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Best Tent Camping near Schenectady, NY

612 Reviews

Several tent camping options exist within a 30-mile radius of Schenectady, New York, with both dispersed and established sites available in the surrounding forests and parklands. Ushers Road State Forest offers dispersed camping with access to bicycle-friendly nature trails and numerous potential campsites at least 150 feet from trails. Duck Pond Campsite provides a more secluded tent camping experience, accessible via unpaved dirt roads that may require high-clearance vehicles.

Access to tent camping areas varies significantly across sites. Ushers Road State Forest features drive-in and walk-in access with fire rings but no drinking water, toilets, or other amenities. Duck Pond Campsite includes fire pits and a trickling stream but requires navigating rough roads with intermittent cell service. Murphy Lake Leanto offers a remote backcountry tent camping option accessible only by hiking or biking a technical trail through wilderness areas. Campers should pack in all necessary supplies including drinking water, as most dispersed sites lack facilities.

Tent campers particularly appreciate the seclusion and natural settings these areas provide. E16 Canal Lock offers free tent camping with 48-hour maximum stays and trash disposal, though without fires, drinking water or other amenities. Forested sites at Duck Pond provide protection from insects despite proximity to water. At Murphy Lake Leanto, visitors find a large shelter, fire pit, and ample space for tents amid old-growth forest surrounding the lake. According to one visitor, "The site itself was pretty nice with a fire pit and trickling stream, but the rough roads leading in require careful driving with a small vehicle only."

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Best Tent Sites Near Schenectady, New York (24)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Schenectady, NY

33 Photos of 24 Schenectady Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Schenectady, NY

612 Reviews of 24 Schenectady Campgrounds

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 9, 2021

    Echo Lake

    Lovely Camping in the Catskills

    This campground was my first backpacking trip and it was perfect!  There are tent sites around the whole lake with fire pits and 1 lean-to site at the end of the trail when you first arrive at the lake.  The sites are relatively flat and well shaded with trees.  Note, it can get swampy near the edge of the lake so you may want to bring bug spray.  Make sure you practice leave no trace principles and pack out what you bring in!  It does get a little crowded later in the day so you may have to share space with others and it can be a little noisy at night.

  • Erin B.
    Sep. 11, 2019

    Clarksburg State Park Campground

    low key and beautiful fall getaway

    Keep in mind that this review is written after camping sept 8th (the week that school started for many) so it might not be relevant to peak camping season. We were pleasantly surprised with our weekend getaway to Clarksburg State Park. Nestled in the Berkshires and basically walking distance to Vermont, Clarksburg State Park provides a comfortable and semi-private tent site. Several spots (including ours 6) were very close to the rather large pond. While the trees obstruct the views, the site was waterfront and we were able to walk a few yards downhill to the waters edge where we launched our kayaks (there is a designated launching spot elsewhere). No electric and water hookups are provided but we were totally okay with that. Bear boxes were provided on each site so that you don’t have to keep stinky food or garbage in your car! Each site also had a fire pit with a grate so that you can cook right there on the fire. The bathrooms were some of the cleanest campground bathrooms and showers i’ve experienced (no bugs or webs also) and there was a dishwashing station on the side. The sites were large and well spaced but they had trees in between so that you felt privacy. The campground itself had plenty of sites, firewood for sale in the front and a pavilion and beach area on the day use side. There are plenty of trails you can hop on right outside your tent site and very little light pollution for optimal star gazing. We really enjoyed our time here and will definitely be back!

  • Dawn S.
    May. 30, 2020

    Savoy Mountain State Forest Campground

    Clean

    My pup and I spent two nights here and were very happy. While this campground is bare-bones (no pool) it is perfect for anyone who wants to just chill and do nothing or hit the mountains / local area and do some hiking. The entire campground was very clean, as were the bathrooms. At check-in they will give you maps of hiking routes. Firewood is for sale onsite as are a few necessities. They also had bear boxes, picnic tables and fire rings at each site. We will go back.

  • Sara Q.
    Oct. 7, 2019

    Savoy Mountain State Forest Campground

    Small, loud, muddy

    Unfortunately, I was not a big fan of this small campground. Right from the start, upon checkin, I bought two $5 ea. bundles of wood after being assured they were "kiln dried".  The wood wouldn't catch no matter what I tried -- not even with the help of some fire starter.  The tent site itself was very small and barely fit my truck and tent.  It was made smaller still because of the mud and holes on the perimeter of the site. At night, there was a lot of traffic noise nearby and despite a posted quiet time, other campers were slamming car doors over and over and talking at the top of their lungs, making it difficult to sleep. The surrounding state forest was pretty and the trails were in decent shape.

  • Christina W.
    May. 28, 2019

    Sperry Road Campground — Mount Greylock State Reservation

    I go every year!

    Me and my friends get a group site at least once a year. It's an amazing place with really great staff that care about the safety of everyone and keeping the areas clean. We always have an amazing time here. The views are great and we have never had any issues. 

