Altamont, New York sits at an elevation of 500 feet in Albany County, positioned near the Helderberg Escarpment. The area features a mix of deciduous forests and rolling farmland with seasonal temperature fluctuations between 70-85°F in summer and 20-35°F in winter months. Fall camping from September through mid-October offers cooler temperatures with early morning fog common in valleys near water features.
What to do
Waterfront activities: At Alpine Lake RV Resort, visitors can enjoy paddleboarding, kayaking, and fishing. "There were plenty of activities to keep me entertained—from relaxing by the lake and enjoying the hiking trails to spending time at the recreation areas," notes one Alpine Lake RV Resort reviewer.
Hiking trails: Thompson's Lake Campground offers access to adjacent Thacher State Park trails with limestone cliff overlooks. A camper reports, "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!" according to a Thompson's Lake Campground — Thacher State Park visitor.
Wildlife observation: Schodack Island State Park provides excellent bird-watching opportunities. "Best part was hiking out to a couple of different blinds to look for birds. Did see a juv eagle," states one reviewer about their experience at the park.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Campers appreciate the natural screening at certain campgrounds. "The state did an excellent job designing sites with dense foliage as sound and site barriers creating good privacy for campers," notes a visitor at Schodack Island State Park Campground.
Clean facilities: Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground maintains well-kept bathrooms and showers. "Showers are hot and there's great water pressure. The cleanliness of the bathrooms depends on how busy the campground is," according to one Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground visitor.
Dog-friendly amenities: Some campgrounds offer designated spaces for pets. "I had a great time. The dog park looked pretty easy for ins and outs," comments a visitor at Lake George RV Park.
What you should know
Booking requirements: Most campgrounds require advance reservations, especially during fall foliage season. "We booked an 'Elite 50amp' site but had no realistic map to go by. Many of these types of sites are parallel to the water, but the map makes them look like back in sites," explains one reviewer about Lake George RV Park.
Site access challenges: Some sites present navigation difficulties for larger vehicles. "If your site neighbors are in their spots already when you arrive it will probably be hard to navigate unless you have a 20' rig," notes a Lake George RV Park visitor.
Terrain variations: Many campgrounds feature uneven ground. "Sites are decent size, but be sure to bring boards to level your trailer for some sites are quite uneven," warns a Lake George RV Park camper.
Tips for camping with families
Water recreation options: Thompson's Lake Campground offers swimming and boating. "They have a great beach with swimming, kayak and boat rentals, a nature center next door you can walk too," shares a Thompson's Lake Campground visitor.
Playground facilities: Many campgrounds feature play areas. "This campground has always been my go to. Now that I have kids, I appreciate the playground area near the beach more," mentions a Ledgeview Village RV Park reviewer.
Educational opportunities: Some parks provide nature programming. "We had an amazing time! The workers there were friendly and the campers were respectable and kind," notes a Thompson's Lake Campground visitor who enjoyed the park's nature center.
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: Arrowhead Marina & RV Park offers spacious areas for larger rigs. "Our site was back-in and had plenty of space. There's a lot of green space in this campground and it's right on the river," explains a visitor at Arrowhead Marina & RV Park.
Dump station timing: Some campgrounds experience congestion at dumping facilities. "Dump station on the way out. Two different book exchanges. Mostly filled with Danielle Steele, which is not my preference," notes a Schodack Island State Park visitor who recommends timing your dump station use strategically.
Seasonal considerations: RV sites at most campgrounds close by mid-October. "Big sites, grounds were very clean, level sites, quiet, staff was very pleasant," comments a Ledgeview Village RV Park visitor who stayed during the peak summer season when facilities were fully operational.
