Camping sites near Stephentown, New York range from primitive backcountry shelters to full-service campgrounds across both New York and Massachusetts borders. Located in the foothills of the Taconic Mountains, the region sits at elevations between 1,200-3,000 feet with significant temperature variations between day and night, often dropping 15-20 degrees after sunset. Forest roads leading to several campgrounds remain unpaved, creating bumpy access during spring thaw or after heavy rains.
What to do
Kayaking on local waterways: Cherry Plain State Park Campground offers a small pond perfect for beginners. "The view is great. My site was amazing. No close neighbors. Lots of space. Right near bathroom," reports one visitor who enjoyed fishing in the pond.
Hiking to scenic overlooks: Sperry Road Campground — Mount Greylock State Reservation provides access to numerous trail options. "The hike in was a fairly easy 1.3 to the csmpground. The sites were huge and spread out. Although we could kind of see our neighbors if we tried, we were far enough away that we weren't looking at them all weekend," notes a camper who visited the reservation.
Bird watching from constructed blinds: Schodack Island State Park Campground features specialized viewing areas. "Stopped for one night on way from New England to Finger Lakes region... Best part was hiking out to a couple of different blinds to look for birds. Did see a juv eagle," shares one visitor who made time for wildlife observation during their stay.
Local racing events: Some campers visit specifically for nearby speedway events. "We found this site on Campendium, we needed a site close to the Lebanon Valley Speedway to watch a friend race. Our site #1A was a quick back in site with full hookups and a perfect view day or night, right on their pond," explains a camper at Spacious Skies Woodland Hills.
What campers like
Private wooded campsites: Mt. Greylock Campsite Park receives praise for site spacing. "Our stay at Mt. Greylock Campsite Park was our maiden voyage for travel trailer camping and we couldn't have asked for a better first experience. The owners were SUPER helpful and friendly. Though there are many occupied seasonal sites, we did not feel like strangers in a strange land. The sites were wooded and large," one reviewer commented.
Clean, well-maintained facilities: Fernwood Forest Campground stands out for cleanliness. "Clean, quiet and well maintained. Only downside is the showers are literally in the same space as the pooper stalls in the washroom. Washroom incredibly clean though," notes a camper who valued the upkeep.
Quiet atmosphere: Most campgrounds maintain peaceful environments, especially during weekdays. "It was nice and calm at the campground. The staff where nice and the pond was beautiful. Very quite and relaxing. The sure we where on has a okay view of lake. Sites a decently spread out but I'd get sites near the water because those ones are the nice ones," reports a Cherry Plain visitor.
Recreational amenities: Weekend activities create community experiences. "Over the weekend they had organized corn hole games and several other ways to get physical and have a blast. They also had a community 'Father's Day' breakfast (fathers ate free!) which was open to all and yummy!" shares a visitor to Spacious Skies Woodland Hills.
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds close by mid-October. "We stayed in a campsite near the road and the brook. It was clean and quiet... The weekdays seem quieter than the weekends," notes a visitor to Pittsfield State Forest Campground.
Bear safety requirements: Several campgrounds have specific protocols for food storage. "The bear lockers are roomy and clean and could double as storage to keep items out of the rain (highly recommend reviewing being 'bear aware' as we had a sighting in our neighboring site and not all other campers are bear smart and left food/trash out even though rangers gave reminders)," warns a Mount Greylock State Reservation visitor.
Bathroom and shower limitations: Facilities vary widely between locations. "The bathrooms are small, but very clean. They wouldn't meet ADA standards, but there are no drips, stains, or dirt and they seem to check in a couple of times a day to clean up if needed," reports one camper about Bonnie Brae Cabins and Campsites.
Site conditions and leveling: Many campsites require adjustment for comfortable setup. "We arrived and had booked an RV site thinking it would be large enough for my tent which is 21 x 17. Immediately upon seeing the site I knew it would not fit without us possibly touching one or both of the RVs in the sites next to us," explains a camper who had to request a different site at Bonnie Brae.
Tips for camping with families
Scout multiple sites before setting up: Aqua Vista Valley Campgrounds offers varying experiences based on site location. "We chose a site right by the river and were able to adjust it to our needs for our dogs and grandchildren. The neighbors have been very helpful and friendly. We did use the playground with our grandkids and it was clean and lots to do," advises a seasonal camper.
Pack for temperature swings: Evening temperatures drop substantially, even in summer. "July 2025. We stayed in site #36. It had plenty of room for our 4 person tent, kitchen tent and car. The ground was all gravel to took some time to remove the bigger ones from under the tent," shares a Pittsfield visitor who prepared their site carefully.
Consider group sites for family gatherings: Several campgrounds offer dedicated spaces. "We reserved a groupsite down by a stream and pond. It had a large common area surrounded by little pockets which made great tent sites. Beautiful site! Other campsites were far enough away that we felt like we had the place to ourselves," notes a Pittsfield State Forest camper.
Utilize ranger-led programs: Educational activities occur regularly at state parks. "The host is extremely friendly. She greeted us with the warmest of smiles and a goodie bag full of information. The sites are big and this has to be the cleanest campground I've ever visited!" reports a Fernwood Forest visitor.
Tips from RVers
Verify site dimensions before booking: Many campsites can't accommodate larger RVs. "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 like my wife and I," cautions a visitor to Spacious Skies Woodland Hills.
Check road conditions: Access roads to several campgrounds challenge larger vehicles. "The roads in are definitely patched and bumpy, but once your in the loop things are smooth! The site was SO spacious and felt secluded because of all the nature and greenery," notes a Schodack Island camper.
Book weekday stays when possible: Campgrounds are less crowded and quieter. "We were able to watch a fifth wheel try to back up a hill and then turn into a site and couldn't get a grip because of the incline and the loose gravel," observed a Mt. Greylock Campsite Park camper describing weekend challenges.
Plan for limited connectivity: Cell service is minimal or non-existent at most sites. "Hot showers, bathrooms, and dishwashing stations are available... Don't expect any cell service or internet, but the site is close enough to town if you need," advises a Cherry Plain visitor.
