Schaghticoke sits at the confluence of the Hoosic and Hudson Rivers in eastern New York, with elevations ranging from 400-600 feet above sea level. The area experiences warm summers with occasional thunderstorms and crisp falls with colorful foliage. Most camping options near Schaghticoke remain open from May through mid-October, with limited winter access.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Camping on the Battenkill provides direct access to world-class trout fishing. One visitor noted, "The Battenkill swimming and world-class trout fishing" make this location special with "wooded, sunny and on the river sites" available for anglers of all skill levels.
Kayaking and paddling: Cherry Plain State Park Campground offers a small lake perfect for beginner paddlers. A camper reported, "The view is great. My site was amazing. No close neighbors. Lots of space," adding that "the pond was beautiful" for peaceful paddling sessions.
Hiking options: Ushers Road State Forest provides bicycle-friendly nature trails with multiple camping possibilities. A visitor described: "I explored both directions on my bike, riding approximately half a mile down each side. The terrain eventually transitions into a low-lying, swampy area" with multiple potential dispersed camping spots.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Schodack Island State Park Campground gets high marks for site size and privacy. One camper remarked, "The sites are amongst the most spacious I've ever seen. RV sites offer 30/50 amp electricity," while another appreciated how "the state did an excellent job designing sites with dense foliage as sound and site barriers creating good privacy."
Clean facilities: Woodford State Park Campground maintains exceptional bathroom facilities. A camper observed, "The bathrooms were the cleanest campground bathrooms I've ever seen!" Another mentioned, "The bathroom in the first loop is fine (cold water sinks, hand soap, paper towels). Token operated showers."
Wildlife viewing: Moreau Lake State Park Campground offers excellent wildlife watching opportunities. One visitor shared, "We heard coyotes at night and loons in the morning," while another praised the "excellent facilities as far as state run campsites go" with "a large number of hiking trails for every level of outdoorsman."
What you should know
Campground character: Lee's Park Campground transforms during concert events at nearby venues. One camper warned, "It is not pretty it is not glamorous but it was an experience that we were glad we had," while another noted it "takes on a real festival experience. Tents all over, drum circles, booze, and youth."
Site selection matters: Cherry Plain State Park has variable site quality. A camper advised, "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."
Seasonal crowds: Moreau Lake gets busy during peak periods. A reviewer cautioned, "Due to it's proximity to I-87 and being conveniently located 20 minutes from both Lake George and Saratoga Springs the park draws large crowds of downstate tourists" and "during the summer season I wouldn't go here expecting to have the park to yourself."
Tips for camping with families
Water activities: Pine Hollow Campground features a central pond that children enjoy. A visitor shared, "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."
Playground access: Woodford State Park Campground provides family-friendly amenities. One camper wrote, "Perfect for families! There are tons of different types of campsites with either tent spots, lean tos, and a few (hard to get) cabins," adding "if you have kids and don't mind them making friends and roaming the campground then this is great!"
Activity planning: Adventure Bound Camping Resort at Deer Run offers scheduled family activities. A camper reported, "Family oriented. The kids loved love water attractions. Our site was large and shaded," while another mentioned the "new water park is great, the pools are dated but okay."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Adventure Bound Camping Resort at Deer Run requires preparation for uneven sites. One RVer noted, "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."
Electric hookups: Camping On The Battenkill offers various hookup options strategically placed. A seasonal camper explained, "Our site has S/W/E with cable and wifi, and is nicely shaded-25b," while another mentioned they had their "small camper on a tent site to be near the river" and "there were hookups and dump station."
Arrival timing: Schodack Island State Park Campground has straightforward setup for RVs. A camper advised, "Fairly level pull-thru. Mix of large rock gravel, dirt, grass/weeds," noting that the "service side of rig faced a nice small grassy area with pretty trees" providing a pleasant stay for larger vehicles.
Guide
