Best Campgrounds near Amsterdam, NY

The Amsterdam area in upstate New York provides several developed campgrounds along lakes and waterways, with sites spanning from basic tent camping to full-hookup RV spots and cabin rentals. Northampton Beach Campground on Great Sacandaga Lake features spacious waterfront sites suitable for tent and RV camping, while Frosty Acres Campground near Schenectady offers a mix of tent, RV, cabin, and glamping accommodations. Most campground options in the region are established facilities rather than primitive sites, with many offering electric hookups, water access, and basic amenities.

Camping season in this region typically runs from May through October, with most facilities closing during the winter months due to harsh weather conditions. Northampton Beach operates from May 20 to October 10, while Hide-A-Way Campsites welcomes guests from May 11 to October 14. Reservations are highly recommended for weekend stays during peak summer months as waterfront sites fill quickly. The area experiences seasonal fluctuations in water levels that can affect lakeside camping, particularly in late summer. One camper noted, "Pay attention to the time of year as the water level can drop considerably over the summer."

Mixed-use campgrounds are common in the region, catering to various camping styles and preferences. Campers particularly value the waterfront locations available at several sites. "Large sites on huge lake perfect for kayaking. Few bugs," reported one visitor about Northampton Beach Campground. Many campgrounds feature a combination of seasonal and short-term sites, with some areas predominantly occupied by seasonal campers. Royal Mountain Campsites receives consistently positive feedback for its quiet atmosphere and spacious sites, while Arrowhead Marina & RV Park garners praise for its well-maintained grounds and river access. Several campgrounds in the area also offer recreational amenities such as swimming pools, fishing ponds, and proximity to hiking trails, making them suitable for family camping trips.

Best Camping Sites Near Amsterdam, New York (149)

    1. Northampton Beach Campground

    11 Reviews
    Northville, NY
    17 miles
    +1 (518) 863-6000

    $22 - $40 / night

    "MANY campsites with lakeside access, although do pay attention to the time of year as the water level can drop considerably over the summer. large swimming area and great fishing."

    "Lots of bike riding and walking. Couple nice general stores that are reasonably priced AND a miniature golf place right outside of the entrance."

    2. DevilDoc Campsites

    14 Reviews
    Caroga Lake, NY
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 844-1591

    $15 - $25 / night

    "My buddy and I were looking for a campsite for a quick overnight stay before a bike trip around the Adirondacks, and this spot was a perfect fit."

    "He and his buddy, Rick, live on acres and acres of forested property, with my favorite campsites located at a seemingly magical pond surrounded by beautiful pine and birch trees."

    3. Frosty Acres Campground

    3 Reviews
    Duanesburg, NY
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 864-5352

    4. Arrowhead Marina & RV Park

    2 Reviews
    Rotterdam Junction, NY
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 382-8966

    "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."

    5. Pop's Lake Campground

    1 Review
    Galway, NY
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 883-8678

    "Love love love pops lake. The lake is beautiful especially during sunrise, and the sites are large. Will be returning soon."

    6. McConchie Heritage Acres Campground

    2 Reviews
    Galway, NY
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 882-6605

    "No lake but has a swimming pool"

    7. Caroga Lake Campground

    6 Reviews
    Caroga Lake, NY
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 835-4241

    $20 / night

    "This site also is bordered by a small stream so expect mosquitoes and the occasional visit from wildlife (we had raccoons at our site each night, so kept food in the car)."

    "It is also conveniently situated for a variety of nearby hikes."

    8. Thompson's Lake Campground — Thacher State Park

    7 Reviews
    Altamont, NY
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 872-1674

    $17 / night

    "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!"

    9. Royal Mountain Campsites

    3 Reviews
    Caroga Lake, NY
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 762-1946

    "The ice cream shop at the entrance was a huge bonus. We both ordered a small and it was near enough to consider a full meal! A very pleasant stay!"

    "Plenty to see nearby or just stay in. Truly loved camping here and will go back if the option ever presents itself again."

