Camping near Cambridge, New York offers diverse options from family-friendly state parks to luxury glamping experiences. This region sits at the border of New York and Vermont, with elevations ranging from 400 to 2,500 feet that create distinct microclimates for camping. Summer temperatures typically range from 55-85°F, with cooler nights at higher elevations requiring extra layers even during summer months.
What to do
Hiking trails accessible from campsites: At Woodford State Park Campground, trails connect directly to the Appalachian Trail and Long Trail systems. "Great place to camp and access nearby hiking including the AT and LT. Clean lodge (hostel) for hikers; access to a kitchen and showers as well," notes Bran P.
Swimming in natural lakes: The reservoir at Woodford State Park provides natural swimming opportunities with separate areas for different users. "There's a small reservoir with a little beach that you can swim or kayak/canoe in. There's a bunch of fish and other little creatures so it's fun to explore," shares Jenny A.
Mountain recreation in all seasons: Molly Stark State Park Campground serves as a base for nearby mountain activities. "The hike up Mt. Olga is 1.7 miles (round trip). There's a fire tower at the top, which provides awesome views of the Green Mountains. It's also fun to explore the relics of the old Hogback Ski Resort," writes Tara S.
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: Campers consistently praise the well-designed sites at Moose Hillock Camping Resorts for their privacy. "Sites are huge. Plenty of room for our RV, and small tent. Private. Can't say enough about the pool. We had multi-generations camping. From the great grandmother to 2 1/2 yr toddler we all enjoyed the pool," explains Julie E.
Clean facilities even at peak season: Lake George RV Park maintains excellent cleanliness standards throughout the busy season. "We've stayed here three times now and it never disappoints! Well maintained from the roads now to the gardens. They pay attention to every detail. Staff is super friendly and honestly seemed very happy to work there," reports Christine L.
Nature viewing opportunities: Wildlife sightings enhance the glamping near Cambridge, New York experience. "We visited last year and were blown away by the beauty. So many things near by to exlore. Lake lauderdale state park and Vermont is just 20 mins away," shares Mansi D. from Lake Lauderdale Campground.
What you should know
Seasonal operation limitations: Most campgrounds in the area operate from May through mid-October. "This campground is very well kept and very clean. The bathrooms were the cleanest campground bathrooms I've ever seen! The campsites are pretty big and somewhat private which is nice," notes Jenny A. about Woodford State Park.
Road noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience traffic noise due to proximity to main routes. "Only downside was the road noise, our site was adjacent to the road and you could hear the loud noise of the tractor trailers all night. We camp in a pop up, I don't know if you would hear the noise in a trailer," mentions Lauren about Ledgeview Village RV Park.
Weather preparedness needed: The mountain location creates variable conditions. "We unexpectedly had a free Saturday afternoon and night and 2 borrowed kayaks. This was our first visit to Woodford. Site 13 was the only one available. We heard coyotes at night and loons in the morning," shares Melissa S.
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with organized activities: Structured programs keep children engaged throughout your stay. "Beyond clean facilities. Very friendly and helpful staff. Went with 3 kid under 8yrs old. They had a blast abd so did we, they have family activities everyday too," shares ryan G. about Moose Hillock.
Consider noise levels when selecting sites: Some campgrounds are more boisterous than others. "If you're looking for a quiet spot maybe don't look here. If you have kids and don't mind them making friends and roaming the campground then this is great! Boat rentals!" advises J L. about Emerald Lake State Park Campground.
Check swimming options: Water features vary significantly between properties. "The beach area seems to be a draw for people so the summer camping season is probably packed. The snack bar and gift/supplies shop at the sandy beach area were not open as we were there late in the season," notes Nancy W. about Moreau Lake State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger rigs: Not all campgrounds accommodate big rigs equally. "The road to our campsite was paved and in good shape but there were a few tight spots because of the trees that make it tricky for a big rig (Loop A seems to be the best for big-rigs)," advises Nancy W. about Moreau Lake.
Utility considerations: Full hookup availability varies across the region's glamping options near Cambridge. "Every site had full hookups. Nice for not having to empty grey tanks into wagon!" explains Michael C. about Lake George RV Park.
Road navigation challenges: Interior roads at some campgrounds require careful navigation. "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. Luckily, the receptionist in the office highlighted the route we needed to take," cautions Nancy W. about Lake George Escape Campground.
