Chatham sits in Columbia County, New York at approximately 600 feet elevation with a humid continental climate bringing warm summers and cold winters. The area features a mix of farmland, forests, and rolling hills, with temperatures typically ranging from 15°F in winter to 85°F in summer. Many campsites around Chatham remain open from May through mid-October when overnight temperatures stay above freezing.
What to do
Hiking at Mount Greylock: Located near Chatham, this area offers multiple trail systems for all experience levels. Mount Greylock Campsite Park provides access to many nearby hiking routes. "The sites were large and wooded. Great access to Mt Greylock and LOTS of hiking close by. Staff was so accommodating-always willing to spend time giving recommendations," notes one visitor.
Swimming and boating: Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground offers lake access and beach facilities. "Great beach, 5 minute drive from campground. Clean facilities, with a rec room for rainy days. A camp store with all the supplies you might have forgotten," reports one camper. Another states, "This campground was one of the best I've been to... The campground has a lake with boat rentals. Late night, stargazing over the lake is a great pastime, because the water is calm and the light pollution is low."
Fishing opportunities: Rudd Pond Area — Taconic State Park provides excellent fishing. "The sites were a little close together, but being able to fish and catching 2 decent-sized largemouth bass made everything all ok!! There is plenty of fishing access from shore and you can rent a boat for the whole day to fish on the water," shares an enthusiastic angler.
What campers like
Clean restroom facilities: Prospect Mountain Campground maintains well-kept facilities. "The grounds were absolutely beautiful and very well maintained! Pool was lovely and refreshing," states one camper. Another adds, "Staff is super nice and helpful. We had a nice quiet spot even though we were on the road to the lake."
Private, wooded sites: Treetopia Campground offers secluded camping experiences. "We really enjoyed our 3 night stay at the campground. We went in late September and stayed on one of their deck sites with our Class B (Winnebago). I LOVED sitting out on the deck every morning for my coffee while taking in the fall air," shares one visitor. Another notes, "It's obvious that the campground recently underwent major renovation; the bathrooms and showers are out of this world! Best of any campground we've ever visited!"
Family-friendly activities: Most campgrounds offer organized weekend events. At Prospect Mountain Campground, "They have activities every weekend such as dances, bingo, hayrides. They also have a great pool, playground and pond for fishing. They also have a nice little store and snack bar. There is also a mini golf course and a mining area where kids can 'mine' 'gems'. Kids had a blast!"
What you should know
Reservation timing: Most campgrounds require advance reservations, especially for holiday weekends and peak fall season (September-October). Book at least 2-3 months ahead for prime weekends.
Weather preparedness: Rain can impact camping conditions significantly. At Rudd Pond in Taconic State Park, a visitor shared, "This is a really interesting campground situated on a hill overlooking Rudd Pond. Almost all of the sites have platforms to pitch your tent on, although there are a couple of flatter spots without platforms. The platforms kept us off the ground and were helpful in setting up appropriate tarp protection!"
Site variations: Interlake RV Park & Campground offers diverse site options. "It took me a while to identify a campground that was convenient for exploring the Hyde Park area. With that you get free wi-fi, a heated pool, a lake for fishing and boating, a game room and snack bar, movies, other sports, and the security of a gated entrance," reports a visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Look for dedicated recreation areas: Prospect Mountain Campground offers numerous child-friendly amenities. "Very friendly and a great place for kids. Nice pool with time for adult only swim time," notes a visitor. Another camper shares, "I flew up here from Louisiana and met my sister in a primitive tent site. The grounds were absolutely beautiful and very well maintained! Pool was lovely and refreshing. The kids had a blast fishing and riding their bikes around."
Choose campgrounds with rainy day options: Arrowhead Marina & RV Park provides indoor facilities when weather turns. "Well maintained, located on the Mohawk River. Shady, grassy areas. Boat launch and pier. Friendly people. A perfect campground," notes one visitor.
Consider cabin options: For families new to camping or visiting during variable weather, cabin rentals provide comfort. At Lake Taghkanic State Park, "no complaints. everything is perfect every year we've been. the lake is beautiful and clean. expect to pay $15 fee (I think) to use your paddleboards/kayaks etc. Worth every penny."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for RVs near Chatham, New York: RV sites near Chatham, New York vary in accessibility. At Copake Camping Resort, "Our site was shady and long. There is a farmers market not far away every Sat. 9-1." Another camper shares, "Nice quiet campground. Outdoor pool, horseshoes, mini golf, outdated playground, Washer/dryers, game room. Nice store with good prices. Full RV hookups with 50 & 30amp services."
Electrical service considerations: Electrical capacity varies between campgrounds. At Treetopia Campground, "If you have an RV, they have 30/50 amp with electric and water. There is no sewer, but they have a dump-station and on-site Honeywagon truck that you can schedule."
Seasonal access: Most RV parks in the Chatham area operate seasonally. Interlake RV Park operates from April 15 to October, with one visitor noting, "I stayed there for 3 weeks for work it was quite priced very reasonably for full hook up and about a half hour from stunning views."
