Campsites near Cherry Plain, New York range from rustic state park locations to full-service private campgrounds across the tri-state region of New York, Massachusetts, and Vermont. Located within the Taconic Mountains at elevations between 1,500-2,500 feet, the area experiences wider temperature fluctuations than surrounding lowlands. Camping availability typically extends from mid-May through October, with many locations offering direct trail access to the extensive network of hiking paths throughout the region.
What to do
Kayak fishing at local ponds: Cherry Plain State Park Campground offers direct water access with a clean shoreline. "The camps are well kept. Some camp sites are very small but others are really good. The view is great. My site was amazing. No close neighbors. Lots of space. Right near bathroom," notes one camper about the lakeside sites.
Summit hikes from campgrounds: Sperry Road Campground — Mount Greylock State Reservation connects directly to hiking trails leading to mountain peaks. A camper reports, "The hike up to the summit wasn't too far from the camp sites, probably took us about a half hour at a brisk pace. Great place to check out!!"
Waterfall exploration: Several accessible waterfalls are within short driving distance. A visitor to Savoy Mountain State Forest Campground shared, "Went to Tannery Falls, beautiful waterfall. About a 20 minute drive away, worth a visit. We would stay again."
Swimming in natural settings: Multiple campgrounds offer swimming opportunities beyond the better-known beaches. "The pool was cold, but really nice and again very clean," mentioned a guest at Mt. Greylock Campsite Park, while another camper noted about Clarksburg State Park, "The day use area is very nice with grass, shade and beach and swim area."
What campers like
Wildlife observation opportunities: Black bear sightings are common enough that proper precautions are essential. "Bear boxes are roomy and clean and could double as storage to keep items out of the rain (highly recommend reviewing being 'bear aware' as we had a sighting in our neighboring site," explains a visitor to Mount Greylock.
Clean bathroom facilities: Campers frequently comment on well-maintained facilities. At Bonnie Brae Cabins and Campsites, "Bath house is definitely the cleanest I've ever seen. Looks like it's recently done!" while at Historic Valley Campground, "Bath houses were clean" is a consistent observation.
Secluded tent sites: Many campgrounds offer surprisingly private sites despite their proximity to towns. "The sites were wooded and large. Really looking forward to going back," shared one camper about Mt. Greylock Campsite Park, while at Pittsfield State Forest a visitor mentioned, "We reserved a groupsite down by a stream and pond. It had a large common area surrounded by little pockets which made great tent sites."
Live entertainment: Weekend programming adds value at several locations. "They also has great live music on a Saturday night," noted a visitor to Mt. Greylock Campsite Park, while others mentioned scheduled activities for children throughout summer weekends.
What you should know
Limited connectivity: Cell service is virtually nonexistent at many campgrounds. At Savoy Mountain, "Not even a cell signal can get there, if your looking to unplug this is a great spot!" While at Cherry Plain State Park, visitors should "Don't expect any cell service or internet, but the site is close enough to town if you need."
Challenging access roads: Some campgrounds have specific routing requirements. For Clarksburg State Park Campground, "Some of the sites are up hills and might be difficult for some to park their trailers. We watched a fifth wheel try to back up a hill and then turn into a site and couldn't get a grip because of the incline and the loose gravel."
Site selection considerations: Terrain varies dramatically even within individual campgrounds. "Choose your site carefully" advises one camper about Clarksburg State Park. "Our site (#6) was on a slope, and there was the telltale sign of stormwater runoff tracks running through the middle. We pitched our tents to the left and the right, which worked out well because the next day we had a stream running through our site."
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds now require advance booking, particularly with COVID-era changes. "With 2020 coronavirus restrictions, reservations must be made in advance. Out of state guests will pay a significantly higher fee," notes a visitor to Savoy Mountain State Forest.
Tips for camping with families
Ranger programs: Several state parks offer educational activities. At Clarksburg State Park, "Rangers provided programming for kids and families on the weekends," making it ideal for educational opportunities during summer visits.
Swimming options for different ages: Multiple water bodies offer varying experiences. At Pine Hollow Campground, "There is a small pond that is fun to fish and swim in. The sites are all set up around the pond. We put our trailer sideways and faced the pond."
Biking considerations: Not all campgrounds are suitable for younger cyclists. "The camp has a lot of hills and some are pretty steep. We always bring our bikes and love to bike through the campgrounds, but this one is not good for biking. Our little ones had trouble going down the hills because of the loose gravel."
Game facilities: Indoor recreation options exist for rainy days. "The rec room had some nicely maintained games (pool table, ping pong, air hockey, and more). The caretakers were very friendly and helpful," explained a visitor to Mt. Greylock Campsite Park.
Tips from RVers
Hookup placement challenges: Even at full-service sites, connections may require extra equipment. At Historic Valley Campground, "One issue is the hookups are spread out on your sites. So you may need extra hose or longer cord to complete your hookups."
Leveling requirements: Many sites require substantial adjustment. "I could have used leveling blocks because it was hard to find a great spot that was level side to side. Sites 27 & 29 each seemed a little more level and 29 was larger," noted a camper at Bonnie Brae.
Access route warnings: GPS directions often lead to problematic roads. "They tell you clearly to avoid the GPS directions, but I can't help but think the giant hill they wanted us to avoid would've been better than the dead end and destroyed awning as a result of theirs," warns a visitor to Historic Valley Campground.
Campground layout considerations: Site privacy varies dramatically. "Sites were large and spread out. Although we could kind of see our neighbors if we tried, we were far enough away that we weren't looking at them all weekend," explained a Mount Greylock State Reservation visitor.