    First time I went it was intimidating because I had never camped in an all tent camping site with no running water or public restroom areas. However, as soon as I got acclimated, I loved it. There are outhouses stationed at different areas all around, and bear boxes for every group. There are bears around so use the boxes seriously. 

    There are a number of rivers and little waterfalls that are always nice to visit. I plan to go there again very soon!

  • Heidi R.
    Jun. 1, 2018

    Sperry Road Campground — Mount Greylock State Reservation

    Awesome backpacking with amenities!

    The hike in was a fairly easy 1.3 to the csmpground. 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. SO PEACEFUL! Uou will hear the bard owls call at night and not much else. Sites 11, 8, and 9 are pretty set back and private.

    Amenities include:

    1. The rangers deliver wood to your site
    2. The bear lockers are roomy and clean and could double as storage to keep items out of the rain (highly recommend reviewing being "bear aware" as we had a sighting in our neighboring site and not all other campers are bear smart and left food/trash out even though rangers gave reminders).
    3. The composting toilets were so spacious and clean you could sleep on the floor in an emergency!
    4. Each site has a fire ring and a picnic table.

    There are plenty of options for hiking including two nearby falls, a section of the AT, and of course the summit. The summit lodge offers breakfast & lunch. Although abut pricey, the large fire place, friendly hiker conversations, and a warm cup of coffee brightened our rainy day. They also do dinner by reservation. The summit is accessible by hiking or car. They have educational and entertainment programs scheduled throughout the weekend.

  • Justin P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 4, 2022

    October Mountain State Forest Campground

    Peaceful and clean campground

    I tent camped here in night while exploring the fishing in Western Massachusetts.

    The campsite was peaceful and quiet and mostly tucked into the hillside.

    I did see the electrical station at the entrance but the sound didn’t reach where I was staying at site 33. To avoid that sound, I would suggest sites further up the road.

    The sites offered medium privacy. Site 33 was built into a slope in the hill, so it required walking up a short set of stairs, but the tent site was level.

    I didn’t explore the hiking trails but it seems very convenient that you could leave into the trails right from the campground.

    For any fly fishing folks, this campground is very close to the Housatonic (catch and release only!)

  • Cynthia K.
    Jun. 26, 2023

    Clarksburg State Park Campground

    Choose your site carefully

    We took the family up here for a long weekend. The weather wuickly made this an overnight stay instead, as the rain was relentless. Our site (#6) was on a slope, and there was the telltale sign of stormwater runoff tracks running through the middle. We pitched our tents to the left and the right, which worked out well because the next day we had a stream running through our site. The hiking trails were extremely wet and muddy (even before the rain) so we didn't get too explore very much.

    They have great firewood here - kiiln dried cedar for $7 a bundle! And the restrooms were fairly clean. The boat launch area looked great, but we didn't get our kayaks in due to the weather.

    Before we packed up, we took advantage of a break in the rain to get photos of as many sites as we could. Hopefully they'll come in handy for future campers.  These were all taken after several hours of heavy rain, so the photos should give you a good idea of what sites have drainage issues.

  • Y
    Oct. 22, 2019

    Blue Mountain Campground

    Family friendly/ rocky tent campsite’s

    Located in the Catskills. This is a family friendly there’s bathrooms/showers playground, pool, potable water and a outdoor pavilion. Located near hiking in the Catskills and 15 mins to Woodstock.

    The tent site are very richly and uneven, it was very hard to pitch a tent. When it rains theres a horrible smell across the campground.

Guide to Schenectady

Tent camping near Schenectady, New York, offers a variety of scenic spots perfect for outdoor enthusiasts looking to escape into nature. With options ranging from private sites to state parks, there's something for everyone.

Local Attractions and Activities

  • Enjoy the serene environment at Cherry Plain State Park Campground, where you can hike trails and relax by the water.
  • Experience the charm of HOGAN'S LANDING, which features a drive-in access and is perfect for a weekend getaway with friends.
  • Explore the beautiful landscapes surrounding Murphy Lake Leanto, accessible via a hike that rewards you with stunning views and a peaceful atmosphere.

Tent Camping Prices

  • Tent camping at Camp MoonChild offers a budget-friendly experience, with prices typically around $20 per night.
  • At Aqua Vista Valley Campgrounds, expect to pay approximately $30 for a tent site, which includes amenities like drinking water and firewood.
  • For a unique experience, Cherry Plain Sanctuary Farm provides tent camping for around $25, featuring a tranquil setting and essential facilities.

Tips for Tent Camping Near Schenectady

  • When visiting Getaway Catskill Campground, be sure to reserve your site in advance, especially during peak season.
  • Pack essentials for a comfortable stay at Stony Creek Family Campground, where amenities like hot showers and firewood are available.
  • If you're looking for a secluded spot, consider Creek Hill Camping, which offers a more rustic experience with hiking access and a peaceful environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Schenectady, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Schenectady, NY is Ushers Road State Forest with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Schenectady, NY?

TheDyrt.com has all 24 tent camping locations near Schenectady, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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