Camping spots near Amsterdam, New York offer diverse terrain for outdoor recreation within the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains. Elevation changes throughout the region provide varied camping environments, from riverside sites at 300 feet to mountain campgrounds exceeding 1,400 feet. Winter camping options are limited, with most facilities closing after October due to snow accumulation that averages 65-70 inches annually in the higher elevations.
What to do
Kayaking on Great Sacandaga Lake: Northampton Beach Campground provides direct lake access for water activities. "Such a great tranquil place with great sites, and so much to do. Kids have floated in the channel all day," notes camper Dan H.
Swimming in designated areas: Thompson's Lake Campground features a supervised beach area during summer months. "They have a great beach with swimming, kayak and boat rentals, a nature center next door you can walk to and the bathrooms are refurbished!" shares Sabrina H.
Hiking nearby trails: Multiple trailheads accessible within 15 minutes of DevilDoc Campsites. "Hiking is also available directly from the campgrounds and connects to nearby trails, leading wherever your heart desires, from treks to the lakes nearby to one that even goes all through the Adirondacks," according to Ellis L.
Fishing opportunities: Stocked ponds and lake access provide fishing options. "Great facilities, and friendly staff. MANY campsites with lakeside access, although do pay attention to the time of year as the water level can drop considerably over the summer...great fishing," reports Robert L. about Northampton Beach.
What campers like
Private camping away from crowds: Royal Mountain Campsites offers more secluded experiences. "Campground was gorgeous, sites were well spaced out, and we had a great time," reports Meghan S.
Clean facilities: Thompson's Lake maintains well-kept public areas. "All public areas including the bathrooms are very clean," notes Dana O.
Riverside camping: Arrowhead Marina & RV Park provides direct water access. "Well maintained, located on the Mohawk River. Shady, grassy areas. Boat launch and pier. Friendly people. A perfect campground," says Coffee&Camping T.
Winter camping options: Some sites offer cold-weather camping. "We stayed from April until October then decided to stay over winter. They have a small winter section. You'll have the entire mountain side all to yourself! Snowshoe, cross country ski. Winter campfires," explains James S. about Frosty Acres Campground.
What you should know
Seasonal water levels: Lake depths vary significantly throughout the camping season. "One of my favorite campgrounds. Great facilities, and friendly staff. MANY campsites with lakeside access, although do pay attention to the time of year as the water level can drop considerably over the summer," advises Robert L.
Noise levels vary by campground: Some locations experience more activity than others. "It's clean, there are lake side sites available. Swimming, boating, kayaking all easy from their ramp and beach. We go for two weeks every year. Love it!" shares Sue B. about Northampton Beach Campground.
Bathroom facilities vary widely: Quality ranges from primitive to modern. "The bathrooms were pretty awful though. The showers were broken and there was no hot water the entire 5 days we were there," reports Alyssa C. about one campground.
Firewood availability: Several campgrounds provide wood on-site. "Property has an abundance of free firewood you can collect," notes Rosie Lon S. about DevilDoc Campsites.
Tips for camping with families
Look for dedicated recreation areas: Thompson's Lake Campground offers family-friendly amenities. "This campground has always been my go to. Now that I have kids, I appreciate the playground area near the beach more," says Dana O.
Consider campgrounds with multiple water activities: Varied options keep children engaged. "It was fantastic! The workers there were friendly and the campers were respectable and kind. 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!" shares Katarina P.
Check for nearby attractions: Some camping areas offer additional entertainment. "Couple nice general stores that are reasonably priced AND a miniature golf place right outside of the entrance," mentions Dan H. about Northampton Beach.
Look for spacious sites: Larger areas accommodate family setups better. "You are allowed a maximum of 3 tents per site, and that's still plenty of room for car parking," notes Daniel B.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling considerations: Hide-A-Way Campsites provides assistance with parking. "Well maintained clean campground. Friendly attendants guided us to site and directed in spot. Gravel unlevel pad full hookups," reports Jackie M.
Amperage availability: Check electrical specifications before booking. "Website stated sites were 30Amp so very happy to have found 50Amp upon arrival!" shares Brittany V. about Royal Mountain Campsites.
Seasonal site options: Many Amsterdam area campgrounds offer extended stays. "This is a small campground but very quiet and nice. The people that run it are very nice and accommodating," says Lee H. about Hide-A-Way Campsites.
Off-season RV storage: Some locations allow winter parking. "Awesome camping resort. Seasonal rates are excellent. We stayed from April until October then decided to stay over winter," notes James S.
