The Hudson River Valley near Delmar, New York offers diverse camping experiences set in landscapes ranging from river lowlands to mountainous terrain. Average summer temperatures typically range from 60-85°F with occasional thunderstorms, while spring and fall can see temperature swings of 30+ degrees in a single day. Local campgrounds span elevations from 300 feet along the Hudson River to over 1,400 feet in the nearby Helderberg Mountains.
What to do
Waterfront activities: Cherry Plain State Park Campground offers swimming at its beach area and fishing in the small pond. "The view is great. My site was amazing... The pond was beautiful," notes camper Joey M., who appreciated the water access.
Hiking opportunities: North-South Lake Campground connects directly to the Catskill Escarpment trail system. Located minutes from Kaaterskill Falls, camper Brittany W. reports, "Located just about a mile from Kaaterskill Falls this campground couldn't be in a better spot."
Wildlife viewing: Set aside time for bird watching at various forest habitats. Patsy E. visited Schodack Island and shared: "Best part was hiking out to a couple of different blinds to look for birds. Did see a juv eagle."
Mountain biking: Trails around Ushers Road State Forest accommodate cyclists of various skill levels. "This trailhead provides access to bicycle-friendly nature trails," explains a reviewer who explored the area, noting that both trail directions extend about half a mile before reaching low-lying areas.
What campers like
Private camping areas: Campgrounds in the region offer varying levels of site privacy. At Schodack Island, Kevin C. noted, "The state did an excellent job designing sites with dense foliage as sound and site barriers creating good privacy for campers."
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained bathrooms across local campgrounds. Megan S. at Schodack Island State Park Campground reported, "The staff was friendly. The sites are spaced out enough and have greenery in between so it feels a little more private than some places. Bathrooms and showers were very clean."
Family-oriented amenities: Many campgrounds offer kid-friendly features. Dana O. says about Thompson's Lake: "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."
Quiet atmosphere: Less crowded campgrounds provide peaceful retreats. Cherry Plain camper Christine J. recommends: "We love the loop of sites near the entrance near the water for views but close to the bathroom, ranger station, and trails. Farther from the beach so there is less impact from the day visitors."
What you should know
Reservation timing: Reserve waterfront sites early, especially for summer months. Rachel G. advises about North-South Lake: "Clean and well run campground with beautiful lakes and surrounded by trails. perfect Hudson getaway. Reserve very early for waterfront."
Pet documentation: Beyond standard pet policies, certain campgrounds have specific requirements. At Schodack Island, Kara W. warns: "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."
Seasonal variations: Campground amenities change throughout the season. When visiting Adventure Bound Camping Resort at Deer Run, Brandilyn W. noted: "The pools looked nice but they weren't open yet because it was still cold. There was a nice little dog park fenced in area for my dog to run around in."
Connectivity challenges: Cell service varies widely across campgrounds. At Schodack Island, a camper reported: "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."
Tips for camping with families
Pool and water features: Look for campgrounds with swimming options during summer months. At Thompson's Lake Campground, Sabrina H. shares: "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!"
Playground access: Thompson's Lake Campground offers play areas adjacent to swimming areas. "They have a great playground with swimming, kayak and boat rentals, a nature center next door you can walk to and the bathrooms are refurbished! It's absolutely beautiful!" according to regular visitor Sabrina H.
Wildlife observation: Kids enjoy counting and watching local animals. At Schodack Island, Joseph C. 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."
Room to spread out: Choose sites with adequate space for family setups. Joseph C. described his Schodack Island site: "Plenty of room for a pop-up canopy over the picnic table and my car with its own attached awning. We had a third car parked just off the roadway."
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: Check site grades before setting up. At Deer Run, Lauren noted: "Our site was large and shaded. The draw back is where you need to park the camper is about 7 inches out of level. If we stay in the same site again we would come better prepared."
Water access planning: Most campgrounds don't offer individual site water hookups. Chris D. at Schodack Island State Park explained: "Water is available at different spots in the campground but not at the sites."
Site spaciousness: RV campers appreciate roomier sites at certain campgrounds. Tina at Arrowhead Marina & RV Park shared: "This was one of our favorite campgrounds of our cross-country trip. Our site was back-in and had plenty of space."
Pull-through availability: Some campgrounds offer easier access sites. Brandilyn W. appreciated the layout at Deer Run: "All of the sites are pull through so no worries about backing in. They are pretty close together but we went so early in the season we didn't have anyone on either side of us."
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