Stamford, New York camping spots sit within the western Catskill Mountains at elevations between 1,800-2,200 feet. The region features a humid continental climate with warm summers and cold winters, making May through October the primary camping season. Most campgrounds near Stamford close by late October due to the area's significant snowfall, which averages 60-80 inches annually.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: Max V. Shaul State Park Campground offers access to several nearby waterfall trails including paths to local cascades. "There's no pond/lake here but there's several waterfalls nearby and vromans nose," notes Brian H. The park's strategic location makes it ideal for waterfall enthusiasts.
Lake swimming: Glimmerglass State Park Campground features a spacious beach area for swimming and water recreation. "The lake is pristine and wonderful to swim in. Nice beach. Also a place for showers and a bathroom and small place for food and extras things you might need for camping," shares Patti M. The beach accommodates numerous visitors without feeling crowded.
Family water recreation: At Crazy Acres Campground at Beaver Spring Lake, guests can access water activities directly from the property. "We had fun, plenty of activities, a big lake to fish in and a pool to relax by. Nighttime family fun as well," says Robert M., highlighting the dual swimming options available to campers.
What campers like
Spacious campsites: Nickerson Park Campground provides generously-sized sites arranged on terraced levels. "Groups of sites sit on level terraces stepped down toward the river. The center area of each grouping of sites had a common use area with tether ball, playgrounds, privies, or additional parking," explains Sarah S. The terraced design gives each site ample room.
Clean facilities: Country Roads Campground maintains well-kept bathrooms and shower facilities. "Super friendly and helpful staff. The bath house is clean and modern," notes Tom R. The campground's attention to cleanliness extends throughout the property.
Nighttime atmosphere: Alder Lake campground offers peaceful evenings away from urban noise. "There's no noise at night apart from the running water of the stream and we had a very peaceful weekend," shares Nora S. The remote setting allows for exceptional stargazing opportunities without light pollution.
What you should know
Water quality varies: Some campgrounds in the Stamford area have inconsistent water quality. At Nickerson Park Campground, recent ownership changes have affected services. "The water smelled like raw sewage, loaded with sediment and very discolored. Little to no pressure and a couple times no water at all," reports Peter S. from a recent stay. Bringing additional drinking water is recommended.
Limited cell service: Many Catskill camping areas have minimal or no cellular coverage. "Verizon cell service was decent, and enough to work remotely," notes Taylor H. about Nickerson Park, though this is not typical for most campgrounds in the region.
Seasonal operation: Most glamping in Stamford, New York operates during a specific window. Max V. Shaul State Park Campground runs "May 19 to October 10," while Crazy Acres extends slightly longer from "April 15 to October 31," allowing for early spring and late fall camping opportunities.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature play areas for children. At Glimmerglass State Park Campground, "Trails for walking" complement the beach activities, according to Patti M., providing diverse recreation options for families with varied interests.
Kid-friendly scheduling: Plan activities around campground quiet hours. At Crazy Acres Campground, structured evening programs help transition kids to bedtime. "Nighttime family fun as well. We worth a weekend of fun for the whole family," mentions Robert M., highlighting the organized evening activities.
Site selection for groups: For family camping near Stamford, New York, choose sites that accommodate multiple tents. "The sites are a great size for accomadating two tents and have many people gather at meals," shares Leah B. about Glimmerglass State Park Campground, noting the spaciousness helps with family gatherings.
Tips from RVers
RV site accessibility: Country Roads Campground offers escort service to help navigate to your site. "We were escorted to our site upon arrival and I certainly appreciated that as we were very tired after a long day of travel," mentions Philip M., highlighting the helpful arrival procedure.
Hookup availability: Campgrounds near Stamford vary in hookup options. At Crazy Acres Campground, "My site had 30 amp electric (also 2 extension cord outlets in the box) and water," reports Wilson W., noting the additional electrical connections available beyond standard hookups.
Seasonal site options: For regular visitors considering luxury camping in the Stamford area, seasonal sites offer value. "Seasonal sites are extremely well kept," observes Jen C. about Crazy Acres Campground, pointing out the care long-term campers take with their sites.
