Rexford camping areas sit along the Mohawk River valley, which forms a natural transportation corridor through eastern New York. The terrain transitions from river plains to higher elevations with mixed hardwood forests and wetlands. Several campgrounds remain open from May through mid-October, with closures during colder months when temperatures frequently drop below freezing and snow accumulation makes access difficult.
What to do
Kayaking access points: Northampton Beach Campground offers direct lake access for water activities. "Great facilities, and friendly staff. MANY campsites with lakeside access, although do pay attention to the time of year as the water level can drop considerably over the summer," notes camper Robert L.
Hiking options for all levels: Moreau Lake State Park Campground features over 20 miles of trails. According to Michi P., "I love the spacious campsites. It's very woodsy between sites, so it seems very private. Bathrooms and Showers are clean. Over 20 miles in hiking trails, this is one of the nicest parks, I've visited."
Swimming beaches: Multiple parks offer swimming areas for summer relief. "They have a great beach with swimming, kayak and boat rentals, a nature center next door you can walk too and the bathrooms are refurbished," says Sabrina H. about Thompson's Lake Campground.
Miniature golf: Family entertainment options exist near campground entrances. At Northampton Beach, one camper mentions "a miniature golf place right outside of the entrance" among other amenities.
What campers like
Private waterfront access: Certain sites at Thompson's Lake Campground feature unique water access. Clayton H. appreciates that "Some of the lakeside sites have private foot trails down to the water which was very nice."
Spacious campsites: Many campgrounds prioritize space between sites. At Moreau Lake State Park, camper Nancy W. found that "Campsites are spacious, shady, and had good separation between the neighboring sites which we enjoyed."
Clean facilities: Schodack Island State Park maintains excellent bathrooms. "The bathrooms are very clean. 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," explains Kara W.
Wildlife viewing: Several campgrounds offer opportunities for wildlife observation. Joseph C. at Schodack Island notes, "Many 'exotic' birds (for a Brooklyn boy, anything that is not a pigeon or sparrow is exotic). We had frequent visits from Gray Catbirds, and I saw a glimpse of a Bald Eagle through the treeline."
What you should know
Seasonal water levels: Great Sacandaga Lake experiences significant level changes. Robert L. at Northampton Beach Campground advises, "pay attention to the time of year as the water level can drop considerably over the summer."
RV site leveling challenges: Some sites require preparation for proper setup. At Adventure Bound Camping Resort, Lauren notes: "Our site was large and shaded. The draw back is where you need to park the camper is about 7 inches out of level. If we stay in the same site again we would come better prepared."
Facility maintenance varies: Bathroom conditions can differ between campgrounds. Alyssa C. mentions at Northampton Beach: "The bathrooms were pretty awful though. The showers were broken and there was no hot water the entire 5 days we were there."
Weather preparedness: The region experiences significant seasonal variations. Nancy K. describes Moreau Lake State Park as having "Nicely treed sites and cabins with a pretty lake," which provides shade during hot summer days but requires warm clothing during spring and fall camping.
Tips for camping with families
Playground amenities: Lee's Park Campground offers entertainment for children. Gabe W. suggests, "Close to SPAC, lots of area to set up tents, dog friendly, campfire friendly, and there's a lake minutes away."
Child-friendly beach areas: Thompson's Lake Campground has dedicated play spaces. Dana O. shares, "This campground has always been my go to. Now that I have kids, I appreciate the playground area near the beach more. All public areas including the bathrooms are very clean."
Family activities: Water features appeal to younger campers. At Adventure Bound Camping Resort at Deer Run, Lauren confirms "Family oriented. The kids loved love water attractions. Our site was large and shaded."
Safety considerations: Campgrounds with regular patrols provide peace of mind. At Northampton Beach, one reviewer notes, "Noise carries far, but they do patrol the grounds frequently."
Tips from RVers
Pull-through site availability: Adventure Bound Camping Resort at Deer Run offers convenient access. Brandilyn W. explains, "All of the sites are pull through so no worries about backing in. They are pretty close together but we went so early in the season we didn't have anyone on either side of us."
Hookup options: Several campgrounds provide electrical service without water hookups. At Schodack Island State Park, Kevin C. notes, "This is dry camping so there are no hook-ups but there are restrooms and shower."
Tree clearance: RV drivers should be aware of overhead limitations. Nancy W. shares about Moreau Lake State Park: "Our campsite was spacious but required some maneuvering to avoid scraping trees with our RV."
Winter camping options: Frosty Acres Campground accommodates year-round stays. James S. reports, "We stayed from April until October then decided to stay over winter. They have a small winter section. You'll have the entire mountain side all to yourself! Snowshoe, cross country ski. Winter campfires."
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