Best Campgrounds near Altamont, NY

Campgrounds near Altamont, New York range from developed state parks to dispersed forest sites, with several options within a 30-minute drive. Thompson's Lake Campground at Thacher State Park and Schodack Island State Park Campground provide established camping experiences with amenities like electric hookups, showers, and reservable sites. The region includes both tent and RV-friendly locations, with some campgrounds like Frosty Acres also offering cabin and glamping accommodations. Two dispersed camping areas, Ushers Road State Forest and Featherstonhaugh State Forest, provide more primitive options for those seeking a less developed experience.

Seasonal considerations heavily influence camping availability in the Altamont area, with most established campgrounds operating from May through October. Thompson's Lake Campground typically opens in late April and closes by mid-October, while other facilities follow similar seasonal patterns. Many sites require advance reservations, particularly during summer weekends and holidays when facilities reach capacity. The terrain varies from lakeside settings to wooded forest environments, with some sites offering water access. Cell service can be limited in more remote areas, particularly at the dispersed forest sites. A recent visitor noted, "The sites are well spaced out. Great for families. The lake is huge. Avoid holidays to avoid the crowds."

Campers report high satisfaction with waterfront sites, particularly at Thompson's Lake and North-South Lake Campground. Several campgrounds feature fire rings, picnic tables, and access to hiking trails, with some providing additional amenities like swimming areas and boat launches. The more developed campgrounds typically offer clean restrooms and shower facilities, though quality varies by location. Wildlife sightings, including bears, have been reported at some campgrounds in the broader region. According to one camper, "North South lake has no electricity. The sites are almost all beautiful, tucked in under shady trees. Not a good way to try out our solar panel! Some are by a stream. A few are by the lake. This is a tent campers paradise." Visitors seeking more solitude might prefer the dispersed options at Ushers Road or Featherstonhaugh State Forests, where amenities are minimal but natural settings are preserved.

Best Camping Sites Near Altamont, New York (167)

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Recent Reviews near Altamont, NY

612 Reviews of 167 Altamont Campgrounds


  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Hide-A-Way Campsites

    Quaint and truly hid away

    Well maintained clean campground. Friendly attendants guided us to site and directed in spot. Gravel unlevel pad full hookups.

  • Lorraine H.
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Aqua Vista Valley Campgrounds

    2 month stay started July

    It's ok great water views stuff for kids to do every weekend it's the seasonal campers that make it not fun at times u have some very friendly then others that are noisy judging ,parting witch parting really ain't problem until ur not watching ur kids or being loud at times I give it a 7 out of 10

  • M
    Aug. 26, 2025

    Aqua Vista Valley Campgrounds

    kids always have a blast!

    We went for the Halloween event, and the kids had a great day and evening! They really enjoyed trick or treating!!!

  • Jennifer H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 10, 2025

    Hartwick Highlands Campground

    Closest campground to Dreams Park

    Great campground very well kept and closest to Dreams Park. We drove around to the three closest RV parks to Dreams Park and would definitely stay here with the team and / or on your own. Security gate to enter and exit, pool, store, arcade, wide open where the RV’s are.

  • Jennifer H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 10, 2025

    Cooperstown Beaver Valley Campground

    Great proximity to Dreams Park

    Cute cabins, lots of great amenities, pools, corn hole, volleyball net, nicely kept baseball fields , store, areas for group picnics. You could have the whole team stay here in the cabins and bring RV’s too. Only 10min or so to dreams park. Wooded area where RV’s are and separate area where the cabins are. Great spot. Festive and well kept.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 8, 2025

    Mt. Greylock Campsite Park

    Great Little Campground in the Berkshires

    The owner of this campground really cares about her job and making sure each and every camper has a great experience. I have a very large tent but was able to fit it on my site. The site was slightly slanted but that did help with drainage when we had torrential downpours the last 24 hours we were there. There seems to be a lot of seasonal campers but they were so friendly. The bathhouse was incredibly clean. Showers were great. The pool was cold, but really nice and again very clean. I loved that they deliver firewood to your site when you purchase from them. And again, I can’t say enough about the owner. She welcomed me with open arms when I arrived and I can tell she takes a lot of pride in her job and in her campground. I do hope to return again.

  • k
    Aug. 6, 2025

    Aqua Vista Valley Campgrounds

    Aqua Vista Campground

    I have been camping at Aqua Vista for 2 seasons and have been having a great time.Each year gets better and better.They have hayrides, many activities, themed weekends. Activities going on all the time.Great place for family and kids.


Guide to Altamont

Camping spots near Altamont, New York range in elevation from 200 to 1,400 feet, offering diverse terrain across the Capital Region and nearby Catskills. The camping season typically extends from late April through mid-October, with most sites closing before the first frost. Winter camping options remain limited to a small section at Frosty Acres Campground where hardy campers can experience solitude on the mountainside.

What to do

Trail exploration at North-South Lake Campground: The campground connects to the Catskill Escarpment trail system with multiple difficulty levels for hikers. "Located just about a mile from Kaaterskill Falls this campground couldn't be in a better spot. We had a wonderful weekend there. The restrooms were clean and had showers, which we did not expect," notes reviewer Brittany W.

