Pet friendly camping near Glenmont, New York offers access to the upper Hudson River Valley's diverse terrain, with elevations ranging from 200 to 3,500 feet in nearby areas. Seasonal considerations matter here, as most campgrounds operate from May through October, with peak foliage colors typically appearing in late September through mid-October. Campsites at elevation can experience temperature differences of 10-15°F compared to lower valley locations.
What to do
Riverside exploration: Schodack Island State Park Campground provides excellent river access for kayaking and boating. "The day use and boat ramp on the Hudson River was our favorite feature. We saw many larger boats (maybe small yachts?) during the day. The view from the boat ramp area was amazing," shares Kevin C.
Bird watching opportunities: Multiple campgrounds offer dedicated wildlife viewing areas. At Schodack Island State Park Campground, "Hiking out to a couple of different blinds to look for birds" is recommended by Patsy E., who "did see a juv eagle" during their visit. The park features dedicated birding trails with seasonal migration viewing.
Mountain hiking access: The Mount Greylock State Reservation campground connects directly to trail systems. "Stony Ledge is the best view in the park - don't miss that. The Deer Hill backpacking area was more primitive than the Sperry Road walk-in campground but both were still quite secluded," notes Taylor R. The summit is accessible via multiple trail options with varying difficulty levels.
What campers like
Well-maintained facilities: The bathroom and shower buildings receive consistently positive reviews. At Thompson's Lake Campground, "bathroom facilities and dish washing station" are highlights, with Dana O. noting that "all public areas including the bathrooms are very clean."
Family-oriented recreation: Multiple campgrounds feature swimming areas and playgrounds. Clayton H. mentions that at Thompson's Lake, "Some of the lakeside sites have private foot trails down to the water which was very nice." Most waterfront campgrounds maintain designated swimming areas with seasonal lifeguards.
Privacy between sites: Cherry Plain State Park Campground gets praise for its site layout. According to Christine J., "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." Many sites include natural vegetation barriers between campsites.
What you should know
Seasonal variations: Many campgrounds have limited seasons. "Water is available at different spots in the campground but not at the sites," notes Chris D. about Schodack Island. Most water facilities are winterized by mid-October.
Wildlife precautions: Black bears are present in the region, particularly at elevated campgrounds. Mount Greylock campers should note that "Sites are large and generally secluded, each offering a bear box set apart from the campsite itself as black bears live in the park," according to Jean C. Food storage regulations are strictly enforced.
Documentation requirements for pets: Kara W. emphasizes, "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." Most campgrounds require vaccination documentation at check-in, not just tags.
Shower facilities vary: At Schodack Island, showers "operate on a push system where you can't adjust the pressure, temp, or how long the water comes out," explains Kara W. Facilities at other campgrounds may have similar limitations.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds maintain dedicated play areas. At Schodack Island State Park, Tamara S. reports "excellent services and activities. Kudos to the Rangers!" The park includes "a really awesome playground" according to another camper.
Educational opportunities: Ranger programs operate seasonally. "We had a wonderful weekend there. The bathrooms were clean and had showers, which we did not expect," shares Brittany W. about North-South Lake Campground, which is located "just about a mile from Kaaterskill Falls."
Swimming options: Aqua Vista Valley Campgrounds offers multiple water recreation options but Kim H. notes visitors should be aware that "the pool is full of unattended children and the river water can be iffy." Thompson's Lake Campground provides a more structured swimming experience with a beach area.
Tips from RVers
Site specifications: At Spacious Skies Woodland Hills, Ray P. reports, "Terrain is uneven. Hit and miss on how flat or level sites are." He further notes, "Although sites are squeezed in, it is a nice family campground. However the site I had was steep grade from steps to picnic table."
Electrical hookups: The campsites at Dingman's Family Campground include electrical options, which Elizabeth D. supplements by noting their "sites are well spaced and the surrounding area is gorgeous!" She adds that "each site has a fire pit and a picnic table."
Late arrival accommodations: Some campgrounds allow after-hours check-in. Jennie notes that Spacious Skies Woodland Hills "allows late check ins!" - important for travelers arriving after office hours.
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