Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

Hours of Operation

• Seasons/Hours: The park is open year round, dawn to dusk.
• Camping open from May - November
• Public Restroom and Contact Station open year round.

Fees & Rates

Most New York State Parks charge a vehicle use fee to enter the facility. Fees vary by location and season. A list of entry fees and other park use fees is available below. For fees not listed or to verify information, please contact the park directly.

The easy-to-use Empire Pass card is $80- and your key to all-season enjoyment with unlimited day-use entry at most facilities operated by State Parks and the State Dept. of Environmental Conservation including forests, beaches, trails and more. Purchase online or contact your favorite park for more information. Learn more about our Admission Programs including the Empire Pass.

• Vehicle Entrance Fee
• Beginning of May-mid October. Cars $6 on weekends and holidays
• Campsites
• $15-27/per night
  
  *$5 nightly fee for non-NYS residents
• Camper and Dry Slip Boat Storage

• Rates include $6/day, $25/week, $75/month, $175 for full summer season (April-October), $225 for full winter season (October-April)
  
  
  

Maps

New! Download this park's digital map to your iOS Apple and Android device.

• Schodack Island State Park Trail Map

• Google Earth file (kmz)
• Schodack Island Consolidated Map (pdf)

How to Bird Watch

Schodack Birding Checklist

Key BCA Criteria:

- Wading bird concentration site

- Species at risk site

The Schodack Island BCA is a peninsula in the tidal portion of the Hudson River, within Schodack Island State Park. The BCA's trails, old roadways, abandoned farms, rights of way, forest openings, and varying topography have created an interspersion of habitats, which in turn has led to a widespread distribution and abundance of birds. Cerulean Warbler and Bald Eagle are key species here, and a Great Blue Heron rookery on the island contains about 50 nests. The western side of the Island, along the Hudson River shoreline, is predominately floodplain forest, and is of particular importance in regard to its use by eagles. The habitats along the Schodack Creek and Muitzes Kill are particularly diverse. The BCA is within a Department of State (DOS) Significant Coastal Fish and Wildlife Habitat and a DOS Significant Scenic Area. The BCA boundaries are coincident with the designated Hudson River Estuarine Sanctuary boundaries.

The site supports a breeding population of Cerulean Warbler (special concern) with 13 singing males counted in 1997. The area has been used by the species since at least 1965. Bald Eagle (threatened) regularly use the area for roosting and foraging, especially in winter. Osprey (special concern) also roost and forage in the area. There is a Great Blue Heron breeding colony that supports about 50 nests each year.

Download a copy of the BCA map.

I Bird NY guides are available in the park. For more information about the I Bird NY program , please visit the DEC webpage.

All persons hunting within the boundaries of Schodack Island State Park must have a valid NYS hunting license, archery license, muzzle loading license and/or turkey permit as required by Environmental Conservation Law. A special permit, issued by Schodack Island State Park, is also required. Permits can be obtained at the park office at no charge.

Rifles of any caliber or handgun of any type is strictly prohibited. Muzzle loader or shotgun only. Bow hunting in designated areas. DMU permit areas are 4K north of the overhead bridges and 4T south of the overhead bridges. Hunting within 500 feet of any building or road is strictly prohibited. No structures of any kind. Tree stands must be climber style or lock on. All tree stands must be removed daily.

Hunters must display colored parking pass on dashboard when parked. Hunters must display laminated hunting permit card to any park employee or officer. A sign in/sign out sheet will be in place outside of the park office. Hunters are required to sign in and out each day and record any game taken.

All hunting ends February 28th. Park hours are displayed throughout the park.

Hunting Permit and Map

*Please note: Hunting is not permitted within 500 feet of any building, road, playground, or parking lot, and all trails are considered safety zones where hunting is not allowed.