Camping near Cohoes, New York centers around the southern Adirondacks, with elevations ranging from 200 to 1000 feet offering varied woodland camping environments. Most campgrounds within 30 miles operate seasonally from May through mid-October, with average summer temperatures ranging from 60-85°F and frequent afternoon thunderstorms during July and August. Cell service varies widely throughout this region, with stronger connections available at campgrounds closer to Albany or Saratoga.
What to do
Water activities on Fish Creek: The Arrowhead Marina & RV Park provides water access for boaters and paddlers. "This place is very beautiful and rustic at the same time. The employees are all very friendly. Once you get the hang of getting around the area there is so much to do," noted a visitor to the area.
Lake swimming and boating: Families can enjoy swimming and boating at Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground, which maintains a clean swimming beach. A camper reported, "The lake is beautiful and clean. Expect to pay $15 fee to use your paddleboards/kayaks etc. Worth every penny."
Hiking on local trails: Trail systems connect many Cohoes area campgrounds to natural areas. One camper at Lake George noted, "Bike trails throughout with a connection to the local bike trails leading to Lake George and Glens Falls area."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Most rv campgrounds near Cohoes maintain modern restrooms and shower facilities. A visitor to Lake George RV Park stated, "Pools and hot tubs extremely clean and the grounds looked more like a hotel resort than campground. Free shows every night at the playhouse kids loved."
On-site recreation: Many parks offer extensive recreational facilities beyond standard camping. According to one visitor, "They have these dinos scattered throughout the park and also a few pools. So much to do on the camp ground and great for group camping!"
Pet-friendly options: Several RV parks around Cohoes have accommodations for travelers with animals. A Lake George RV Park camper praised, "Perfect for the dogs with best dog park I ever saw," though policies vary widely between facilities.
What you should know
Site selection considerations: Not all sites within a campground offer equal access or amenities. At Alpine Lake RV Resort, a camper advised, "Booked an 'Elite 50amp' site but had no realistic map to go by. Many of these types of sites are parallel to the water, but the map makes them look like back in sites."
Reservation timing: Summer weekends fill quickly at most campgrounds in the Cohoes region. One visitor mentioned, "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."
Off-season changes: Many campgrounds reduce services after Labor Day. "Labor Day Weekend stay. A lot of people! Very nice beach but packed. Huge parties at the picnic area," reported one camper about seasonal crowding.
Tips for camping with families
Pool access: Ledgeview Village RV Park provides swimming facilities for children. "The pool was very cold but spotless, which was surprising since there's pine trees all around. We would definitely go back," noted one family.
Playground options: Many RV campgrounds near Cohoes feature children's play areas. A visitor commented, "Has a playground and pool. Kids enjoyed the area."
Rainy day activities: Indoor recreation helps during inclement weather. A Lake George camper shared, "Arcades and game rooms are great for rainy days. Indoor pool too! Every time I found something new I was more impressed."
Tips from RVers
Road access challenges: Some RV campgrounds around Cohoes feature narrow internal roads. One camper at Dorset RV Park warned, "Larger rigs might want to avoid loop 6-14, especially for sites 8-12. Tree placement and a pretty sharp 110+ degree turn makes it challenging to maneuver."
Hookup variations: Electrical service ranges from 30-50 amp throughout the region. "We got twenty or so television channels with the cable hookup. The hookups were all well-placed and we didn't have any issues with the electric and the wifi at our site worked well," reported an RVer.
Seasonal site availability: RV parks have different opening dates, with most operational from early May through mid-October. Some campgrounds like Camp Catskills maintain 40 RV sites with electrical and water hookups but lack shower facilities, making them better suited for self-contained units.