Thompson's Lake Campground at Thacher State Park sits at an elevation of approximately 1,400 feet in the Helderberg Mountains, creating cooler summer temperatures than nearby Albany. The campground connects to over 12 miles of hiking trails through limestone formations that formed from an ancient sea floor 380 million years ago. Winter camping isn't available at most Altamont-area campgrounds except for a limited section at Frosty Acres.
What to do
Swimming in natural settings: At Thompson's Lake Campground, visitors enjoy multiple water activities. "They have a great beach with swimming, kayak and boat rentals, a nature center next door you can walk too," notes reviewer Sabrina H. Some lakeside sites even offer private water access as Clayton H. mentions: "Some of the lakeside sites have private foot trails down to the water which was very nice."
Snowshoeing winter trails: The winter section at Frosty Acres Campground offers unique cold-weather recreation opportunities. "You'll have the entire mountain side all to yourself! Snowshoe, cross country ski. Winter campfires," explains James S. The campground sits at about 1,409 feet elevation, providing excellent valley views.
Bird watching: Schodack Island offers excellent wildlife observation opportunities. Patsy E. reports: "Best part was hiking out to a couple of different blinds to look for birds. Did see a juv eagle." The park maintains dedicated observation areas along its trails for optimal viewing conditions.
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: Schodack Island State Park Campground receives consistent praise for site layout. Kevin C. notes: "The state did an excellent job designing sites with dense foliage as sound and site barriers creating good privacy for campers." Kara W. agrees: "The sites are amongst the most spacious I've ever seen."
Clean facilities: Max V. Shaul State Park Campground maintains exceptional standards. Ryan S. remarks on the "Very clean facilities and incredibly nice staff," while professorthedog P. declares it has the "cleanest facilities ever!" The park recently built new bathhouses with family bathrooms and modern amenities.
Kid-friendly amenities: Thompson's Lake earns high marks from families. Dana O. explains: "Now that I have kids, I appreciate the playground area near the beach more. All public areas including the bathrooms are very clean." The campground features a nature center with educational programs throughout summer.
What you should know
Pet vaccination requirements: Dog friendly campgrounds near Altamont strictly enforce health documentation. Kara W. from North-South Lake Campground warns: "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... they are very strict on rabies requirements."
Seasonal limitations: Most campgrounds operate from May through mid-October. North-South Lake Campground runs from May 19 to October 22, while Max V. Shaul State Park operates May 19 to October 10. These dates can vary slightly by year based on weather conditions.
Primitive camping options: For those seeking minimal facilities, Ushers Road State Forest offers dispersed camping. The L. reports: "Given that camping is permitted anywhere in the woods as long as it's at least 150 feet off the trail, the surrounding area offers an abundance of potential camping spots." The forest includes previously used sites with stone fire rings.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: At Max V. Shaul State Park Campground, families appreciate the dedicated recreation areas. Darby R. notes: "There is a children's playground and pavilion. Firewood is available to purchase. The bathrooms and showers are clean and well-kept." The playground is centrally located for easy access from most sites.
Educational opportunities: Thompson's Lake offers a nature center adjacent to the campground. Sabrina H. mentions you can "walk to" the center, which provides interpretive programs and exhibits about local ecology. The center typically operates daily during summer months with reduced hours in spring and fall.
Safety considerations: Campgrounds like Max V. Shaul maintain regular staff presence. Darby R. appreciates that "staff check the campground regularly so you can feel safe." This is particularly important for families with younger children who may wander between sites.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Hide-A-Way Campsites provides necessary services for RVers. Jackie M. reports: "Gravel unlevel pad full hookups." Lee H. adds the campground is "very quiet and nice" with staff who are "very accommodating." Most sites require some leveling blocks.
Site dimensions: At Schodack Island, Kara W. explains: "RV sites offer 30/50 amp electricity. There are several hiking trails, a bike trail, a really awesome playground, boat dock, and lots of picnicking." The campground includes water fill stations along the main road rather than at individual sites.
Internet connectivity: For remote workers, Schodack Island provides acceptable service. Kara W. notes: "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."
