Luzerne Campground
Defenitly in the woods!
The only campground in all of New York that acquires to house back riders. There are campsites that also come with stalls for your horse!
8 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Arcadian Pastures Equine offers tent and RV camping options for horse enthusiasts near Niskayuna. Situated in a natural setting with opportunities for trail riding, this campground provides basic amenities including fire rings, firewood, and picnic tables. Trash collection is available on site, though the campground lacks electric hookups, water hookups, and shower facilities. Arcadian Pastures allows alcohol but does not permit pets, making it suitable for campers focused exclusively on equestrian activities. The campground is accessible by vehicle with drive-in and walk-in options for reaching campsites.
Betty Brook Camp provides a more rustic equestrian camping experience with access to drinking water, making it suitable for both tent and RV campers. Located in a natural setting near trails suitable for riding, this dispersed camping area permits pets, allowing horse owners to bring their dogs along during their stay. Fire rings are available for campfires, and picnic tables provide comfortable seating areas. The camp maintains a walk-in access option, which can accommodate horses and their owners looking for a more secluded camping experience. The location receives positive feedback from repeat visitors who appreciate the stream-side camping and relative seclusion, with some noting they have camped there for decades throughout all seasons.
"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."
"Great thing about this park is the hiking trails and lake so you don’t even have to leave to the park to enjoy great outdoor recreation."
from $20 - $75 / night
Check Availability"Our first campground was in New York Aug 8th. Unfortunately, Debbie was socking New York hard. North South Lake Campground in the Catskills was our camping home."
"This is a truly beautiful and scenic campground, easily one of the best places we have visited in New York State."
from $22 - $44 / night
Check Availability"The only campground in all of New York that acquires to house back riders. There are campsites that also come with stalls for your horse!"
"We get our site close to the lake so we can walk down and swim and my husband fishes. The showers are so nice and private and clean. Love that we can rent boats too."
from $22 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $25 - $150 / night
Check Availability"I live near this campground. I'm about a mile away and I pass it every day. It is rather remote, but it is right along West kill road."
"The Murphy Bennett Trails is a technical challenge to hike, or bike in on. And be prepared to go over downfalls. The area is maintained, but windhappens in the old growth forest."
from $55 - $195 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $20 - $40 / night
Check AvailabilityThe only campground in all of New York that acquires to house back riders. There are campsites that also come with stalls for your horse!
We were on a 5 state East Coast camping trip. Our first campground was in New York Aug 8th. Unfortunately, Debbie was socking New York hard. North South Lake Campground in the Catskills was our camping home. Thursday & Friday it was Neverending rain & wind. Saturday was the nice day.
North South Lake has no electricity. The sites are almost all beautiful, tucked in under shady trees. Not a good way to try out our solar panel! Some are by a stream. A few are by the lake. This is a tent campers paradise. New York tent campers are hard core camping during Tropical Storm Debbie!
There are 7 loops. We were in loop 2. Site 85. There are some sites with an incline down to the site. That might give some rvs trouble. It did for us & I had to be driven out of the campground to call 911. Thank you Mary!! It all ended well & we got a different site.
There are bears that visit the campground & one came one of the nights & visited our camping neighbor's site. They showed us a picture- it was a large black bear.
Generators are allowed for 5 hours & they tell you when you can use them.
The bathrooms/showers are state park clean- which means not very.
There is NO cell service & just forget about WiFi. You are unplugged.
This is a hiking park & for this middle aged overweight flatlander they are pretty strenuous. Kaaterskill Falls is an exception - short, easy trail, but the parking fills up quickly. Then they close it! You'll have to take a shuttle to get in.
The trail to the Mountain House Site is also pretty easy, with more of an incline.
There's 2 nice lakes with beaches.
The Catskills are very scenic& we enjoyed our time there!
North South lake is one of the larger public camp grounds in New York. The sites are well spaced out. Great for families. The lake is huge.
Avoid holidays to avoid the crowds.
This is a truly beautiful and scenic campground, easily one of the best places we have visited in New York State. The campsites are well laid out, the surroundings are stunning, and the entire campground is very clean and well maintained. We visited in October, and it was pleasantly uncrowded, which made the experience even more enjoyable. The peaceful atmosphere and beautiful fall scenery made for a perfect camping trip. I'm not sure how busy it gets during the peak summer season, but our autumn visit was fantastic. We had a wonderful time and will definitely be coming back.
