Camping sites near Bakers Mills, New York sit at elevations ranging from 1,200 to 1,800 feet, creating distinct microclimates that affect camping conditions throughout the year. The area receives approximately 40 inches of annual rainfall, with heaviest precipitation typically occurring during summer months. Fall temperatures often drop below freezing at night even when days remain mild, requiring campers to pack additional layers regardless of season.
What to do
Kayaking and paddling on Indian Lake: Indian Lake Islands Campground provides access to numerous islands and sheltered bays perfect for exploration. "There are a lot of options here, there are over 200 sites, scattered around Lewey and Indian Lakes. Some are crude and just off the highway, and some are palatial and able to take pretty large RVs," notes Katherine P., who visited Indian Lake Islands Campground.
Hiking to mountain ponds: The region offers several accessible pond hikes with moderate elevation gain. "After a short hike up steep crane mountain we watched the beautiful sun set. One of the nicest places I've camped at," shares T K. about Crane Mountain Pond Campsite, which provides primitive camping opportunities for those willing to pack in supplies.
Family beach activities: Several campgrounds maintain dedicated swimming areas with varying amenities. "The beach area is amazing. Can't wait to go back," remarks Tiffany E. about her experience at Indian Lake Islands Campground, while another camper mentions the "gorgeous sand beach" at Moffitt Beach Campground, noting it has "nice fishing and spacious sites."
What campers like
Private island camping: Boat-access sites provide unique seclusion not found at roadside campgrounds. "A group of us put up two tents on a small, somewhat secluded, island on Indian Lake and had the time of our lives," reports Joseph S. about his stay at Indian Lake Islands Campground.
Waterfront access at multiple locations: Lakeside sites remain consistently popular due to convenient water access. "The lakefront sites are fantastic!" writes Rebecca D. about Lewey Lake Campground, while another camper noted they could "pull your canoe or kayak right up to your site."
Individual bathrooms at some facilities: Several campgrounds have upgraded to private bathroom facilities. "The private bathrooms were an unexpected surprise. Each bathroom was large with toilet, sink and shower!" shares Jim B. about his stay at Lake George Riverview Campground, noting that "with many campers in RVs the bathrooms were never busy."
What you should know
Seasonal road conditions affect accessibility: Spring and fall bring variable road conditions to primitive sites. "Wouldn't recommend camping here unless you really want to venture into the unknown. The sites are nearly impossible to find and slow down for off a highway, and you have no idea what the road situation could be like," warns Mark M. about Fox Lair Campsites, adding that his site "BARELY had space for my sedan to turn around, and it was so muddy that I was afraid my car was going to get stuck."
Varying levels of facilities at primitive sites: Not all designated camping areas provide equal amenities. "Some of the designated sites are on off shoots of the main camping loops so more primitive (out house, no running water) sites are available for booking," explains Dana M. from Lewey Lake Campground, adding "I prefer boondocking and the ability to reserve these off the path sites gave peace of mind over the first come, first serve option."
Wildlife encounters are common: Bear activity requires proper food storage. "This is a bear area (we didn't see any) but I have to emphasize that you HAVE to keep all your food covered in a sealed container," warns Katherine P., who learned the hard way when "we ended up with a fleet of mice making merry with some of our food (and snacks) which we ended up having to throw out."
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with dedicated kid spaces: Some locations offer specialized amenities for children. "Great Camper camp ground! This place is great for families, it has different activities, a waterslide, peddle carts, kayaks and boats for rent, dancing, and teen specific activities too!" recommends Meag F. about Lake George Escape Campground.
Consider noise levels when selecting sites: Some campgrounds experience traffic noise that might disturb light sleepers. "There is a little road noise but the lakefront sites are fantastic!" notes Rebecca D. about Lewey Lake Campground, while another reviewer at a different location mentions that "Friday and Saturday night there was a ton of street noise from Rt9."
Beach quality varies by location: Swimming areas differ substantially between campgrounds. "Nice swim at your own risk beach (no guards), boat rentals, good fishing," explains Robert L. about Luzerne Campground, while another camper mentioned that the "small swimming area" at a different location was adequate but limited in size.
Tips from RVers
Site sizes vary significantly: Larger RVs require careful site selection. "Our site was fine and large enough to accommodate our RV and tow car but some campsites were pretty small and would not fit large RVs," notes Nancy W. about Lake George Escape Campground, adding that "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."
Surface conditions impact comfort: Site composition affects setup and livability. "The new area has crushed gravel and lots more room and some pull-thru sites," observes Nancy W. about Scaroon Manor Campground, while noting that at a different campground, "many of the sites in the older section have sand/dirt patios and sandy roads which makes it very dusty."
Hookup availability is inconsistent: Electric, water and sewer connections vary widely. "Dyrt says there are electric hookups available but you better call first because I didn't see any," warns James O. about Lewey Lake Campground, while Caleb C. noted that another campground had "electric and water hookups" and "dump station on site was convenient."
