The best camping near Schodack Island State Park

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Schodack Island State Park adventure.

Discover the natural splendor of Schodack Island State Park.  

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Top-rated campgrounds near Schodack Island State Park

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Sacred Waterfall & Quiet Camping

46 sites · Lodging25 acres · NY
NOTE: THIS IS A QUIET CAMPING AREA for reconnecting with nature. Not suitable for parties or loud groups. Kahonrakén:ra, The White Spiral Waterfall, is a world unto itself. For generations, the majestic waterfall has been revered for its spectacular beauty and power. It is considered a sacred site that has been central to local land rematriation work with the Kanienkeha:ka, also known as the Mohawks, the original inhabitants of Ioskóhare, the Schoharie Valley. Coursing between two outcroppings in a deep ravine, Kahonrakén:ra Waterfall crashes down over mossy rock shelves into a hidden pool, which then empties again into the river, running into emerald swimming holes and through dramatic clay beds. The effect is transporting. Truly, it is one of those extraordinarily beautiful spots on earth that makes you feel like you are in another world. There are two tiny cabins on the property. They are both accessed by separate footpaths through the forest, below an old red barn, surrounded by ash and walnut trees, singing birds, deer, wildflowers, and wild medicines. One cabin is in the forest, just beyond a grass circle clearing. The other is down the hill through a wildflower grove. Both sites have extra space to set up a tent if needed. The Forest Cabin is insulated with hemp, has electric lights and outlets, is bigger inside with a work desk, has Anderson crank out windows, has a bigger deck, and has two twin mattresses under the bed if you need them. The Wildflower Cabin is a bit deeper in the forest, a little smaller, uninsulated with two walls of old-school wood-pane windows that open out to the forest completely, one twin mattress under the bed and a powerstrip for light electric use. Both sites have private fire pits, solar shower stalls, fans for cooling and an oil filled electric heater for chilly nights. We do not allow partying. There is a profound healing process happening at the waterfall. At the request of the original caretakers, we ask that you to respect the sacredness of this land. Thank you! It's about a 10 minute hike down the gorge to the waterfall from the campsites. Each campsite has a private path down to the waterfall, where you can spend the day swimming, exploring the clay beds and looking for fossils in the 280 million year old gorge. In the evening, make a campfire at your fire pit and fall asleep under the stars listening to the waterfall and the river below. Be aware that the hike is steep and appropriate footwear is required. All hiking is at your own risk. Although your path to the waterfall is private and the waterfall is on private property, there may be other guests or locals that access the waterfall further down the road. There is no glass or alcohol allowed at the falls. Please be aware that you may hear your camping neighbors in the woods. For this reason, we ask that you don’t play amplified music and to keep noise down after 10pm so that your camping and local neighbors can chillax and enjoy the evening sounds of frogs, crickets, owls, and night songs of the countryside that makes Schoharie so special. In the big red barn at the entrance to the campsites there is a community room with a charging station, cold water sink, mini fridge, coffee maker, grills, and a port-a-potty for your use. There are also 5 gallon solar shower bags that you can use at your campsite. You are responsible for filling them and putting them in the sun to heat the water. :) This is a leave no trace campsite. Please take all your trash with you when you leave. And please bring your own biodegradable soap for dishes and toilet paper for the port-a-potty! Firewood is available onsite for $1 per log. Instructions for payment are in the community room next to the red silo at the barn. The wood is stacked at next to the red shed just uphill from the barn. You can also buy your own fire wood en route. We recommend that you buy kindling at the gas station on your way in. The Schoharie Valley is said to be the most fertile valley east of the Mississippi. It is still wild, unspoiled country and there are many local farms with fresh produce and organic meat within 5 miles of the house. There are several farm stands and a general store a few miles away, Scrumpy Ewe Cidery, Panther Creek Arts, and the Sap Bush Country Store and Café just up the hill in West Fulton. Mustang Valley, a wild mustang sanctuary and rescue center, is just down the road. Nearby hikes include Looking Glass Pond and Vroman's Nose, among many others.
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$88
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Riverhaven

