Best Campgrounds near Schoharie, NY

Schoharie County in New York provides diverse camping options through both developed campgrounds and primitive sites. Max V. Shaul State Park Campground offers tent, RV, and cabin camping in a forested setting with modern facilities. Thompson's Lake Campground at Thacher State Park features lakeside sites with water recreation opportunities, while several primitive dispersed camping options exist at Duck Pond Campsite, Betty Brook Camp, and Burnt Rossman State Forest. Most campgrounds operate seasonally from May through October, with sites typically closing after Columbus Day weekend. Hide-A-Way Campsites and Country Roads Campground provide full hookups for RV travelers seeking more amenities.

Most campgrounds in the area require advance reservations, especially during summer months when occupancy peaks. Access roads to dispersed sites can present challenges for larger vehicles or during wet conditions. "The road in on old cemetery rd was pretty rough, so we decided to go out the other way, which was way worse," noted one visitor about Duck Pond Campsite. Winter camping is available in limited locations, with Frosty Acres Campground maintaining a small winter section at higher elevation. Seasonal considerations affect site availability, with most facilities opening in May and closing in October. Cell service can be intermittent in more remote areas, particularly at dispersed camping locations within state forests.

Campers consistently highlight the quiet nature and spaciousness of sites throughout the region. Waterfront sites at Thompson's Lake receive particularly positive feedback for their private access trails to the water. Several visitors mentioned the well-maintained facilities at Max V. Shaul State Park, with one camper describing it as having "cleanest facilities ever" with "good adjustable campfire cooking rack." The dispersed sites offer more solitude but fewer amenities. Betty Brook Camp provides stream-side primitive camping that local reviewers describe as remote with minimal visitor traffic. Many campgrounds in the area accommodate both tent and RV camping, though some primitive sites are better suited for smaller vehicles and tent camping due to rough access roads and limited clearing size.

Best Camping Sites Near Schoharie, New York (145)

    1. Max V. Shaul State Park Campground

    7 Reviews
    Fultonham, NY
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 827-4711

    $17 - $50 / night

    "Just ok distance between camp sites. If we return we might try the more upper loop further from the front"

    "there's no pond/lake here but there's several waterfalls nearby and vromans nose"

    2. Thompson's Lake Campground — Thacher State Park

    7 Reviews
    Altamont, NY
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 872-1674

    $17 / night

    "Some of the lakeside sites have private foot trails down to the water which was very nice."

    "Hiking was near by and also the beach and if you wanted to drive to where the falls are and the overlook it wasn't too far! We had an amazing time!"

    3. Hide-A-Way Campsites

    2 Reviews
    Sloansville, NY
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 868-9975

    $22 - $32 / night

    4. Nickerson Park Campground

    8 Reviews
    Gilboa, NY
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 588-7327

    "Our site was on top of the creek, close to the path down to the water and close to a hiking trail. During our visit we drove around the nearby towns and didn't find much to see or do with our time."

    "We had reservations about being side by side with other RVs but the site we were in was so big and being in a valley with huge trees all around a large open grassy area in the middle made everything feel"

    5. A Promise to Gaia/Garden of One

    1 Review
    Rensselaerville, NY
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 797-3373

    $75 - $239 / night

    6. Frosty Acres Campground

    3 Reviews
    Duanesburg, NY
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 864-5352

    7. Duck Pond Campsite

    2 Reviews
    North Blenheim, NY
    14 miles

    "After driving unpaved dirt road for a while, we arrived a surprisingly well maintained beautiful campsites. The pond is small so the mosquitos were not too bad."

    "Intermittent cell service which was frightening while driving on these rough roads"

    8. Betty Brook Camp

    2 Reviews
    West Fulton, NY
    14 miles

    "I live near this campground. I'm about a mile away and I pass it every day. It is rather remote, but it is right along West kill road."

    9. Country Roads Campground

    3 Reviews
    North Blenheim, NY
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 827-6397

    $34 - $55 / night

    "There are water spigots near all the tent sites and they are nice and spread out. They have special events in a pavilion near the RVs including bingo"

    10. Burnt Rossman State Forest - Westkill Camp

    2 Reviews
    North Blenheim, NY
    16 miles

    "Entrance is soft"

    "Was a great location for winter camping. Site easily accessible from road. Beautiful, peaceful, great time!"

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Recent Reviews near Schoharie, NY

480 Reviews of 145 Schoharie Campgrounds


  • M
    Oct. 26, 2025

    North-South Lake Campground

    Beautiful grounds HORRIBLE STAFF

    I don’t normally write reviews especially a negative one. We had a very upsetting experience at North-South Lake. We drove over two hours to visit my husband’s childhood campground for the first time with our three kids(ages 5, 7, and 9). When we arrived at the entrance, we were asked if it was a day visit, and we said yes, we were only staying for the day. We paid the fee, received a map, and drove in. My husband was so excited to finally share this place and create memories with our children. Looking for a place to park, we thought we were lucky to find an empty campsite in one of the loops where he used to camp as a child.

