As a certified Northeast city dweller, I’ve committed to the traffic, noise, and hustle that come with urban living. Consistent weekends in upstate New York are what my internal doctor recommends: a chance to decompress from city life, forest bathe, and dare I say, have conversations with the odd farm animal.
Camp Hudson Pines was just the prescription I needed on an early fall trip to Saratoga, New York, a combination of a vintage campground wrapped in modern comforts. Located between Lake George and Saratoga Springs, Camp Hudson Pines is situated on the Hudson River with tranquil waterside views that allow even the most tightly wound traveler to decompress.
Your choice of camping, glamping, and cabin living
Photos: Camp Hudson Pines and Adrienne Jordan
Plentiful pine trees and crisp mountain air presented a peaceful start to my visit when I arrived at the campground. Driving around, I saw the different types of accommodations available at Camp Hudson Pines. There were areas of the campground that had classic portable tents pitched with cots on the inside; RVs parked with Adirondack chairs; a vintage Airstream with a full-sized bed, kitchenette, and bathroom; and a tiny home called the “Acorn,” which was also decked out with a full-sized bed, kitchenette, and bathroom. For those seeking the closest approximation of a home away from home, there were also modern renovated waterfront cabins that slept three to four people with full kitchens and washer-dryers.
I chose to stay in one of the glamping tents: dreamy canvas tents sewn in the USA (Denver and Salt Lake City). Upon peeling back the outer and inner layers of the canvas, I could see how well-stocked the interiors were for a long weekend stay. There was an electric kettle, a Brita water pitcher, and an electric fireplace to keep toasty on cool evenings. I was surprised to see the tent had a power cord to charge electronics (I admit it’s hard to go completely off the grid on these upstate trips).
As the night approached, I was able to roast marshmallows for s’mores over the fire pit located outside the tent, then I topped off the evening with a much-needed rest in one of the chairs on the tent’s wooden platform while taking in some clear sky stargazing.
Embracing the outdoors, on and off the property
Photo: Revolution Rail Co
Being an adventurer at heart, I sniffed out the on-site outdoor activities as soon as I checked in at reception. To start, there are kayaks free of charge. I was able to board my kayak from the campground dock and spend a leisurely hour on the Hudson, taking in the trees and waterfront homes by the river. There was also some great bird-watching on the river — I even spotted a rare bald eagle hunting for prey.
Walking through nature trails is another way to enjoy the serene setting, feeling as though you’re one with the trees while sunlight peeks through the foliage. I started my morning with breathwork coupled with forest connection on the Frog Fern Trail at Camp Hudson Pines. The experience was led by Sarah Hutcherson and Anastasia Ukhtinskaya of Slo Breathworks, who guided our group to do things like focus on a color, breathe it in, and see where it landed in our bodies. We were able to have still moments with trees, as well as sensory work with our hands along the fallen leaves at the edge of the slow-moving Hudson River.
Beyond the campground, one of the most exciting activities in the area is the 1.5-hour scenic rail bike ride with Revolution Rail Co. I pedaled through the fall foliage on a custom-built four-passenger bike that glided seamlessly along defunct rail lines. Look out for deer, chipmunks, rabbits, and other forest animals while you cruise.
Where to eat near Camp Hudson Pines
Photos: Cammon Roots Brewing Company and Adrienne Jordan
While small snacks are available at the camp store at Camp Hudson Pines, plan to eat your meals off property (or stock up on groceries if you choose to stay in an accommodation with a kitchen or kitchenette). Common Roots Brewing Company in South Glens Falls was a nearby spot where I enjoyed farm-to-table pub fare paired with 32 rotating beers brewed in-house. I ordered the margarita pizza and the Shreddie IPA. If you have a dog, Common Roots has ample outdoor Adirondack seating in a casual, fun atmosphere with fire pits and lounge seating.
On my last day, I wanted to explore downtown Saratoga Springs, so the Putnam Market was a great option for healthy self-serve fare like lentil soup, chicken noodle soup, asparagus, grilled chicken, and Brussels sprouts. There were also packaged local items from the region for purchase, such as honey, jam, cheese, and wine.
Getting to Camp Hudson Pines
Photo: Adrienne Jordan
There are a few ways to reach Camp Hudson Pines. I drove a scenic 3.5 hours from central New Jersey (Middlesex County) to reach the campground. If you prefer a train ride, it’s around four hours from New York Penn Station to Saratoga Springs via Amtrak. From there, it’s a 25-minute drive to the campground. If you’re coming from farther away, the closest airport is Albany International Airport (ALB), and then it’s a 50-minute drive to Camp Hudson Pines.
