Best Campgrounds near Hillsdale, NY

The area surrounding Hillsdale, New York features a mix of private campgrounds and state parks offering varied camping experiences throughout the region. Moose Hillock Camping Resort in Fort Ann provides spacious sites with amenities including tent camping, RV hookups, cabin rentals, and glamping options. Lake George RV Park offers similar accommodations approximately 30 miles northwest of Hillsdale. Granite Hill Lodge and Campground provides a more intimate setting with only 20 sites primarily serving RV and cabin campers. Several campgrounds in the area include swimming pools, hiking trails, and water access while maintaining proximity to the Adirondack region.

Most campgrounds in the Hillsdale area operate seasonally, typically from May through mid-October, with peak season running from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend. Advance reservations are strongly recommended during summer months, particularly for holiday weekends when facilities reach capacity quickly. Weather conditions vary significantly through the camping season, with potential for summer thunderstorms and cooler evenings in early spring and fall. Many campgrounds implement specific rules regarding visitor fees, early arrival charges, and minimum stay requirements during peak periods. Road access is generally good with most sites accommodating both smaller vehicles and larger RVs. As one visitor noted, "Some friends came for a 2 hour visit & had to pay a $12/per person visiting fee. Wicked unreasonable, we've camped a lot and I've never seen the fee so high."

Campers consistently highlight the privacy and spaciousness of sites at many campgrounds near Hillsdale as a major advantage. A reviewer mentioned, "The sites at Moose Hillock are huge. You could have parked three RVs in our site. Added bonus is that there is nice separation between sites with trees and shrubs that block out your neighbors." Swimming pools represent a popular amenity, with several campgrounds featuring heated pools, water slides, and dedicated swimming areas. Family-friendly activities are common at larger campgrounds, though smaller facilities may offer more tranquil experiences. Campground proximity to natural attractions, including Lake George and the southern Adirondacks, provides additional recreational opportunities for hiking, boating, and fishing. While most campgrounds offer full hookups and modern amenities, pricing varies significantly, with premium sites and additional guests often incurring substantial surcharges.

Best Camping Sites Near Hillsdale, New York (215)

    1. Moose Hillock Camping Resorts

    22 Reviews
    Queensbury, NY
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 792-4500

    "Golf cart rentals (4 and 6 person) were expensive so we just walked the park multiple days. Each site is gigantic and well thought out and can easily say there is not a bad site in the place."

    "The park is very large so if you want to be near the pool/entertainment area or nearby bathrooms, pick your site accordingly."

    2. Emerald Lake State Park Campground

    19 Reviews
    Danby, VT
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 362-1655

    "The camp sites are quite a bit of a walk up the hill from the lake where there is swimming, kayaking, paddle boating and picnicking."

    "Nice lake for canoeing with trails from the camping area. Family friendly with semi private sites. A little road noise from nearby highway but it quiets down for a good night's rest."

    3. Lake George RV Park

    20 Reviews
    Queensbury, NY
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 792-3775

    "**Lake George RV Park may be the greatest campground we’ve stayed at yet!"

    "We rented a golf cart from an outside course which was SUPER expensive, so it would be nice if the campground offered their own rentals, but if that's our only complaint, we're happy campers."

    4. Camping On The Battenkill

    20 Reviews
    Arlington, VT
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 375-6663

    $45 - $57 / night

    "Site 16 had a path to the river and was slightly tucked away. Sites 13 and 14 were cool spots too, I’d imagine in the summer you may have less privacy because it’s near the swimming area."

    "Friends and I camp here every June, and we love being close to the river. We sleep in tents so the sound of the river put  you to sleep at night."

    5. Hearthstone Point Campground

    16 Reviews
    Diamond Point, NY
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 668-5193

    $22 / night

    "I am so thankful that l live close to the Adirondack park- where there are so many places to camp within this huge park."

    "Close to Lake George. Went on the trolley to the village. New adventure."

    6. Lake George Escape Campground

    25 Reviews
    Warrensburg, NY
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "Campground is placed 10 minutes from the bottom of Lake George with great hiking trails in the surrounding area. The campground it’s self it’s very clean in every aspect."

    "Restaurant and bar right next to the pool. Decent size spots."

    7. Granite Hill Lodge and Campground

    2 Reviews
    Fort Ann, NY
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (838) 250-7800

    $30 - $60 / night

    "Great facilities/location."

    "They even have flower beds sprinkled around that are well manicured. The campground host is awesome. And they charge $10 for firewood for the length of your stay. Not by the bundle."

    8. Slateville Secluded Campsites

    1 Review
    West Pawlet, VT
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 248-0336

    $45 - $65 / night

    9. Moreau Lake State Park Campground

    18 Reviews
    Gansevoort, NY
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 793-0511

    $20 - $75 / night

    "This campground is close to the highway between Albany and the Adirondacks. There’s a nice big lake and the Hudson RIver. Many campsites are near the lake."

