Dog-Friendly Camping near Esperance, NY

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    Thompson's Lake Campground at Thacher State Park provides accommodations for pets throughout its established campground. Campers report the staff are friendly and facilities are well-maintained, with clean bathrooms and modern amenities. The park permits dogs on leash across its tent sites, RV spots, and common areas. Hide-A-Way Campsites and Frosty Acres Campground also welcome pets with designated pet-friendly areas. Most campgrounds in the Esperance area require pets to remain leashed at all times, with owners responsible for waste cleanup. Seasonal availability varies by location, with Thompson's Lake operating from April 29 to October 10, and Hide-A-Way Campsites running from May 11 to October 14.

    Max V. Shaul State Park Campground maintains clean, well-kept grounds with spacious sites set far apart from each other, making it ideal for campers with pets who need extra space. The park features newly renovated bathhouses and family bathrooms accessible to all guests. Trails near the campgrounds provide opportunities for dog walking, with Vroman's Nose hiking area located nearby. Betty Brook Camp offers remote streamside camping where visitors sometimes go entire stays without encountering other campers. During summer months, Thompson's Lake provides swimming opportunities, though pets are typically restricted from beach and swimming areas. Campground quiet hours apply to barking dogs, and most locations require proof of current rabies vaccination at check-in.

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    Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Esperance (116)

      1. Thompson's Lake Campground — Thacher State Park

      4.6(7)13mi from Esperance133 sitesRVs, Tents

      "Some of the lakeside sites have private foot trails down to the water which was very nice."

      "Hiking was near by and also the beach and if you wanted to drive to where the falls are and the overlook it wasn't too far! We had an amazing time!"

      from $17 / night

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      2. Hide-A-Way Campsites

      4.5(2)6mi from EsperanceRVs, Tents

      from $22 - $32 / night

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      3. Frosty Acres Campground

      3.7(3)8mi from EsperanceRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Pet friendly. Kid friendly. Huge club house and store that was closed for the big. Arcade, grill, pool table and small store. Lp gas. Wifi is so so. Backed up to state forest land. Enjoy!!!"

      4. Max V. Shaul State Park Campground

      4.8(8)17mi from Esperance31 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Friendly staff, lots of dogs, all on leash!"

      "Watched a video on YouTube that was a walk through of each site. So peaceful. Lots of good hiking. Sinks for dishes, clean bathrooms and showers."

      from $17 - $50 / night

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      5. Arrowhead Marina & RV Park

      5.0(2)14mi from EsperanceRVs, Tents

      "We were next to a little fenced in area for dogs that our dog loved."

      "Well maintained, located on the Mohawk River. Shady, grassy areas. Boat launch and pier. Friendly people. A perfect campground."

      6. Glimmerglass State Park Campground

      4.7(21)31mi from Esperance47 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Best of all, you can bring your pets!"

      "It is pet friendly. We stayed with our 3 small children. Enjoyed bike riding through the park. water was beautiful. Lots of waterfront access."

      from $14 - $26 / night

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      7. Fort Plain Lock 15 on Empire Trail

      4.8(5)22mi from EsperanceRVs, Tents

      "Continue driving past the original coordinates until you reach the dirt parking lot on the right. You’ll see signs that say “No Vehicles Past This Point” — those apply only to the grassy picnic area."

      "It offers sounds of the highway and freight trains going by, my wife and I love it. If you need quiet, keep on moving. There are grills in the grassy area for tent camping, also a potable water tap."

      8. A Promise to Gaia/Garden of One

      5.0(1)17mi from Esperance1 siteCabins, Glamping

      from $75 - $239 / night

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      9. DevilDoc Campsites

      4.9(14)28mi from Esperance2 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "My buddy and I were looking for a campsite for a quick overnight stay before a bike trip around the Adirondacks, and this spot was a perfect fit."

      "He lives on a sprawling 25-acre property near the town of Gloversville at the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains."

      from $15 - $25 / night

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      10. Schodack Island State Park Campground

      4.7(17)31mi from Esperance66 sitesRVs, Tents

      "There is electric at most sites with water near the ends and there is a tent area with nothing. Also each site had large fire pits and picnic tables!!"

      "I did some light biking, walking around and mostly relaxing at the campsite.  The electricity and running water work 100%, the campsite was cleared and clean. "

      from $17 - $26 / night

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    Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Esperance, NY

    432 Reviews of 116 Esperance Campgrounds


    • Nancy W.The Dyrt PRO User
      May. 24, 2020

      Cooperstown KOA

      Nice Park

      This park is located approximately 12.5 miles from downtown Cooperstown and is set in the quiet rural countryside of New York. The mature trees make for beautiful scenery in the fall. There is a mix of sites varying from tent, RV, rental trailers, and camping cabins/cottages/lodges bringing the total number of sites to 120. Back-in and pull-thru sites are available. Site types include full hookup, water and electric, and no hookup with prices varying depending upon site. You can choose between 30/20 or 50 amp electric service. Interior roads are gravel and some site pads are gravel while others are grass. 

