RV campgrounds around Chaumont, New York provide seasonal waterfront camping in the southeastern Lake Ontario and Thousand Islands region. Most parks operate from May through October, with early season camping bringing cooler temperatures between 40-65°F and more privacy, while summer temperatures range from 65-85°F. Cell coverage varies throughout the area, with stronger signals near larger towns and spotty reception in more rural campsites.
What to do
Kayaking at Wellesley Island State Park: Launch from multiple points along the St. Lawrence River shoreline. Paddle around the sheltered coves and explore small islands nearby. "We camped here with one of our children, and had a wonderful time canoeing, fishing, and spending time together!" notes a visitor at Wellesley Island State Park Campground.
Visit historic castles: Plan a day trip to Boldt Castle, located 15 minutes from many area campgrounds. Tours run $11.50 for adults and $8 for children with discounted rates available for groups. "You're 10 min from Alexandria Bay. Boldt castle, singer castle, you can go on river cruises and view these beautiful islands and homes on them. Watch the cargo ships cruise the channel," reports one camper.
Golf near campgrounds: Several campgrounds offer on-site or nearby golfing options. "There is a 12 hole golf course that surrounds the campground," mentions a visitor at Streamside RV Park & Golf Course, where many seasonal campers combine camping with daily golf outings.
Salmon River Falls exploration: Discover this 110-foot waterfall located about 20 minutes from some eastern Chaumont area campgrounds. "One staff member Mike told us about Salmon River Falls. We went and it is a 'must see' while there. Basically 15 minutes from the campground," shares a Brennan Beach visitor at Brennan Beach Campground.
What campers like
Waterfront access: Sites facing Lake Ontario or the St. Lawrence River provide unobstructed water views. "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. We were able to drop our kayaks right in the water in front of our rig and paddle to our heart's content," reports a camper at Sun Outdoors Association Island.
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds feature larger-than-average campsites. "We stayed at site Bluejay 3. Very spacious and private. We reserved the site 3 days prior and still found most waterfront campsites already reserved," notes a camper about Wellesley Island State Park.
Military discounts: Fort Drum Recreation Area offers specialized camping for military families. "With my family and pets in tow, we took a weekend and committed it to nature and ourselves. Remington is a Military campground, but for the several military families looking to disconnect a couple of miles from home this would be it," explains a visitor at Fort Drum Recreation Area.
Walking accessibility to stores: Some RV parks feature walking-distance access to supplies. "Within walking distance is a Price Chopper Grocery, Dollar General, gas station, and wine and liquor store," mentions a Swan Bay Resort visitor.
What you should know
Varying site privacy: Site separation differs dramatically between parks and loops. "Sites are close together, but kind of what is expected at an RV resort," notes a Brennan Beach Campground visitor.
Late-season closures: Most facilities begin shutting down by late September. "We arrived on a weekend and it was pretty busy but loved it during the week when everybody left and things were quieter," explains a camper at Swan Bay Resort - The 1000 Islands Premier RV Park & Marina.
Wind considerations: Lakefront camping brings consistent breezes that can affect awnings and water activities. "I was hoping to spend a bit of time on my paddleboard but soon realized it is very windy here and found very few windows to paddle. Our neighbor (who has camped here seasonally for the last four years) mentioned that he lost three awnings to the wind," warns a Swan Bay Resort visitor.
Local vs visitor dynamic: Some campgrounds have established seasonal communities. "A lot of locals camp here seasonally, and if you're not from around there, you'll stick out. We had a few awkward interactions but nothing serious. Mostly just funny," shares a Brennan Beach visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Choose playgrounds strategically: Look for campgrounds with updated play structures for kids. "The playground is awesome and huge with lots of cool features for kids to explore," notes a Swan Bay Resort camper.
Consider swimming options: Not all waterfront campgrounds have swimming beaches due to water levels or terrain. "Pool was nice and clean but one of the pool decks was closed for construction. Pool water was freezing this time of year," reports a visitor at Sun Outdoors Association Island.
Plan for insect protection: The region experiences significant insect activity, especially at dusk. "One HUGE downfall was the amount of BUGS! Millions (not exaggerating) of midges and mayflies swarming the grounds from Lake Ontario. Be prepared to deal with this as we were not and had to vacuum inside the RV (ceilings, floors, walls) every night for about an hour to get rid of them inside," warns a camper.
Visit nature centers: Educational opportunities abound at state parks. "I really recommend heading to the nature center and following the trails there. The views are gorgeous and you get some great vistas," suggests a Wellesley Island visitor.
Tips from RVers
RV site selection strategy: For larger rigs, book specific loops designed for bigger vehicles. "Our site(#G07) was on the sunset-side of the island and the last of the row beside a walking trail. It was wooded, roomy, and has full hookups, a fire ring, and picnic table. I could probably have fit another RV in the site and still had space to stretch," shares a Sun Outdoors Association Island visitor.
Advance reservation requirements: Waterfront sites with hookups book 6-9 months in advance for summer weekends. "We had a waterfront pull-IN site was a level concrete pad and gravel with FHU and everything worked great," mentions a reviewer at Swan Bay Resort.
Site surface variations: Some parks feature concrete pads while others have gravel or grass. "A well kept quiet place. The seasonal campers are friendly. There are 7 overnight pull thru full hookup sites with concrete patio, Sites a level and spacious," reports a visitor at Ontario Shores RV Park.
Car wash access: Large vehicle cleaning options exist near some RV campgrounds. "Adjacent to the entrance is a self-service car wash with bay large enough for motorhomes," notes a Swan Bay Resort camper.
