Campsites near Berne, New York sit within the northern edge of the Catskill Mountains at elevations ranging from 800-1,800 feet. The region experiences four distinct seasons with camping generally available from April through mid-October when temperatures average 45-75°F. Local campgrounds range from primitive sites to developed facilities with water, electric and sewer connections.
What to do
Hiking nearby trails: Thompson's Lake Campground provides access to multiple hiking paths including connections to the Long Path trail system. "We loved the hot showers after a long day of fishing and swimming in the lake. The park offered many activities or just sit around the campsite drinking beers and reminiscing our youth days," noted one visitor at Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Several campgrounds offer direct water access for fishing. "We were on site 219... our site had a steep drop off to the lake, not all are like this, but be cautious about this if you have young kids," advised a camper at Alpine Lake RV Resort. The resort allows fishing from waterfront sites when available.
Water recreation: Boat rentals and swimming areas provide summer cooling options. "The lake is beautiful and clean. Expect to pay $15 fee to use your paddleboards/kayaks etc. Worth every penny," shared a visitor to Lake Taghkanic State Park. Most lakes in the region maintain seasonal swimming areas with lifeguards from late May through early September.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Campers frequently mention the natural spacing between sites as a positive feature. "The sites are amongst the most spacious I've ever seen. 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," noted a reviewer at Schodack Island State Park Campground.
Clean facilities: Maintained bathhouses receive consistent praise. "The bathrooms are clean. The showers are large, but they do operate on a push system where you can't adjust the pressure, temp, or how long the water comes out, so just be aware of that," explained a Schodack Island visitor. Most state park campgrounds in the area renovated their facilities within the past 5-10 years.
Wildlife viewing: The rural setting provides opportunities for animal sightings. "Lots of bunnies, weasels, chipmunks, birds, and butterflies. Plenty of space to walk the dog," mentioned a Schodack Island camper. Bird watching blinds at some parks offer dedicated wildlife viewing areas.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Most campgrounds in this region book quickly for summer weekends and holidays. Reservations typically open 9 months in advance through Reserve America for state parks. "This campground is a secret gem. They have new bathrooms/showers and family bathrooms," shared a visitor to Max V. Shaul State Park Campground, which has only 30 sites.
Cell coverage: Connectivity varies significantly across the region. "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," reported a camper at Schodack Island State Park.
Weather preparation: The area experiences rapid weather changes. "This campground was one of the best I've been to. They have both platform and dirt tent sites, all sites come equipped with fire pits. The bathrooms and showers are clean and the water stayed hot until the last weekend of the season," noted a Lake Taghkanic visitor who camped in mid-October.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and activities: Several campgrounds offer organized recreation. "There's a playground, a pavilion, they do fireside jams," mentioned a Max V. Shaul State Park camper. Many state parks run Junior Ranger programs on summer weekends with nature walks scheduled at 10am.
Swimming options: Lakes provide natural swimming areas with varying facilities. "Great place, beautiful views and helpful staff," shared a visitor to Thompson's Lake Campground. Most designated swimming areas include marked boundaries, sandy beach areas, and seasonal lifeguard coverage.
Child safety considerations: Some waterfront sites require extra supervision. "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. We were next to a little fenced in area for dogs that our dog loved," explained a visitor to Arrowhead Marina & RV Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger rigs: RV sites near Berne, New York vary in accessibility. "Trees a plenty! Beautiful campground. Stayed in The Pines section. Spacious sites. Super friendly and helpful staff," noted a visitor to Country Roads Campground. Many campgrounds feature both open and wooded site options.
Water access points: Not all campgrounds offer full hookups. "Lots of water fill ups in the campground. Dump station on the way out," explained a Schodack Island camper. Most state parks provide common water spigots throughout the camping loops rather than at individual sites.
Navigation challenges: Some rv-friendly campgrounds near Berne have access limitations. "The roads in are definitely patched and bumpy, but once your in the loop things are smooth!" reported a visitor to Schodack Island. Many GPS systems incorrectly route larger vehicles on narrow local roads, so calling ahead for recommended approach routes is advised.