    We parked the car hoping to enjoy the view of the lake, take a walk, and maybe make the kids a couple of s’mores before heading home.

     At around 2:15–2:30 p.m., the “SUPERVISOR” in the white Kia approached us in an extremely rude and nasty manner, speaking as if we were committing a serious crime and comparing our situation to“sleeping in someone else’s hotel room.” She asked us if we had a reservation; we said no. She said,“Someone else reserved this spot.” We were very apologetic, embarrassed, and immediately put our stuff in the car. I said they could have told us; we would have moved right away. I’m sorry. 

    She said,“They aren’t supposed to talk to you; that’s why they send me here.” She told us we had ten minutes to leave, waited there while we put our chair, blanket, and s’more cookies in the car, and refused our 9-year-old daughter access to the bathroom while we packed up our three things, and even followed us out of the loop to make sure we didn’t park elsewhere. My daughter came to us crying because the lady told her she couldn’t use the bathroom and had to get in the car. Well, she had an accident in the car right as we were pulling out. 

    We were mortified and apologetic. My husband even offered to leave the firewood we had just purchased for the next campers, but she was dismissive and harsh about that as well. 

    The following day, I called and asked to speak with a manager to explain how we were treated. The manager was just as unfriendly and miserable sounding as the supervisor. I was told they had been looking for us“for hours” and that it’s“common sense” not to park in a campsite. She actually said it’s considered trespassing. So, a friendly warning for first-time visitors: Apparently, if you don’t know that“day use” doesn’t mean“park in any empty campsite,” just for the day, you’re officially a trespassing criminal, at least according to the manager. 

    Reading the website now, I see that check-in for people with reservations is at 2 p.m., which was the time we were trying to make a small fire, so unless someone left their site and returned, it’s unclear how they could have been looking for us“for hours.” We were right there at 2pm. 

    The website also states: Day Use• Anyone who is not camping is a day-user. Day-use hours are from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Day-users are not allowed between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. 

    We were not camping but didn’t realize we couldn’t park in an empty campsite. I think“common sense” would be to inform DAY USE visitors at the ENTRANCE to use public parking, especially for families or first-time visitors who may not be camping experts. Bottom line: this was my husband’s childhood family spot. We just wanted to take a beautiful fall drive and have a special day with our kids. 

    We understand now that we needed to reserve the parking spot ahead of time, and it was an honest misunderstanding. I would have even offered to pay for the campers’ stay for their trouble. What we wish for is that the staff had approached us respectfully and explained the situation instead of treating us like criminals. Imagine being such a miserable person and working in such a BEAUTIFUL and peaceful place for families. 

    This was meant to be a special family day, honoring memories of my father-in-law and creating new ones with our children. Instead, it became stressful and humiliating. Sadly, this is what our children will remember about the day and about North South Lake

  • Chelsea B.
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Brookside Campground

    Not a recreational campsite

    Full disclosure, we did not stay here. PLEASE, folks that leave reviews on this app, PLEASE say whether it’s a full-timer campsite or a recreational campsite. We paid for two weeks in advance of arriving at this site based on reviews available on Google and Dyrt. However, when we arrived we were surprised that this was mostly a trailer park. Call me picky, but I really prefer not to camp in an area where folks are living full time. Just not the vibe I’m going for. We decided to leave without staying. We called to see if we could get a refund and they were very kind and it wasn’t a problem. But just be warned… this is not a recreational campsite.

  • Chelsea B.
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Whip O Will Campsites

    Not for recreational campers

    Full disclosure, we did not stay here. PLEASE, folks that leave reviews on this app, PLEASE say whether it’s a full-timer campsite or a recreational campsite. We arrived after leaving another campsite in the area (that was also 100% full timers) and were disappointed to find that this site was all permanent campers with crap everywhere. One site even had a funeral home sign hanging out front of an entire plywood addition to their camper…like what? Call me picky, but I don’t feel entirely comfortable camping for fun next to folks who live in the campground like this. After driving through the super narrow and rutted out roads to the site they recommend, a man came hauling a** into our site (with a beer in his hand) and was saying “hello hellooooo.” Said he was the owner of the campsite and asked if we were staying, we said we were thinking about it, just checking out the available sites (as the lady up front told us to do). TL;DR- bad vibes. Didn’t stay. Be warned this is a full time campsite with crap everywhere. The lady working the office was super nice though.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Hide-A-Way Campsites

    Quaint and truly hid away

    Well maintained clean campground. Friendly attendants guided us to site and directed in spot. Gravel unlevel pad full hookups.

