Camping options near Clarksville, New York extend beyond traditional RV parks with several state parks offering diverse experiences within a 30-mile radius. The region sits at the foothills of the Catskill Mountains with elevations ranging from 400-1,500 feet, creating varied terrain for campers. Winter closures affect most campgrounds in this area, with few options available between November and April due to the northeastern climate patterns.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground, visitors can enjoy calm waters ideal for fishing. "The lake is beautiful and clean. Expect to pay $15 fee to use your paddleboards/kyacks etc. Worth every penny," notes one visitor.
Hiking trails: Multiple state parks offer interconnected trail systems. "There's a trailhead at the end of the campground that connects to the other trails in Taconic State Park," reports a camper at Rudd Pond Area.
Wildlife viewing: Bird watching is particularly good at Schodack Island State Park Campground. "Best part was hiking out to a couple of different blinds to look for birds. Did see a juv eagle," explains one visitor. The park also features "many rabbits, weasels, chipmunks, birds, and butterflies."
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many campers appreciate the generous spacing at certain parks. At Schodack Island, "The state did an excellent job designing sites with dense foliage as sound and site barriers creating good privacy for campers."
Clean facilities: Thompson's Lake Campground receives consistent praise for maintenance. "Nice bathroom facilities and dish washing station!" mentions one reviewer. Another adds, "All public areas including the bathrooms are very clean."
Family-friendly beaches: Swimming areas are popular during summer months. A Thompson's Lake camper notes, "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!"
What you should know
Reservation timing: Most campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. At Rudd Pond Area — Taconic State Park, proximity to urban areas means higher demand: "Seemed like a lot of campers were escaping the big city."
Pet documentation: Beyond typical pet policies, some campgrounds require specific paperwork. "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," warns a Schodack Island visitor.
Site selection considerations: Layout varies significantly between campgrounds. At Rudd Pond, "Almost all of the sites have platforms to pitch your tent on, although there are a couple of flatter spots without platforms (although they still have a slope.)"
Tips for camping with families
Playground facilities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated play areas. At Alpine Lake RV Resort, "They have movies, dances and even some kayaking, padding, etc. They have these dinos scattered throughout the park and also a few pools."
Weather preparation: The region experiences unpredictable weather patterns. One camper at Lake Taghkanic noted, "This was our second time coming to this campground and our second time getting dumped on by the rain, but have no fear!! The platforms kept us off the ground."
Quiet locations: Some areas provide better environments for families seeking peace. At Arrowhead Marina & RV Park, one camper appreciated that "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."
Tips from RVers
Site accessibility: Navigate carefully in some areas. At Alpine Lake RV Resort, "If your site neighbors are in their spots already when you arrive it will probably be hard to navigate unless you have a 20' rig. Ours is over 33' and we were lucky that our site neighbors were both home to move their trucks."
Utility management: Water pressure can be variable. "Had an issue with water pressure on Saturday around 10am and called the office to make sure there was not a known water issue. The situation improved so we think it was just a high demand time of day."
Off-season considerations: For those RV camping near Clarksville in shoulder seasons, be aware of limited amenities. At Arrowhead Marina, "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."