1 site · Lodging2 acres · Woodford, VT
Come stay in our cozy cabin set just feet from a beautiful trout-filled Vermont river. Sit on the deck under the hemlock trees and sip your coffee as you watch the clear water cascade over the rocks. Go for a hike on your choice of trails--there are many very close by, including the Long Trail/Appalachian Trail only a mile away. Then you can come back and take a refreshing dip in the river. This tributary of the Walloomsac river is stocked with fish every spring and boasts of many native brook trout that are a hidden gem for fly fishermen. Use the grill or fire pit to cook your catch, or drive 10 minutes into the town of Bennington to enjoy a restaurant. Stroll around the shops in the several wonderful small towns in the area or just go on a drive and enjoy the scenery. Just around the corner is a premier cross country skiing center at Prospect Mountain (3 miles away), or downhill skiing at Mount Snow (13 miles) or Stratton (19 miles), or snowshoe around the pond at Woodford State Park (5 miles). Then come back to our riverside cabin, click on the fire, and let the murmur of the river put you to sleep--a haven from the busy world. There is so much beauty and so much to do in every season--or just come and do nothing and enjoy! We built this cabin bit by bit with many repurposed and salvaged materials--it is definitely a labor of love. The walls are from local pine, and the deck boards are from the local high school bleachers. A shelf in the cabin is from a piece of our old piano and the flooring is secondhand. Our family enjoys the cabin experience so much in every season, and we hope you will as well. Cabin setup: Our one room dry cabin (no electricity or plumbing) located just off Route 9 is thoughtfully appointed with a full sized bed with memory foam mattress (linens provided), two armchairs, and a propane stove for heat. The cabin's property abuts hundreds of acres of national forest to explore. Parking is just off the road where you will then follow the mulched foot path about 100 yards to the cabin. If it is too muddy or snowy you will park in our driveway and walk down to the cabin from there. Amenities: We offer cooking items such as a propane grill, spatula, tongs, cast iron skillet, grate for the firepit, 2 plates, 2 mugs, 2 bowls, and utensils. Some cozy books and card games are also available. The two outdoor chairs can be moved from the porch to the nearby firepit as needed. We do provide a battery pack that can be used to charge phones (though please consider that this could run out during your stay), but you will enjoy the "unplugged lifestyle", as there is little to no cellphone service and no internet; however, a short drive into town will keep you connected. Notes: Please know that occasionally when there has been increased rainfall or snowmelt the river will be very high. While this certainly looks and sounds incredible from the cabin, it may impact your plans for wading or fishing, and of course this is unpredictable. We do not recommend very young children staying at the cabin due to the presence of the river just yards from the front door of the cabin, with a significant drop off into the rocky river. For this same reason please either refrain from drinking alcohol or very much limit your intake. We care about your safety and want you to have an amazing stay!
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$90
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Upper Shire Campsites Hudson Valley

6 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents22 acres · Hillsdale, NY
The Upper Shire Private Campsites in the Hudson Valley are on a gorgeous hill with a small pond surrounded by 22 acres of an old horse ranch. It is located in Columbia County near the Massachusetts and New York border. There are currently 5 unique camping areas located here. Each one is special due to its location on the hill. Check out our map and enjoy our spacious yet secluded campsites and our new off-grid double shower shack with hot and cold water on demand. This place has a relaxed atmosphere and is located near Catamount Ski Resort, Bash Bish Falls, Taconic State Park, Hudson NY, and Great Barrington, MA. If you plan on bringing a pet please be sure to add that fee to your booking under "extras" ($25) If you have additional guest(s) that would like to join you that fee is ($25 a night per person) and you will need to message us about how to arrange that. We have extra easy pop-up two-person tents available to rent ($15 for two nights) you can also find that option under "extras" along with bundles of firewood ($15)
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$72
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Upper Esopus Creekside Camp