Gorgeous campgrounds, friendly staff, and spectacular facilities. Loved that trailheads are walking distance from the sites. But we felt very close to campers next to us, not a lot of shrubbery between sites to feel somewhat private. Fire pits are very nice but more catered to cooking instead of being able to sit around in a circle. Also, we picked a site hoping we’d have a nice view of the lake but it’s hard to see from the site and a good walk away. Overall, beautiful grounds but I’d take less facilities to have a more “woodsy” vibe but that’s just my preference!
Had a great time at this campground- surrounded by many returning campers which gave the whole experience a good community vibe. Ice cream truck comes around each evening in the summer. Sites are tucked away in the trees for privacy. We set up our 6 person tent and two hammocks comfortably. Long walk to the beach from our site but enjoyable anyway. Nice little hiking trails nearby.
The sites are spacious and private and there are lake side sites available too. Perfect for groups!! We were able to maximize our lake experience by bringing an inflatable kayak. I was able to explore many different parts of the lake and do a decent amount of fishing. There were a few hiking trails walking distance of the campground that were fun to explore. We will def come back!!
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. The sites are shady and close together, but still feel fairly private. We enjoyed the hiking trails and beach while camping, then went further north for the full ADK experience.
Although the campground was right off the road, it's still in a forest with big pine trees and mossy boulders. It was easy to access from 87. Given the proximity to the road, there is road noise, so that doesn't allow for that super outdoorsy experience you might desire. At night though it would get very dark and quiet - there weren't a lot of campers there during our stay. The camphost lives in a home onsite and was mostly helpful. Be sure to mention the 5 nights for 4 deal on their website upfront, otherwise she won't reimburse. Upon working with her to extend our stay, she said people were scheduled to come into our spot. We moved and no one arrived, so that was a bit annoying.
To get to the sites, we had to take it a bit slow because there are some low hanging trees and a turn, but made it fine. Our first site, 22, was a back-in, 30 amp, full hook-up. It was a long site with plenty of room for our RV and SUV. We had to back it up to the very end to find the flattest option to level. With the way they have their sites set up, you need a 50 ft hose for water. This site was close to the showerhouse but next to a longterm trailer with crap everywhere and we weren't super thrilled that was our view from our windows in our living area. Our second site, 50, was also a back-in, 30 amp, full hookup. It was very pretty but hard to level. The site slopes up, so the backend was high. We tried about every way to sit our rig in there to level, but we ended up driving our front tires up on some leveling blocks and went up with the jacks as much as we safely could. We didn't get a perfect level, but we decided it was ok since we only had 2 days left. We had to wiggle our SUV in kind of sideways, but it worked.
There were some "residents" there in tents, which was interesting and a couple longterm trailers (with the typical cluttered lots you see at campgrounds that offer longterm stays). The campground is clean and the shower houses were faithfully cleaned everyday around 11a. Showerhouses were dated, but had super hot water for showers.
A few miles further down the road is the town of Lake Luzerne. We visited their small grocery which had the basics and we ate at one of the restaurants which had a view of the water (Upriver Cafe). The campground was in a perfect location to visit Lake George and surrounding area (Six Flags, outlet shops, putt-putt, restaurants etc). If you're wanting to explore even more you're only 1.5 hrs to Lake Placid and the Green Mountain National Forest.
Work was difficult with my husband dependent on AT&T. The Weboost got Verizon working fine, but AT&T was spotty. We had some issues with our RV that we were trying to get fixed locally which extended our stay, otherwise we would have left earlier due to this. The camphost told us that they had invested in some sort of mini Verizon tower for their personal use, so that was what was helping the Verizon signal. The campground offers wifi at the office/pool/rec room area, but when the "residents" come down, it brings it to a snails pace. My husband would go down there in the morning to work and had to go to Starbucks in Lake George at times when all the kids at camp decided to be on their devices at the same time.
Pool is not heated, so not many people were using it. They charge $2 per garbage bag to be put in their dumpster. They sell a few necessities in their office and firewood. They have laundry with 1 working residential washer $1 and 1 residential dryer $.75 and 1 industrial sized dryer $1. We did a couple loads with no issue. They are outside in a patio area.
