Camping sites near Parishville, New York range from waterfront lake locations to secluded forest spots throughout the northwestern Adirondack region. The area sits at approximately 1,200 feet elevation with forests dominated by pine, spruce, and maple trees. Weekend camping from June through August can require reservations 6-9 months in advance, particularly for sites with water access.
What to do
Kayaking and canoeing on Cranberry Lake: The expansive lake system allows for extensive paddling exploration. At Cranberry Lake Campground, visitors find plenty of kayaking opportunities. "We spent one day kayaking on the lake and another day hiking. While the mosquitoes weren't bad at the campground itself, they are terrible on the trails this time of year, so bring your bug spray, or better yet, bug shirts," notes Shari G.
Winter cross-country skiing: Several campgrounds maintain trails for winter use when most camping facilities are closed. At Higley Flow State Park Campground, Jennifer I. mentions, "I also cross country ski in the winter and the trails are fabulous!" This offers outdoor recreation options beyond the main camping season.
Wildlife viewing, especially loons: Early mornings provide the best opportunities for spotting native birds. Sandy T. shares from Higley Flow: "I came across the largest and most beautiful sounding loon early in the morning...perfect before we had to pack it up and leave."
Hiking Bear Mountain: Located near Cranberry Lake, this moderate hike provides exercise for all ages. "The hike up and around Bear Mountain was a good workout and fun experience for our whole family (littlest is 6)," reports Christopher from Cranberry Lake Campground.
What campers like
Private, wooded sites: Many campgrounds offer secluded spots among mature trees. Sheri C. from Higley Flow State Park appreciates the "peaceful, beautiful wooded private sites" and notes they "immediately called and switched our site" when they found one with electricity had become available.
Direct water access from campsites: The ability to access water directly from campsites ranks highly in reviews. At Fish Creek Pond Campground, Bella S. notes, "The water views/access is hard to beat as well," and Oleńka S. adds that "the water is super shallow all along the shoreline. It's perfect for dogs, kids, and hanging out in the water."
Well-maintained facilities: Clean bathrooms and shower houses matter to campers. Elizabeth P. from Higley Flow mentions they have "brand new bathhouses" while Cyndi B. at Fish Creek Pond shares that "there is a central shower house (free) with many stalls so there is rarely a wait."
Large, level sites: Many campgrounds have spacious sites that accommodate various camping setups. Cyndi B. found site #147 at Fish Creek Pond "was huge and had easy access to the lake with our kayaks, and had a water spigot between it and the next site."
What you should know
Water level fluctuations: Some waterfront sites experience significant changes in water levels. Sandy T. from Higley Flow notes, "Since this river has many dams and is used for hydro power the water level can go up and down 2-3 feet from one day to the next. It didn't affect our kayaking fun, swimming or fishing and was intriguing."
Mosquito intensity varies by location: Some areas have significantly more insects than others. At Carry Falls Recreation Area, Shari G. warns, "The major problem with this campground is that there are thousands of mosquitos who don't seem to be crepuscular! They are out all day and night and even found ways to get inside our camper."
Campground layouts affect privacy: Some campgrounds offer more seclusion than others. Thomas B. from Fish Creek Pond gives it 3 stars noting, "it's not very secluded and there is a lot of noise during the day," adding that "if solitude is what you're looking for I would find a more private camp."
Site research matters: Not all sites accommodate all camping styles. Rebecca D. from Cranberry Lake advises: "I will say do your homework, check out the site photos which you can easily find online. Get a waterfront site but be aware the privacy isn't great at many sites, at least the ones we saw."
Tips for camping with families
Bike-friendly paths: Several campgrounds feature safe riding areas for children. Emma B. from Fish Creek Pond shares, "Lots of kids biking and a nice trail behind the sites to walk or run. There was a coffee vendor that came through in the morning, which was kind of fun."
Playgrounds and activities: Some parks offer organized activities for children. At Pine Ridge Park Campsite, Kelly R. mentions that if you're "looking for a fun and friendly place to relax then Pine Ridge Park Campsite is the place to be," while Kyle I. adds, "The whole time they are open they have activities planned for the kids all summer long."
Safe campground layouts: Some campgrounds are designed with family safety in mind. Erin M. from Coles Creek State Park explains, "We love Coles Creek because we have two little ones and they are all about riding their tricycles around the grounds. People drive super slow and watch for kids, so that's great."
Water safety considerations: Shallow water entry points benefit families with small children. Oleńka S. notes about Fish Creek Pond: "Very site has water access, and the water is super shallow all along the shoreline. It's perfect for dogs, kids, and hanging out in the water. The bottom is sandy with some rocks, good to have water shoes but not essential."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Not all sites are naturally level for RVs. Cyndi B. from Fish Creek Pond cautions, "The sites are varied as to size and desirability, not all are level for trailers and RVs, so do some research ahead of time to find the spot that is perfect for you."
Dump station availability: Know where to empty tanks when camping without full hookups. Cyndi B. adds that at Fish Creek Pond, "No w/e/s hookups at any of the sites, but there is a three-lane dump station for your convenience if you are in an RV."
Electric site availability: Many campgrounds have limited electric sites that book quickly. Sheri C. from Higley Flow suggests checking availability even during your drive: "First booked a site without electric. YES THEY HAVE 3 loops with electric. While driving there I took a peek online to find that they had one site that had come available with electric."
Larger rig access: Some areas can accommodate bigger RVs despite appearances. Bella S. from Fish Creek Pond confirms, "We have a rather large rig (36 ft fifth wheel plus the truck) & while fish creek is notoriously a tent only/small rig campground we fit perfectly & our site has cell service! 10/10! Site 106!"
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