Camping in Alexandria Bay, New York centers around the waterfront locations of the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario, with sites typically ranging from 40-60 feet above water level. The region experiences windy conditions, especially along Lake Ontario shores where campers report losing awnings to sudden gusts. Many campgrounds in this area open from May through October, with most seasonal closures occurring after Labor Day weekend.
What to do
Water activities at Kring Point State Park: The park features multiple swimming areas with both a beach and rock cliffs where visitors can swim. "Kring point has islands as well you can jump off the rocks into the water," notes Sara H. from Kring Point State Park Campground.
Fishing along the St. Lawrence: Fishing spots abound throughout the region, with diverse catch possibilities. "The fishing is also awesome, my husband caught a pike and small mouth bass his first day!" shares Christina B. from Kring Point State Park Campground.
Kayaking from waterfront sites: Many campgrounds offer direct water access for paddlers, though wind conditions can impact paddling plans. "I was hoping to spend a bit of time on my paddleboard but soon realized it is very windy here and found very few windows to paddle," reports Nancy W. from Swan Bay Resort.
Star-gazing opportunities: The lack of light pollution in the area makes for excellent star viewing. "Quite dark at night, but that was a bonus as we were able to see the Milky Way!" writes Dawn L. about Swan Bay Resort.
What campers like
Sunset views over water: Campers consistently highlight the quality of sunset viewing as a standout feature. "Our waterfront pull-IN site was a level concrete pad and gravel with FHU and everything worked great. Oh, and the best part was our view of the St. Lawrence River with passing ocean liners and lots of migrating birds," says Matt S. from Swan Bay Resort.
Clean facilities: Multiple campgrounds maintain high cleanliness standards for shared facilities. "Bathrooms are great- showers with nice and hot water," notes Ben B. from Burnham Point State Park. This smaller campground has 47 sites with waterfront options.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The waterfront locations provide chances to observe various wildlife. "Loons are calling, a mink scampered by on the flat rock shore 15' away with a fish in its mouth. This place is quiet and peaceful," describes Carol B. about Kring Point State Park Campground.
Local food options: Several campgrounds feature on-site food options or nearby restaurants. "They offer boat, kayak, and paddle board rentals. They have 2 pools and a tiki bar on site," explains Michael M. about Swan Bay Resort.
What you should know
Site booking timeframes: Popular waterfront sites require advance planning beyond what the existing description mentions. "Rocky (flat) but beautiful. Hard to get into because people book far in advance," notes Cindy T. about Kring Point State Park Campground.
Weather variability: The area experiences significant weather changes that can impact camping plans. "I came here totaly unprepared and ended up getting soaked. I didn't check the forecast and it started pouring. it gets really cold at night and the weather is unpredictable. It was hot and sunny and then cold and wet," warns Kevin T. from Jacques Cartier State Park.
Wind conditions: The location near open water means consistent wind that can affect camping setup. "Depending on day- EXTREMELY VERY WINDY AND COLD!" cautions Ben B. from Burnham Point State Park, while another camper at Swan Bay mentions "he lost three awnings to the wind."
Pricing variations: Cost varies significantly between campgrounds and sites. "What I spent here for 2 nights I could have stayed a week at a KOA, so I did pay for those beautiful river sunsets," explains Michael M. about Swan Bay Resort.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature well-maintained play areas for children. "The playground is awesome and huge with lots of cool features for kids to explore," mentions Nancy W. about Swan Bay Resort.
Swimming safety considerations: Beach areas vary in supervision and conditions. At Southwick Beach State Park, "Lake Ontario is an amazing lake to be on and the water is pretty warm in the summer time. The waves don't get too big, so it is very safe for kids," notes Matt G.
Seasonal activity planning: Certain weekends feature special events for families. "Pirates Weekend is very busy at the beginning of August, but well worth it," recommends Matt G. from Kring Point State Park Campground.
Pet-friendly options: Many campgrounds accommodate families traveling with pets. "The dog park is very nice and a decent size to throw a ball for your dog. It also has potable water for drinking," reports Nancy W. about Swan Bay Resort.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategies: RVers should carefully consider site location based on wind exposure and utilities. At Sun Outdoors Association Island, "Although it was windy they thought ahead and built the fire pit up to block it," notes April L. about her waterfront site.
Arrival assistance: Some campgrounds provide extra support during check-in. "At check in they take you to your spot and help you get settled in. That is a marriage saver," shares Stacey C. about Sun Outdoors Association Island.
Utility considerations: Full hookup availability varies by campground, with some offering premium amenities. "Blacktop roads, cement pads, big rig friendly, tiki bar, and a professional, polite, and efficient staff make this a great campground," explains Raymond C. about Swan Bay Resort.
Seasonal infrastructure changes: Glamping in Alexandria Bay, New York involves awareness of facility improvements or limitations. "Unfortunately (and fortunately for future visitors) there is a lot of construction going on as the grounds are now owned by Sun RV Resorts (from KOA). That was annoying and disruptive to us but the improvements will be nice for the future," reports Tracey G. about Association Island.
