Without distractions from the hustle and bustle of everyday
life, camping offers a great way to spend quality bonding time with your
friends and family. Take a relaxing train ride to initiate your escape from the
stress of the work week and visit any of these five campgrounds, all reachable
by Amtrak:
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| Photo Credit: Herkimer Diamond Mines KOA Resort |
4626 State Route 28, Herkimer, NY 13350
(17.0 miles from Utica Amtrak Station):
Bordering
the West Canadian Creek, this beautiful facility offers a guaranteed memorable
experience with activities for all ages. Guests have come to love the easy
accessibility to the creek for its world class trout fishing, tubing, kayaking,
and other recreational activities that are right on the property. From the
deluxe tent sites, to camping cabins, to their exclusive themed specialty
lodges including the “Astronomy Lodge” and the “Robotics Lodge,” this resort
offers a variety of unique living experiences. Of the 155 sites that the resort
has to offer, many are water-side, and all are stocked with amenities. The RV
sites come fully equipped with water, electric, sewer, fire rings, Wi-Fi, and a
picnic table. The tent sites also include fire rings, a
picnic table, and Wi-Fi. If you’re not one for traveling with company and savor
your solitude, Herkimer Diamond Mines KOA Resort also offers the cozy, one room
“Camping Cabin.” These cabins are perfect for those looking to take in all of
the sights and activities that the Herkimer area has to offer at their own
leisure.
This
facility is sure to provide great fun and adventure for all, featuring an
organic vegetable garden, dog park, three on site dining options with delivery
available, and the World Famous Herkimer Diamond Mines. Located directly across
from the KOA, the Mines are home to the incredible quartz crystals, which were
faceted by nature, half a billion years ago. Join as hundreds gather and form a
collective hunt to find one of these beautiful stones.
Though
many activities are offered right on the campsite, they are not limited to the
resort itself. The facility encourages guests to explore beyond the property to
fully experience the gems of Herkimer. Just minutes from the facility lies the
Historic Erie Canal, where many watch as Lock 18, a “liquid elevator,” raises
and lowers vessels over 20 feet. One may also enjoy a cruise departing from
Gems along the Mohawk, a unique shopping venue, or cherishing your heroes at
Cooperstown’s Baseball Hall of Fame.
Check
online for scheduling of local attractions and special events which include
treasure hunts, pig roasts, and the “Camper Choice Awards.”
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| Photo Credit: Branches of Niagara Campground and Resort |
2659 Whitehaven Rd, Grand Island, NY 14072 (9.8 miles from
Niagara Falls Amtrak station):
Situated
merely 10 minutes from American Falls State Park and the border of Canada, the Branches
of Niagara Campground and Resort offers 70 acres of natural beauty, including a
picturesque 8-acre lake. For a more luxurious stay, there are 15 log cabin
rentals available, as well as 80 spacious campsites for RVs and tents. These
grounds contain fun for everyone, featuring an activity center, a bathhouse,
recreation facilities, 24-hour security, a heated swimming pool, a pavilion,
and a playground. Each site offers a picnic table, fire ring, and close
proximity to the main bathhouse. Handicap and private bathrooms are also
available. Laundry facilities are located on-site, as well as a pavilion for
group use, a dump station free to guests, a propane-filling station, and a
general store.
Branches
of Niagara takes care to ensure an entertaining time for every member of the
family. Recreational fishing, canoe and kayak rentals, a heated swimming pool,
zip-line rides, and nature walks are available for guests. For the little ones,
there is a playground where games such as bocce ball, volleyball, tetherball,
horseshoes, half-court basketball, giant tic-tac-toe, and checkerboard games
occur. A daily activities program is offered, which, depending upon the day,
may include arts and crafts, scavenger hunts, face painting, zip-line rides,
sports, game time, and wagon rides.
Weekend activities designed to
encourage familial bonding are also an option and include events such as family
outdoor movie night, special nature shows, Saturday night games, and
non-denominational chapel services on Sunday mornings. Special nature shows are
exhibited on Saturday evenings, generally, displaying reptiles, bugs, birds,
and other animals. Also be sure to check the website for scheduling of “Special
Weekends,” which feature events such as the “Light the Night Weekend” and the
“Pumpkin Harvest Weekend.”
