The camping areas surrounding Coeymans, New York sit at elevations ranging from 15 to 2,000 feet above sea level, creating distinct temperature variations between river valleys and mountain sites. The region experiences frequent summer thunderstorms, particularly in July and August when afternoon downpours can temporarily flood primitive campsites. Late spring and early fall typically offer the most stable weather conditions for camping near Coeymans.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Schodack Island State Park Campground provides excellent fishing access along the Hudson River. "The day use and boat ramp on the Hudson River" is "our favorite feature," according to Kevin C., who adds "we saw many larger boats (maybe small yachts?) during the day. The view from the boat ramp area was amazing."
Birding excursions: Several campgrounds offer dedicated wildlife viewing areas. Patsy E. reported 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."
Swimming in natural settings: The Catskill region offers multiple swimming options. Lizz H. recommends North-South Lake Campground, saying: "I go there almost every year to go swimming with my family and friends and it's always a good time."
Hiking trail networks: The region contains interconnected trail systems. Jessica W. notes that North-South Lake "hiking nearby is also relatively easy and includes the newly opened (as of 2016) viewing platform for Kaasterskill falls, which is minutes down the road from the campground."
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many campers value the generous site dimensions. At Thompson's Lake Campground, Clayton H. appreciates that "some of the lakeside sites have private foot trails down to the water which was very nice."
Clean facilities: Consistent bathroom maintenance receives high praise. Chris D. noted at Spacious Skies Woodland Hills: "Very nice bathrooms and showers, and my dog loved the dog park."
Wildlife viewing: The diverse ecosystem supports abundant wildlife. Kara W. observed at Schodack Island State Park: "Lots of bunnies, weasels, chipmunks, birds, and butterflies. Plenty of space to walk the dog."
Private wooded sites: Tree cover between campsites enhances privacy. Kevin C. commented that Schodack Island State Park "did an excellent job designing sites with dense foliage as sound and site barriers creating good privacy for campers."
What you should know
Weather variability: Mountain campgrounds experience different conditions than valley sites. Lauren A. recommends Mt. Greylock Campsite Park for its natural protection: "Quiet, primitive, but safe and just what we needed to recharge from our adventure."
Pet requirements: Documentation rules vary by campground. Kara W. cautions: "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... they are very strict on rabies requirements."
Terrain challenges: Many campgrounds feature uneven ground. Ray P. notes about Spacious Skies Woodland Hills: "Terrain is uneven. Hit and miss on how flat or leave sights are."
Seasonal population: Some campgrounds maintain a mix of short-term and long-term campers. Kat explains: "This area has a large seasonal population but they are super friendly and it was a pleasure to see the kids (and adults) fishing, paddling on the lake, swimming in the designated area."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several top campgrounds for families near Coeymans include dedicated play areas. Dana O. appreciates that Thompson's Lake 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."
Organized activities: Weekend events enhance the camping experience for children. Kat observed at Spacious Skies Woodland Hills: "Over the weekend they had organized corn hole games and several other ways to get physical and have a blast. They also had a community 'Father's Day' breakfast (fathers ate free!) which was open to all and yummy!"
Safety considerations: Water features require supervision. Kevin C. cautions about dock safety at Schodack Island: "Stay away if you see boat going by. The boat ramp dock turns into a death trap when a big wake from a boat hits the river bank!"
Book exchanges: Some facilities provide reading materials for rainy days. Kara W. mentions Schodack Island has "two different book exchanges. Mostly filled with Danielle Steele, which is not my preference, but maybe someone will spice it up in the future."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: RV campers should prepare for elevation changes. According to Ray P., at Dingman's Family Campground: "The site I had was steep grade from steps to picnic table. Flat ground area for camper was very narrow. Tricky footing for older folks like my wife and I. Particularly since my wife uses a cane."
Hookup options: Water and electrical connections vary by site. Chris D. notes at Spacious Skies Woodland Hills: "Our site #1A was a quick back in site with full hookups and a perfect view day or night, right on their pond."
Cell service reliability: Connectivity differs substantially between campgrounds. Kara W. reports at Schodack Island: "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."
