98% (2K) • 67 campsites
Top-rated campgrounds near Schenectady
Moonrise Forest Camp
1. Moonrise Forest Camp
96%
(66)
30mi from Schenectady · 2 sites · Lodging
We have been the caretakers of this land and cabin since 2015, when we bought it from the builder of the modest cabin on-site, Steve.
It is our family camp, but we love to share it with friends and fellow nature-loving campers.
The land is partially wooded, and partially 'old field' that is slowly re-foresting through natural succession with some intentional interruption in order to introduce edible native trees and shrubs that are not naturally present.
In this way the land is a slowly developing food forest and also a nursery for its plant-loving stewards.
Learn more about this land:
Escape the city and find yourself in this off-grid hillside cabin with a deck overlooking the Taconic mountain range. Wander through field and forest, and cool off in the nearby stream. The cabin has two rooms, and there is a kids playground and tire swing making this an appropriate family camping getaway. There is a solar panel providing indoor lights and phone charging capabilities, a fire pit with a grill, and a simple array of pots, dishes, and utensils. There is a spring-fed 55 gallon reservoir of potable water that will slowly refill as well.
Though not far off the road, there is very little car traffic, and the surroundings are very peaceful. The din of the running stream is a constant, while the sounds of coyotes and owls can be heard at night. As the name indicates, the east-facing hillside is often witness to incredible moonrises, and the stars are always bright.
Nearby Attractions:
The Beer Diviner small-scale brewery and taproom is a stone's throw away from the parking area with a selection of tasty beer and some food options available. In addition to regular hours, there are special summer events, and live music every Saturday night.
Cherry Plain State Park is a 'less-traveled' state park and campground just 3.5 miles up the road, offering lake swimming, boating, hiking and mountain bike trails.
Other nearby outdoor attractions include: Williamstown MA, The Taconic Crest Trail, Jiminy Peak Resort, Hancock Shaker Village, and Mt. Greylock.
PLEASE NOTE: CAMP OPENS MAY 31, 2019 & CLOSES NOV. 1, 2019
Toilets
Campfires
Potable water
from
$85
/ night
Gatherwild Ranch
2. Gatherwild Ranch
92%
(13)
47mi from Schenectady · 13 sites · Lodging
Welcome to Gatherwild Ranch, featured in The New York Times and home to 8 beautiful and unique accommodations spread out on the rolling hills of a former apple orchard in the heart of the Hudson Valley in Upstate NY. We provide a luxurious farmstead experience, and offer a place to comfortably reconnect with nature. Enjoy the privacy of your site or meet meaningful community in the common areas. Explore the bustling nearby upstate town of Germantown, Hudson and Rhinebeck, drop in a swimming hole, cool off in our sprinklers, enjoy our beautiful bathhouse amenities, pet a goat and collect duck eggs for your breakfast, and stargaze by your private fire at night. The experience of a lifetime is at your fingertips.
Toilets
Showers
Campfires
from
$207
/ night
Hemlock Cabin
3. Hemlock Cabin
100%
(14)
49mi from Schenectady · 1 site · Lodging
Learn more about this land:
Treehouse cabin supported by two mighty hemlocks and overlooking the creek. Heated by a wood stove in winter and very cool in the summer warmth. Cabin lullabied by water-rush white noise. Completely off grid and sun powered. Cooktop, fire pit and mini fridge available for food preparation and storage. Drinking water and shower are spring fed with a 200 gallon reserve for your stay. Propane water heater, beautiful bathroom vista. Queen sized loft bed accessed by a pull out ladder + sofa which can be used as a bed (albeit a bit narrower than a twin)
Toilets
Showers
Campfires
from
$135
/ night
98% (2K) • 67 campsites
Top-rated campgrounds near Schenectady
Moonrise Forest Camp
1. Moonrise Forest Camp
96%
(66)
30mi from Schenectady · 2 sites · Lodging
We have been the caretakers of this land and cabin since 2015, when we bought it from the builder of the modest cabin on-site, Steve.
It is our family camp, but we love to share it with friends and fellow nature-loving campers.
The land is partially wooded, and partially 'old field' that is slowly re-foresting through natural succession with some intentional interruption in order to introduce edible native trees and shrubs that are not naturally present.
In this way the land is a slowly developing food forest and also a nursery for its plant-loving stewards.
