Campsites near Albany, New York range from lakeside sites in the foothills of the Catskills to wooded retreats along the Hudson River. The Capital Region's moderate summer temperatures average 70-85°F, creating comfortable camping conditions from May through October. Many campgrounds maintain elevation-appropriate tree cover, providing natural shade during peak summer months.
What to do
Hiking at Cherry Plain State Park: The park offers multiple hiking trails accessible directly from campsites. "Hiking trails are accessible from the park" with varying difficulty levels suitable for different abilities, as noted by one visitor who particularly enjoyed the walk-in sites "toward the back of the park."
Boating on the Mohawk River: Arrowhead Marina & RV Park provides direct river access with boat launch facilities. "Well maintained, located on the Mohawk River. Shady, grassy areas. Boat launch and pier," reports one camper who found it to be "a perfect campground."
Biking at Ushers Road State Forest: Mountain biking trails wind through diverse terrain. "This trailhead provides access to bicycle-friendly nature trails. I explored both directions on my bike, riding approximately half a mile down each side," writes a visitor who discovered numerous potential campsites along the trails.
Swimming at Thompson's Lake: The lake features a beach area with swimming and boat rentals. "They have a great beach with swimming, kayak and boat rentals, a nature center next door you can walk too," shares one regular visitor who returns annually.
What campers like
Private campsites: Schodack Island State Park Campground earns praise for site design. "The state did an excellent job designing sites with dense foliage as sound and site barriers creating good privacy for campers," notes one visitor. Another camper shares, "The sites are amongst the most spacious I've ever seen."
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained bathrooms. "The bathrooms are clean. The showers are large," reports one reviewer at Schodack Island. At Cherry Plain, another notes, "The bathrooms are clean. The place is quiet. The camps are well kept."
Water features: Most dog friendly campgrounds near Albany feature water access. North-South Lake Campground offers "two lakes" with "beautiful lakes and surrounded by trails." A regular visitor mentions, "I go there almost every year to go swimming with my family and friends."
Wildlife viewing: Several campgrounds provide opportunities to observe local fauna. At Schodack Island, one camper reports, "Lots of bunnies, weasels, chipmunks, birds, and butterflies," while another mentions bird blinds where they "did see a juv eagle."
What you should know
Reservation timing: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially waterfront sites. A North-South Lake camper advises to "reserve very early for waterfront" while another notes it's "always packed, but always beautiful."
Weather considerations: The region experiences occasional storms. Thompson's Lake maintains emergency shelters, with one camper noting "bath houses are very clean and used for emergency shelter for bad weather."
Bear activity: North-South Lake Campground has wildlife management requirements. "Campers should be aware that bears occasionally visit," requiring proper food storage practices.
Campground personalities: Some locations cater to different camping styles. One visitor to Frosty Acres Campground notes it's "mainly seasonal and would need to be in the clique in order to feel comfortable," while another mentions "some summer residents are a bit into their music, mostly on weekends."
Pet documentation: Schodack Island strictly enforces pet vaccination records. "Be sure to bring your dogs rabies records!! They don't let you in with just the tag, it has to be the paper records," warns one visitor who notes "they are very strict on rabies requirements."
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and activities: Thompson's Lake Campground offers family-friendly amenities. "This campground has always been my go to. Now that I have kids, I appreciate the playground area near the beach more," shares a regular visitor.
Nature education: Several pet friendly Albany area campgrounds feature nature centers. "They have a great beach with swimming, kayak and boat rentals, a nature center next door you can walk too," notes one Thompson's Lake camper.
Water attractions: Adventure Bound Camping Resort at Deer Run provides multiple water features. "Family oriented. The kids loved love water attractions," mentions a visitor whose "site was large and shaded."
Day trips: The region offers numerous educational excursions. One Schodack Island visitor recommends exploring nearby cities: "check out the USS Slater and the Schuyler House for sure!"
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Come prepared for uneven terrain. One Adventure Bound camper notes, "Our site was large and shaded. The drawback is where you need to park the camper is about 7 inches out of level."
Utility connections: Most dog friendly campgrounds near Albany feature variable hookup options. At Schodack Island, "RV sites offer 30/50 amp electricity. There are several water fill ups in the campground. Dump station on the way out."
Internet connectivity: Cell service varies by location. A Schodack Island visitor reports, "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."
Pull-through availability: Some campgrounds offer easier access sites. At Adventure Bound, "All of the sites are pull through so no worries about backing in," which one first-time RVer found helpful as "everything went very smoothly."
