Campground options near Dannemora, New York extend beyond the immediate area, with sites available throughout Clinton County and into neighboring Essex County. The region sits at elevations ranging from 500 to 1,200 feet, creating varied terrain for camping with significant temperature differences between valley and hillside locations. Internet connectivity remains limited across most campgrounds, with service particularly spotty in areas near the Adirondack Forest Preserve.
What to do
Swimming opportunities: At North Beach Campground, campers enjoy Lake Champlain with supervised swimming areas. "Burlington is my favorite city by far, and this campground is right on the beach! Take your kayaks paddle boards or whatever you have and enjoy the lake!" reports one visitor who appreciated the combination of water access and proximity to town.
Hiking trails: The area surrounding Ausable Chasm Campground offers multiple trail options with varying difficulty levels. One camper noted, "The campground is within minutes of Ausable Chasm, which offers great hiking trails and rafting/tubing." The campground itself features mountain biking trails and disc golf on site.
Kayaking routes: Paddlers can access multiple waterways from Grand Isle State Park Campground, located 45 minutes east of Dannemora via ferry. "We biked to this park from Burlington via the Island Line Trail. It was a super trip. The lakeside lean-to was awesome," shares a visitor who combined cycling with water activities.
What campers like
Private shoreline access: Many campers value sites with direct water access. At Ausable Point Campground, waterfront sites provide immediate lake access. As one camper mentioned, "Spent 3 nights at Ausable Point in August 2020. Had site 98 on the river, highly recommend a river site or beach site. Was told getting beach site is nearly impossible, luckily got one on the river."
Space between campsites: Site privacy varies significantly between campgrounds. At Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday, campers appreciate the thoughtful layout: "The mountain side in general is my ideal campground full of trees and nature," while another notes that in the 100 Acre section, "water pressure was good, road noise was minimal, sites are spaced apart well, enough mature tree growth for shade and hammock!"
Clean facilities: Campers frequently comment on bathroom quality as a deciding factor. One visitor to Ausable Chasm Campground reported, "The campground staff was friendly, and worked hard to keep the bathrooms and showers clean." This attention to maintenance appears consistently in reviews of campgrounds closer to Dannemora.
What you should know
Seasonal variations: Most campgrounds operate from May through mid-October, with peak season running July through August. As noted by a Cumberland Bay State Park Campground visitor, "The grounds: This place looks like the place to be, great facilities (with real flush toilets near the beach), and great grassy sites which met of are in the shade!"
Visitor fees: Some campgrounds charge extra for day visitors and overnight guests. At Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday, one camper noted, "One bad thing about this park is that you have to pay high fees for visitors. Day passes for adults are $12 and $6/kid. Overnight fees are crazy high at $15/adult, $8/kid and $7/car."
Reservation requirements: Advance bookings are essential for weekend stays from June through September. Sites at Cumberland Bay State Park Campground fill quickly during summer months, especially those with lake views.
Tips for camping with families
Look for dedicated kid areas: Family-friendly campgrounds offer specific amenities for children. According to one camper at Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday, "They have cabins, tent site areas, and huge wooded camper sites. The mountain side has a playground, huge store, gem mining, arcade (which needs some love), hiking trails and a common area with some games."
Consider beach safety: Campgrounds with supervised swimming areas provide extra security for families with young children. A visitor at Macomb Reservation State Park Campground noted, "Very quiet and nice they have nice bathrooms not much for kids to do but a good campsite," suggesting families might prefer locations with more structured activities.
Check program schedules: Some parks run ranger-led activities during summer months. Grand Isle State Park Campground features "a cute little beach and nature center with youth programs," according to one family that stayed there.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: RV campers should inquire about site grading before booking. At Ausable Point Campground, a reviewer mentioned, "Our site 87 was large, on the river and shaded. Not too far from the bathrooms and had a water spigot close enough to hook up to fill our water tank."
Road conditions: Access roads vary significantly between campgrounds. At Ausable Chasm Campground, an RVer warned, "The road through the campground is dirt and rutted but the speed limit is 5 mph, so it wasn't that bad, but it would be a mess if it was raining."
Electrical service: Verify amperage availability when booking. At Grand Isle State Park Campground, hookups are available but limited to certain sections, while Cumberland Bay State Park Campground offers both 30-amp and 50-amp service depending on the site location.
