The Capital Region offers dispersed camping options near the Mohawk River and surrounding forests. Campers visiting Niskayuna access sites within the southern Adirondack foothills, with elevations ranging from 300-1400 feet. Late spring through mid-October provides optimal weather conditions, though some private campgrounds extend their seasons with heated facilities.
What to do
Hiking near state parks: Moreau Lake State Park Campground trails range from easy paths to challenging mountain climbs. "Over 20 miles in hiking trails, this is one of the nicest parks, I've visited," notes Michi P. about the varied terrain options.
Water recreation beyond swimming: Alpine Lake RV Resort encourages visitors to bring personal watercraft. "Peaceful for such a large campground. Waterfront sites worth the dollars! Bring your boats and SUP boards for lots of fun!" according to Deb V., who recommends reserving lakefront sites for easy water access.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: DevilDoc Campsites provides natural habitat viewing with minimal development. "You'll fall asleep to the sounds of bull frogs, oh and the star gazing is pretty darn nice as well!" says Ross L. The property's 25 acres include various ecosystems for birding and animal spotting throughout the day.
Seasonal activities by elevation: Woodford State Park Campground offers year-round recreation depending on the season. "Coyotes at night and loons in the morning" can be heard according to Melissa S., making it perfect for early risers wanting to experience Adirondack wildlife.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Max V. Shaul State Park Campground provides secluded camping spaces. "Large, flat and sited well apart from each other," describes Holly R., noting the campground's small 30-site footprint creates a more intimate forest experience.
Clean facilities year-round: Lake George RV Park maintains exceptional infrastructure even during busy periods. "Resort Quality RV Park" with "clean sites, friendly staff, awesome amenities and even a trolly to get around this huge park," explains Carrie M., highlighting the well-maintained grounds despite high visitor volume.
Family-oriented activities: Moose Hillock Camping Resorts organizes daily entertainment for all ages. "They have family activities every day too," mentions Ryan G., who appreciated the structured recreation options that kept children under 8 years old engaged throughout their stay.
Natural water features: Frosty Acres Campground includes fishing ponds and swimming areas within the property. "Two ponds to fish in, one you can swim in, kid friendly small pool," notes James S., who enjoyed the variety of water options without leaving the campground.
What you should know
Seasonal rate differences: Most glamping close to Niskayuna, New York increases pricing substantially during holiday weekends. At Moose Hillock, rates jumped from "$66/night during the first part of our stay but then jumped up to in-season rates that were $99/night plus $20/night because it was a holiday weekend," according to Nancy W.
Campsite differences within parks: Sites vary significantly within the same campground. "Sites are spacious, shady, and had good separation between the neighboring sites," says Nancy W. about Moreau Lake State Park, though she notes that Loop A seems best for larger vehicles.
Advanced booking requirements: Popular glamping sites near Niskayuna require substantial planning. "Had to wait till 2 weeks prior to book since we are under the 4 night minimum in season," reports Julie E. about Moose Hillock, indicating flexibility matters when scheduling shorter stays.
Year-round options: Some campgrounds offer extended seasons. Frosty Acres provides winter camping where "you'll have the entire mountain side all to yourself! Snowshoe, cross country ski. Winter campfires," according to James S., making it unique among predominantly summer-focused options.
Tips for camping with families
Water park alternatives: Lake George Escape Campground offers water recreation beyond standard swimming pools. "We had a blast... they have movies, dances and even some kayaking, padding, etc. They have these dinos scattered throughout the park and also a few pools," shares Meag F.
Kid-friendly spaces: Woodford State Park Campground accommodates younger campers with appropriate facilities. "Perfect for families! There are tons of different types of campsites with either tent spots, lean-tos, and a few (hard to get) cabins," explains Sambath T., who appreciated the range of accommodation options.
Budget-friendly planning: Consider pricing structures when traveling with extended family. One camper at Moose Hillock notes, "Pricing is for 2 adults, 3 kids. Our family is mainly adults now so it really jumps the price. We camp with our 2 adult kids & my Mother plus my grandson. So we have to pay for 3 adults an extra $12.00 a night each!"
Activity scheduling: Lake George Escape organizes age-specific entertainment throughout the day. "There is also another trolly to the village of Lake George, Great Escape and the outlet center," mentions April L., highlighting transportation options for off-site excursions with children.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategies: Choose campgrounds based on space requirements rather than just amenities. At DevilDoc Campsites, "We used his power source so we were near his home and site was level for the travel trailer. Slept great each night!!" notes Rosie Lon S., emphasizing the importance of level terrain.
Hookup considerations: Full-service sites vary widely between campgrounds. "Sites are huge. Plenty of room for our RV, and small tent. Private," according to Julie E. at Moose Hillock Camping Resorts, where each site includes individual water and electrical connections.
Navigation challenges: Some campgrounds have complex layouts requiring planning. "Roads in the park are confusing because none are parallel or perpendicular so we had to go slow just to make sure we didn't miss a turn in the RV," explains Nancy W. about Lake George Escape Campground, suggesting first-time visitors request detailed maps.
Winter RV options: Year-round camping requires special considerations. At Frosty Acres, "Elevation about 1409 feet. View of the sunrise over the entire valley are awesome," shares James S., who appreciated the dedicated winter section available to RVers seeking off-season camping.
