Campgrounds surrounding Berne, New York sit at elevations between 1,000-1,500 feet in the Helderberg Mountains, creating cooler summer temperatures than nearby Albany. The camping season typically runs from mid-May through mid-October, with most facilities closing for winter due to harsh conditions and limited access. Forest camping predominates with mixed hardwood and pine stands providing natural site separation at many locations.
What to do
Hiking at Thacher State Park: Thompson's Lake Campground provides direct access to multiple trails. "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!" reports Katarina P.
Kayaking and boating: North-South Lake Campground offers rentals and launch facilities on two connected lakes. Chris D. notes, "The lake offers great swimming and boating. The biggest draw is the proximity to the Capital District. Less than an hour from Albany, so it's an easy way to get out of the city for a day or two."
Wildlife observation: Bird enthusiasts find excellent opportunities at Schodack Island State Park Campground. According to Patsy E., "Best part was hiking out to a couple of different blinds to look for birds. Did see a juv eagle. Not time to fully explore."
Visiting Kaaterskill Falls: A major attraction just minutes from North-South Lake Campground. Brittany W. mentions, "Located just about a mile from Kaaterskill Falls this campground couldn't be in a better spot. We had a wonderful weekend there."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Max V. Shaul State Park Campground receives praise for site separation. Holly R. states, "The Max V. Shaul State Park is small and quiet - only 30 sites here, which are large, flat and sited well apart from each other."
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness stands out at several campgrounds. According to ryan S. at Max V. Shaul, "A nice site. Very clean facilities and incredibly nice staff. Just ok distance between camp sites."
Lakefront access: Private water access points enhance the experience at Thompson's Lake. Clayton H. reports, "Very friendly and helpful staff, well maintained property. Some of the lakeside sites have private foot trails down to the water which was very nice."
Winter camping options: Frosty Acres Campground maintains a small winter section. James S. shares, "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."
What you should know
Water quality varies: Some campgrounds have reported issues with water systems. At Nickerson Park, a camper warned, "The water smelled like raw sewage, loaded with sediment and very discolored. Little to no pressure and a couple times no water at all."
Road noise: Some campgrounds experience traffic sounds. Tom S. observed at Max V. Shaul, "There is a well traveled road near the park so you get traffic noise. The bath house is clean and modern."
Limited cell service: Connectivity can be spotty in the hills around Berne. At Country Roads Campground, visitors note variable reception depending on carrier and exact location.
Reservation requirements: State parks fill quickly during peak season. A camper at North-South Lake advised, "Always packed, but always beautiful. Avoid holidays to avoid the crowds."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Thompson's Lake Campground offers dedicated play areas. Dana O. mentions, "This campground has always been my go to. Now that I have kids, I appreciate the playground area near the beach more. All public areas including the bathrooms are very clean."
Family-friendly activities: Nickerson Park Campground offers organized events and water features. Paummi S. reports, "We loved the pool, walking to the creek, and how wonderfully quiet it was most of the time. The staff was super helpful in explaining how to prepare our kayaks for use on the reservoir and with trash pick up and information about weekend activities."
Educational opportunities: Nature centers provide learning experiences. Sarah S. notes about Nickerson Park, "Groups of sites sit on level terraces stepped down toward the river. The center area of each grouping of sites had a common use area with tether ball, playgrounds, privies, or additional parking."
Water recreation: Swimming areas with beach access appeal to families with children. At North-South Lake, Lizz H. states, "I go there almost every year to go swimming with my family and friends and it's always a good time."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: RV campsites at Schodack Island State Park offer relatively flat, spacious spots. Kara W. reports, "The sites are amongst the most spacious I've ever seen. RV sites offer 30/50 amp electricity."
Pet requirements: Many campgrounds require documentation for pets. Kara W. 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."
Hookup availability: Sites with full connections are limited at campgrounds near Berne. At Arrowhead Marina & RV Park, Coffee&Camping T. notes, "Well maintained, located on the Mohawk River. Shady, grassy areas. Boat launch and pier. Friendly people. A perfect campground."
Trash service: Some campgrounds offer direct site pickup. William R. mentions at Country Roads, "Mainly an RV ground, but they have about 10-15 great tent sites back beyond the RV area. There are water spigots near all the tent sites and they are nice and spread out."
