RV camping near Colonie, New York provides access to both the upper Hudson Valley region and southern Adirondack foothills. The area sits at elevations ranging from 200 to 400 feet above sea level, with surrounding campgrounds typically open from May through mid-October. Winter conditions make most facilities seasonal, though a few remain accessible year-round with limited amenities.
What to do
Swimming and water activities: Thompson's Lake Campground offers lake swimming with rentals available. "They have a great beach with swimming, kayak and boat rentals, a nature center next door you can walk too and the bathrooms are refurbished!" notes Sabrina H.
Hiking options: Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground features multiple trail systems through wooded terrain. According to Mary-Kate L., "Big and spacious state park with many camping options... Big lake with swimming and boating as well as many hiking trails."
Wildlife viewing: Bird watchers find excellent opportunities at Schodack Island State Park Campground, particularly from designated blinds. One visitor reported, "Best part was hiking out to a couple of different blinds to look for birds. Did see a juv eagle."
River access: Boat launches allow direct access to the Mohawk River at certain campgrounds. Coffee&Camping T. describes Arrowhead Marina & RV Park as a "Picture Perfect Location" that's "Well maintained, located on the Mohawk River. Shady, grassy areas. Boat launch and pier."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Lake George RV Park consistently receives praise for maintenance standards. Christine L. states, "We've stayed here three times now and it never disappoints! Well maintained from the roads now to the gardens. They pay attention to every detail."
Wildlife encounters: Schodack Island campers frequently report animal sightings around sites. One camper noted, "Many 'exotic' birds (for a Brooklyn boy, anything that is not a pigeon or sparrow is exotic). We had frequent visits from Gray Catbirds, and I saw a glimpse of a Bald Eagle through the treeline."
Private waterfront access: Some campgrounds offer direct water access from certain sites. Clayton H. appreciated that at Thompson's Lake Campground, "Some of the lakeside sites have private foot trails down to the water which was very nice."
Playground facilities: Family-friendly amenities receive positive mention. Dana O. says, "This 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."
What you should know
Reservations essential: Especially for lakefront sites, advance booking is necessary at most campgrounds. At Alpine Lake RV Resort, campers found timing critical: "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."
Varying cell service: Connectivity remains inconsistent between campgrounds and even within the same park. Kara W. shared detailed observations: "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."
Pet documentation: Some parks require official rabies records beyond just tags. "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," cautions a Schodack Island visitor.
Shower operations: State park facilities often use push-button systems. One camper explains, "The showers are large, but they do operate on a push system where you can't adjust the pressure, temp, or how long the water comes out, so just be aware of that."
Tips for camping with families
Look for organized activities: Ledgeview Village RV Park provides structured recreation for children. Lauren reports, "This is our second time at this campground. Very nice sites, peaceful. Has a playground and pool. Kids enjoyed the area."
Consider water safety features: Some campgrounds have steep shorelines. April L. cautions, "Once in our site had a steep drop off to the lake, not all are like this, but be cautious about this if you have young kids."
Recreation centers: For rainy days, indoor options provide alternatives. One Lake George RV Park visitor appreciated that "Arcades and game rooms are great for rainy days. Indoor pool too!"
Check pet policies: Not all campgrounds allow animals. Ledgeview Village RV Park prohibits pets entirely, which may influence family camping decisions when bringing four-legged family members.
Tips from RVers
Site navigation challenges: Arrowhead Marina & RV Park offers spacious sites but requires planning. Tina shared, "This was one of our favorite campgrounds of our cross-country trip. Our site was back-in and had plenty of space."
Waterfront positioning: RV sites near water often have unique orientations. At Alpine Lake RV Resort, a visitor explained, "Many of these types of sites are parallel to the water, but the map makes them look like back in sites. 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."
Road conditions: Access roads to campgrounds may present challenges for larger rigs. Brittany V. noted about Schodack Island, "The roads in are definitely patched and bumpy, but once your in the loop things are smooth!"
Water pressure considerations: During peak usage times, services may fluctuate. One camper reported, "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."
