196 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds within 40 miles of Waterford, New York range from primitive to full-service facilities, with several state parks and private campgrounds offering tent camping and RV sites to suit different needs. Schodack Island State Park Campground and Adventure Bound Camping Resort at Deer Run offer both tent and RV sites with hookups, while Ushers Road State Forest provides more rustic dispersed camping opportunities for those seeking a more natural experience. The area includes a mix of state-managed properties and privately-owned campgrounds, many situated along waterways including the Mohawk River and nearby lakes, creating diverse options for waterside camping.
Seasonal operation varies significantly among local campgrounds, with most open from May through mid-October. Campgrounds such as Adventure Bound at Deer Run operate from May 1st to October 15th, while others like Arrowhead Marina & RV Park maintain a similar season from mid-May to mid-October. "The bathrooms are clean. The place is quiet. The camps are well kept. Some camp sites are very small but others are really good," noted one camper about Cherry Plain State Park. Most established campgrounds in the region provide standard amenities including water, electric hookups, and sanitary facilities, though primitive camping areas like Ushers Road State Forest lack these conveniences and require campers to be self-sufficient. Reservations are recommended at most locations, particularly during summer weekends and holidays when facilities reach capacity.
Mixed-use campgrounds featuring a blend of seasonal and transient sites comprise much of the camping infrastructure in the region. Several public reviews highlight the variety of experiences available, with some campgrounds receiving high marks for family-friendly amenities while others are noted for their natural settings. Cherry Plain State Park Campground earned positive reviews for its quiet atmosphere and lakeside setting, with one visitor noting it offers "multiple kinds of sites" including hike-in options near bathroom facilities. Campers seeking more developed amenities gravitate toward private facilities like Arrowhead Marina & RV Park, which one reviewer described as "one of our favorite campgrounds" with "plenty of space" and proximity to the river. The camping areas closer to Saratoga Springs, such as Lee's Park Campground, tend to be busier and often host visitors attending events at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center.
"The park ensures you’ll have what you need with stores within close proximity and the staff even offers ice and firewood delivery to your site."
"Wonderful hikes and beautiful walks. Boat docks looked pretty easy for ins and outs, and the pavilions were huge!"
from $17 - $26 / night
Check Availability"There was a nice little dog park fenced in area for my dog to run around in."
"We love the loop of sites near the entrance near the water for views but close to the bathroom, ranger station, and trails. Farther from the beach so there is less impact from the day visitors."
"There are a number of “walk in” sites that are all lovely, I suggest the sites toward the back of the park. Hot showers, bathrooms, and dishwashing stations are available."
from $18 - $21 / night
Check Availability"This trailhead provides access to bicycle-friendly nature trails. I explored both directions on my bike, riding approximately half a mile down each side."
"Great access to Mt Greylock and LOTS of hiking close by. Staff was so accommodating-always willing to spend time giving recommendations."
"Great family atmosphere w very positive neighbors and owners... Fantastic. 5 stars"
from $40 - $70 / night
Check Availability"Close to SPAC, lots of area to set up tents, dog friendly, campfire friendly, and there’s a lake minutes away. Some of the crowd seemed a little rowdy but overall nothing that was obnoxious."
"I have absolutely nothing but good things to say about Lee’s after spending my weekend there, the park staff was so awesome, the vibes were great, there was parking along the dirt pathed roads that ran"
from $20 - $45 / night
Check Availability"It’s across from the bathrooms, behind there’s a trail that takes you to the lake (about a 5 min walk). No electric, water, or dump station."
"Some of the lakeside sites have private foot trails down to the water which was very nice."
from $17 / night
Check Availability"We were next to a little fenced in area for dogs that our dog loved."
"Well maintained, located on the Mohawk River. Shady, grassy areas. Boat launch and pier. Friendly people. A perfect campground."
"We arrived at the shelter and there were some campers we greeted and then we pitched a tent nearby (vincinity camping allowed)."
"The site was clean, dry, and a nice walk off the main trail. The staff was friendly as well. We hikes around during the days and saw some spectacular views."
from $8 - $35 / night
Check Availability
TravelerThis is a quick and easy pull off that is large enough to accommodate most vehicles. Only con which wasn’t that big of an issue was that you are close to the road, so any vehicles going by which wasn’t many you would hear. Besides that you are in dark and quiet state forest. I would recommend this to someone for a quick overnight stay rather than an extended stay.
TravelerA nice wooded campground that was quiet despite being almost full on our Friday night stay.
The site we stayed at (64) had some pretty large roots to drive over and may have been an issue for a low clearance vehicle (we have a Subaru Outback).
The shower / house bathroom combo units weee very clean with hot water and baby changing station.
GuideThe park looks fantastic! Well maintained camp sites and beautiful river sceneries from the boat launch area!
Bathhouse is one of the best I have seen!
Check in was smooth. Everyone was courteous!
TravelerLots of beautiful spots to pick from but be careful some are a bit muddy. We brought our school bus down the dirt road just fine and backed right in. They also have fireplaces which was nice!
LegendMostly peaceful campground with nice spots, most of which offer some privacy. If you are bothered by trains, note that you will hear them in the background quite frequently from the railroad bridge that passes over the Hudson River. It's not loud by any means, but you can hear them.
The state park staff and the camp hosts were all very friendly, and it has some of the cleanest bathrooms I've ever seen in a state park.
Site 20 is a pull through site and it's huge, and while it is next to the shower building, it's far enough away that it really isn't a problem. Also, the field between you and the shower building is a fantastic spot to set up a Starlink dish.
GuideWonderful owners. A variety of sites to choose from in a relaxing setting. No waste hookups here, but they have a dump station. $51 per night with cash.
TravelerLaundry is clean, bathrooms are clean and showers are hot. Pool, dishwashing station, sometimes quite sometimes very active. Love this place! Wish it was open year round!
TravelerGreat little campground in Berkshire County. Mostly suited for tent camping or small RVs, although there are definitely sites for RVs to use. Call to get an idea of what’s available if you do plan on bringing your RV. The facilities were clean and the trails well marked.
LegendWhat an amazing find! This was a perfect location for the first 2 days of our vacation. Steve and Michelle were incredibly accommodating and wonderful hosts! We truly enjoyed our stay and will definitely return!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Waterford, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, Waterford, NY offers a wide range of camping options, with 196 campgrounds and RV parks near Waterford, NY and 28 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Waterford, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Waterford, NY is Schodack Island State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 20 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Waterford, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 28 free dispersed camping spots near Waterford, NY.
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