Camping opportunities near Edwards, New York extend beyond the main Adirondack region into areas with unique water features and wildlife viewing opportunities. The region sits at approximately 500-800 feet elevation with terrain characterized by small hills, wetlands, and numerous water bodies. Camping season typically runs May through October with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during days and dropping to 50-60°F at night.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Green Pond in Bonaparte State Forest provides accessible shoreline fishing spots. "This is our go to area close to town but still just want to get away from it all. DEC is nice and stop and talk to the campers. There is a doc down the road for boats and fishing!" notes Amandalynn P.
Kayaking and canoeing: Cranberry Lake Campground offers excellent water access for paddlers. One visitor spent "one day kayaking on the lake and another day hiking" while staying there, showing the combination of water and land activities available.
Star gazing: The minimal light pollution at Birch's Lakeside Campground and Marina creates excellent night sky viewing. A visitor mentioned, "Star gazing is FANTASTIC!" while another noted they "had the best view of the stars at night (we were there during a meteor shower)."
Swimming options: Several campgrounds offer swimming in natural settings. At Kring Point State Park, a camper described "a little beach area and great rock cliffs to jump off and swim," providing various ways to enjoy the water.
What campers like
Waterfront proximity: Jacques Cartier State Park Campground features sites directly on the water. "We book early so we can get a water front site. I'm not sure what the other reviewer meant by not being able to get in the water. Everyone swims, kayaks, and paddle boards off their sites," explains one regular visitor.
Clean facilities: Kring Point State Park maintains its amenities well. "Brand new bathrooms with showers and two kitchen clean up stations are a short walk away. Every site has a fire ring with a grill and picnic table," notes a tent camper.
Wildlife viewing: Multiple campgrounds offer opportunities to see local wildlife. At Jacques Cartier State Park, a camper described how "Loons are calling, a mink scampered by on the flat rock shore 15' away with a fish in its mouth."
Spacious campsites: Higley Flow State Park provides room to spread out. "Really nice sites that are private and easy to back into," notes Jennifer I., who visits annually.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Popular waterfront sites fill quickly. At Kring Point State Park Campground, "it's getting difficult to get in here...It's so nice it's hard to reserve, because people grab it nine months in advance!"
Water level fluctuations: The St. Lawrence River and connected waterways can change level throughout the season. At Eel Weir State Park, a visitor noted "You can hear the clip clip of horses from the Amish buggys on the road across the river," indicating the proximity to local cultural elements.
Campsite variations: Within the same campground, sites can vary significantly. At Jacques Cartier, "Half of the loop is in the woods and the other half has spacious, grassy sites bordered with woods behind them. Some sites were hilly and we would not have been able to get our trailer in, so its worth calling before you book."
Limited supplies: Most campgrounds are in remote areas with minimal services. At Birch's Lakeside Campground, they have "a super convenient store that is stocked with anything you may have forgotten," which campers find valuable given the distance to larger towns.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Higley Flow State Park Campground offers recreational facilities for children. "Great playground for the kids, hiking trails and more," reports a regular visitor who camps there annually.
Swimming safety: Several parks have designated swimming areas with varying levels of supervision. Jacques Cartier State Park has "a great guarded beach if you have young ones with a newer playground right next to it," providing peace of mind for parents.
Hiking options: Family-friendly trails exist at multiple locations. At Cranberry Lake, one visitor shared that "The hike up and around Bear Mountain was a good workout and fun experience for our whole family (littlest is 6)."
Weather preparation: Temperatures can drop significantly at night even in summer. At Eel Weir State Park, a camper noted the importance of being prepared as weather can change quickly, mentioning they "came here totally unprepared and ended up getting soaked" after not checking the forecast.
Tips from RVers
Site levelness: Payne Lake Dispersed Site offers more primitive options for self-sufficient RVers. "Public access boat ramp with limited parking available on both sides. No amenities on-site. I'm getting two bars of Verizon signal with the help of a WeBoost," reports a visitor.
Electric options: Many campgrounds offer various hookup configurations. At Cranberry Lake Campground, sites include electric access and the campground features a "brand new sewer dump area for folks who need it."
Cell service considerations: Coverage varies widely across the region. At Payne Lake, a visitor specifically mentioned needing a signal booster to get "two bars of Verizon signal," indicating the potential need for communication alternatives.
Bathroom facilities: Comfort stations vary between campgrounds. At Natural Bridge/Watertown KOA, "The laundry room and bathrooms were clean," but the reviewer also noted "The facilities are not wheelchair accessible. The owners said that they are working on that."
