Martin Van Buren National Historic Site
20 mi south · National Park Service
Born in Kinderhook, New York, in 1782, Martin Van Buren was the first president born a US citizen.
Outdoors
Picnic spots near Albany
Day-use and picnic areas near Albany on public land, from quick drives to full-day outings.
21picnic areas
20 mito the closest
2within 30 miles
May–Octoberbest months
Good to know: Group picnic sites can often be reserved; fire rules change with the season, so check before bringing a grill.
Closest picks
Saratoga National Historical Park
24 mi north · National Park Service
In 1777, a large British invasion force met an equally large American army here at Saratoga. After two intense battles, an eight-mile retreat, and a three-day siege, British General John Burgoyne surrendered his entire force.
Grout Pond Campground
49 mi northeast · USDA Forest Service
Grout Pond is a popular destination for camping, hiking, paddling, and fishing. Located in a beautiful mixed conifer and hardwood forest, the campground has 12 reservable sites and offers easy access to over 10 miles of mulituse trails.
Map of all 21 places
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Within 30 miles (2)
Martin Van Buren National Historic Site
Born in Kinderhook, New York, in 1782, Martin Van Buren was the first president born a US citizen.
- History
- Picnicking
- Wildlife viewing
Saratoga National Historical Park
In 1777, a large British invasion force met an equally large American army here at Saratoga. After two intense battles, an eight-mile retreat, and a three-day siege, British General John Burgoyne surrendered his entire force.
- Biking
- Hiking
- History
- Horseback riding
- Picnicking
- Snowpark
- Wildlife viewing
30 to 75 miles (9)
Grout Pond Campground
Grout Pond is a popular destination for camping, hiking, paddling, and fishing. Located in a beautiful mixed conifer and hardwood forest, the campground has 12 reservable sites and offers easy access to over 10 miles of mulituse trails.
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Kayaking
- Paddle Boating
- Picnicking
- Water Activities
Knightville Dam
Fly fishing is popular in the Little and Westfield rivers where brown, brook and rainbow trout are stocked by the State. The Claude M. Hill Horse Trail provides horseback riding.
- Hiking
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Wildlife viewing
Ball Mountain Lake
Part of the Connecticut River Anadromous Fish Restoration Program, Atlantic salmon are stocked and smallmouth bass and trout fishing is available. Winhall Brook Campground near South Londonderry features 111 campsites.
- Camping
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Wildlife viewing
- Winter sports
Hapgood Pond
Hapgood Pond Recreation Area and Campground is situated next to its scenic namesake pond, 13 miles east of Manchester, Vermont. Visitors enjoy camping, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, swimming, and hiking.
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Kayaking
- Picnicking
- Swimming
Townshend Lake
Boats are limited to a 10-hp. Fishing is good to excellent for smallmouth bass, brown and rainbow trout. Recreation facilities include a boat launch, swim area, picnic tables, grills, hiking trails, ballfield, drinking water and restrooms.
- Boating
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
- Winter sports
Townshend Lake Recreation Area
Townshend Lake is a flood control project operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, serving communities within the West River Valley, and those downstream.
- Biking
- Birding
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Cross Country Skiing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Kayaking
Northfield Brook Lake
Northfield Brook Lake is a scenic day use park with a swim beach, horseshoe pits, picnic shelters, tables and fire grills located throughout the park. The 1.7-mile-long self-guided hiking trail winds throughout the park.
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Wildlife viewing
Northfield Brook Lake Group Shelters
Northfield Brook Lake Group Shelters are located along a small scenic lake in the Naugatuck Valley of west-central Connecticut.
- Biking
- Birding
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- History
- Kayaking
Thomaston Dam
The Vista picnic area offers visitors excellent views of the dam and portions of the Naugatuck River Valley. The streamside environment is popular for fishing and upland game hunting.
- Nature education
- Off-highway vehicles
- Picnicking
- Wildlife viewing
75 miles and farther (10)
Surry Mountain Lake
The Ashuelot River offers fishing for bass and stocked trout. The lake is limited to 10-hp engines on vessels.
- Boating
- Hiking
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
- Winter sports
Surry Mountain Lake Beach
Surry Mountain Lake Beach is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers day use facility located on the Ashuelot River in Surry, New Hampshire.
- Boating
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Ice Fishing
- Kayaking
- Photography
East Sidney Lake
The recreation area is lease to the Town of Sidney, NY. Facilities include camping, picnic area, boat launch and beach.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Tully Lake
Tully Lake is a 1300-acre flood control project completed in 1949. The reservoir area is rich with natural beauty and outdoor recreation. A tents-only campground with 35 sites lies on the north side of the 200-acre lake.
- Boating
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
North Springfield Lake
The lake offers fishing for largemouth bass and other warmwater species. The boat ramp is open to canoes and small, flat-bottomed boats only. Nearby Stoughton Pond is stocked with rainbow trout and has a 5-mph limit.
- Boating
- Hiking
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
- Winter sports
Otter Brook Lake
This picturesque lake prohibits the use of gasoline motorboats. Trout are stocked both above and below the dam by the State.
- Boating
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
- Winter sports
Otter Brook Lake Recreation Area
Otter Brook Lake Recreation Area is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers day use facility offering many outdoor recreation opportunities everyone can enjoy. The park is located in Keene and Roxbury, New Hampshire.
- Birding
- Boating
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Cross Country Skiing
- Disc Golf
- Fishing
- Hiking
Birch Hill Dam
This 82-acre natural lake boasts the Lake Dennison Recreation Area, offering picnic areas, hunting, hiking, campgrounds and a swimming beach managed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
- Boating
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
- Winter sports
Hop Brook Lake Recreation Area
Hop Brook Lake Recreation Area is located within the towns of Middlebury, Naugatuck and Waterbury, Connecticut. Its 536 acres provide excellent recreation opportunities and a chance to escape from the growing suburbia surrounding the park.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Cross Country Skiing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Kayaking
Edward MacDowell Lake Day Use Facilities
Edward MacDowell Lake is situated in a quiet corner of the Monadnock Region of New Hampshire.
- Birding
- Boating
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Kayaking
- Picnicking
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Albany. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
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Questions
Where is the closest place for picnic spots near Albany?
Martin Van Buren National Historic Site (National Park Service), about 20 miles south of Albany as the crow flies. Next are Saratoga National Historical Park (24 mi) and Grout Pond Campground (49 mi).
When is the best time for picnic spots near Albany?
Based on Albany’s average highs, May–October. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
Who manages these places?
Federal agencies including US Army Corps of Engineers, National Park Service, USDA Forest Service. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.