Tent camping near Clayton, New York centers around water-based experiences with the St. Lawrence River and Thousand Islands providing the backdrop for many camping locations. Primitive sites at Winona State Forest are located approximately 45 miles south of Clayton at an elevation of 1,200 feet, offering a contrasting forest environment to the riverfront options. Winter temperatures average 20°F while summer averages 75°F, creating distinct camping seasons throughout the area.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Stoney's Pineville Campground offers direct river access for fishing enthusiasts. "Friendly hosts and great place on the river," notes camper Vito M. Many visitors time their stays around specific fishing seasons, as Eric F. mentions: "We have been out three is consecutively for salmon fishing and I have had a great time."
Winter sports access: Winona Forest CCC Camp transforms into a snow sports center during winter months with marked trails for various activities. "This is a hub for several snow mobile, cross country ski, and snow shoe trails. Several folks visited on Saturday and Sunday to enjoy the last bit of the snow," writes Quade S., who visited with their dog during late season snow.
Sunrise/sunset viewing: Cedar Island State Park Campground offers prime locations for watching the sun over the water. Harry H. recommends: "Be sure to take in the sunrise/set while there," noting these celestial events are particularly memorable from the island locations.
What campers like
Island isolation: Mary Island State Park Campground receives top ratings for its boat-only access. According to Matt L., "You can only get to it by boat. How awesome!?" This transportation requirement creates a more secluded camping experience compared to drive-up sites elsewhere in the region.
Separate boater facilities: Cedar Island State Park Campground organizes its waterfront thoughtfully. "Nice to have separate docks for the campers, as there are some day use facilities too," writes Justin S., highlighting the practical separation between campers and day visitors that enhances the camping experience.
Basic but maintained facilities: Despite their remote locations, island campgrounds receive praise for upkeep. Justin S. notes Cedar Island has "Basic sites, clean and very well kept." This balance of rustic camping with maintained facilities appeals to those seeking accessible wilderness experiences.
What you should know
Boat transportation required: Several campgrounds near Clayton can only be reached by water. As Harry H. discovered at Cedar Island: "The first time we went here we didn't realize you need a boat to get to the campsite, luckily some other visitors gave us a ride." Always confirm access requirements when booking island sites.
Difficult site identification: Winona State Forest requires careful navigation to locate camping areas. Thomas E. notes, "The primitive campsite was a little difficult to find there's a tiny black and yellow placard that shows you where you can camp." Kevin C. adds that a maintenance worker mentioned "there were currently two camping sites and that more might be added."
Wet firewood challenges: Finding dry firewood can be problematic at primitive sites. Thomas E. observed at Winona State Forest that "There were some firewood set out except it was wet." Similarly, at Canoe Point State Park, Michael B. reported "All of the available wood was wet, so nothing would burn."
Tips for camping with families
Check campground names carefully: Canoe Point State Park Campground may be misleading for families with paddle craft. Michael B. warns: "Don't be fooled by 'Canoe' in the name... According to the staff person there who swore in disbelief that a canoe actually made it to the island, he didn't remember there being a canoe there before. The lack of arrival space for canoes also made this clear."
Book island sites early: Cedar Island features limited but popular camping spots that fill quickly. Justin S. advises, "There are quite a few sites here, all pretty private, but still make reservations." This forward planning is particularly important for family groups needing specific accommodations.
Consider noise levels: Some campgrounds experience significant evening activity. Michael B. reports from Canoe Point that fellow campers "didn't sleep until almost daybreak...it was loud, foul language the entire time," suggesting families with young children research quiet hours enforcement at prospective sites.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup options: Stoney's Pineville Campground offers electric hookups and dumping facilities but lacks full water hookups. This requires RVers to arrive with filled tanks or find alternative water sources during their stay.
Self-sufficient camping required: When using less developed sites like Winona Forest CCC Camp, RVers need complete self-sufficiency. Quade S. advises, "If you camp here, you need to be self sufficient as there is no running water or electricity. There is a dollar general about 15 minutes away if you need some supplies."
Satellite parking available: For those with smaller RVs, Winona Forest CCC Camp provides basic parking areas. "There are 3 large buildings, a parking lot up front and a gravel driveway. I pulled to the back and parked out of the way," explains Quade S., describing the informal setup that accommodates smaller recreational vehicles.
