Camping sites near Troy, New York span across undeveloped state forests and full-service campgrounds within a 30-mile radius. The area features elevations ranging from river valley settings around 200 feet to woodland campsites exceeding 2,000 feet in the nearby Taconic Mountains. Winter camping options remain limited with most campgrounds closing by mid-October as overnight temperatures regularly drop below freezing.
What to do
Kayaking on Fish Creek: Near Arrowhead Marina & RV Park, visitors can rent equipment at the Kayak Shack. "This was one of our favorite campgrounds of our cross-country trip... There's a lot of green space in this campground and it's right on the river," reported one camper.
Hiking on Mt. Greylock: Access the Appalachian Trail section from Sperry Road Campground. "Depending on the time of year, there are a couple of nearby waterfalls a short hike from the campground. Trails also leave here and head to the summit of Greylock or to the Stony Ledge Overlook," noted one reviewer.
Bird watching from blinds: The trail system at Schodack Island State Park includes dedicated bird blinds. "Best part was hiking out to a couple of different blinds to look for birds. Did see a juv eagle," shared a visitor who appreciated the wildlife viewing infrastructure.
What campers like
Spacious, wooded sites: At Mt. Greylock Campsite Park, the terrain creates natural separation. "Your own little wooded oasis. This place is great. It's got so many different ducks and crannies and so many different levels up and down the hill and Valley and just a beautiful peaceful place in the woods," wrote one camper.
Clean bathhouse facilities: Thompson's Lake Campground maintains modern restroom buildings. "Nice bathroom facilities and dish washing station!" noted one camper, while another added that "all public areas including the bathrooms are very clean."
Abundant wildlife viewing: The habitat diversity supports various animal sightings. "Lots of bunnies, weasels, chipmunks, birds, and butterflies. Plenty of space to walk the dog," reported a visitor to Schodack Island, highlighting the natural environment.
What you should know
Campsite leveling challenges: Prepare for uneven terrain at some locations. At Cherry Plain State Park, one visitor noted, "Some camp sites are very small but others are really good. The sites are well kept. My site was amazing. No close neighbors. Lots of space."
Pet documentation requirements: Schodack Island State Park Campground enforces strict pet policies. "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. We're full time so not a problem as it's always with me, but they are very strict on rabies requirements," warned a camper.
Dispersed camping regulations: At Ushers Road State Forest, primitive camping is permitted with restrictions. "Given that camping is permitted anywhere in the woods as long as it's at least 150 feet off the trail, the surrounding area offers an abundance of potential camping spots," explained one visitor who explored the trail system.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Thompson's Lake Campground offers developed play areas. "This campground has always been my go to. Now that I have kids, I appreciate the playground area near the beach more," shared a returning visitor.
Festival weekends: Some campgrounds host scheduled activities during summer weekends. "The band on Saturday night was fun and we brought our chairs and a cooler up there after dinner. The kids enjoyed just running around the open field while we enjoyed the band," reported a camper at Mt. Greylock Campsite Park.
Swimming options: Beach facilities vary in quality between campgrounds. At Thompson's Lake, campers mention "a great beach with swimming, kayak and boat rentals," while other locations like Cherry Plain offer more basic swimming areas with limited amenities.
Tips from RVers
Water access points: Full hookup sites are limited in the region. At Deer Run Campground, "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," noted one RV camper.
Electric service availability: Most campgrounds offer only partial hookups. "RV sites offer 30/50 amp electricity. There are several hiking trails, a bike trail, a really awesome playground, boat dock, and lots of picnicking," reported a visitor to Schodack Island, adding "lots of water fill ups in the campground. Dump station on the way out."
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds. At Schodack Island, one camper noted "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."
