Waterford camping options span terrain from the Hudson River shoreline to wooded hills extending east toward the Massachusetts border. Summer temperatures average 70-85°F during peak camping season, with night temperatures dropping to 50-65°F. Most campgrounds see seasonal closures between October and May due to freezing winter conditions.
What to do
Waterfront activities: Schodack Island State Park Campground offers prime Hudson River access with a boat launch area. "The day use and boat ramp on the Hudson River. We saw many larger boats (maybe small yachts?) during the day. The view from the boat ramp area was amazing," notes Kevin C. Water access areas sometimes experience wave action from passing boats.
Bird watching: Schodack Island State Park provides dedicated observation blinds. "Best part was hiking out to a couple of different blinds to look for birds. Did see a juv eagle," reports Patsy E. The park features habitats supporting various bird species along the Hudson River shoreline.
Winter activities: Mount Greylock State Reservation maintains winter-accessible campsites. "During the winter you can access it via snowmobile or skis," explains Jean C. The higher elevation areas maintain snow cover longer than riverside locations.
Hiking networks: Thompson's Lake Campground connects to extended trail systems. "Some of the lakeside sites have private foot trails down to the water which was very nice," mentions Clayton H. Most trails are moderate difficulty with interconnected loops.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Adventure Bound Camping Resort at Deer Run offers spacious sites. "Our site was large and shaded. The draw back is where you need to park the camper is about 7 inches out of level," notes Lauren. Some campers recommend bringing leveling blocks for certain sites.
Clean facilities: Cherry Plain State Park Campground receives consistent praise for maintenance. "The bathrooms are clean. The place is quiet. The camps are well kept," reports Joey M. The park completed bathroom renovations recently.
Natural surroundings: Ushers Road State Forest provides dispersed camping options. "About 500 feet down the right-hand trail, there is a smaller path branching off to the left. This leads to a previously used campsite, approximately 200 feet from the main trail," explains The L. State forest regulations require camping at least 150 feet from trails.
Campsite diversity: Mount Greylock offers specialized group sites. "The Chimney Group site provides a large lean-to, a nice respite if you're caught on a rainy weekend! Upper Group and Stoney Ledge also have lean-tos," explains Jean C. Group sites accommodate 5-12 people with central facilities.
What you should know
Bear precautions: Mount Greylock State Reservation requires proper food storage. "The bear lockers are roomy and clean and could double as storage to keep items out of the rain," advises Heidi R., who also mentions "we had a sighting in our neighboring site." Bear boxes are located at each campsite.
Pet documentation: Some campgrounds enforce strict vaccination requirements. "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," warns Kara W. about Schodack Island State Park. Most parks allow leashed pets with proper documentation.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly by location. "ATT and Verizon fluctuate between 1-3 bars. It was enough for me to work - downloading files, sending emails, and conducting non-video zoom calls," reports Kara W. Service typically weakens in more remote locations away from major highways.
Water temperature: Swimming facilities at several campgrounds feature cold water. "Bathrooms are clean and the water is very cold!" notes Brittany V. about Schodack Island facilities. Lake and river temperatures remain cool even during summer months.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Thompson's Lake Campground offers child-friendly facilities. "This campground has always been my go to. Now that I have kids, I appreciate the playground area near the beach more," shares Dana O. Most family-oriented sites cluster near these amenities.
Educational opportunities: Schodack Island Park organizes ranger programs. "They have excellent services and activities. Kudos to the Rangers!" writes Tamara S. Programs typically run weekends during peak season from June through August.
Waterpark amenities: Adventure Bound at Deer Run features water attractions. "Family oriented. The kids loved love water attractions," explains Lauren. Water facilities generally operate from late June through Labor Day weekend.
Nature exploration: Cherry Plain State Park offers shoreline access. "The sites are amongst the most spacious I've ever seen," reports Kara W. about Schodack Island, which offers similar spacing. Sites near water bodies provide natural exploration opportunities for children.
RV tips
Leveling challenges: Aqua Vista Valley Campgrounds requires preparation for uneven terrain. "We chose a site right by the river and were able to adjust it to our needs for our dogs and grandchildren," explains Kim H. Riverside sites may require additional stabilizing equipment.
Hookup availability: Arrowhead Marina & RV Park provides full services. "Our site was back-in and had plenty of space. There's a lot of green space in this campground and it's right on the river," notes Tina. Most RV-specific sites include water, electric, and sewer connections.
Site spacing considerations: Mt. Greylock Campsite Park offers wooded sites. "Sites were large and wooded. Great access to Mt Greylock and LOTS of hiking close by," reports Stephanie. Some campgrounds distinguish between seasonal and transient RV areas with different spacing standards.
Access road conditions: Road quality varies between locations. "The roads in are definitely patched and bumpy, but once your in the loop things are smooth!" reports Brittany V. about Schodack Island State Park. Larger rigs should research approach roads before booking.
