Camping spots near Green Island, New York offer diverse terrain across the Taconic Mountains and Hudson Valley regions, with elevations ranging from 10 to 3,500 feet. The area experiences distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping months. Winter camping opportunities are limited as most campgrounds close by mid-October when overnight temperatures drop below freezing.
What to do
Biking trails access: At Schodack Island State Park Campground, campers can enjoy well-maintained pathways. "There are several hiking trails, a bike trail, a really awesome playground, boat dock, and lots of picnicking," notes Kara W., who visited in 2022.
Kayaking and boating: Thompson's Lake Campground provides water recreation options with equipment rentals. "They have a great beach with swimming, kayak and boat rentals, a nature center next door you can walk too," explains Sabrina H., highlighting the accessible water activities.
Wildlife observation: Ushers Road State Forest offers primitive camping with natural encounters. A reviewer mentioned, "The terrain eventually transitions into a low-lying, swampy area... About 500 feet down the right-hand trail, there is a smaller path branching off to the left. This leads to a previously used campsite, approximately 200 feet from the main trail."
Hang gliding viewing: Mount Greylock State Reservation provides unique aerial sports observation opportunities from the summit. "Once we reached the summit the next day, we were able to watch hang gliders take off which was awesome," shares Jackie G., who camped during an October birthday trip.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Arrowhead Marina & RV Park maintains well-kept grounds. One camper noted, "This was one of our favorite campgrounds of our cross-country trip. Our site was back-in and had plenty of space. There's a lot of green space in this campground and it's right on the river."
Off-season options: Several campgrounds remain open when others have closed. Cherry Plain State Park Campground operates through Labor Day, while Thompson's Lake Campground runs from April 29 to October 10, giving campers additional late-season options.
Private wooded sites: Mt. Greylock Campsite Park offers secluded camping areas. Brett D. shared, "Campground has great amenities and great feel to it. Stayed for 2 nights while on a trip further up north. Will definitely be back to this campground again."
Accessible nature trails: Many campgrounds feature hiking options directly from camp. "The park offers fantastic trails with varying degrees of difficulty and good accommodations for backpacking," explains Taylor R. about Mount Greylock State Reservation.
What you should know
Bear safety precautions: Multiple campgrounds throughout the region require proper food storage. "The bear lockers are roomy and clean and could double as storage to keep items out of the rain," notes Heidi R. about Mount Greylock, adding that they "had a sighting in our neighboring site."
Limited amenities at dispersed sites: Ushers Road State Forest provides primitive camping without facilities. The area has "an abundance of potential camping spots" but requires complete self-sufficiency for water, waste management, and supplies.
Varied site leveling: Terrain throughout the region can present challenges. One camper at Mt. Greylock Campsite Park shared, "Our site was slightly slanted but that did help with drainage when we had torrential downpours the last 24 hours we were there."
Seasonal water conditions: Water levels and quality fluctuate seasonally. Cherry Plain State Park Campground receives mixed reviews on swimming conditions, with Joey M. noting, "The view is great. My site was amazing. No close neighbors. Lots of space."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Schodack Island State Park Campground features recreational facilities for children. "Large playground, boat ramp and hiking/biking trails. It sits under some extremely large cottonwood trees and there is an abundance of wildlife," reports Chris D.
Water recreation options: Aqua Vista Valley Campgrounds offers family-friendly water activities. One seasonal camper mentioned, "They have hayrides, many activities, themed weekends. Activities going on all the time. Great place for family and kids."
Educational opportunities: Thompson's Lake Campground provides learning experiences alongside recreation. "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.
Wildlife viewing spots: Several campgrounds feature animal observation opportunities. At Schodack Island, Kara W. reported, "Lots of bunnies, weasels, chipmunks, birds, and butterflies. Plenty of space to walk the dog."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Several campgrounds offer partial or full connections. Adventure Bound Camping Resort at Deer Run features pull-through sites with electric hookups, making arrival easier. "All of the sites are pull through so no worries about backing in," explains Brandilyn W.
Site privacy considerations: Space between units varies significantly between campgrounds. At Schodack Island State Park, Kevin C. observed, "The state did an excellent job designing sites with dense foliage as sound and site barriers creating good privacy for campers."
Seasonal scheduling: Most RV-friendly campgrounds in the region operate on limited schedules. Arrowhead Marina & RV Park runs from May 15 to October 15, providing riverfront access. One reviewer called it "Picture perfect location. Well maintained, located on the Mohawk River. Shady, grassy areas."
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