Near the New York-Vermont border at approximately 500 feet elevation, Alplaus offers direct access to the southern Adirondack region and its seasonal campground options. Most glamping accommodations open from May through October, with winter closures due to the area's snowfall averaging 65 inches annually. Primitive and established camping sites maintain varying reservation policies, with many requiring bookings 3-9 months in advance.
What to do
Hiking accessible trails: The area surrounding Moreau Lake State Park Campground features over 20 miles of trails with varying difficulty levels. "Great thing about this park is the hiking trails and lake so you don't even have to leave to the park to enjoy great outdoor recreation," notes one visitor. Another mentions, "Hiking trails become nice XC skiing trails" during winter months.
Fishing local ponds: At DevilDoc Campsites, visitors access small ponds for fishing. "There's a pond that is very secluded," explains one camper. Another notes, "Nine Corners Lake is a must! It has beautiful clear water and we spent two entire days hanging out there." The fishing spots are typically uncrowded compared to larger lakes in the region.
Seasonal winter activities: While most glamping close to Alplaus, New York shuts down for winter, some locations offer cold-weather options. A DevilDoc Campsites visitor explains, "We stayed from April until October then decided to stay over winter... You'll have the entire mountain side all to yourself! Snowshoe, cross country ski. Winter campfires." These winter camping opportunities provide a different perspective on the area's landscapes.
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: The Lake George RV Park receives consistent praise for site layout. "The campsites are large, flat and sited well apart from each other," mentions one reviewer. Another notes, "Sites are huge, virtually all blacktop roads, bike trails," highlighting the infrastructure quality.
Clean facilities: Max V. Shaul State Park Campground stands out for maintenance standards. "The bathrooms and showers are clean and well-kept," states one visitor. Another describes it as having the "cleanest facilities ever!" This consistency in cleanliness appears across multiple reviews.
Dog-friendly amenities: Several campgrounds accommodate pets with specialized facilities. A Lake George RV Park camper highlights "the 2 acre dog park with shaded seating for humans, bathrooms and a dog wash station" as their favorite feature. Another visitor calls it "the best dog park I ever saw," making it suitable for travelers with four-legged companions.
What you should know
Site selection matters: At Moose Hillock Camping Resorts, site location affects your experience. "Best sites are along the outer perimeter as they provide more privacy," advises one camper. Another notes, "The angled sites and wide roads make backing in very easy," which helps with setup.
Seasonal timing considerations: Visitor experiences vary dramatically by season. "We stayed before peak season in the days leading up to Memorial Day weekend. Very quiet and park was almost empty," reports one Moose Hillock visitor. Another campground review mentions, "during the summer season I wouldn't go here expecting to have the park to yourself."
Budget planning: Pricing varies significantly between glamping options. One camper notes, "This campground does come with a high price tag. It was $66/night during the first part of our stay but then jumped up to in-season rates that were $99/night plus $20/night because it was a holiday weekend." Most campgrounds charge additional fees for pets, extra guests, and holiday periods.
Tips for camping with families
Activity scheduling: Woodford State Park Campground offers family-friendly features beyond just camping. "Perfect for families! There are tons of different types of campsites with either tent spots, lean-tos, and a few (hard to get) cabins," mentions one visitor. Another adds, "There's a small reservoir with a little beach that you can swim or kayak/canoe in."
Child-appropriate swimming: Several campgrounds feature kid-friendly water options. "Nice sandy beach with lifeguard hours," notes one Moreau Lake visitor. At Lake George RV Park, "Water park was great, kids spent all day there," shares another camper.
Weather preparedness: The region experiences significant weather variations. Pack clothing layers as temperatures can drop significantly at night, even in summer. One camper reported, "We had to evacuate the mountain our last evening because of really bad thunder and lightning but the ranger was very helpful and came around to warn us all and encourage us to be careful."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: RV sites vary significantly in services provided. A Lake George Escape camper advises, "Booked an 'Elite 50amp' site but had no realistic map to go by. Many of these types of sites are parallel to the water, but the map makes them look like back in sites." Research site specifics before booking.
Navigation challenges: Several campgrounds have complex layouts. "Roads in the park are confusing because none are parallel or perpendicular so we had to go slow just to make sure we didn't miss a turn in the RV," notes one visitor. Another mentions, "The roads are narrow and many should be one way, but are not."
Size restrictions: Not all glamping sites near Alplaus accommodate larger rigs. "If your site neighbors are in their spots already when you arrive it will probably be hard to navigate unless you have a 20' rig," reports one camper. Check maximum length restrictions when booking.
Guide