      The park is nicely terraced and all the sites are level. Patios were a grassy/dirt area with a picnic table and fire pit. Our site (#41) was a pull-thru but there was no way we could drive our 45’ motorhome forward out of the site because of a large tree and narrow roads. So we ended up having to back out. The free wifi worked well as did our Verizon 4G phone and hotspot. We picked up a dozen or so television channels with our antenna. The park does have a fair amount of trees that would interfere with roof-mounted satellite dishes so you would have to pick your site carefully. But, there are some 30 amp and no hook-up sites that are clear. This is a typical KOA with lots of amenities including a swimming pool(which was closed for the season when we were there), a playground, volleyball court, basketball court, jump house, pavilion, recreation room, bicycle rental, and horseshoes. Showers, restrooms and laundry are also present and clean. There is a propane filling station. While there is no fenced-in dog park there is a pet walking area. The surrounding area is pretty rural and the closest town (Richfield Springs– which is very small) is five miles away and where you will find restaurants, gas station, grocery store, and more. A few miles from the park is a creamery that has a café. 

      Approximately five miles away is Glimmerglass State Park which was great for hiking and kayaking Otsego Lake. There is a also a historic house at the park that you can tour and the country’s oldest covered bridge. Cooperstown is a little over twelve miles away from the park but well worth a trip. Not only is Cooperstown home to the National Baseball Hall of Fame but it is a charming downtown well worth exploring. Other nearby attractions include The Farmers Museum, Fenimore Art Museum, Hero’s of Baseball Wax Museum, Glimmerglass Opera, and Cooperstown Brewing Company.

    • Sue C.
      Jul. 17, 2021

      Cooperstown K O A Campgrounds

      Great place

      This is our 2nd time here and may come back again. Great variety of things to do and they have a pool and Great kids area. Also have a dog park

    • Cynthia K.
      Aug. 29, 2024

      North-South Lake Campground

      New York

      We were on a 5 state East Coast camping trip. Our first campground was in New York Aug 8th. Unfortunately, Debbie was socking New York hard. North South Lake Campground in the Catskills was our camping home. Thursday & Friday it was Neverending rain & wind. Saturday was the nice day.

      North South Lake has no electricity. The sites are almost all beautiful, tucked in under shady trees. Not a good way to try out our solar panel! Some are by a stream. A few are by the lake. This is a tent campers paradise. New York tent campers are hard core camping during Tropical Storm Debbie!

       There are 7 loops. We were in loop 2. Site 85. There are some sites with an incline down to the site. That might give some rvs trouble. It did for us & I had to be driven out of the campground to call 911. Thank you Mary!! It all ended well & we got a different site.

       There are bears that visit the campground & one came one of the nights & visited our camping neighbor's site. They showed us a picture- it was a large black bear. 

      Generators are allowed for 5 hours & they tell you when you can use them. 

      The bathrooms/showers are state park clean- which means not very.

       There is NO cell service & just forget about WiFi. You are unplugged.

      This is a hiking park & for this middle aged overweight flatlander they are pretty strenuous. Kaaterskill Falls is an exception - short, easy trail, but the parking fills up quickly. Then they close it! You'll have to take a shuttle to get in.

      The trail to the Mountain House Site is also pretty easy, with more of an incline.

      There's 2 nice lakes with beaches. 

      The Catskills are very scenic& we enjoyed our time there!

    • Tara L.
      May. 21, 2018

      North-South Lake Campground

      NYS camping.

      North South lake is one of the larger public camp grounds in New York. The sites are well spaced out. Great for families. The lake is huge.

      Avoid holidays to avoid the crowds.

    • Rachel Y.
      Aug. 4, 2018

      Cooperstown KOA

      Perfect little get away

      This was the first KOA I ever stayed at and I was very impressed. The bathrooms were very nice and so were the showers, which were separate from the bathrooms. The pool, along the dog park, bounce house and swing set were well taken care of. The camp site was on grass and staff made it a point to check on us and invite us to the community bonfire they were doing that night. They also had WiFi and laundry at this campground. I would stay at this campground again.

    • B
      Oct. 18, 2018

      Luzerne Campground

      Defenitly in the woods!

      The only campground in all of New York that acquires to house back riders. There are campsites that also come with stalls for your horse!

    • C
      Sep. 15, 2022

      Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds

      Great camp

      Staying here is great! You’ve got fishing either in 2 private lakes or you can fish in the river but to do the river you’ll need a New York State fishing license. There are playgrounds for the kids, basketball, pool and a remote control car track. We stayed in the “ overflow” are several times and it is very nice.

    • Philip D.
      Oct. 24, 2021

      DevilDoc Campsites

      Awesome Primitive Spot on Private Land

      My buddy and I were looking for a campsite for a quick overnight stay before a bike trip around the Adirondacks, and this spot was a perfect fit. Coming in late after driving all day, we unfortunately didn’t get to meet Rich in person. He did however give us good directions to navigate the narrow driving path in the dark to reach the pond camping area, and even had a large two room tent already set up that we were able to use - a convenient and kind gesture! The old school bus was a fun perk to check out in the morning as well. Most state ran parks in New York close up before the middle of October, and this is a great option for an off season camping spot in the area. Thanks Rich!

