Campgrounds Near Amtrak Stations

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:

Photo Credit: Herkimer Diamond Mines KOA Resort

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.”

Photo Credit: Branches of Niagara Campground and Resort

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.”

McConchie Heritage Acres Camp

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.

Photo Credit: Facebook of Moreau Lake State Park

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.

Photo Credit: Rip Van Winkle Campground

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.

Webster Park Campgrounds

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.