2501 Northline Rd, Galway, NY 12074 (14.8 miles from
Schenectady Amtrak station):
This
campground’s main aspiration is to supply wholesome relaxation for all guests. Friendly
and family-oriented McConchie’s provides 180 large, grassy campsites, which are
surrounded by multiple amenities, including fire rings, picnic tables, propane,
a Laundromat, free hot showers, an enclosed pavilion, a camp store, ice,
firewood, and a dump station. McConchie’s is also pet-friendly, so bring all
members of your family for a relaxing getaway!
On-site,
guests can enjoy a swimming pool, fishing, planned activities, basketball,
horseshoes, volleyball, softball, bocce ball, a game room, and playgrounds. Located
a car ride away, the exciting Saratoga Springs is a plausible day-trip for
anyone looking to explore the area.
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| Photo Credit: Facebook of Moreau Lake State Park |
605 Old Saratoga Rd, Gansevoort, NY 12831 (8.6 miles from
Fort Edward-Glens Falls Amtrak station):
This
state park is all about the atmosphere. The quiet, secluded campgrounds
overlook Moreau Lake, which is located amongst hardwood forests, pine stands,
and rocky ridges. Trees shield the picnic areas and pavilion with shade and
provide the perfect spot to chill out. There are two pavilions available to
reserve on a daily basis.
Moreau Lake State Park offers fun
year-round. During the summer, lounge on the beach under an umbrella or rent
fishing gear and connect with nature. In the winter months, snowshoes are
available for rent daily. Vacation rentals are located on the beach road and
include a refrigerator, stove, dishes and utensils, a screened porch, bathroom
with shower, pillows, and an inviting fireplace.
A highlight of this
animal-friendly park is the Moreau Lake Bird Conservation Areas (BCA). These
grounds foster Neotropical migratory songbirds during spring and autumn
migrations, as well as acting as a wintering site for the Bald Eagle. Aside
from rare birds, household pets are also welcome, contingent upon proof of a
current rabies vaccination.
Check online for upcoming events
hosted by Moreau Lake State Park.
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| Photo Credit: Rip Van Winkle Campground |
149 Blue Mountain Rd, Saugerties, NY 12477 (18.9 miles from
Rhinebeck Amtrak station):
Located in the eminent Catskill
Mountains of Saugerties, lies 160 acres of woodland comprising the Rip Van
Winkle Campground. Each of the 170 level campsites includes a fire ring, scenic
forestry, a picnic table, and easy-to-read, reflective site numbers. Full service
hook-up sites are available for use and include water, electric (30/50 amp), a sewer
hook-up, cable, and internet. Group sites with additional amenities are also
available. Located throughout the campgrounds, there are flush toilets, public
water supplies, hot water showers with individual dressing rooms, and a laundry
room. For guests’ convenience, the grounds contain a General Store,
complimentary morning coffee, a propane-filling station, firewood, and a public
phone.
With a mile of frontage on Plattekill
Creek, koi ponds, and a stocked bass pond, the fun to be had is endless! Also
available for amusement are nine Fun Zones, featuring attractions such as a
swimming hole, a spiral slide, and giant checkers. There are also many
activities and events to attend in Saugerties, “one of America’s coolest small
towns,” and the surrounding Hudson Valley region.
999 Lake Rd, Webster, NY 14582 (13.4 miles from Rochester
Amtrak station):
Positioned
along the shore of Lake Ontario, this 550-acre campground offers a genuine
camping experience. Aside from the campsites available, there are also 5
enclosed lodges able to accommodate 36 – 100 people. Most lodges include picnic
tables, wood-burning stoves, and grills. The “White House Lodge” features a
full kitchen with a refrigerator, sink, stove-top, oven, and folding tables and
chairs. There are also 8 open-air shelters, which include picnic tables,
grills, and bathrooms.
Official
recreational areas consist of a fishing pier, a multi-use athletic field,
tennis/pickleball courts, a youth camping area, and a family campground.
Webster Park is, however, a recreational area in and of itself, offering
activities such as bird watching; camping; cross-country skiing; fishing;
geo-caching; hiking or running; kayaking and canoeing; lodges and shelter for
rent; multi-use athletic fields; orienteering; pickleball; a playground; sledding; snowshoeing; tennis; access to the
creek and lake via a pier; and picnic tables.
New York State houses relaxing getaways for all ages and
interests. Take a trip to any of these campgrounds and start your relaxation
early with a leisurely Amtrak train ride to get you there. For more information
on other New York destinations reachable by Amtrak, details on Enterprise
locations that offer station pick-up, and a
15% discount for Amtrak travel
within New York State, visit
NewYorkbyRail.com.
