Best Campgrounds near Edwards, NY
Edwards, New York features multiple camping areas within the Adirondack foothills region, including both established campgrounds and dispersed sites. Green Pond in Bonaparte State Forest provides free primitive camping with limited amenities, while Cranberry Lake Campground offers more developed facilities including cabins, RV hookups, and tent sites approximately 30 miles east of Edwards. Payne Lake Dispersed Site provides free, minimalist camping options for those seeking solitude without facilities. The mix of state forest, state park, and private campgrounds creates diverse overnight options for various camping styles.
Camping season in the Edwards area typically runs from May through October, with most established campgrounds closing by mid-October. "The sites are small, but there are mature trees between them and woodsy areas around the campsites," noted one visitor to a local KOA campground. Road conditions can vary significantly, particularly for accessing dispersed sites which may require higher clearance vehicles. Cell service is limited in many areas, especially at primitive sites. Water levels in the region's lakes and rivers can fluctuate substantially, as several water bodies are regulated for hydroelectric purposes. Weather in the Adirondack foothills brings warm summer days but cooler nights even in peak season.
Waterfront campsites receive particular praise from visitors to the region, with Cranberry Lake campground offering popular lakeside sites. A camper described it as "the best campground we have experienced in NY. Cranberry Lake is massive and absolutely gorgeous." Many campgrounds in the area feature a combination of wooded privacy and water access, though reviews consistently mention that waterfront sites fill quickly. Several visitors highlight the quality of night skies for stargazing, particularly at more remote locations. While some campgrounds offer full amenities including showers, electric hookups and sanitary dumps, others like Green Pond provide a more rustic experience described by one visitor as "not very well known and really quite" with occasional noise from nearby military training areas.
