B
Brittnay B.
Scout
ScoutLuzerne Campground
Defenitly in the woods!
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!
Best Equestrian Camping near Waterford, NY
Arcadian Pastures Equine near Waterford provides basic camping accommodations in a rustic setting designed for equestrians. The campground offers primitive tent and RV sites with picnic tables and fire rings. Trail riding opportunities connect directly to the camping area, allowing riders convenient access to nearby bridle paths. While the campground does not offer traditional horse corrals, riders are permitted to set up temporary paddocks or use highlines for their horses during their stay. Trash collection is available onsite, eliminating the need to pack out waste.
Located approximately 50 miles from Waterford, Moreau Lake State Park Campground offers alternative horse-friendly camping options with more developed facilities. The park features spacious campsites set in wooded terrain that can accommodate horse trailers. Multiple hiking trails throughout the park's 4,600 acres provide varied terrain for day rides. The park maintains clean bathroom facilities with showers that fluctuate between lukewarm and hot temperatures. Most sites have good separation between neighboring areas, creating privacy not typically found at equestrian campgrounds. Campground roads are paved but contain tight spots because of trees, requiring careful navigation with horse trailers. Reservations are recommended, especially during summer months when the park draws significant visitors due to its proximity to Saratoga Springs and Lake George.
Best Equestrian Sites Near Waterford, New York (7)
1. Moreau Lake State Park Campground
18 ReviewsGansevoort, NY30 milesWebsite+1 (518) 793-0511$20 - $75 / night
"This campground is close to the highway between Albany and the Adirondacks. There’s a nice big lake and the Hudson RIver. Many campsites are near the lake."
"Great thing about this park is the hiking trails and lake so you don’t even have to leave to the park to enjoy great outdoor recreation."
2. North-South Lake Campground
44 ReviewsPalenville, NY44 milesWebsite+1 (518) 589-5058$22 - $44 / night
"Our first campground was in New York Aug 8th. Unfortunately, Debbie was socking New York hard. North South Lake Campground in the Catskills was our camping home."
"This is a truly beautiful and scenic campground, easily one of the best places we have visited in New York State."
3. Luzerne Campground
13 ReviewsLake Luzerne, NY40 milesWebsite+1 (518) 696-2031$22 / night
"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!"
"We get our site close to the lake so we can walk down and swim and my husband fishes. The showers are so nice and private and clean. Love that we can rent boats too."
4. Betty Brook Camp
2 ReviewsWest Fulton, NY46 miles"I live near this campground. I'm about a mile away and I pass it every day. It is rather remote, but it is right along West kill road."
5. Murphy Lake Leanto
1 ReviewWells, NY47 milesWebsite"The Murphy Bennett Trails is a technical challenge to hike, or bike in on. And be prepared to go over downfalls. The area is maintained, but windhappens in the old growth forest."
6. Arcadian Pastures Equine
Be the first to review!Sloansville, NY34 milesWebsite+1 (518) 603-2964$25 - $150 / night
7. Country Campsites
Be the first to review!Cairo, NY37 milesWebsite+1 (518) 634-7005$55 - $195 / night
Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Waterford, NY
1 Photos of 7 Waterford Campgrounds
Equestrian Camping Reviews near Waterford, NY
79 Reviews of 7 Waterford Campgrounds
Cynthia K.
LegendNorth-South Lake Campground
New York
We were on a 5 state East Coast camping trip. Our first campground was in New York Aug 8th. Unfortunately, Debbie was socking New York hard. North South Lake Campground in the Catskills was our camping home. Thursday & Friday it was Neverending rain & wind. Saturday was the nice day.
North South Lake has no electricity. The sites are almost all beautiful, tucked in under shady trees. Not a good way to try out our solar panel! Some are by a stream. A few are by the lake. This is a tent campers paradise. New York tent campers are hard core camping during Tropical Storm Debbie!
There are 7 loops. We were in loop 2. Site 85. There are some sites with an incline down to the site. That might give some rvs trouble. It did for us & I had to be driven out of the campground to call 911. Thank you Mary!! It all ended well & we got a different site.
There are bears that visit the campground & one came one of the nights & visited our camping neighbor's site. They showed us a picture- it was a large black bear.
Generators are allowed for 5 hours & they tell you when you can use them.
The bathrooms/showers are state park clean- which means not very.
