull-through options: Some campgrounds offer easier access for larger RVs. At Deer Run, "All of the sites are pull through so no worries about backing in," which is particularly helpful for beginners, as one camper noted, "This was my very first trip in an rv so I was a little nervous but overall everything went very smoothly."
Winter camping: For year-round RVers, Frosty Acres Campground offers winter options. A seasonal camper reported, "They have a small winter section. You'll have the entire mountain side all to yourself! Snowshoe, cross country ski. Winter campfires."