Bring the bug spray. The mosquitos were as big as birds and tenacious!
Equestrian camping options near Niskayuna, New York include several designated horse-friendly sites throughout the region. The area's terrain varies from rolling hills to wooded valleys with elevations ranging from 300 to 1,200 feet above sea level. Trail riding conditions remain favorable from late April through October, with many campgrounds closing after the first frost of autumn.
Trail riding excursions: Some campgrounds maintain dedicated bridle paths suitable for novice and experienced riders. At Moreau Lake State Park Campground, visitors can access "over 20 miles in hiking trails, this is one of the nicest parks, I've visited" according to Michi P.
Swimming breaks: Cool off at lake beaches after trail rides. Luzerne Campground features "nice swim at your own risk beach (no guards), boat rentals, good fishing" as Robert L. notes. The lack of lifeguards requires personal responsibility for water safety.
Historical exploration: The region offers numerous historical sites accessible from equestrian-friendly campgrounds. North-South Lake Campground provides access to historic Catskill Mountain landmarks. As Jessica W. describes, "the hiking nearby is also relatively easy and includes the newly opened (as of 2016) viewing platform for Kaasterskill falls, which is minutes down the road from the campground."
Privacy between sites: Many horse campgrounds provide adequate space between campsites for equine comfort. Moreau Lake stands out as Michi P. reports, "It's very woodsy between sites, so it seems very private." This natural separation creates a more secluded camping experience.
Stream-side options: Waterfront camping spots are particularly sought after among equestrians. Betty Brook Camp earns praise from Robert B. who states, "You camp on the stream. There is a couple of spots," making it ideal for horses that need water access during summer months.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and showers rank high on camper priorities. Luzerne Campground receives consistent praise for cleanliness, with Antoinette W. noting, "The showers are so nice and private and clean. Love that we can rent boats too."
Reservation requirements: Most established equestrian campgrounds require advance booking, especially during peak season. Murphy Lake Leanto operates differently as it's "worth the effort it takes to get there. And you have to earn it on foot, bike or other," according to Tony F., who adds that "the trail snakes its way through the wilderness."
Seasonal limitations: Horse camping sites typically operate from May through September or October. Moreau Lake State Park operates "May 6 to October 13" with Nancy W. observing that "the snack bar and gift/supplies shop at the sandy beach area were not open as we were there late in the season."
Wildlife awareness: Horses may encounter regional wildlife including deer and small mammals. Betty Brook Camp offers a "rather remote" experience where Peter notes "there's a stream alongside it, a fire pit, and a town about 8 mi away. It's a small town, with just a gas station store."
Beginner-friendly trails: Several horse campgrounds near Niskayuna maintain gentler trails suitable for young riders. North-South Lake Campground receives praise as a "large family friendly campground with all the amenities - boating, showers, great hiking" according to Becky G.
Proximity to attractions: Family-oriented amenities can supplement horse camping activities. Luzerne Campground benefits from being "very close to great escape. Hiking available too" as Antoinette W. notes, providing alternative activities for family members less interested in riding.
Multi-generational appeal: Horse camping areas with long traditions attract repeat visitors. Amy M. shares about Luzerne: "My best friend and I took the kids to this campground and we loved it! Beautiful beaches, lots of places to hike and lots of places to take a bicycle and go exploring!"
Site selection for larger rigs: Horse campgrounds vary in their ability to accommodate RVs. Moreau Lake State Park offers options but Nancy W. warns that "the road to our campsite was paved and in good shape but there were a few tight spots because of the trees that make it tricky for a big rig (Loop A seems to be the best for big-rigs)."
Dry camping preparation: Many equestrian camping areas lack full hookups. At Moreau Lake, Nancy W. notes, "This is dry camping so there are no hook-ups but there are restrooms and shower," requiring RVers to come prepared with sufficient water and power reserves.
Access challenges: Horse trailer parking can present difficulties at some locations. Country Campsites provides more accessible options for those with larger horse trailers, while Robert L. suggests avoiding holidays at Luzerne to "avoid the crowds."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Niskayuna, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Niskayuna, NY is Moreau Lake State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 18 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Niskayuna, NY?
TheDyrt.com has all 8 equestrian camping locations near Niskayuna, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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