The Hudson River Valley near Ravena offers varied camping terrain ranging from 5 feet above sea level along riverfront sites to elevations of 1,300 feet in the Catskill Mountain campgrounds. Most camping spots near Ravena, New York sit within hardwood forests dominated by maple, oak, and beech trees. Weather conditions change dramatically between May and October, with summer temperatures averaging 78-85°F during day and cooling to 55-65°F at night.
What to do
Birding opportunities: Schodack Island State Park provides excellent birdwatching with dedicated viewing areas. "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. Not time to fully explore," notes Patsy E. from Schodack Island State Park Campground.
Hike Mount Greylock: The base of Mount Greylock sits within 30 miles of Ravena, offering moderate to challenging hiking trails. "This campground is a less than five minute drive to the visitors station at the base of Mt. Greylock," explains Nicole P. from Mt. Greylock Campsite Park, adding that "The sites were roomy and we had water and electrical hookups."
Water activities: The Hudson River and nearby lakes provide spots for boating and kayaking. "Our favorite feature was the day use and boat ramp on the Hudson River. We saw many larger boats (maybe small yachts?) during the day. The view from the boat ramp area was amazing. However, stay away if you see boat going by. The boat ramp dock turns into a death trap when a big wake from a boat hits the river bank!" warns Kevin C. at Schodack Island.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate vegetation barriers between camping spots. "The sites are amongst the most spacious I've ever seen... The state did an excellent job designing sites with dense foliage as sound and site barriers creating good privacy for campers," notes Kara W. at Treetopia Campground.
Wildlife encounters: Local camping areas offer frequent wildlife sightings beyond the commonly mentioned rabbits. "Lots of bunnies, weasels, chipmunks, birds, and butterflies. Plenty of space to walk the dog," shares Kara W., while Chris D. at Schodack Island notes there is "a abundance of wildlife" throughout the area.
Recreation facilities: Many campgrounds provide additional recreational options beyond natural features. "The rec room had some nicely maintained games (pool table, ping pong, air hockey, and more)," shares Nicole P. from Mt. Greylock Campsite Park, while Whip O Will Campsites offers "a rec center, playground, and pool" according to Nicholas F.
What you should know
Campground roads: Some access roads may be challenging, particularly after rain. "The roads in are definitely patched and bumpy, but once your in the loop things are smooth!" warns Brittany V. about Whip O Will Campsites.
Water availability: Most campgrounds offer water fill stations rather than individual site hookups. "Water is available at different spots in the campground but not at the sites," explains Chris D. about Schodack Island.
Rabies documentation: Pet owners should bring proper documentation. "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. We're full time so not a problem as it's always with me, but they are very strict on rabies requirements," advises Kara W. about Schodack Island.
Shower systems: Shower facilities vary significantly between campgrounds. At Schodack Island, "the showers are large, but they do operate on a push system where you can't adjust the pressure, temp, or how long the water comes out, so just be aware of that," according to Kara W.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer playground facilities for children. "There is a tall canopy of large trees, deciduous and fir, giving a comforting ambience," notes Kevin P. about Mt. Greylock, while Chris D. mentions that Schodack Island has a "Large playground, boat ramp and hiking/biking trails."
Weekend noise levels: Some campgrounds become significantly louder on weekends. "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," warns Nicole P. about Mt. Greylock.
Swimming options: Not all waterfront campgrounds allow swimming. "I go there almost every year to go swimming with my family and friends and it's always a good time," shares Lizz H. about North-South Lake Campground, one of the places that does permit swimming.
Tips from RVers
Electrical connections: Most RV sites near Ravena offer 30/50 amp service. "If you have an RV, they have 30/50 amp with electric and water. There is no sewer, but they have a dump-station and on-site Honeywagon truck that you can schedule," explains Jeff & Steff about Dingman's Family Campground.
Internet connectivity: Cell service varies widely throughout the region. "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. At night we were able to stream with just a little buffering needed throughout," reports Kara W. about Schodack Island.
Dump station locations: RVers should note that most campgrounds offer dump stations at exits rather than full hookups. "Lots of water fill ups in the campground. Dump station on the way out," notes Kara W. about the facilities at Schodack Island.
