Best Campgrounds in New York
So what is the best campground in New York?
This is a common question I see all the time. It's a bit like asking what is the best vehicle? There are lots of reasons why a truck would be considered the best to some vs a smart car, and vice versus for someone else.
Anyways it all depends on your style of camping and what activities you are looking to do as to which campgrounds would be considered the best. Also whether you are tenting versus driving a 50ft motorhome will determine what you would consider the best campground.
Rollins Pond Campground
Click Image to Zoom
For example if your idea of camping is to be in a well treed forest by the lake listening to loons at night and paddling on a quiet lake then Rollins Pond would be at the top of the list.
For those looking to just enjoy time with the family and you have kids that want to spend time at a waterpark or have a lot of local things to do/see then Lake George RV Park might be considered the best.
For someone that loves to be along the St Lawrence and wants full hooks for their 40 foot trailer, then Wellesley Island, Green Lakes or some private campgrounds (not covered here) might be considered one of the best.
These are all total opposite experiences but all would be considered one of the best for their respective features. Also some campgrounds might be fantastic if you are camping in the spring or fall but in the summer they might be crazy busy. Totally different experience. Loved Cedar Point in May but July it was a zoo!
Cedar Point State Park
Click Image to Zoom
Having been to almost all State/DEC campgrounds in NY (90+) and have stayed at 30 so far, here is what I can offer. Note my bias is towards our camping style. A well wooded lakeside campground that will accommodate a smaller trailer (< 20ft), and has great paddling options. We love to be smack waterside and we almost always camp at a State/DEC campground, and we don't need any hookups.
For the ultimate waterside experience, the best campgrounds are in the Adirondacks:
- Fish Creek Pond - almost all sites are on the water, allows all watercraft, we can even put in our own dock, paddling paradise, very busy in the summer months
- Rollins Pond - the quieter alternative to Fish Creek, no motorboats (25HP limit), paddling paradise
- Hard to choose an order after this but Moffitt Beach, Eighth Lake, Lewey Lake, Meacham Lake, Lake Harris, Brown Tract Pond get top marks
- If you want the waterside experience but need electric then Delta Lake
Fish Creek Pond
Click Image to Zoom
For a great waterside experience but for those that like more of the St Lawrence, Lake Ontario experience:
- Wellesley Island State Park - lots of variety of sites, with/without electric, lots on the water although not the best water access, best water sites are tent sites
- Kring Point State Park- very popular, lots of water sites, both on the St Lawrence and along a protect bay
- Southwick Beach State Park - amazing sites along the endless beach although if its windy… not so much
Southwick Beach State Park
Click Image to Zoom
The best campgrounds for large beaches on larger bodies of water would include:
- Southwick Beach State Park - endless sandy beach on Lake Ontario
- Hamlin Beach State Park - long sandy beach on Lake Ontario
- Evangola State Park (Lake Ontario)
- Ausable Point - has sites right up against a long sandy beach, great for windsurfing too! (Lake Champlain)
Ausable Point Campground
Click Image to Zoom
Best beaches on small/medium size lakes (no particular order):
- Glimmerglass State Park
- Golden Beach
- Meacham Lake
- Moffitt Beach
- Northampton Beach
- Rogers Rock
- Delta Lake
- Moreau Lake
- Green Lakes - very busy though
Golden Beach
Click Image to Zoom
For those with a 40fter who need a flat site with electric the ‘best’ might include:
- Sampson State Park - flat, open but with enough trees for some shade, and electric
- Coles Creek - flat, open, limited shade, fantastic views of the freighters going by
- Chenango Valley - nice and flat, well treed, electric
Coles Creek State Park
Click Image to Zoom
For a full hookup campground with tons of activities (private campground):
- Lake George RV Park in Lake George
If you are hiking in the High Peaks area (Lake Placid area):
- Wilmington KOA or Meadowbrook Campground (DEC) - mainly for proximity to Lake Placid
Regionally I would give top marks too:
- Western NY - this is a tough one but probably Letchworth or Allegany, Hamlin Beach for best on Lake Ontario
- Finger Lakes - Sampson State Park and Watkins Glen State Park
- Thousand Islands - Wellesley Island State Park, Kring Point State Park, and Coles Creek
- Adirondacks - Fish Creek and Rollins Pond
- Central NY - Bowman Lake, Chenango Valley and Delta Lake
- Catskills/Taconic - North South Lake, Mongaup Pond
Kring Point State Park
Click Image to Zoom
For more assistance in checking out campgrounds that match your criteria visit the CampsiteFinder tool. You can also Explore Campgrounds by Region and also Explore Campgrounds by Theme. Also check out campgrounds On a Map
Wish to see more categories to classify 'best campgrounds' or have comments, suggestions? Feel free to email me at dave@campadk.com.