There is NO cell service & just forget about WiFi. You are unplugged.
This is a hiking park & for this middle aged overweight flatlander they are pretty strenuous. Kaaterskill Falls is an exception - short, easy trail, but the parking fills up quickly. Then they close it! You'll have to take a shuttle to get in.
The trail to the Mountain House Site is also pretty easy, with more of an incline.
There's 2 nice lakes with beaches.
The Catskills are very scenic& we enjoyed our time there!
- Tara L.
TravelerNorth-South Lake Campground
NYS camping.
North South lake is one of the larger public camp grounds in New York. The sites are well spaced out. Great for families. The lake is huge.
Avoid holidays to avoid the crowds.
- MMaybe I.
GuideNorth-South Lake Campground
scenic campground
This is a truly beautiful and scenic campground, easily one of the best places we have visited in New York State. The campsites are well laid out, the surroundings are stunning, and the entire campground is very clean and well maintained. We visited in October, and it was pleasantly uncrowded, which made the experience even more enjoyable. The peaceful atmosphere and beautiful fall scenery made for a perfect camping trip. I'm not sure how busy it gets during the peak summer season, but our autumn visit was fantastic. We had a wonderful time and will definitely be coming back.
- n
nina M.ScoutNorth-South Lake Campground
Beautiful grounds but…
Gorgeous campgrounds, friendly staff, and spectacular facilities. Loved that trailheads are walking distance from the sites. But we felt very close to campers next to us, not a lot of shrubbery between sites to feel somewhat private. Fire pits are very nice but more catered to cooking instead of being able to sit around in a circle. Also, we picked a site hoping we’d have a nice view of the lake but it’s hard to see from the site and a good walk away. Overall, beautiful grounds but I’d take less facilities to have a more “woodsy” vibe but that’s just my preference!
- Lena L.Guide
North-South Lake Campground
Family friendly
Had a great time at this campground- surrounded by many returning campers which gave the whole experience a good community vibe. Ice cream truck comes around each evening in the summer. Sites are tucked away in the trees for privacy. We set up our 6 person tent and two hammocks comfortably. Long walk to the beach from our site but enjoyable anyway. Nice little hiking trails nearby.
- RRosie R.
RangerNorth-South Lake Campground
Love this place
The sites are spacious and private and there are lake side sites available too. Perfect for groups!! We were able to maximize our lake experience by bringing an inflatable kayak. I was able to explore many different parts of the lake and do a decent amount of fishing. There were a few hiking trails walking distance of the campground that were fun to explore. We will def come back!!
- HHarry H.Ranger
Moreau Lake State Park Campground
South of the ADKs
This campground is close to the highway between Albany and the Adirondacks. There’s 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. We enjoyed the hiking trails and beach while camping, then went further north for the full ADK experience.
Nancy W.LegendMoreau Lake State Park Campground
Beautiful 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). Great thing about this park is the hiking trails and lake so you don’t even have to leave to the park to enjoy great outdoor recreation. We found it enjoyable just to hang out in the park rather than trying to find things to do in the area. After hiking and paddling, we loved relaxing out at our campsite with a campfire.
Our campsite was spacious but required some maneuvering to avoid scraping trees with our RV. Campsites are spacious, shady, and had good separation between the neighboring sites which we enjoyed. Generators are allowed but not too many people were using them. The few other campers around that used them were mindful of quiet hours. Since it was still a little cool and our windows were closed and we never heard anyone’s generator. The park was not very crowded when we were there, but we can imagine it could get very busy and noisy in the busy summer season. The beach area seems to be a draw for people so the summer camping season is probably packed. The snack bar and gift/supplies shop at the sandy beach area were not open as we were there late in the season. There is also a nice playground for kids to enjoy.
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. Oh well, the shower felt good after our active days. There are two pavilions you can rent which are nice if big groups want to gather. Take note that only two pets are allowed per campsite, so plan accordingly if you are a pet owner.
Access is fairly easy, just off I-87, and there are plenty of signs directing you which way to go. Saratoga Springs and Lake George are nearby if you want to explore. We recommend visiting the National Horse Racing Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs, if you have time. We would definitely stay here again.
