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Best Tent Camping near Albany, NY

591 Reviews

Tent campsites near Albany, New York range from primitive dispersed areas to established sites with basic amenities. Ushers Road State Forest offers a dispersed camping option approximately 15 miles northeast of Albany, with camping permitted anywhere in the forest at least 150 feet from trails. Duck Pond Campsite provides another dispersed option about 30 miles west of Albany, featuring primitive tent sites with fire rings near a small pond.

Access to tent camping areas varies significantly by location. At Ushers Road State Forest, campers follow bicycle-friendly nature trails to find suitable tent sites, with several established locations marked by stone fire rings. Duck Pond Campsite requires navigating unpaved dirt roads that can be challenging for standard vehicles. A review mentioned that "the road in on old cemetery road was pretty rough" and advised using small vehicles only. Most dispersed camping areas lack amenities such as drinking water, toilets, or trash collection, requiring campers to be self-sufficient and practice leave-no-trace principles.

These primitive tent sites offer greater solitude than developed campgrounds. Forested settings provide natural shade and privacy for tent campers, with multiple flat spots suitable for setting up camp. Echo Lake, though farther from Albany in the Catskills region, offers tent sites around a scenic lake with both designated spots and a lean-to. According to one visitor, "Lake is surrounded by hills and there is a small lean-to with a few campfire spots. Other campsites are scattered and require navigating through small overgrown trails." Many tent camping areas remain relatively uncrowded, particularly on weekdays, allowing for a more immersive nature experience. For those willing to hike with their gear, walk-in tent sites at locations like Alander Trail Campground in nearby Massachusetts provide even more seclusion.

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Best Tent Sites Near Albany, New York (26)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Albany, NY

39 Photos of 26 Albany Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Albany, NY

591 Reviews of 26 Albany Campgrounds

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 9, 2021

    Echo Lake

    Lovely Camping in the Catskills

    This campground was my first backpacking trip and it was perfect!  There are tent sites around the whole lake with fire pits and 1 lean-to site at the end of the trail when you first arrive at the lake.  The sites are relatively flat and well shaded with trees.  Note, it can get swampy near the edge of the lake so you may want to bring bug spray.  Make sure you practice leave no trace principles and pack out what you bring in!  It does get a little crowded later in the day so you may have to share space with others and it can be a little noisy at night.

  • Ryan A.
    Jun. 12, 2024

    Mohawk Trail State Forest Campground

    Great Campground in Western Mass

    This is a great campground located off of highway 2 in western Mass. I stayed in site 51 and luckily the campground was mostly empty(it was on a Thursday though and was supposed to be full for the weekend.) Each campsite has a bear box and fire ring, there is easy access to hiking trails and flush-toilet bathrooms with sinks are located throughout. There is only one dumpster though and it’s a walk to get to – store your trash in your car or drive it each night, or enjoy the walk. 

    The campsites are very close together without much brush for privacy, so you should expect to see your neighbors up close and personal. Some of the sites are on Cold River(which is more like a creek). The bugs were awful, especially the gnats and I did see a large tick on my fire grill, so be prepared. The best sites are on the lower loop around the water. Avoid any site next to the bathroom as the lights stay on all night and will shine directly into your tent. 49 looked really nice and seemed dark. The hike-in sites were also close together, 22 is the most private. There are baskets with wheels provided. 

    The rangers are friendly and sell firewood in case you need any. You’ll need to check in before going to the campsite, they’ll give you a map and they take good care of the sites. Would definitely camp here again.

  • Erin B.
    Sep. 11, 2019

    Clarksburg State Park Campground

    low key and beautiful fall getaway

    Keep in mind that this review is written after camping sept 8th (the week that school started for many) so it might not be relevant to peak camping season. We were pleasantly surprised with our weekend getaway to Clarksburg State Park. Nestled in the Berkshires and basically walking distance to Vermont, Clarksburg State Park provides a comfortable and semi-private tent site. Several spots (including ours 6) were very close to the rather large pond. While the trees obstruct the views, the site was waterfront and we were able to walk a few yards downhill to the waters edge where we launched our kayaks (there is a designated launching spot elsewhere). No electric and water hookups are provided but we were totally okay with that. Bear boxes were provided on each site so that you don’t have to keep stinky food or garbage in your car! Each site also had a fire pit with a grate so that you can cook right there on the fire. The bathrooms were some of the cleanest campground bathrooms and showers i’ve experienced (no bugs or webs also) and there was a dishwashing station on the side. The sites were large and well spaced but they had trees in between so that you felt privacy. The campground itself had plenty of sites, firewood for sale in the front and a pavilion and beach area on the day use side. There are plenty of trails you can hop on right outside your tent site and very little light pollution for optimal star gazing. We really enjoyed our time here and will definitely be back!