Water activities at Thompson's Lake Campground: Beyond swimming, the lake offers kayak and boat rentals for visitors wanting to explore the water. "I visit here every summer with friends. They have a great beach with swimming, kayak and boat rentals, a nature center next door you can walk too and the bathrooms are refurbished," reports Sabrina H.

Birding at Schodack Island State Park: Wildlife observation opportunities include multiple bird blinds for spotting local species. "Stopped for one night on way from New England to Finger Lakes region... Best part was hiking out to a couple of different blinds to look for birds. Did see a juv eagle," writes reviewer Patsy E.

What campers like

Private lakeside access: Some waterfront sites at Thompson's Lake offer their own trails to the water, creating semi-private lake access. Clayton H. mentions, "Very friendly and helpful staff, well maintained property. Some of the lakeside sites have private foot trails down to the water which was very nice."

Modern bathroom facilities at Max V. Shaul State Park: Recent renovations have significantly improved the facilities at this smaller campground. "This campground is a secret gem. They have new bathrooms/showers and family bathrooms. There's a playground, a pavilion, they do fireside jams," shares Margaret L.

Spacious, private sites: Many campgrounds offer well-separated sites with natural barriers for privacy. At Schodack Island, Kara W. notes, "The sites are amongst the most spacious I've ever seen... The state did an excellent job designing sites with dense foliage as sound and site barriers creating good privacy for campers."

What you should know

Winter camping options: For off-season camping, Frosty Acres maintains a small winter section for hardy campers. "They have a small winter section. You'll have the entire mountain side all to yourself! Snowshoe, cross country ski. Winter campfires. Very remote. Windy as all get out. Elevation about 1409 feet," reports James S.

Cell service variability: Connectivity fluctuates significantly across camping areas near Altamont. At Schodack Island State Park, Kara W. 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. At night we were able to stream with just a little buffering needed throughout."

Rabies documentation requirements: Some campgrounds strictly enforce pet vaccination policies. "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. We're full time so not a problem as it's always with me, but they are very strict on rabies requirements," warns a Schodack Island visitor.

Tips for camping with families

Playground proximity: North-South Lake Campground offers family-friendly amenities including a children's play area. "Large family friendly campground with all the amenities - boating, showers, great hiking," notes Becky G.

Dishwashing stations: Thompson's Lake Campground provides dedicated facilities for cleaning dishes, making mealtime cleanup easier. Melissa S. mentions, "Nice bathroom facilities and dish washing station!" which can significantly improve the family camping experience.

Book exchange for rainy days: Some campgrounds like Schodack Island offer book exchanges for entertainment during inclement weather. "Two different book exchanges. Mostly filled with Danielle Steele, which is not my preference, but maybe someone will spice it up in the future," observes Kara W.

Tips from RVers

Water fill stations: At Schodack Island State Park Campground, RVers need to use central fill stations rather than site hookups. "Lots of water fill ups in the campground. Dump station on the way out," notes Kara W., while another reviewer adds, "Water is available at different spots in the campground but not at the sites."

Pull-through site availability: Some camping areas near Altamont offer pull-through sites for easier RV setup. Patsy E. mentioned at Schodack Island, "Fairly level pull-thru. Mix of large rock gravel, dirt, grass/weeds."

Electrical hookup variations: Arrowhead Marina & RV Park offers 50-amp service for larger rigs, while some state parks may only provide 30-amp options. "Well maintained, located on the Mohawk River. Shady, grassy areas. Boat launch and pier. A perfect campground," notes Coffee&Camping T.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Altamont Campground located and how do I get there?

Altamont is located in the scenic New York region, near the Catskill Mountains. For a nearby reference point, North-South Lake Campground is situated in the Catskills and provides a good landmark for the area. The region is accessible via the New York State Thruway (I-87), which connects to local roads leading to most campgrounds in the area. Thompson's Lake Campground — Thacher State Park near East Berne is also in this vicinity, offering another point of reference for travelers to the Altamont area.

Is reservation required for camping at Altamont and what are the fees?

Reservations are generally recommended for campgrounds in the Altamont area, especially during peak summer seasons and holidays. At Catskill/Kenneth L Wilson Campground, the sites are spacious and reservable, offering a good mix of privacy and community. Fees vary by campground and site type. Spacious Skies Woodland Hills offers both back-in and pull-through sites with different pricing structures. For the best availability and to avoid crowds, consider camping outside of holiday periods, as many New York campgrounds can get busy during peak times.

What amenities and facilities are available at Altamont Campground?

Campgrounds in the Altamont area offer a variety of amenities. Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds features two private lakes for fishing, playgrounds for children, basketball courts, swimming pools, and even a remote control car track. For those seeking a more natural setting, Phoenicia Black Bear Campground provides creek front and wooded campsites, each equipped with a fire ring and picnic table. Most campgrounds in the region offer basic facilities like water access and toilet facilities, though amenities can vary widely between public and private sites.