  • Lorraine H.
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Aqua Vista Valley Campgrounds

    2 month stay started July

    It's ok great water views stuff for kids to do every weekend it's the seasonal campers that make it not fun at times u have some very friendly then others that are noisy judging ,parting witch parting really ain't problem until ur not watching ur kids or being loud at times I give it a 7 out of 10

  • M
    Aug. 26, 2025

    Aqua Vista Valley Campgrounds

    kids always have a blast!

    We went for the Halloween event, and the kids had a great day and evening! They really enjoyed trick or treating!!!

  • GThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 20, 2025

    Little Pond Campground

    Small sites and no service

    I didn’t hate this campground, but I won’t be going back.

    It’s a nice campground and perfect for single/family camping. I would not choose this location if I were taking a group of people. The sites are on the smaller side and many have slanted entrances.

    The campground is kept clean and the bathrooms were tidy. The campground is in bear country so you have to be mindful about leaving food out when you’re not at the site or asleep.

    There is a pond and there’s kayaks, canoes, etc for rent. The beach area is clean and the water is clear. I was there middle of August and the water was not cold and quite comfortable. There are some water front sites that you can use to access the water with a boat or paddle board.

    Cell service is non existent and they have a pay phone near the entrance booth where you can use to make/receive phone calls. It’s a 20 min drive back into town to get cell service. That’s a non- starter for me. It would be beneficial if they had service near the entrance at least for people to check in with Family.

  • Jennifer H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 10, 2025

    Hartwick Highlands Campground

    Closest campground to Dreams Park

    Great campground very well kept and closest to Dreams Park. We drove around to the three closest RV parks to Dreams Park and would definitely stay here with the team and / or on your own. Security gate to enter and exit, pool, store, arcade, wide open where the RV’s are.


Guide to Schoharie

Camping near Schoharie, New York, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to explore.

What to do:

  • Hiking: The Catskills are nearby, providing trails for all skill levels. One camper mentioned, "This is a hiking park... Kaaterskill Falls is an exception - short, easy trail," making it a great spot for families or beginners.
  • Fishing: Many campgrounds are close to rivers and lakes, perfect for fishing. A review noted, "Close to the Beaverkill and lots of great fly fishing," highlighting the area's fishing opportunities.
  • Swimming: Enjoy the refreshing waters at local lakes. One visitor said, "The beach is beautiful; the sites are a decent size," emphasizing the fun of swimming at campgrounds like Moffitt Beach Campground.

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the beautiful surroundings. A review from North-South Lake Campground stated, "The Catskills are very scenic & we enjoyed our time there!"
  • Privacy: Many sites offer a good amount of space between them. One camper shared, "Each of the campsites... has a lot of foliage around it, creating privacy," which is a big plus for those looking for a quiet experience.
  • Clean Facilities: Campgrounds like Woodland Valley Campground are noted for their cleanliness. A visitor remarked, "Clean bathrooms, clean, clean showers," which is always appreciated.

What you should know:

  • Limited Cell Service: Many campgrounds have poor or no cell service. A camper at Little Pond - DEC mentioned, "No Verizon service and Starlink was spotty," so be prepared to unplug.
  • Wildlife Encounters: Bears are known to visit some campgrounds. One review from North-South Lake Campground noted, "There are bears that visit the campground," so keep food secure.
  • Busy Summer Season: Campgrounds can get crowded during peak times. A visitor at Moreau Lake State Park said, "The beach area seems to be a draw for people," indicating it might be busier in summer.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for sites with playgrounds and activities. One camper at Kenneth L. Wilson Campground mentioned, "There's also a really nice looking playground," making it a great choice for kids.
  • Plan for Activities: Bring games and outdoor gear to keep everyone entertained. A review from Lake George RV Park highlighted, "The dog park area is huge and allows for lots of play," which can be fun for the whole family.
  • Pack Snacks: Having snacks on hand can keep kids happy. A camper at Glimmerglass State Park Campground noted, "The camp store was well-stocked with food and drinks," which is handy for families.

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A review from Taconic State Park mentioned, "Some are 'on the hill' so you get a little more privacy," which can be important for larger rigs.
  • Use Dump Stations: Many campgrounds have dump stations available. A visitor at Mt. Greylock Campsite Park appreciated, "They dump for you on the way out no extra charge," which is a nice perk.
  • Bring Extra Supplies: Stock up on essentials before arriving. A camper at Moreau Lake State Park mentioned, "The snack bar and gift/supplies shop... were not open," so it's good to be prepared.

Camping near Schoharie, New York, offers a variety of experiences for everyone. From scenic views to family-friendly activities, there's something for every outdoor enthusiast.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Schoharie, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, Schoharie, NY offers a wide range of camping options, with 145 campgrounds and RV parks near Schoharie, NY and 13 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Schoharie, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Schoharie, NY is Max V. Shaul State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 7 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Schoharie, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 13 free dispersed camping spots near Schoharie, NY.