The Chatham area spans eastern New York and western Massachusetts, with camping spots located at elevations ranging from 400 to 2,000 feet across diverse terrain. Most campgrounds sit within 30 miles of Chatham, offering varying degrees of privacy depending on their location in the Berkshires or Catskills. Seasonal operation typically runs May through October, with mid-week visits providing significantly less crowded conditions than weekends.
What to do
Hiking from campsites: At Taconic State Park, trails connect directly to campsites with options for various skill levels. As one camper notes, "Bash Bish Falls was an adventure but a blast and nearby is the main attraction Bash Bish Falls, which you take a short hike across state lines into Mass." Multiple hiking trails originate from the campground, making it convenient for day hikes without driving.
Swimming in natural settings: The swimming areas at Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground provide lifeguarded beaches during summer months. "The lake is beautiful and clean. Expect to pay $15 fee (I think) to use your paddleboards/kyacks etc. Worth every penny," writes one visitor. The park maintains both a kiddie swimming area and deeper section with a floating dock.
Bird watching opportunities: Several campgrounds offer excellent bird watching, with Schodack Island State Park providing designated blinds. One camper mentioned, "Stopped for one night on way from New England to Finger Lakes region... Best part was hiking out to a couple of different blinds to look for birds. Did see a juv eagle." Morning hours typically yield the most bird activity along the river areas.
What campers like
Spacious campsites: Campers consistently praise the site sizing at Schodack Island State Park Campground for providing ample room. "The sites are amongst the most spacious I've ever seen. RV sites offer 30/50 amp electricity," reports one reviewer. Another mentioned, "The site was SO spacious and felt secluded because of all the nature and greenery."
Clean bathroom facilities: Multiple campgrounds maintain exceptionally clean facilities with hot showers. At North-South Lake Campground, "The restrooms were clean and had showers, which we did not expect." October Mountain State Forest receives similar praise: "The bathrooms and showers were phenomenal. A treat at the end of the day to take a shower before crawling in."
Wooded privacy: Mt. Greylock Campsite Park offers well-shaded, private sites. "This place is great. It's got so many different nooks and crannies and so many different levels up and down the hill and valley and just a beautiful peaceful place in the woods," wrote one camper. The terrain creates natural barriers between sites, enhancing privacy.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Advance booking is essential, especially for premium sites. At North-South Lake Campground, waterfront locations fill quickly: "Clean and well run campground with beautiful lakes and surrounded by trails. Reserve very early for waterfront." Most campgrounds begin taking reservations 9 months in advance.
Connectivity limitations: Cell service varies significantly between campgrounds. Schodack Island State Park offers modest connectivity: "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." Most other campgrounds have limited or no service.
Wildlife encounters: Campers report numerous wildlife sightings throughout the region. "Lots of bunnies, weasels, chipmunks, birds, and butterflies," notes one Schodack Island visitor. At Pittsfield State Forest, salamanders are frequently spotted near streams. Proper food storage is required at all campgrounds due to local wildlife activity.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Spacious Skies Woodland Hills provides organized activities for children. "Over the weekend they had organized corn hole games and several other ways to get physical and have a blast," reports one visitor. The campground also features a beach area and pond for swimming during summer months.
Educational programs: Several state parks offer ranger-led programs during peak season. At Schodack Island, a camper noted, "They have excellent services and activities. Kudos to the Rangers!" These programs typically cover local wildlife, ecology, and history topics suitable for school-age children.
Multi-generational facilities: Many campgrounds accommodate varying physical abilities. One visitor to Dingman's Family Campground noted, "Absolutely loved this campground, sites are well spaced and the surrounding area is gorgeous!" Facilities like paved paths and accessible bathrooms make these locations suitable for family members of all ages.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: The hilly terrain around Chatham creates leveling difficulties at certain campgrounds. At Pittsfield State Forest, a visitor noted, "Campsites are rocky, had to re-arrange tent to get off rock." For October Mountain State Forest Campground, "Some of the sites are very visible and a few are tucked away into the woods with privacy. Most are pretty close to their neighbors."
Water and electric access: Most campgrounds provide limited hookups. "Water is available at different spots in the campground but not at the sites," reports a Schodack Island camper. The majority of RV sites offer electric hookups, with only the larger private campgrounds providing full hookups.
Road conditions: Access roads to some campgrounds present challenges. At Schodack Island, "The roads in are definitely patched and bumpy, but once you're in the loop things are smooth!" Large rigs may have difficulty navigating the steep, narrow roads leading to some of the more remote camping areas.
