Dispersed camping options near Altamont, New York provide alternatives to established campgrounds in the eastern Catskills and southern Adirondack regions. Situated approximately 20 miles west of Albany at an elevation of 1,400 feet, this area features rolling hills with dense forests and numerous waterways. Winter camping requires additional preparation as temperatures can drop below freezing from November through March.
What to do
Hiking trails: North-South Lake Campground offers extensive trail networks connecting to the Catskill Escarpment Trail with historical points of interest. As camper Brian H. notes, "the hiking here is phenomenal! easy and walking distance from your site."
Horseback riding: Luzerne Campground provides dedicated equestrian camping near Altamont, New York with specialized facilities. According to Brittnay B., "The only campground in all of New York that acquires to house back riders. There are campsites that also come with stalls for your horse!"
Watercraft activities: Multiple lakes support non-motorized boating within 45 minutes of Altamont. A reviewer at North-South Lake Campground mentioned, "We enjoyed some time down at the lake and event went swimming. The bathrooms are typical for a DEC campground."
Off-season adventures: Winter camping and cross-country skiing available at select locations when weather permits. Amber A. observed about Moreau Lake State Park, "Hiking trails become nice XC skiing trails. Nice sandy beach with lifeguard hours."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Moreau Lake State Park Campground provides wooded separation between camping areas. Sarah H. commented, "We welcomed the well-maintained spacious wooded campgrounds. Lots of sites to choose from allowed for privacy."
Stream-side camping: Betty Brook Camp offers primitive sites alongside running water. Robert B. shared, "Love to camp here all year long have been coming to the area for a couple of decades now. Remote. Sometimes you never see anyone. Sometimes you see some people. You camp on the stream."
Swimming options: Several campgrounds feature designated swimming areas with varying amenities. Troy H. noted about Luzerne Campground, "Small state run campground in the SE Adirondacks- plenty to do: tubing and white water rafting (spring) great hikes, horseback riding, canoe/kayaking."
Wildlife viewing: Early morning and dusk provide opportunities for spotting local fauna. David B. mentioned at Moreau Lake State Park, "Cute little state park that has a nice swimming area and enough room to kayak around. The wildlife is fun to look and and it's a great destination year round."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most established campgrounds require advance booking during peak season (May-October). According to Mele T. from Murphy Lake Leanto, "Quality campground just outside of NYC in the Catskills. Very popular especially in the summer. Make reservations as soon as you can."
Shower facilities: Availability and hot water access varies significantly between locations. Christy C. reported, "The showers had no hot water available and were locked during our stay which was a bit inconvenient."
Firewood regulations: Local regulations prohibit transporting firewood more than 50 miles to prevent spread of invasive species. Sarah H. noted, "Firewood system was one of the best I've seen. You can fill a large burlap bag with your choice of logs for about $7."