3 sites · Tents100 acres · Big Indian, NY
**IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR WINTER CAMPERS: If there is enough snow to make the camp road impassable by car, park at our house driveway where a cleared path will allow you to access the camp on foot, with toboggan/sled for your gear, about 150 yards away.** Camp on the Esopus Creek in the Big Indian-Oliverea Valley surrounded by seven 3500' Catskill High Peaks including Slide Mountain, the tallest in the Catskills. Our PRIVATE camp (no other campers) is situated on 100 acres of land in the middle of the Catskill State Park. We are the closest HipCamp site to Slide Mountain, the Catskills tallest peak at 4180 feet. A perfect base camp for some of the best hiking in the Catskills, the site is bordered by Forever Wild Forest and is minutes from the trailheads to Balsam, Giant Ledge, Panther, Big Indian, Slide Mountain and dozens more peaks within 30 minutes or so away. Our drive up camp has a 4-6 person prospector type tent, a 10X12 covered tent platform, several individual tent sites with private fire rings, as well as a bunkhouse and a leanto for day use. The camp table and cook pit are covered from the elements. The main tent includes a wood burning stove, folding card table and seating for 4 and bunk bed with 4" thick self-inflating Therm-a-rest MondoKing 3D XXL Queen sized insulated mats for luxurious comfort. Open Network WiFi (no UN/PW needed) is available at the Campkeeper home a short woods walk away. Seasoned bundled 16" firewood is available by honor box cash payment on Brown rd across the camp entry road. Rules: 'Almost' anything goes. Learn about 'pack-in pack-out/leave no trace camping' and the 'leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but pictures' motto. Due to local laws, no music or noise louder than 60 decibels is allowed which is about as loud as conversation with 20 people in a restaurant, an office of 20 people speaking or being on the phone, background music typically heard in restaurants and public spaces, an air conditioning unit at 100 feet. Our site is to be best enjoyed for the sounds that do exist naturally, the many birds singing their song, the babbling Esopus Creek, the rustling leaves on the trees. Ask questions, I will always answer anything about camping and am thrilled to share my knowledge.
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$130
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Wyomanock Farm

32 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents75 acres · Stephentown, NY
PLEASE Note! All water will be shut off after October 13 until the 2025 season. Our 75 acres is a wonderful, diverse mix of habitat, harmoniously integrated with our small farm. This land was the homestead of the very first caucasian settler of the area, John Wiley, in 1787. Before that, it was the land of the Mahican native Americans. They named it "valley of the butternut trees", or Wyomanock. The Wyomanock Creek is the backbone of this little valley. Beaver have dammed the creek at several points to create ponds and other wetland features that support a diversity of wildlife including otter, moose and a myriad of birds, from osprey to herons. This sanctuary is host to many uncommon native plants and plant communities. We would love to share it with you! Your host, Thom, invites you to property to explore 75 acres of meadows, woods and water. Choose one of several sites either in the woods or open areas. You are also free to use our outdoor solar shower or take a dip in the cold pond! Our location is convenient to the Berkshire Mountains, state parks, hiking and other attractions, including Ramble Wild tree to tree adventures and Jiminy Peak. There are a few miles of rail trail access just down the road.
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$30
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Sunflower Retreat