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 6, 2025

    Alander Trail Camground — Mount Washington State Forest

    Amazing Dispersed Camping

    Absolutely love this spot and highly recommend if you’re looking for a super private, true primitive camping experience. You have to park at the entrance and hike in about 1.5-2 miles with everything on your back to get to the spots. Once you get there, theres quite a few sites to choose from and each offer quite a bit or privacy. It’s completely free and it usually isn’t too busy since most people don’t like having to carry all their stuff in that far. You will be in the heart of the forest/woods so definitely make sure to be prepared. We had some scares with coyotes and bears in the past but never anything crazy. They give you a semi-flat area for a tent, a fire pit and grill rack, one picnic table, and a bear box you would be sharing with other campers nearby

  • Dawn S.
    May. 30, 2020

    Savoy Mountain State Forest Campground

    Clean

    My pup and I spent two nights here and were very happy. While this campground is bare-bones (no pool) it is perfect for anyone who wants to just chill and do nothing or hit the mountains / local area and do some hiking. The entire campground was very clean, as were the bathrooms. At check-in they will give you maps of hiking routes. Firewood is for sale onsite as are a few necessities. They also had bear boxes, picnic tables and fire rings at each site. We will go back.

  • Katherine P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2020

    Rudd Pond Area — Taconic State Park

    A Cozy Spot

    We stayed here in August 2020.

    This is a really interesting campground that's situated on a hill overlooking Rudd Pond in Taconic State Park.  Almost all of the sites have platforms to pitch your tent on, although there are a couple of flatter spots without platforms (although they still have a slope.)

    There's space near the platform that is flat-ish with a picnic and a fire pit.  Some of these are better than others, ours was not that flat, but we made it work. You get a pretty decent view of Rudd Pond, and the sunsets are pretty. There is also a trailhead at the end of the campground that connects to the other trails in Taconic State Park. There's a swimming beach and during non-covid times, boat rentals.

    The campsites are pretty close together, so if the campground is full, you are rather close to your neighbors. It was close to half full when we were there, and it still felt like a fairly noisy campground, even after quiet hours. 

    My one complaint in these covid times is that compared to the NY-DEC campground we stayed at, I felt that the safety measures were less adhered to here. They had signs asking people to wear masks in the bathroom building, but far fewer people were. I also didn't see the staff do any cleaning of the restrooms while we were there - the paper towels ran out at one point and I had to flag the staff down to get them to go take care of that.  

    Still, I thought it was a really cute place to stay, and I think we would stay here again.

  • Sara Q.
    Oct. 7, 2019

    Savoy Mountain State Forest Campground

    Small, loud, muddy

    Unfortunately, I was not a big fan of this small campground. Right from the start, upon checkin, I bought two $5 ea. bundles of wood after being assured they were "kiln dried".  The wood wouldn't catch no matter what I tried -- not even with the help of some fire starter.  The tent site itself was very small and barely fit my truck and tent.  It was made smaller still because of the mud and holes on the perimeter of the site. At night, there was a lot of traffic noise nearby and despite a posted quiet time, other campers were slamming car doors over and over and talking at the top of their lungs, making it difficult to sleep. The surrounding state forest was pretty and the trails were in decent shape.

  • Amanda S.
    Jul. 17, 2018

    Copake Falls Area — Taconic State Park

    Great price

    This is basic dry camping it is fun but there is no electric or water at the sites o LU in the bathhouse. So if you get a site close the the bathhouse you will have water close by and electricity close. Otherwise it’s dry camping.. the platform sites are great it makes it real easy to set up a tent because of the platform that the tent goes on and the lake is ok. The kids don’t like swimming with fish so we didn’t spend much time at the lake

  • Christina W.
    May. 28, 2019

    Sperry Road Campground — Mount Greylock State Reservation

    I go every year!

    Me and my friends get a group site at least once a year. It's an amazing place with really great staff that care about the safety of everyone and keeping the areas clean. We always have an amazing time here. The views are great and we have never had any issues. 

    First time I went it was intimidating because I had never camped in an all tent camping site with no running water or public restroom areas. However, as soon as I got acclimated, I loved it. There are outhouses stationed at different areas all around, and bear boxes for every group. There are bears around so use the boxes seriously. 

    There are a number of rivers and little waterfalls that are always nice to visit. I plan to go there again very soon!

Guide to Albany

Tent camping near Albany, New York, offers a variety of scenic spots where nature lovers can unwind and enjoy the great outdoors. With well-maintained facilities and beautiful surroundings, these campgrounds cater to all types of campers.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

  • At Cherry Plain State Park Campground, you'll find clean bathrooms, hot showers, and picnic tables, making your stay comfortable and enjoyable.
  • Camp MoonChild provides essential amenities like drinking water and firewood, perfect for a cozy camping experience.
  • Gatherwild Ranch features reservable sites with access to showers and toilets, ensuring convenience during your outdoor adventure.

Tips for tent camping near Albany

  • Choose a site at Cherry Plain State Park Campground that’s near the water for a more scenic experience and better views.
  • Arrive early at Alderneer to secure a good spot, as the campground has limited sites and can fill up quickly.
  • Bring your own firewood to Creek Hill Camping since it’s a great way to enjoy a campfire while adhering to local regulations.

Tent campers should check out Cherry Plain State Park

  • The Cherry Plain Sanctuary Farm offers a peaceful setting with hiking trails and a chance to connect with nature.
  • For a family-friendly atmosphere, HOGAN'S LANDING provides a welcoming environment with nearby recreational activities.
  • If you're looking for a unique experience, consider Camden Creek Farm, which features a tranquil setting perfect for relaxation and exploration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Albany, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Albany, NY is Ushers Road State Forest with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Albany, NY?

TheDyrt.com has all 26 tent camping locations near Albany, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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