Glamping destinations around Black River, New York provide access to the natural beauty of the St. Lawrence River valley and Lake Ontario shorelines. The region sits at relatively low elevations of 300-500 feet above sea level with a humid continental climate featuring warm summers and cold winters. Campsites typically experience strong winds from Lake Ontario and midges during certain seasons, requiring preparation for weather shifts even during summer months.
What to Do
Swimming in Lake Ontario: Southwick Beach State Park Campground offers one of the best swimming spots in central New York with an expansive sandbar. According to one visitor, "BEST beach in CNY-sandbar goes on forever-campsites roomy and well taken care of."
Fishing opportunities: Both freshwater species and Lake Ontario fishing await visitors. At Kring Point State Park Campground, "Great fishing from almost every part of this park. Two beaches to swim. Almost every campsite is on the water."
Paddling the St. Lawrence: Launch directly from waterfront sites at many locations. A reviewer at Burnham Point State Park Campground shared, "Paddling the St. Lawrence River was a highlight and it was also super convenient to be able to get work done via my hotspot right from our site."
Explore nearby villages: Take day trips to small towns within a short drive. At Association Island, one camper mentioned, "Within an hours drive of lots of cute, small river towns with tons of ambiance. Water sport potential was huge if you have your own watercraft."
What Campers Like
Waterfront access: Direct water access ranks as the top feature mentioned in reviews. At Stillwater Reservoir, "Our site was a pull in and we faced a western view of Lake Ontario. We were treated to gorgeous sunsets and minimal light pollution at night. The stars were everywhere."
Island camping experience: Several campgrounds offer island or peninsula settings for added seclusion. One camper noted about Stillwater: "My wife and I kayaked to Long Island and stayed for a weekend. It was quiet and had the whole island to our self."
Private bathroom facilities: Newer bathroom facilities at several parks provide individual shower rooms. At Long Point State Park Campground, a reviewer praised: "The park offers flat, grassy sites, all with fire rings & picnic tables... Personal toilet, shower & sink are contained within separate rooms within the amenity block, perfect for couples and young families."
Abundant wildlife viewing: The region hosts diverse bird and animal species. At Stillwater Reservoir, a camper shared, "We saw Bald Eagles and Loons, enjoyed swimming, canoing and paddleboarding with the family."
What You Should Know
Wind conditions: Lake Ontario creates consistent wind patterns affecting campgrounds. At 1000 Islands Campground, sites are designed with this in mind, as one camper noted: "Our site backed up to the water and although it was windy they thought ahead and built the fire pit up to block it."
Site availability challenges: Popular waterfront sites book quickly at most campgrounds. For Kring Point, a reviewer warned: "Hard to get into because people book far in advance."
Bug preparation: Insects can be significant depending on season. A camper at Association Island advised: "One HUGE downfall was the amount of BUGS! Millions (not exaggerating) of midges and mayflies swarming the grounds from Lake Ontario."
Limited amenities at primitive sites: Stillwater Reservoir offers more primitive experiences. One visitor explained: "I came here a couple days ago only to realize that all except one campsite needs a boat to be reached. It's first come first serve."
Tips for Camping with Families
Playground facilities: Several parks have dedicated play areas for children. At Selkirk Shores State Park Campground, "The beach is good for children and they have a great recreation program for the kids. While we were there they had a reptile exhibit with huge snakes and crocodiles, another day they had tie dyeing t-shirts."
Swimming safety: Look for designated swimming areas with gradual entry points. At Kring Point, "It has a little beach area and great rock cliffs to jump off and swim!"
Loop selection matters: Some campgrounds have family-focused and quieter sections. At Selkirk Shores, a camper advised: "This campground is 4 different loops- A loop is like the loop for people here for fishing, B loop is the mellower crowd, and C and D were our nightmares: mass chaos, children running amok."
Recreation programs: Check for scheduled family activities. According to a Selkirk Shores visitor, parks often provide "bingo (candy was the prize), exercises, and crafty things to make."
Tips from RVers
Site surface variations: Surface materials differ between campgrounds. At Swan Bay Resort, "All of there sites are on slabs, neat and clean hook ups. There is riverviews from just about every site."
Utility connections: Electric service varies by campground. One Selkirk Shores camper noted, "All sites are electric, some are 30 and some are 50amp. There's a nice new dump station with several dumps and potable water."
Wind protection strategies: Secure awnings and outdoor equipment. A camper at Association Island warned, "We saw and had multiple dog piles in our campsite and on other parts of the campground."
Site size considerations: RV sites range significantly in size across the region. At Natural Bridge/Watertown KOA, "The sites are small, but there are mature trees between them & woodsy areas around the campsites."