    • M
      Jun. 4, 2026

      North-South Lake Campground

      scenic campground

      This is a truly beautiful and scenic campground, easily one of the best places we have visited in New York State. The campsites are well laid out, the surroundings are stunning, and the entire campground is very clean and well maintained. We visited in October, and it was pleasantly uncrowded, which made the experience even more enjoyable. The peaceful atmosphere and beautiful fall scenery made for a perfect camping trip. I'm not sure how busy it gets during the peak summer season, but our autumn visit was fantastic. We had a wonderful time and will definitely be coming back.


    Guide to Esperance

    North-South Lake Campground in the Catskills offers lakeside camping approximately 60 miles southeast of Esperance, New York. The area sits at elevations ranging from 1,600-2,200 feet, creating cooler summer temperatures than surrounding lowlands. Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from May through mid-October, with limited winter facilities available.

    What to do

    Fishing opportunities: Families camping with pets can find excellent fishing at Thompson's Lake Campground where the lake supports multiple species. "The lake offers great swimming and boating," notes Chris D., who appreciates its accessibility "less than an hour from Albany, so it's an easy way to get out of the city for a day or two."

    Hiking with dogs: Many trails near Esperance welcome leashed dogs, particularly at North-South Lake Campground which connects to the Catskill Escarpment trail system. "Hiking was near by and also the beach and if you wanted to drive to where the falls are and the overlook it wasn't too far!" reports Katarina P., highlighting the diverse terrain options.

    Water activities: For campers seeking pet-friendly locations with swimming access, consider the recreational options at North-South Lake. "I go there almost every year to go swimming with my family and friends and it's always a good time," says Lizz H., referencing the lake's popularity during summer months.

    What campers like

    Privacy between sites: Campers with pets appreciate the spacing at Max V. Shaul State Park Campground, where sites are designed for comfort. "The sites are large, flat and sited well apart from each other," notes Holly R., adding that while there are "no hookups, just a picnic table, firepit," the space makes up for minimal amenities.

    Clean facilities: Pet owners frequently mention bathroom cleanliness as important when traveling with animals. "Great bathroom facilities and dish washing station!" reports Melissa S. about Thompson's Lake Campground, reinforcing its reputation for maintenance.

    Family-friendly amenities: Campers with children and pets appreciate dedicated recreational spaces. "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," shares Dana O. about Thompson's Lake.

    What you should know

    Reservation requirements: Most pet-friendly campgrounds near Esperance require advance booking, especially during peak season. At Schodack Island State Park, campers note the popularity: "Located in the Hudson River Valley south of Albany lies this nice and clean campground. Firewood can be delivered to your campsite as well as Ice."

    Pet policies vary: While most campgrounds allow pets, specific rules differ regarding leash requirements and restricted areas. "Pets friendly. Kid friendly," notes James S. about Frosty Acres Campground, but most sites enforce strict leash regulations.

    Seasonal considerations: Weather patterns affect camping comfort significantly. "The state did an excellent job designing sites with dense foliage as sound and site barriers creating good privacy for campers," notes Kevin C. about Schodack Island State Park, highlighting how vegetation provides shade during summer months.

    Tips for camping with families

    Playground access: Families camping with both children and pets should consider sites near recreational areas. "This campground has a secret gem. They have new bathrooms/showers and family bathrooms. There's a playground, a pavilion, they do fireside jams," shares Margaret L. about Max V. Shaul State Park.

    Beach proximity: When camping with kids and pets, waterfront sites provide entertainment options. "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! It's absolutely beautiful!" explains Sabrina H. about Thompson's Lake.

    Educational opportunities: Many parks offer nature programs suitable for families. "Located just about a mile from Kaaterskill Falls this campground couldn't be in a better spot," notes Brittany W. about North-South Lake Campground, referencing nearby natural attractions.

    Tips from RVers

    Site spacing considerations: RV campers with pets appreciate Hide-A-Way Campsites for their layout. "Well maintained clean campground. Friendly attendants guided us to site and directed in spot. Gravel unlevel pad full hookups," reports Jackie M., noting the assistance provided.

    Hookup availability: Electric and water access varies between campgrounds. "This is a small campground but very quiet and nice. The people that run it are very nice and accommodating," says Lee H. about Hide-A-Way Campsites, emphasizing service quality over size.

    Road conditions: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads that can be difficult for larger rigs. "The roads in are definitely patched and bumpy, but once your in the loop things are smooth!" advises Brittany V. about Schodack Island, providing practical navigation guidance for RV drivers.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Esperance, NY?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Esperance, NY is Thompson's Lake Campground — Thacher State Park with a 4.6-star rating from 7 reviews.

    What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Esperance, NY?

    TheDyrt.com has all 116 dog-friendly camping locations near Esperance, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.