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.
