171 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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.
"Some of the lakeside sites have private foot trails down to the water which was very nice."
"Hiking was near by and also the beach and if you wanted to drive to where the falls are and the overlook it wasn't too far! We had an amazing time!"
from $17 / night
Check Availability"The park ensures you’ll have what you need with stores within close proximity and the staff even offers ice and firewood delivery to your site."
"Wonderful hikes and beautiful walks. Boat docks looked pretty easy for ins and outs, and the pavilions were huge!"
from $17 - $26 / night
Check Availability"We were next to a little fenced in area for dogs that our dog loved."
"Well maintained, located on the Mohawk River. Shady, grassy areas. Boat launch and pier. Friendly people. A perfect campground."
"Our first campground was in New York Aug 8th. Unfortunately, Debbie was socking New York hard. North South Lake Campground in the Catskills was our camping home."
"This is a truly beautiful and scenic campground, easily one of the best places we have visited in New York State."
from $22 - $44 / night
Check Availability"Just ok distance between camp sites. If we return we might try the more upper loop further from the front"
"Watched a video on YouTube that was a walk through of each site. So peaceful. Lots of good hiking. Sinks for dishes, clean bathrooms and showers."
from $17 - $50 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $75 - $239 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $22 - $32 / night
Check Availability"This trailhead provides access to bicycle-friendly nature trails. I explored both directions on my bike, riding approximately half a mile down each side."
GuideThis place is ab awesome getaway. It was so peaceful and quiet, not like some of the other campgrounds. The new owners are trying to make it all natural nature. They have a small trail around the campground, where you can see the creek and narure. While we were there, I saw 2 beautiful pheasants and rabbits. It was just what we needed, a nice quiet getaway and we will be back
ScoutI originally was scheduled to be working the whole weekend but ended up getting the time off and rushed to somewhere I could camp on the fourth. I got in around the afternoon and there were already a few camp sites taken. Which is to be expected on the fourth. I left on the 6th and it does seem that there’s a continuous flow of people in and out of the sites but for the most part it’s quiet and you can’t hear your neighbors. Law enforcement does drive by about once or twice a day which is nice. There is probably 4-5 usable sites. There are a few spots that someone could back a trailer into but I drive a hatchback so take that information as you will. It also looks to be that there are at least 2-3 sites that have become overgrown unclear if they are official sites or just large pull offs. Be wary in a small car that many of the entrances to the sites are either muddy and deeply rutted or a combination of steep and rutted out. Great place would definitely come back in the fall
TravelerPeople are super friendly and helpful. Campground is well maintained and very secure. RV site was very large and mostly level. Good location. Close to Hudson River and Albany.
ScoutLock 15 is big area with varied places to park. There is a port a potty and potable water and All free. Shaded areas and picnic tables. It is located on the Mohawk River. It is a busy train location across the river. A boat did not enter the lock during our visit but it is an active lock on the Erie Canal. There is ample parking for a dozen or more campervans. It’s only 25 miles from Copperstown, NY. Felt very safe here.
TravelerI called as we were 3 hours away for a spot for the night. The lady who answered was amazing and asked everything to pick us the right spot. We showed up after hours and found our spot. It was so peaceful and so beautiful. Bathrooms were extremely clean! I recommend this spot to everyone! Well worth it!
ScoutThis year we returned to Clarksburg state park, and again, we were blown away by the beauty of the park. Plenty of families stayed during the weekend, but the site never fails to give the isolation needed from the noise.
GuideFirst off the cons the train at 130 am is wonderful to get woken up to 2nd the sites are on top of each other 3 not many level sites didnt hear the buzzing at all no daddy long legs but ticks let's talk about how many ticks I got in the park I pulled 7 off of me in 5 nights at that park
LegendWe stayed in the Bee cabin, right on the Battenkill River. This tiny cabin has a queen bed, a little table with two chairs, a microwave, a mini-fridge, and a Keurig coffee maker. There is a smokeless fire pit outside with two Adirondack chairs, a small cafe table on the deck, and a picnic table. The bathhouse is about a five-minute walk from the cabin, and there is a water faucet right outside the door.
Our favorite part was just relaxing by the river, but there is a wood-fired sauna, lawn games, a little bistro serving burgers, fries, wings, and drinks, complimentary tubes for the river, and bicycles. We had plenty of privacy, and the place was quiet (maybe 6 other guests on the property).
In addition to the rustic glamping cabins, there are glamping tents with full bathrooms, bigger cabins, and stargazing domes. 4 of the cabins are dog-friendly. The property doesn't allow kids under 13 due to the close proximity to the river, which has a pretty strong current.
ScoutWe have been seasonal campers for years. It is very quiet.I live around 7 minutes from this campsite and i will always come back. The owner talks to you no matter where you see him. He helps you out with anything you need. He is always busy doing something . If anything goes wrong on your campsite he is quick to fix it. I appreciate everything he is doing.
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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
Keep Exploring