Learn more about this land:
Escape the city and find yourself in this off-grid hillside cabin with a deck overlooking the Taconic mountain range. Wander through field and forest, and cool off in the nearby stream. The cabin has two rooms, and there is a kids playground and tire swing making this an appropriate family camping getaway. There is a solar panel providing indoor lights and phone charging capabilities, a fire pit with a grill, and a simple array of pots, dishes, and utensils. There is a spring-fed 55 gallon reservoir of potable water that will slowly refill as well.
Though not far off the road, there is very little car traffic, and the surroundings are very peaceful. The din of the running stream is a constant, while the sounds of coyotes and owls can be heard at night. As the name indicates, the east-facing hillside is often witness to incredible moonrises, and the stars are always bright.
Nearby Attractions:
The Beer Diviner small-scale brewery and taproom is a stone's throw away from the parking area with a selection of tasty beer and some food options available. In addition to regular hours, there are special summer events, and live music every Saturday night.
Cherry Plain State Park is a 'less-traveled' state park and campground just 3.5 miles up the road, offering lake swimming, boating, hiking and mountain bike trails.
Other nearby outdoor attractions include: Williamstown MA, The Taconic Crest Trail, Jiminy Peak Resort, Hancock Shaker Village, and Mt. Greylock.
PLEASE NOTE: CAMP OPENS MAY 31, 2019 & CLOSES NOV. 1, 2019
Toilets
Campfires
Potable water
from
$85
/ night
Gatherwild Ranch
2. Gatherwild Ranch
92%
(13)
47mi from Schenectady · 13 sites · Lodging
Welcome to Gatherwild Ranch, featured in The New York Times and home to 8 beautiful and unique accommodations spread out on the rolling hills of a former apple orchard in the heart of the Hudson Valley in Upstate NY. We provide a luxurious farmstead experience, and offer a place to comfortably reconnect with nature. Enjoy the privacy of your site or meet meaningful community in the common areas. Explore the bustling nearby upstate town of Germantown, Hudson and Rhinebeck, drop in a swimming hole, cool off in our sprinklers, enjoy our beautiful bathhouse amenities, pet a goat and collect duck eggs for your breakfast, and stargaze by your private fire at night. The experience of a lifetime is at your fingertips.
Toilets
Showers
Campfires
from
$207
/ night
Hemlock Cabin
3. Hemlock Cabin
100%
(14)
49mi from Schenectady · 1 site · Lodging
Learn more about this land:
Treehouse cabin supported by two mighty hemlocks and overlooking the creek. Heated by a wood stove in winter and very cool in the summer warmth. Cabin lullabied by water-rush white noise. Completely off grid and sun powered. Cooktop, fire pit and mini fridge available for food preparation and storage. Drinking water and shower are spring fed with a 200 gallon reserve for your stay. Propane water heater, beautiful bathroom vista. Queen sized loft bed accessed by a pull out ladder + sofa which can be used as a bed (albeit a bit narrower than a twin)
Toilets
Showers
Campfires
from
$135
/ night
Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community
V
Veronica
August 2025
With pets
We can’t recommend The Dacha enough! We had a great time spending four nights with our pup cooking on the campfire, finding good throwing sticks, and swinging from the tire swing! The outdoor kitchen and view was just amazing! Inside the decor is simple but BEAUTIFUL you can tell that Andrew and Vickie have put so much time and love into this camp spot and it’s so amazing of them to share it with the world! ❤️
Just a heads up, there does seem to be a camp up the road. We never saw anyone but we could hear them playing horns and the bongos as well as singing everyday specifically at 8:45 pm on the dot every night. We’re not sure if this is an everyday occurrence or we just happened to stay at the Dacha at the same time as another event up the road. This would not deter us from coming back at all but did catch us off guard the first time that we heard horns in the distance lol. All in all we had a wonderful time and can’t wait to get back to the Dacha!
See more
M
Mariya
July 2025
Weekend Trip to Hemlock Cabin
We spent two nights at this magical little house, and I think it’s the first time I’ve truly missed a place after leaving.
Everything was thoughtfully crafted — you can feel the love and talent of the people who built it with their own hands. From the smallest kitchen details to the balcony overlooking the creek, and the shower with a floor-to-ceiling window facing the forest — it’s all just perfect.
A huge thank you to the hosts for creating such a cozy and welcoming space.
We’ll definitely be back! 💚💚💚
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