Cumberland Bay State Park Campground offers a variety of accommodation options just 18 miles from Chazy, New York. The park sits on Lake Champlain at 95 feet elevation, with water temperatures averaging 70°F in summer months. While luxury glamping near Chazy is available, campers also find affordable tent sites and RV spots throughout the area, with most campgrounds maintaining operating seasons from late May through mid-October.
What to do
Swimming and beach activities: At Cumberland Bay State Park Campground, the beach area includes flush toilets and designated swimming areas. "The playground is great. New bath house. Some sites with electric. Even with a windy, cold, rainy day it is still beautiful," reports Sheri C.
Kayaking and canoeing: Burton Island State Park offers water access with equipment rentals available. "There are kayaks and canoes to rent," notes Tara S., who adds that "the water was clean & clear" making it "a fantastic lake for rock collecting."
Hiking nearby trails: The Adirondack region provides numerous walking paths within short distances of campgrounds. At AuSable Chasm Campground, visitors can access "great hiking trails and rafting/tubing," according to Heather M., who spent three nights tent camping with water and electric hookups.
What campers like
Island camping experience: Camp Skyland features waterfront sites with mountain views. One camper described it as "a Vermont camping best-kept secret" with "gorgeous Lake Champlain with a mountain backdrop." The property offers tent camping, RV spots, and cabin rentals.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept bathhouses and common areas. At North Beach Campground, campers appreciate the maintenance standards. "The bathrooms were more than acceptable," notes Michael G., adding that the campground provides "easy access to town and other attractions."
Diverse accommodation options: Upscale glamping options complement traditional camping in the region. One visitor to Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday praised their "deluxe canvas tents with comfortable bedding" while another camper mentioned how "the sites were a medium distance apart but still spacious enough to not be close to neighbors" at AuSable Chasm.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Premium sites at popular locations book quickly. At Burton Island State Park, "Waterfront sites book very quickly (like 11 months in advance)," according to Tara S., though "if you don't mind being farther from the main campground and running water, you can almost always rent one of the four primitive sites."
Weather considerations: Lake Champlain's weather can change rapidly, particularly in spring and fall. "Even with a windy, cold, rainy day it is still beautiful," reports one Cumberland Bay camper, suggesting proper rain gear is essential even in summer months.
Transportation needs: Some locations require boat access. Burton Island State Park is "a car free paradise that requires a boat or ferry to get to" according to Rita M., who explains "the 3/4 mile crossing from Kamp KilKare State Park can be rough and windy" but "the Island Runner Ferry is likely the best option for most people."
Tips for camping with families
Look for kid-friendly amenities: Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday offers organized activities and playground equipment. "The campground has a playground, huge store, gem mining, arcade (which needs some love), hiking trails and a common area with some games," notes Nicole S., adding that "the tractor driving around, pulling the kids around" was a highlight for younger visitors.
Seek out swimming areas: Lakes provide natural swimming opportunities throughout the region. At Cumberland Bay State Park, "The beach is very clean and beautiful," according to Michelle D., who appreciated that "the beach parking is separate from the camping which is great when you have a family with kids."
Consider cabins for convenience: Several campgrounds offer cabin rentals as an alternative to tent camping for families. One camper at Burton Island noted you can "stay in a cabin! If you don't want to rough it, you don't have to," making the experience more accessible for families with young children.
Tips from RVers
Choose appropriate campground sections: At Lake Carmi State Park Campground, RVers should select sites carefully. "Few [sites] that are big enough for large RVs," warns Jessi C., though the campground does offer some options with electric hookups and "clean bathrooms."
Plan for hookup limitations: Several campgrounds offer partial hookups only. At AuSable Chasm Campground, Lee D. notes, "Upon arrival at Ausable Chasm, we were told we had to take a site with water and electric since we had a camper van," though they were "finally able to convince the staff that we could take a standard tent site."
Check road conditions: Campground access roads vary in quality. Iroquois Campground & RV Park has a "roadway a little rough but overall ok," according to Rick G., who still rated the experience positively despite this limitation.