    10. Hide-A-Way Campsites

    2 Reviews
    Sloansville, NY
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 868-9975

    $22 - $32 / night

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Recent Reviews near Amsterdam, NY

508 Reviews of 149 Amsterdam Campgrounds


  • Chelsea B.
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Whip O Will Campsites

    Not for recreational campers

    Full disclosure, we did not stay here. PLEASE, folks that leave reviews on this app, PLEASE say whether it’s a full-timer campsite or a recreational campsite. We arrived after leaving another campsite in the area (that was also 100% full timers) and were disappointed to find that this site was all permanent campers with crap everywhere. One site even had a funeral home sign hanging out front of an entire plywood addition to their camper…like what? Call me picky, but I don’t feel entirely comfortable camping for fun next to folks who live in the campground like this. After driving through the super narrow and rutted out roads to the site they recommend, a man came hauling a** into our site (with a beer in his hand) and was saying “hello hellooooo.” Said he was the owner of the campsite and asked if we were staying, we said we were thinking about it, just checking out the available sites (as the lady up front told us to do). TL;DR- bad vibes. Didn’t stay. Be warned this is a full time campsite with crap everywhere. The lady working the office was super nice though.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 18, 2025

    Bear Slide in Lake George Wild Forest

    Night alone in my jeep

    It was rocky getting there but super super remote - zero service. Great space for my jeep and honestly you could fit a LARGE RV. There is a bathroom at the entrance. No fires because it’s super remote. Peaceful and almost untouched.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Hide-A-Way Campsites

    Quaint and truly hid away

    Well maintained clean campground. Friendly attendants guided us to site and directed in spot. Gravel unlevel pad full hookups.

  • Lorraine H.
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Aqua Vista Valley Campgrounds

    2 month stay started July

    It's ok great water views stuff for kids to do every weekend it's the seasonal campers that make it not fun at times u have some very friendly then others that are noisy judging ,parting witch parting really ain't problem until ur not watching ur kids or being loud at times I give it a 7 out of 10

  • T&J  F.
    Aug. 28, 2025

    West Canada Creek Campground

    Nice place, a little pricey

    Pros: clean campground, camp store, ice cream/pizza shack, shuttle to tubing, sites are pretty flat, pool is large and clean, quiet hours are enforced. Cons: $5 per dog "surprise" when we arrived. Even though we camped there 2 nights for 3 years in a row, $15 per person for the tubing shuttle seems steep; a discount or free would be nice for campers, as drop off points are just down the road. Sites are narrow.

  • M
    Aug. 26, 2025

    Aqua Vista Valley Campgrounds

    kids always have a blast!

    We went for the Halloween event, and the kids had a great day and evening! They really enjoyed trick or treating!!!

  • Jennifer H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 10, 2025

    Hartwick Highlands Campground

    Closest campground to Dreams Park

    Great campground very well kept and closest to Dreams Park. We drove around to the three closest RV parks to Dreams Park and would definitely stay here with the team and / or on your own. Security gate to enter and exit, pool, store, arcade, wide open where the RV’s are.

  • Jennifer H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 10, 2025

    Cooperstown Beaver Valley Campground

    Great proximity to Dreams Park

    Cute cabins, lots of great amenities, pools, corn hole, volleyball net, nicely kept baseball fields , store, areas for group picnics. You could have the whole team stay here in the cabins and bring RV’s too. Only 10min or so to dreams park. Wooded area where RV’s are and separate area where the cabins are. Great spot. Festive and well kept.


Guide to Amsterdam

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best campgrounds near Amsterdam, NY?

The Amsterdam area offers several excellent camping options. Caroga Lake Campground provides a peaceful experience with sites bordering small streams and is relatively quiet even on weekends. For something unique, DevilDoc Campsites offers a perfect location for overnight stays before exploring the Adirondacks. Other notable options include Northampton Beach Campground with its lakeside access and great facilities, and Frosty Acres Campground near Schenectady which features reservable sites with water and toilet facilities. Royal Mountain Campsites near Johnstown is also worth considering for its convenient amenities and accessibility.

Are there campgrounds with electricity near Amsterdam, NY?

Lake George RV Park is one of the premier options with full electrical hookups, located about 2 miles from I-87 and ideal for RV camping in the region. Alpine Lake RV Resort offers Elite 50amp sites, some parallel to the water, making it another excellent choice for electrical service. Additional options include Arrowhead Marina & RV Park near Glenville which accommodates big rigs and provides electrical hookups, and Cooperstown KOA which features a variety of electrified sites set in beautiful rural countryside about 12.5 miles from downtown Cooperstown.

What lakes and beaches can I visit near Amsterdam, NY camping areas?

Northampton Beach Campground offers excellent lake access with many lakeside campsites and a large swimming area with great fishing opportunities. Note that water levels can drop considerably during summer months. Lewey Lake Campground provides a peaceful lakeside retreat perfect for outdoor study and relaxation. The Lake George area features multiple water recreation options, including the beaches near Lake George Battleground Campground which is conveniently located in the village. For a more secluded experience, Powley Road in Ferris Wild Forest offers magical sites with river access via paths directly from certain campsites.