Best Tent Camping near Clayton, NY
Tent camping options near Clayton, New York include several state parks situated along the St. Lawrence River and throughout the Thousand Islands region. Mary Island State Park Campground and Cedar Island State Park Campground both offer tent-only sites accessible exclusively by boat, providing a unique island camping experience. Winona State Forest, located about 40 miles south of Clayton, offers primitive tent camping with minimal amenities in a more secluded forest setting.
Most tent sites in the Clayton area require specific access considerations. The island campgrounds necessitate boat transportation, while forest camping areas like Winona have limited designated tent sites marked by small placards that can be difficult to locate. Primitive tent camping at Winona State Forest provides only basic fire rings constructed of rocks with no potable water available. Campers should be fully self-sufficient, bringing all necessary water and supplies. Cedar Island and Mary Island State Parks offer more amenities with toilets available, though shower facilities vary between locations. Sites typically have uneven natural surfaces with minimal site preparation.
Tent campers visiting the island state parks experience exceptional privacy with significant distance between sites. Cedar Island and Mary Island provide scenic waterfront views with opportunities to observe sunrise and sunset over the St. Lawrence River. According to one visitor, "Every site is far away from the next and each has its own unique and beautiful view of the water and surrounding islands." The Winona State Forest camping areas offer a different experience focused on solitude and forest immersion. A recent review noted the primitive campsite was "a good free quiet place to camp," though finding dry firewood can be challenging during wet periods. Winter visitors to Winona Forest can access extensive snow sports trails, making it a potential base camp for cold-weather activities.
