Camping options near Sloansville, New York center around the eastern edge of the Adirondack Park, positioned between the Great Sacandaga Lake and the Mohawk River Valley. At elevations ranging from 800-1,200 feet, this transitional region offers a mix of hardwood forests and open meadows, with seasonal temperatures that can fluctuate 30-40 degrees between day and night. Campsites typically provide more shade in the western areas, while eastern locations offer more open terrain suitable for horse trailers and larger rigs.
What to do
Trail riding access points: Several campgrounds provide direct access to trail systems without requiring horse trailer relocation. Betty Brook Camp allows riders to explore directly from their sites, with one camper noting, "Love to camp here all year long have been coming to the area for a couple of decades now. Remote. Sometimes you never see anyone. Sometimes you see some people. You camp on the stream" (Betty Brook Camp).
Swimming opportunities: Several lakes in the region offer post-ride cooling options during summer months. North-South Lake Campground maintains a supervised swimming area from late June through early September. As one visitor mentioned, "I go there almost every year to go swimming with my family and friends and it's always a good time" (North-South Lake Campground).
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings and dusk provide optimal viewing times, particularly in the transitional zones between forests and meadows. Moreau Lake State Park offers wildlife viewing opportunities with "a nice big lake and the Hudson River. Many campsites are near the lake. The sites are shady and close together, but still feel fairly private" (Moreau Lake State Park Campground).
What campers like
Private waterfront access: Many equestrian-friendly sites include water access for cooling horses after rides. At Luzerne Campground, horse campsites come with added amenities as one rider noted, "The only campground in all of New York that acquires to house back riders. There are campsites that also come with stalls for your horse!" (Luzerne Campground).
Secluded camping spots: Less developed areas provide more privacy and natural surroundings. Betty Brook Camp offers particularly remote options where "it is rather remote, but it is right along West kill road. There's a stream alongside it, a fire pit, and a town about 8 mi away. It's a small town, with just a gas station store."
Well-maintained facilities: Even rustic sites typically include basic amenities. Moreau Lake State Park Campground maintains "superb facilities as far as state run campsites go. The beach is nice, large picnic facilities, and the campgrounds are well maintained with nice bathroom/shower buildings."
What you should know
Seasonal availability: Most horse campgrounds near Sloansville operate from May through October, with limited winter access. North-South Lake Campground operates "May 19 to October 22," while Moreau Lake State Park runs "May 6 to October 13."
Site size considerations: Large horse trailers require specific sites, as standard sites may have limited turning radius. According to a local camper at Betty Brook Camp, "I would not recommend this for large trailers. The site is fairly small, but it's in state park, and there's tons of walking that can be done."
Reservation requirements: Most established equestrian sites require advance booking, especially during peak summer months. Country Campsites fills completely on holiday weekends, while weekday availability remains more open even during summer (Country Campsites).
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly riding areas: Beginner-friendly bridle paths are available at several locations, with shorter loops under 3 miles. Luzerne Campground offers "plenty to do: tubing and white water rafting (spring) great hikes, horseback riding, canoe/kayaking, zip lines, great local food and breweries in the area."
Playground access: Several sites include designated play areas for children. North-South Lake Campground is noted as a "Large family friendly campground with all the amenities - boating, showers, great hiking."
Water recreation options: Many equestrian-friendly campgrounds include swimming areas and boat rentals. Luzerne Campground features a "nice swim at your own risk beach (no guards), boat rentals, good fishing" (Luzerne Campground).
Tips from RVers
Water and electric access: Most equestrian sites offer limited hookups, with water available at central stations rather than individual sites. At Moreau Lake State Park, "This is dry camping so there are no hook-ups but there are restrooms and shower. Both were clean but the shower fluctuated between lukewarm, hot, and warm during my shower."
Maneuverability challenges: Tree density creates navigation difficulties at several campgrounds. As one camper noted about Moreau Lake State Park, "The road to our campsite was paved and in good shape but there were a few tight spots because of the trees that make it tricky for a big rig (Loop A seems to be the best for big-rigs)."
Dump station locations: Only established campgrounds offer dump facilities, with dispersed sites requiring self-containment. Murphy Lake Leanto and similar primitive sites have no sanitation facilities, requiring campers to pack out waste (Murphy Lake Leanto).