Guide to Waterford
Equestrian campgrounds near Waterford, New York offer dedicated facilities for riders and their horses in the southeastern Adirondack region. The area features a mix of state-operated campgrounds and private facilities within 50 miles of Waterford. Most horse-friendly camping locations provide direct access to trail systems spanning forest terrain. Seasonal availability typically runs from May through October with limited winter accommodations.
What to do
Trail riding access: At Luzerne Campground, riders find multiple trail options. "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!" notes Brittnay B.
Lake activities: Moreau Lake State Park offers multiple water-based options beyond horseback riding. "Hiking, biking, swimming, boat/canoe/paddleboard rentals. No hookups but does have dump station," explains Nancy K.
Local attractions: North-South Lake Campground provides access to significant Catskill features. "Located just about a mile from Kaaterskill Falls this campground couldn't be in a better spot," reports Brittany W. The falls require a moderate hike with established viewing platforms.
Seasonal activities: Winter camping exists at select locations. Murphy Lake Leanto maintains year-round operation, though winter access becomes significantly more challenging. Tony F. notes the trail "snakes its way through the wilderness. Passing by two other bodies of water, Bennett and Middle Lakes."
What campers like
Private camping spots: Moreau Lake State Park Campground offers separation between sites. "Campsites are spacious, shady, and had good separation between the neighboring sites which we enjoyed," writes Nancy W. This privacy contrasts with more densely arranged equestrian facilities.
Clean facilities: North-South Lake maintains consistent standards. "The restrooms were clean and had showers, which we did not expect," says Brittany W. Most campgrounds perform daily cleaning routines.
Water features: Betty Brook Camp provides stream-side camping spots. "You camp on the stream. There is a couple of spots," explains Robert B., who has visited the area for decades. The running water adds ambient sound while providing water access for horses.
Convenience amenities: Luzerne Campground includes nearby supply options. "The little mom and pop store across the street is perfect for last minute needs and have the best homemade chocolate cream pie," reports Antoinette W., noting her family has used the same site for 15 years.
What you should know
Seasonal restrictions: Most equestrian facilities operate May through October. Moreau Lake State Park operates "May 6 to October 13" while Luzerne Campground runs "May 19 to September 10," offering slightly different windows for planning purposes.
Weekend crowding: Murphy Lake Leanto requires physical effort to reach. "A two hour bike ride with a couple of breaks. The Murphy Bennett Trails is a technical challenge to hike, or bike in on," explains Tony F. This difficulty limits crowds compared to drive-in options.
Weather preparation: Betty Brook Camp offers primitive options without services. "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," notes Peter, a local resident. The site lacks drinking water or restroom facilities.
Trail conditions: Horse trails can change seasonally. "Be prepared to go over downfalls. The area is maintained, but wind happens in the old growth forest," warns Tony F. regarding Murphy Lake access trails.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Country Campsites provides water activities suitable for children. Similar facilities at Luzerne Campground prompted Amy M. to write: "Beautiful beaches, lots of places to hike and lots of places to take a bicycle and go exploring! We loved it here and will be returning!"
Playground access: Moreau Lake State Park includes constructed play areas. Nancy W. notes "There is also a nice playground for kids to enjoy," providing alternative entertainment when not riding horses.
Pet restrictions: Check specific campground policies for accompanying dogs. "Take note that only two pets are allowed per campsite, so plan accordingly if you are a pet owner," advises Nancy W. about Moreau Lake State Park.
Nearby attractions: North-South Lake's location offers supplemental activities. Chris D. states: "Camping, swimming, hiking, boating, biking, this place has it all," making it suitable for family members with varying interests beyond equestrian activities.
Tips from RVers
Site spacing: Moreau Lake accommodates larger vehicles with advance planning. "Loop A seems to be the best for big-rigs," reports Nancy W., while noting "Our campsite was spacious but required some maneuvering to avoid scraping trees with our RV."
Hookup availability: Most equestrian campgrounds offer limited electrical options. North-South Lake provides electric hookups, though water and sewage connections vary by specific site location.
Generator rules: Noise restrictions apply at most campgrounds. "Generators are allowed but not too many people were using them. The few other campers around that used them were mindful of quiet hours," observes Nancy W. about Moreau Lake State Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
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campsite near Waterford, NY?
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Waterford, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Waterford, NY is Moreau Lake State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 18 reviews.
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What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Waterford, NY?
TheDyrt.com has all 7 equestrian camping locations near Waterford, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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