Camping areas near Kinderhook, New York extend across both Rensselaer and Columbia counties, with elevations ranging from approximately 200 feet near the Hudson River to over 2,000 feet in the western Catskill regions. The camping season typically runs mid-May through mid-October, with average summer temperatures between 75-85°F during the day and 55-65°F overnight. Many campgrounds enforce seasonal closings due to harsh winter conditions that make maintaining water systems impractical.
What to do
Kayaking on the Hudson River: Schodack Island State Park Campground offers direct access to the Hudson River with dedicated boat launches. "The day use and boat ramp on the Hudson River was amazing. We saw many larger boats (maybe small yachts?) during the day. The view from the boat ramp area was incredible," notes Kevin C.
Hiking and wildlife observation: Bird watching enthusiasts find excellent opportunities at Schodack Island State Park. A visitor shared, "Best part was hiking out to a couple of different blinds to look for birds. Did see a juvenile eagle. Not time to fully explore."
Swimming in natural settings: Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground provides clean swimming areas with beach access. According to one camper: "The lake is beautiful and clean. Expect to pay $15 fee to use your paddleboards/kayaks etc. Worth every penny."
Mountain hiking access: North-South Lake Campground serves as a base camp for exploring Catskill trails. "Located just about a mile from Kaaterskill Falls this campground couldn't be in a better spot. We had a wonderful weekend there," reports Brittany W.
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: Campers frequently mention site spacing as a key factor at Spacious Skies Woodland Hills. As one visitor explained: "My first visit to New York state was amazing, largely in part due to my campsite at the Woodland Hills campground... The pond has a fountain which sounds like a small waterfall at night, and wildflowers were in bloom."
Clean facilities: Bathrooms and shower buildings receive consistent positive reviews. At Schodack Island State Park, a reviewer noted: "The bathrooms are clean. The showers are large, but they do operate on a push system where you can't adjust the pressure, temp, or how long the water comes out, so just be aware of that."
Waterfront camping options: Several campgrounds offer sites with direct water views. At Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground, campers appreciate the lake access: "Late night, stargazing over the lake is a great pastime, because the water is calm and the light pollution is low."
Platform tent sites: Raised wooden platforms at certain campgrounds provide practical advantages. According to one camper at Lake Taghkanic: "This was our second time coming to this campground and our second time getting dumped on by the rain, but have no fear! The platforms kept us off the ground and were helpful in setting up appropriate tarp protection!"
What you should know
Rabies documentation requirements: Many state parks require documentation for pets. At Schodack Island, one camper warns: "Be sure to bring your dogs rabies records!! They don't let you in with just the tag, it has to be the paper records. They are very strict on rabies requirements."
Terrain challenges: Some campgrounds feature uneven terrain that might pose difficulties. At Mt. Greylock Campsite Park, a visitor observed: "The camp has a lot of hills and some are pretty steep. We always bring our bikes and love to bike through the campgrounds, but this one is not good for biking. Our little ones had trouble going down the hills because of the loose gravel."
Seasonal population differences: Weekday versus weekend experiences vary significantly. A camper at Mt. Greylock noted: "It was a very quiet campground during the week. However, when Friday came and the weekend campers arrived, it got loud and rowdy."
Shower systems: Bathroom facilities vary between campgrounds. One Schodack Island visitor mentioned: "Showers are large, but they do operate on a push system where you can't adjust the pressure, temp, or how long the water comes out, so just be aware of that."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds include dedicated children's areas. A Schodack Island visitor reported: "There is a really awesome playground, boat dock, and lots of picnicking."
Recreational facilities: Copake Falls Area — Taconic State Park provides diverse options for family activities. "This location was very accessible to the Bash Bish Falls trail and even had a few side trails to explore. This place is very good for easing on first timers and there were quite a few children."
Activities during inclement weather: Some parks offer indoor options when weather turns problematic. At Lake Taghkanic, a camper mentioned: "Clean facilities, with a rec room for rainy days. A camp store with all the supplies you might have forgotten."
Weekend planning considerations: Timing affects family camping experiences significantly. One visitor to Mt. Greylock shared: "It was a very quiet campground during the week. However, when Friday came and the weekend campers arrived, it got loud and rowdy. There was loud music playing and kids who invaded all the sites around them instead of using the big field meant for games."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Most campgrounds offer varied levels of connections. At Dingman's Family Campground, RVers can expect: "Sites are well spaced and the surrounding area is gorgeous! We had a tent site right on the river and couldn't have been happier with our stay. Each site has a fire pit and a picnic table."
Site levelness: Terrain varies widely between campgrounds. A visitor to Spacious Skies Woodland Hills noted: "Although sites are squeezed in, it is a nice family campground. However the site I had was steep grade from steps to picnic table. Flat ground area for camper was very narrow. Tricky footing for older folks."
Water fill locations: Not all sites have direct water connections. At Schodack Island State Park, a camper mentioned: "Lots of water fill ups in the campground. Dump station on the way out."
Site privacy: RV sites vary in terms of seclusion and natural buffers. At Schodack Island, one visitor observed: "The sites are amongst the most spacious I've ever seen. RV sites offer 30/50 amp electricity. Service side of rig faced a nice small grassy area with pretty trees. Awning side faced rather ugly weeds/shrubs and was close to neighbor."
