Camping opportunities around Old Chatham span across two states, with options in both New York's eastern region and western Massachusetts. The area sits at elevations ranging from 400 to 1,000 feet above sea level, with campgrounds positioned near various water bodies including the Hudson River and several lakes. Seasonal considerations include spring flooding along riverfront locations and peak fall camping during September and October when nighttime temperatures can drop below 40°F.
What to do
Hiking at Taconic State Park: Access trails directly from your campsite with varying difficulty levels, including paths to Bash Bish Falls. "Stopped for one night on way from New England to Finger Lakes region... Best part was hiking out to a couple of different blinds to look for birds. Did see a juv eagle," noted a visitor at Schodack Island State Park.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple sites offer fishing access, particularly at Cherry Plain State Park. "Nice little place close to home...very comfortable with a nice beach and lots of hiking and fishing," according to one regular visitor.
Swimming in natural settings: Several campgrounds maintain swimming areas in lakes or ponds. A camper at Pittsfield State Forest Campground reported, "July 2025. We stayed in site #36...The bath house was great... There were many hiking trails. The loop took us to the top where there was a beautiful view."
Birdwatching: The area supports diverse bird populations. "Excellent birding... Stopped for one night on way from New England to Finger Lakes region... Best part was hiking out to a couple of different blinds to look for birds. Did see a juv eagle," reported by a visitor.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campgrounds feature natural barriers between sites. At Mt. Greylock Campsite Park, a camper observed, "This place is great. It's got so many different ducks and crannies and so many different levels up and down the hill and Valley and just a beautiful peaceful place in the woods."
Clean facilities: Consistently maintained bathrooms and showers receive positive reviews. "Very clean bathrooms, had to take a shower before crawling in. I appreciated that this state park had pockets of campsites and group sites. We were not all in one place," noted a Pittsfield State Forest visitor.
Natural water features: Lakes, ponds, and rivers enhance camping experiences. At Copake Falls Area — Taconic State Park, visitors appreciate "a very large open grassy field for play/sports, a playground and life guarded portion of the lake for swimming."
Wildlife viewing: Campers frequently report animal sightings. "Fabulous stay! The roads in are definitely patched and bumpy, but once your in the loop things are smooth! The site was SO spacious and felt secluded because of all the nature and greenery," commented a Schodack Island State Park visitor.
What you should know
Site variations: Terrain and privacy differ significantly across campgrounds and within them. At Cherry Plain State Park Campground, a visitor noted, "We first stayed at site 11, but moved as it is on the road and uninteresting. There are a number of 'walk in' sites that are all lovely, I suggest the sites toward the back of the park."
Reservation timing: Most campgrounds require advance booking, especially for premium sites. "Reserve very early for waterfront," advised a North-South Lake Campground visitor.
Limited connectivity: Cell service is minimal at most locations. "ATT and Verizon fluctuate between 1-3 bars. It was enough for me to work - downloading files, sending emails, and conducting non-video zoom calls," reported a Schodack Island visitor.
Weather preparedness: Temperature fluctuations require planning. "Stayed here 7/2020. Great job distancing for Covid. 'Comfort station' well maintained. Campsites are rocky, had to re arrange tent to get off rock," shared a Pittsfield State Forest visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature designated play areas. "Large family friendly campground with all the amenities - boating, showers, great hiking," noted a visitor at North-South Lake Campground.
Swimming options: Kid-friendly water features are available at multiple locations. "Love Bonnie Brae - perfectly located for fishing and hiking and breweries - great grounds - quiet and extremely well kept. Bathrooms were spotless and I saw them cleaned several times a day. Fun little and safe park and we also used the pool which was great," shared a visitor.
Educational opportunities: Many parks offer nature programs. "My family and I love this place. we have camped here for the last 3 years. they have excellent services and activities. Kudos to the Rangers!" commented a visitor at Schodack Island State Park.
Noise considerations: Weekends tend to be busier and louder. "This campground is a less than five minute drive to the visitors station at the base of Mt. Greylock. The sites were roomy and we had water and electrical hookups... It was a very quiet campground during the week. However, I have it only 4 stars because when Friday came and the weekend campers arrived, it got loud and rowdy," explained a Mt. Greylock visitor.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Many sites require leveling blocks. At Bonnie Brae Cabins and Campsites, one RVer reported, "I was in site 28 with a teardrop camper. 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."
Road conditions: Access roads vary in quality and width. "The roads in are definitely patched and bumpy, but once your in the loop things are smooth!" noted a Schodack Island State Park visitor.
Water and electrical access: Hookup availability differs by campground. "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," shared a Bonnie Brae camper.
Site sizing: Some RV sites are more accommodating than others. "Terrain is uneven. Hit and miss on how flat or leave sights are," noted a Bonnie Brae visitor, while another mentioned, "We stayed in 12 full hook up with a 27 ft slide travel trailer and it was a good size."
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