Camping options near New Baltimore, New York extend beyond the Hudson River area into the surrounding Catskills region. The area sits at the eastern edge of the Catskill Mountains with elevations ranging from 100-400 feet along the river to higher terrain moving west. Weather conditions can change rapidly, especially in fall when temperature swings of 30-40 degrees between day and night are common.
What to do
Mountain hiking: 30 minutes to Mount Greylock. Mt. Greylock Campsite Park provides convenient access to the highest point in Massachusetts. "Our site was big and, while not completely level, was workable. There is a nice shop just around the corner, north on Rte 7, with all sorts of food, drink and locally made gifts," notes one visitor.
Lake swimming: No wetsuits needed. Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground offers swimming in a natural lake setting. "Great beach, 5 minute drive from campground. Clean facilities, with a rec room for rainy days. A camp store with all the supplies you might have forgotten," reports one camper. The lake is routinely tested for water quality.
Stargazing: Best September through November. When camping in late fall at Lake Taghkanic, visitors appreciate the reduced light pollution. "Late night, stargazing over the lake is a great pastime, because the water is calm and the light pollution is low," writes one reviewer who stayed through mid-October.
What campers like
Wooded privacy: Natural buffers between sites. Visitors to Spacious Skies Woodland Hills consistently mention the natural screening between campsites. "Your own little wooded oasis. It's got so many different nooks and crannies and so many different levels up and down the hill and valley and just a beautiful peaceful place in the woods," explains one camper.
Clean bathroom facilities: Daily maintenance. The bathroom cleanliness at campgrounds near New Baltimore receives frequent mention. At Mt. Greylock Campsite Park, "The bathhouse was incredibly clean. Showers were great." Another camper noted, "The bath houses never ran out of toilet paper or soap and stayed pretty clean."
Wildlife viewing: Morning and evening hours best. Schodack Island State Park Campground offers significant wildlife spotting opportunities within 15 minutes of New Baltimore. "Many 'exotic' birds. We had frequent visits from Gray Catbirds, and I saw a glimpse of a Bald Eagle through the treeline. There is an abundance of wildlife," reports one visitor.
What you should know
Fall booking window: 3-6 months in advance. Securing campsites for autumn requires planning. "We stayed in late September and stayed on one of their deck sites with our Class B. I LOVED sitting out on the deck every morning for my coffee while taking in the fall air," notes a visitor to Treetopia Campground.
Terrain challenges: Sites often uneven. The Hudson Valley topography creates natural site variations. At Spacious Skies Woodland Hills, one camper reports, "The site was slightly slanted but that did help with drainage when we had torrential downpours." Another noted, "Terrain is uneven. Hit and miss on how flat or level sites are."
Seasonal opening periods: Many close by November. The camping season near New Baltimore typically runs April through October. Lake Taghkanic stays open until October 15, with one camper noting they visited "until the last weekend of the season (Oct 12-14) which was when we were there. The bathrooms and showers are clean and the water stayed hot."
Tips for camping with families
Recreation halls: Indoor options for rainy days. Several rv parks near New Baltimore, New York provide indoor activities. "The rec room has several games including air hockey, foosball, pool and board games. All are free and we enjoyed them," explains a visitor to Mt. Greylock.
Swimming options: Lake vs. pool. Interlake RV Park & Campground offers "a heated pool, a lake for fishing and boating, a game room and snack bar, movies, other sports, and the security of a gated entrance," according to one reviewer, making it suitable for families wanting multiple water options.
Playground access: Check age appropriateness. Schodack Island features "a large playground, boat ramp and hiking/biking trails." Lake Taghkanic also gets high marks from families noting that "The campground has a lake with boat rentals. The park offered many activities."
Tips from RVers
Pull-through availability: Limited but valuable. For larger rigs, pull-through sites at Interlake RV Park & Campground receive good reviews. "Grounds well kept. This is our go to!!" mentions one RVer who appreciated the accessibility.
Electric reliability: Check amperage details. Spacious Skies Woodland Hills provides reliable power, with one visitor noting, "We had a back in site and was having problems with my camper, and they were able to change to a pull through at time of check in."
Deck sites: Added outdoor living space. Some rv campsites near New Baltimore feature built-in decks that expand usable space. "We stayed on one of their deck sites with our Class B (Winnebago). I LOVED sitting out on the deck every morning," reports a camper at Treetopia Campground.
Road conditions: Interior campground roads. When arriving at Schodack Island State Park, be prepared for "roads in are definitely patched and bumpy, but once you're in the loop things are smooth!" The campground features "spacious sites with power hookups. There is water available to fill your fresh water tank along the main road."