1 site · Lodging2 acres · Cummington, MA
A humble, 2-acre vegetarian family micro farm. Home to our family of five, 2 cats, 2 rabbits and nineteen chickens. Beautiful, established flower gardens, fruit trees and veggies. This is also home to Sunflower Yoga & Mindfulness where yoga and meditation are taught. The cabin is nestled in the 1 acre of woods behind our home, protected by large old pines and surrounding acres of forest. Home to many songbirds, woodpeckers, raven, deer, porcupine and the occasional black bear. A true retreat. Small, rustic cabin with electricity in the woods behind our home in the hilltowns of Western Massachusetts. You are just 300 feet from the house, but while in the woods you will have complete privacy. The woods are filled with songbirds and there is a small platform for meditation. There is no wifi in the cabin, so enjoy the ability to disconnect from it all while connecting within. The hilltown region is rich with rivers and lakes for swimming, boating and fishing and forests for hiking. We are just 30 min to Northampton and 45min-1hour from the many cultural offerings of the Berkshires. Learn more about this land: Small, rustic cabin with electricity in the woods behind our home in the hilltowns of Western Massachusetts. You are just 300 feet from the house, but while in the woods you will have complete privacy. The woods are filled with songbirds and there is a small platform for meditation. There is no wifi in the cabin, so enjoy the ability to disconnect from it all while connecting within. The hilltown region is rich with rivers and lakes for swimming, boating and fishing and forests for hiking. We are just 30 min to Northampton and 45min-1hour from the many cultural offerings of the Berkshires.
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$67.50
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Stonecutters Ledge

1 site · RV, Tent20 acres · Hurley, NY
Stonecutters Ledge located in the Catskill Forest 15 minutes from Kingston and minutes from Woodstock. Plan a visit to the spectacular new Ashokan Rail Trail just 5 minutes away. 18 miles of amazing artist vistas. Home to best hiking in the Catskills. The well equipped, easy to get to campsite boasts, running water, electric, hot tub, shower house, screen house, picnic table, hammock and horseshoe pits. The essentials are at the site (cooler, camp stove, pots, utensils, lanterns, coffee pot, firewood and more). Interesting trails right outside your door. We added an outdoor hot tub to the site as well as a shower house. Bring your swimsuit! The shower house has a private side for the portable loo as well as a shower side with running water. You may not want to leave, but Onteora Lake in the Bluestone Wild Forest is great for hiking, swimming and boating. Our campsite is located only 5 minutes from Ashokan Reservoir where you can fish and boat. Bring your own camping gear or rent ours, the adventures are endless! If festivals, farm markets and shopping are more your thing, we have it all nearby. Please contact me if you have a specific request. We'll make it happen! The Space: So close to everything! SC is for active campers that want to be close to the action, recreation and culture. A private - outdoor hot tub and shower house right at your campsite!
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$145
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The best camping near Schodack Island State Park guide

Overview

About

Embark on an adventure at Schodack Island State Park, where the Hudson River's embrace offers a sanctuary for both wildlife and outdoor enthusiasts alike. With 66 campsites nestled amid a rich tapestry of ecological diversity, visitors can revel in hiking, boating, and bird-watching. The park's trails invite you to explore scenic vistas, while the kayak launch beckons you to glide through tranquil waters.

Notable campgrounds

  • Secluded Riverside Campsites - Enjoy the serene sounds of the Hudson River as you camp amid the lush greenery.
  • Forest Canopy Campsites - Set up your tent under a canopy of cottonwoods, home to the park's avian residents.
  • Open Meadow Campsites - Bask in the open skies and starry nights at these spacious campsites.

Tips for snagging a campsite

  • Book early to secure your spot, especially for peak summer weekends when the park's popularity soars.
  • Consider visiting during the shoulder seasons for a quieter experience and easier reservation opportunities.
  • Keep an eye on cancellation policies and last-minute availability for unexpected openings.
  • Explore nearby camping options if the park is fully booked, ensuring you don't miss out on the region's beauty.

When to go

The park's gates are open from dawn to dusk year-round, with camping available from May to November. The best time to visit is during the fall for vibrant foliage or spring for mild weather and blooming wildflowers. Winter offers a peaceful retreat, though some amenities may be limited.

Know before you go

  • Check tide charts before boating on the Hudson River or Schodack Creek to ensure safe and enjoyable navigation.
  • Adhere to the pet policy, keeping pets leashed and providing proof of rabies vaccination if requested.
  • Prepare for your visit by downloading the park's digital map to your mobile device for easy navigation.
  • Vehicle entrance fees apply from mid-April to mid-October, with an Empire Pass available for all-season access.
  • For bird enthusiasts, the park is a designated Bird Conservation Area, so bring your binoculars and birding checklist.
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