RV campgrounds near Clinton, New York offer diverse accommodations within the rolling hills of central New York's Oneida County. Situated at approximately 500 feet above sea level, the area experiences distinct seasonal changes with warm summers reaching 80°F and cold winters dropping below freezing. Most campgrounds in this region remain operational from mid-April through October, with limited winter availability.
What to do
Golfing access: Streamside RV Park & Golf Course combines camping with a 12-hole course surrounding the campground. "There is a 12 hole golf coarse that surrounds the campground" and "a bar that serves food called Divots," notes camper B.M., making it convenient for RVers who enjoy golfing.
Creek swimming: Many campgrounds feature water access for swimming and wading. At Spruce Creek Campground, "both boys swam/waded in and our older son went fishing," reports Becky. The creek "is more like a river" according to Greg S., with sites 2 and 3 offering "right on the creek with spruce trees and easy water access."
Hiking trails: Explore the historic Chenango Canal Trail near Butternut Hill RV Campground. Janet R. notes the campground is "adjacent to a trailhead for a hiking trail along the historic Chenango Canal, an offshoot of the Erie Canal." The area offers "access to some hiking and fishing spots in close proximity."
What campers like
Festival access: RV sites provide convenient lodging during regional events. At Butternut Hill, "the meadows and fields are the superb festival setting for several regional events, including several Antique shows, the Central New York Fiber Festival, a craft fair and a car show," according to Janet R. The campground is "in a convenient location in Bouckville, a small upstate NY village with a concentration of numerous antique shops."
Space between sites: HTR Adirondacks (formerly Singing Waters) offers "big sites to put your Camper tent or Rv on," according to Justina P. Similarly, Scott H. notes that at Spruce Creek Campground, "sites are large!" This provides more privacy than many tightly packed RV parks.
Meteor watching: The dark skies make for excellent stargazing opportunities. "One of my favorite campgrounds in NY. Its so peaceful at night. My favorite time to come is August during the meteor showers," shares Jessica D. about The Villages RV Park at Turning Stone, highlighting an activity many campers miss.
What you should know
Power limitations: Several campgrounds experience electrical issues. At HTR Adirondacks, one camper reported, "We kept blowing the breaker and noted our lights flickering. We can easily run on 30amp. This is typical of an overbuilt park with not enough power for the campers onsite."
Water quality concerns: Water systems vary significantly between parks. One camper at The Villages RV Park at Turning Stone mentioned "very well kept up, bathrooms are very modern and well stocked." However, at another campground, a visitor warned: "Water reaks of chlorine. DO NOT drink the water. Made the mistake of using it for morning coffee. So much chlorine its like pool water."
Road conditions: Unpaved roads can be problematic in wet weather. At Spruce Creek Campground, a camper cautioned: "Pot holes in the campground road are so bad that it caused damage to my trailer," while another noted "the roads within the campground are dirt and pretty rough."
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. Spruce Creek Campground offers "a small playground available, the creek which both boys swam/waded in and our older son went fishing," according to Becky. Another camper mentioned kids enjoyed "the pirate ship and castle playground."
Swimming areas: Treasure Isle RV Park provides "a nice bathhouse, playground, basketball court, Beach and walking trails," according to Heather R., making it suitable for families seeking water recreation beyond swimming pools.
Activity planning: Some campgrounds have limited on-site activities. One camper noted about Spruce Creek: "Not alot to do at the campground so if you're looking for alot of activities for the kids might not be a good place." Plan accordingly by researching nearby attractions if traveling with children who need constant entertainment.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Different campgrounds accommodate various RV sizes. At HTR Adirondacks, one RVer advised: "Wide enough for travel trailers and 5th wheels but not a large class a." Assess your vehicle dimensions before booking.
Reservation timing: Peak times fill quickly, especially for premium sites. "We scheduled a pull through for 1 night last minute due to an unexpected change in plans," noted Jen O. about The Villages RV Park. "The sites were level and great size with nice spacing in between."
Check hookup quality: Verify what utilities are truly available. At Butternut Hill, "many of the sites are for RV's, which have electric and water hookups along with a picnic table and fire pit; rates from these rang $40-50," according to Janet R., while Greg S. noted about Spruce Creek: "we got a water and electric site, ice, and a huge bundle of firewood for 38 bucks total."