    "Moreau Lake has (in my opinion) superb facilities as far as state run campsites go."

    10. Dorset RV Park

    7 Reviews
    Dorset, VT
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 867-5754

    "The roads and campsites are gravel and a little tight to get around because of all the trees but we were able to manage in our 45’ motorhome."

    "The location was very good in allowing us to visit family in nearby village and go into nearby Manchester Center. Much more of an RV Park (name is on the money) than camping where we had our site."

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Recent Reviews near Hillsdale, NY

792 Reviews of 215 Hillsdale Campgrounds


  • Carroll K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 16, 2025

    Gus's Gardens Camping

    It was quite and peaceful

    We enjoyed our stay with Gus very much. With the email to confirm our stay, there were excellent directions to get there. It is behind his home by a lake with creek nearby. There is also a hiking trail. We had no problems. If we are in the area again, we would camp here again.  Thanks

  • Jenna L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 10, 2025

    Crown Point Campground

    Nice with a view

    Pretty nice campground all things considered, bathrooms are definitely rustic but kept clean. Some of the campsites are very close together, and others have a decent amount of space between them, not necessarily a lot of trees in between campsites for privacy. Beautiful views of the water, and surrounding mountains. Staff was extremely friendly!

  • Keith L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 9, 2025

    Jamaica State Park Campground

    Great Camping Experience at Jamaica State Park

    This was our second stay at this Vermont State Park. It was a great three days. The park rangers were tremendous in ensuring we had a great visit. They worked with us to get the right site. The bathroom facilities, while rustic, were clean. There is a plethora of things to do in the park itself and in the local community. Nonetheless, it starts and ends with the management of the campground. Lauren, the campground manager, and her team of professionals, do a great job. We will definitely return.

  • B The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 7, 2025

    Quechee State Park Campground

    Beautiful, road noise, not a lot there

    Big, flat, beautiful sites. Road noise isn't super loud, but it's constant. Might be the nicest bathrooms I've seen in decades of camping.

    The weird thing is that there just isn't much here. The Quechee Gorge, best accessed from the back of the lawn behind the bathhouse, is the deepest in Vermont.. which is kind of like saying the best bagel or most populous city in Vermont. Prepared to be whelmed.

    It's a ~30 minute hike, you can access some slow semi-rapids at the bottom.

    Camping at the SP does give access to another trail that's moderately challenging and has both some level spots and a nice overlook.

    Don't regret the trip at all but it seems more like an awesome stopover than a worthwhile destination. Some decent restaurants in the area and even more in nearby Lebanon/White River Junction.

  • Chelsea B.
    Oct. 5, 2025

    Frontier Town Campground

    So clean!

    We stayed in site 33 which is in the equestrian camping area. It’s really open with little tree cover which is perfect for those who work remote using Starlink. We had fantastic connection. The sites in the equestrian camping area are huge and so clean. The bathrooms are the cleanest I’ve seen so far and we do this full time. The only disappointment was that the hot water doesn’t get very hot in the shower so you better do some jumping jacks to get pumped before showering during colder temps! The trails are well marked and well maintained. Overall, this is a fantastic campsite. There’s even a brewery a ten minute walk down the road. We didn’t go but looks nice. Get your supplies before you arrive! Not many places around to quickly grab charcoal if you need it.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 4, 2025

    Kampersville

    Nice

    The campsites are all in the trees with some sites not clearly defined. The sites seem good sized with new bathroom and showers, with individual showers with a toilet. There are a lot of monthly staying here. Overall a nice park

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Branch Pond on National Forest Hwy

    Amazing camping spots with fire pits!

    Tons of different styles of camping spots (if you get there while its still sunlight you can pick a spot by a flowing stream/river). No public bathrooms, no hookups, I personally didn’t have service.

  • PThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 30, 2025

    NF 83 - riverside

    NF83

    Great camping site. The road into the site was pretty rough.


Guide to Hillsdale

Camping near Hillsdale, New York ranges from secluded riverside retreats to family-focused resorts with water amenities. Located in the southwestern edge of Columbia County where the Taconic Mountains meet the Hudson Valley, Hillsdale sits at approximately 700 feet elevation and experiences typical Northeast seasonal changes with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and occasional evening temperature drops into the 50s even in July.

What to do

Swimming in crystal-clear quarries: Dorset RV Park's location provides easy access to nearby swimming quarries. As one camper noted, "Great location near a fantastic quarry, country store, and Manchester shopping. The camp grounds were family friendly and quiet. They even had rabbits and chickens for the kids to enjoy."

