Schodack Island State Park Campground sits along the Hudson River approximately 15 miles southeast of Old Chatham, offering campsites nestled among tall cottonwood trees. The park connects to a 7-mile network of hiking and biking trails through wetlands and forests at elevations ranging from 10 to 30 feet above sea level. Winter temperatures in the region often drop below freezing from December through February, requiring proper cold-weather camping gear.
What to do
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Schodack Island State Park Campground features multiple wildlife viewing blinds located along the hiking trails. "Excellent birding... Stopped for one night on way from New England to Finger Lakes region. Did see a juv eagle. Not time to fully explore," notes Patsy E., highlighting the park's birdwatching potential.
Swimming in natural settings: During summer months, Pittsfield State Forest Campground offers swimming at Berry Pond. A camper described their experience: "The bath house was great. Four private shower rooms (2 for men, 2 for women). They also had outdoor showers and a dish washing station."
Hiking historic trails: The Catskill Escarpment trail can be accessed from North-South Lake Campground. As one visitor mentions, "Awesome access to the Catskill Escaprment trail from here." The trail follows dramatic cliff edges with views across the Hudson Valley and connects several historic viewpoints dating back to the 19th century.
What campers like
Spacious campsites: Many dog friendly campgrounds near Old Chatham feature generously sized campsites. At North-South Lake Campground, a visitor noted: "The restrooms were clean and had showers, which we did not expect. We had a wonderful weekend there." Sites are situated around two mountain lakes with numerous trails connecting them.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention the exceptional cleanliness of facilities at October Mountain State Forest Campground. "This campground is at the base of October mountain. The sites are varied from grassy meadows by the entrance to wooded canopys uphill. Facilities were good, cleaned frequently," reports Faith B.
Quiet camping experience: Pet-friendly camping sites near Cherry Plain State Park provide a peaceful environment away from urban noise. A visitor mentioned, "It was nice and calm at the campground. The staff where nice and the pond was beautiful. Very quite and relaxing." The pond features a small beach area suitable for dogs to cool off during summer months.
What you should know
Terrain challenges: Some campgrounds have uneven terrain that may affect setup. At Spacious Skies Woodland Hills, a camper noted: "Terrain is uneven. Hit and miss on how flat or leave sights are," highlighting the importance of bringing leveling blocks.
Rabies documentation requirements: Many local campgrounds strictly enforce pet vaccination rules. One visitor warned: "Be sure to bring your dogs rabies records!! They don't let you in with just the tag, it has to be the paper records... they are very strict on rabies requirements."
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds. At Mount Greylock State Reservation, there's minimal cell coverage at campsites. However, at Schodack Island State Park, a camper reported: "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."
Tips for camping with families
Dog-friendly hiking options: Mount Greylock State Reservation offers accessible trails for families with dogs. "The hike in was a fairly easy 1.3 to the campground. The sites were huge 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," shares Heidi R.
Kid-friendly water features: Several pet-accommodating campgrounds feature small ponds suitable for children and dogs. At Cherry Plain State Park, Joey M. noted: "The view is great. My site was amazing. No close neighbors. Lots of space. Right near bathroom." The beach area includes a designated swimming section with gentle slope entry.
Educational opportunities: Dog owners camping with children can access nature programs at Copake Falls Area — Taconic State Park. "There are plenty of hiking trails nearby and of course, trails to Bash Bish Falls which is beautiful," writes Jackie G., highlighting the educational opportunities at this dog-friendly campsite.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: For RVers traveling with pets, choosing the right site impacts comfort. A camper at Dingman's Family Campground noted: "Decent campground right on the Delaware river, definitely family oriented in the warmer months, lots of families with young children, so can be very loud."
Hookup availability: Most pet-friendly campgrounds near Old Chatham offer partial hookups. At Schodack Island, "RV sites offer 30/50 amp electricity. There are several hiking trails, a bike trail, a really awesome playground, boat dock, and lots of picnicking," reports Kara W.
Waste disposal options: RVers with pets should note sanitary dump station locations. "Dump station on the way out," mentions a camper at Schodack Island, while another notes: "Lots of water fill ups in the campground," indicating convenient access points for fresh water.
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