Camping near Stillwater, New York offers access to numerous state forests, lakeside parks, and riverside locations within a 30-mile radius. The region sits at the eastern edge of the Adirondack foothills with elevations ranging from 480 to 1,200 feet, creating varied camping terrain. Winter camping options remain limited with seasonal road closures affecting most dispersed sites from November through April.
What to do
Paddling activities: The Battenkill River provides excellent kayaking opportunities accessible from Camping On The Battenkill. "We also tube down the river. Very clean restrooms and nice staff," reports one visitor who camps there annually in June.
Dog-friendly hiking: Many local campgrounds accommodate pets with specialized areas. At Lake George RV Park, "The dog park was great for the dogs with best dog park I ever saw," notes a camper, while another mentions, "I've never seen anything like it and wish we had access to something like this everywhere."
Swimming options: Moreau Lake State Park Campground features a supervised beach area with sandy shores. "Nice sandy beach with lifeguard hours," one visitor commented, adding that "the grounds and facilities are well maintained, and you are close to both Bennington and Wilmington."
What campers like
Spacious sites: Moreau Lake State Park Campground offers wooded campsites with natural separation. "I love the spacious campsites. It's very woodsy between sites, so it seems very private," notes one camper. Another mentioned that "most sites aren't right along the lake but it's still so close."
Recreation amenities: Family activities range from organized events to water features. "Pools and hot tubs extremely clean and the grounds looked more like a hotel resort than campground. Free shows every night at the playhouse kids loved," writes a visitor at Lake George RV Park.
Fishing access: Several locations provide shoreline fishing without requiring boat ownership. At Alpine Lake RV Resort, "We had a nice spot on the lake and were able to fish from our spot," mentions one reviewer, who appreciated the lakefront access despite noting that some facilities weren't completely accessible.
What you should know
Varying noise levels: Some campgrounds cater to events or live music, creating lively atmospheres. "It is not pretty it is not glamorous but it was an experience that we were glad we had," explains one camper about Lee's Park Campground, noting, "This place takes on a real festival experience. Tents all over, drum circles, booze, and youth."
Seasonal population changes: Campground demographics shift dramatically between weekdays and weekends, especially in summer. "The campground and swimming area becomes very crowded, especially on holiday weekend due to proximity to I-87 and number of downstate tourists that frequent the park," observes one Moreau Lake visitor.
Terrain considerations: Low-lying areas may experience standing water after rainfall. At Ushers Road State Forest, "The terrain eventually transitions into a low-lying, swampy area, likely due to recent rainfall," reports a visitor who explored the trail system.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for children. At Woodford State Park Campground, "If you have kids and don't mind them making friends and roaming the campground then this is great! Boat rentals!" says one visitor, while another notes it's "perfect for families!"
Water activities: Swimming areas with various depths accommodate different age groups. "The reservoir is beautiful- plenty of space to spread out for paddling and swimming," writes a camper at Woodford State Park, who appreciated the separate swimming areas.
Weekend planning: Some locations transform on weekends with increased child presence. "There were a ton of happy noisy kids around," one Woodford visitor observed, suggesting those seeking quiet might consider weekday visits or more remote sites.
Tips from RVers
Site access challenges: Aqua Vista Valley Campgrounds receives mixed reviews regarding layout and accessibility. "Not a camper park, people live there for the year, there's no space between the RV's and it's way too crowded for my taste," notes one visitor who found the permanent resident setup limiting for short-term stays.
Leveling requirements: Some sites require additional equipment for proper RV setup. "The draw back is where you need to park the camper is about 7 inches out of level. If we stay in the same site again we would come better prepared," mentions a visitor at Adventure Bound Camping Resort at Deer Run.
Dump station availability: Not all campgrounds offer full hookups or sewage disposal. Alpine Lake RV Resort provides full hookup sites with sewer connections, which one visitor particularly appreciated: "Every site had full hookups. Nice for not having to empty grey tanks into wagon!"