Trout fishing in scenic rivers: Camping on the Battenkill in nearby Arlington, Vermont offers prime fishing opportunities just 30 minutes from Hillsdale. "Small, mostly wooded, quiet campground. Facilities were spotless. The owners are so nice and welcoming. Great river for tubing or hanging out in the swimming hole," reports one visitor.

Exploring trails in state parks: Moreau Lake State Park Campground offers extensive hiking options about 45 minutes from Hillsdale. "Over 20 miles in hiking trails, this is one of the nicest parks, I've visited," says one camper, while another mentions "The park has a large number of hiking trails for every level of outdoorsman and the staff is friendly and helpful."

What campers like

Spacious, private sites: Campers consistently praise the site size at Camping On The Battenkill. "We were at site 17, and it was a massive site. Lots of room would be great for a large family or group," notes one review. Another states, "I stayed right on the river in site 14 with a small popup. The river is beautiful and the site was huge."

Clean, well-maintained facilities: Emerald Lake State Park receives high marks for upkeep. One reviewer mentions, "Clean, well spaced, and paved roads." Another describes it as a "Nice campground with decent amenities. Pay showers so save your quarters."

Lake swimming options: Emerald Lake State Park Campground offers swimming in a distinctive turquoise lake. "Beautiful campground in south central Vermont. On a lovely emerald green small lake with nice beach. Good for fishing and kayaking," says one visitor. Another adds, "Swimmers can swim out the a small island in the middle of the lake and check out the rope swing."

What you should know

Seasonal operation limitations: Most campgrounds in the Hillsdale area operate from May through mid-October, with limited shoulder season availability. At Hearthstone Point Campground, their season runs "May 19 to September 10" according to their listing.

Water access considerations: Not all campsites offer direct water access despite being near lakes or rivers. As one Emerald Lake visitor explains, "While there are trails down to the lake from the campground, none of the sites are waterfront, or even water view. In fact, many of them are perched on a steep ledge."

Site variability: Quality and size of sites can differ dramatically even within the same campground. At Hearthstone Point, "Sites range in size. Some have a slight change in grade. Woods. Our particular site had several small rocks through out. We also notice certain locations would have ponding after heavy rains."

Limited RV sites at smaller campgrounds: Granite Hill Lodge and Campground has just 20 total sites, making advance reservations critical during peak season. A visitor notes they offer "larger sites, and beautiful views from their lookout. They even have flower beds sprinkled around that are well manicured."

Tips for camping with families

Look for campgrounds with organized activities: Lake George RV Park offers extensive programming for children. One family mentioned, "The campground is so clean and nice! Perfect for the dogs with best dog park I ever saw. Pools and hot tubs extremely clean and the grounds looked more like a hotel resort than campground. Free shows every night at the playhouse kids loved. Animal shows kept daytime events going strong."

Choose parks with shallow swimming areas: Safe swimming options matter for families with small children. An Emerald Lake visitor points out, "It's an awesome park for kids, and the turquoise water is a dream to cool off in. There's a small, sandy beach at one end of the lake, with a bath house and changing rooms nearby."

Consider site location carefully: Some campgrounds have challenging terrain not ideal for families with young children. At Emerald Lake, "many of them are perched on a steep ledge, making them a bit sketchy for families with kids. If you have little ones, check out the map before you reserve a site and find one on the opposite side of the ledge."

Tips from RVers

Verify site dimensions before booking: Big rigs may face challenges at some of the best places to camp near Hillsdale. At Dorset RV Park, one RVer cautions, "Larger rigs might want to avoid loop 6-14, especially for sites 8-12. Tree placement and a pretty sharp 110+ degree turn makes it challenging to maneuver."

Expect varying hookup options: Lake George Escape Campground offers full hookups but site quality varies. A reviewer notes, "Campsites in the park are pretty inconsistent– meaning some are long and wide with good privacy but others are not. With over 400 campsites there are a lot to chose from and hard to know which is best for you unless you have been there before."

Budget for additional fees: Many campgrounds near Hillsdale charge premium rates during peak season. At Lake George RV Park, one visitor shared, "We love going to Lake George RV Park. It's got large sites, virtually all blacktop roads, bike trails, dog park, indoor pool, outdoor pool and another (new) water park with zero-entry pool... My only minor issue was with WIFI on one trip, but most of the time it's pretty good for a campground."

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Hillsdale, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, Hillsdale, NY offers a wide range of camping options, with 215 campgrounds and RV parks near Hillsdale, NY and 34 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Hillsdale, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Hillsdale, NY is Moose Hillock Camping Resorts with a 4.1-star rating from 22 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Hillsdale, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 34 free dispersed camping spots near Hillsdale, NY.

What parks are near Hillsdale, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 15 parks near Hillsdale, NY that allow camping, notably Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests and Green Mountain National Forest.