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Best Campgrounds near Altamont, NY

615 Reviews

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.

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Best Camping Sites Near Altamont, New York (167)

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Recent Camping Photos near Altamont, NY

881 Photos of 167 Altamont Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Altamont, NY

615 Reviews of 167 Altamont Campgrounds

  • M
    Oct. 26, 2025

    North-South Lake Campground

    Beautiful grounds HORRIBLE STAFF

    I don’t normally write reviews especially a negative one. We had a very upsetting experience at North-South Lake. We drove over two hours to visit my husband’s childhood campground for the first time with our three kids(ages 5, 7, and 9). When we arrived at the entrance, we were asked if it was a day visit, and we said yes, we were only staying for the day. We paid the fee, received a map, and drove in. My husband was so excited to finally share this place and create memories with our children. Looking for a place to park, we thought we were lucky to find an empty campsite in one of the loops where he used to camp as a child.

    We parked the car hoping to enjoy the view of the lake, take a walk, and maybe make the kids a couple of s’mores before heading home.

     At around 2:15–2:30 p.m., the “SUPERVISOR” in the white Kia approached us in an extremely rude and nasty manner, speaking as if we were committing a serious crime and comparing our situation to“sleeping in someone else’s hotel room.” She asked us if we had a reservation; we said no. She said,“Someone else reserved this spot.” We were very apologetic, embarrassed, and immediately put our stuff in the car. I said they could have told us; we would have moved right away. I’m sorry. 

    She said,“They aren’t supposed to talk to you; that’s why they send me here.” She told us we had ten minutes to leave, waited there while we put our chair, blanket, and s’more cookies in the car, and refused our 9-year-old daughter access to the bathroom while we packed up our three things, and even followed us out of the loop to make sure we didn’t park elsewhere. My daughter came to us crying because the lady told her she couldn’t use the bathroom and had to get in the car. Well, she had an accident in the car right as we were pulling out. 

    We were mortified and apologetic. My husband even offered to leave the firewood we had just purchased for the next campers, but she was dismissive and harsh about that as well. 

    The following day, I called and asked to speak with a manager to explain how we were treated. The manager was just as unfriendly and miserable sounding as the supervisor. I was told they had been looking for us“for hours” and that it’s“common sense” not to park in a campsite. She actually said it’s considered trespassing. So, a friendly warning for first-time visitors: Apparently, if you don’t know that“day use” doesn’t mean“park in any empty campsite,” just for the day, you’re officially a trespassing criminal, at least according to the manager. 

    Reading the website now, I see that check-in for people with reservations is at 2 p.m., which was the time we were trying to make a small fire, so unless someone left their site and returned, it’s unclear how they could have been looking for us“for hours.” We were right there at 2pm. 

    The website also states: Day Use• Anyone who is not camping is a day-user. Day-use hours are from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Day-users are not allowed between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. 

    We were not camping but didn’t realize we couldn’t park in an empty campsite. I think“common sense” would be to inform DAY USE visitors at the ENTRANCE to use public parking, especially for families or first-time visitors who may not be camping experts. Bottom line: this was my husband’s childhood family spot. We just wanted to take a beautiful fall drive and have a special day with our kids. 

    We understand now that we needed to reserve the parking spot ahead of time, and it was an honest misunderstanding. I would have even offered to pay for the campers’ stay for their trouble. What we wish for is that the staff had approached us respectfully and explained the situation instead of treating us like criminals. Imagine being such a miserable person and working in such a BEAUTIFUL and peaceful place for families. 

    This was meant to be a special family day, honoring memories of my father-in-law and creating new ones with our children. Instead, it became stressful and humiliating. Sadly, this is what our children will remember about the day and about North South Lake

  • Chelsea B.
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Brookside Campground

    Not a recreational campsite

    Full disclosure, we did not stay here. PLEASE, folks that leave reviews on this app, PLEASE say whether it’s a full-timer campsite or a recreational campsite. We paid for two weeks in advance of arriving at this site based on reviews available on Google and Dyrt. However, when we arrived we were surprised that this was mostly a trailer park. Call me picky, but I really prefer not to camp in an area where folks are living full time. Just not the vibe I’m going for. We decided to leave without staying. We called to see if we could get a refund and they were very kind and it wasn’t a problem. But just be warned… this is not a recreational campsite.

  • Chelsea B.
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Whip O Will Campsites

    Not for recreational campers

    Full disclosure, we did not stay here. PLEASE, folks that leave reviews on this app, PLEASE say whether it’s a full-timer campsite or a recreational campsite. We arrived after leaving another campsite in the area (that was also 100% full timers) and were disappointed to find that this site was all permanent campers with crap everywhere. One site even had a funeral home sign hanging out front of an entire plywood addition to their camper…like what? Call me picky, but I don’t feel entirely comfortable camping for fun next to folks who live in the campground like this. After driving through the super narrow and rutted out roads to the site they recommend, a man came hauling a** into our site (with a beer in his hand) and was saying “hello hellooooo.” Said he was the owner of the campsite and asked if we were staying, we said we were thinking about it, just checking out the available sites (as the lady up front told us to do). TL;DR- bad vibes. Didn’t stay. Be warned this is a full time campsite with crap everywhere. The lady working the office was super nice though.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 18, 2025

    Bear Slide in Lake George Wild Forest

    Night alone in my jeep

    It was rocky getting there but super super remote - zero service. Great space for my jeep and honestly you could fit a LARGE RV. There is a bathroom at the entrance. No fires because it’s super remote. Peaceful and almost untouched.

  • 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!!!

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.

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