The Adirondack region surrounding Elizabethtown sits at elevations ranging from 600 to 5,000 feet, creating diverse microclimates throughout the camping season. Temperatures in this area can vary significantly between day and night, with summer evenings often dipping into the 50s even after warm days. Local campgrounds feature a mix of state-operated facilities and privately-owned properties, with most sites offering access to nearby waterways.
What to do
Mountain biking trails: 15+ miles accessible from Spacious Skies Adirondack Peaks, where riders can explore wooded terrain with varied difficulty levels. "Super staff! Clean and updated facilities. Close to beautiful hiking, lake activities and rail bikes. We can't wait to come back!" notes Amanda K.
Lake swimming at Button Bay: Located on Lake Champlain with designated swimming areas patrolled by lifeguards in summer months. As Barbara Y. shares, "Great campground. Everything from sunny meadow sites to more wooded private sites. Nice pool. No hookups but have a dump station."
Winter camping at Heart Lake: One of the few year-round options with special winter accommodations for cold-weather explorers. "We visited in late March when there was still a decent amount of snow on the site. Despite the lake being frozen over, the views just steps away from our lean to were gorgeous," explains Kayla M. from Wilderness Campground at Heart Lake.
Cross-country skiing: Several campgrounds maintain winter trail networks with rentals available at nearby outfitters. According to visitors at Mount Philo, these trails offer "amazing views of Lake Champlain and the mountains of VT and NY."
Gem mining activities: Available at Spacious Skies Adirondack Peaks for families with children. "Being a fan of gems, I definitely bought an embarrassing amount of dirt for the gem mining (Got some good finds, so worth it!)" mentions Krys M.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Many campers appreciate the secluded feeling at certain campgrounds. Sierra K. from Draper's Acres explains, "We tented here late in the season so it was very quiet. We really enjoyed our experience here and the location to the high peaks couldn't be better. The only negative I could really give is that the sites are a little bit difficult to navigate and find, especially when arriving at dusk."
Clean bathroom facilities: Most campgrounds receive positive reviews for their maintenance standards. Brett N. notes that at Draper's Acres, "Both bath houses were adequate, even containing shampoo and body wash. Staff was friendly."
Lakefront access: Several campgrounds offer direct water access for swimming and boating. "Tent sites are not very big. Although we comfortably fit with one vehicle. Free hot showers," explains Karolina from Draper's Acres.
Elevation views: Mount Philo campers repeatedly mention scenic overlooks. As M.A.D. P. describes, this is "A 'sleeper' of a campground" with exceptional views that many visitors don't expect.
Quiet evening atmosphere: Mount Philo State Park Campground enforces strict quiet hours. "Only 8 campsites, dispersed in the trees. $23/night. Picnic table and fire pit. Moderate cell service. Nice hikes and cool views of the area!" shares Kaelin P.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most glamping sites near Elizabethtown require advance booking, especially during peak foliage season (late September to mid-October). "Sites are well groomed and have a fire pit and picnic table," reports Beau B. about Mount Philo.
Weather preparedness: The region experiences significant temperature swings. Brett N. from AuSable Chasm Campground advises, "Good sized site with electric and water. Shady but also had sun to dry our shoes from the raft tour."
Road conditions: Several campgrounds have challenging access roads. As Mara S. notes about Draper's Acres, "Yes, there is road noise. Trade off for the closeness to ADK trailheads."
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies significantly throughout the region. Drew Q. reports, "Sites 1, 6 and 8 and the best if you're only camping with those at your site as they're the most secluded and private. Sites 2 and 3 are more open, to both each other, and to those en route to the bathrooms."
Shower facilities: Some campgrounds offer coin-operated showers. "Showers were quarter operated, 50 cents for 5 minutes. Firewood sold on site," explains Beau B.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Rogers Rock Campground offers child-friendly recreation areas. "There is a nice trail to walk that follows along the shoreline. Each site has a fireplace and table," mentions Lauren S.
Swimming options: Multiple pools and beach areas cater to different swimming abilities. "The day use area has shady spots and grills, nice for the kids," Alice C. shares about Rogers Rock.
Educational programs: Ranger-led activities at state parks teach children about local ecology. "This state park is so fun to camp at! It has a great playground for kids and a nice swimming pool! You can hike on the trail and Lake Champlain is right there!" says Debbie S.
Activity schedules: Check with camp offices about special weekend events. John W. notes, "The beach has a lifeguard to watch over the swimmers. Dogs are not permitted on the beach. Also close to the beach area kayaks and canoes are available to rent for about $10-$15 per day."
Site selection: Choose locations away from main roads for safety. As Heather M. explains, "3 night stay, tent camping on a site with water and electric. The site we had was quite large, I had booked an end site (#73) hoping it would be big!"
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Full-service sites with 50-amp connections are limited at North Beach Campground. "We loved being able to walk down to the beach, as well as having full hookups. We also met the nicest people here," Laura L. mentions.
Site leveling: Request information about terrain before booking. Nancy W. explains, "We stayed in a full hook-up site that was plenty long enough for our 45' RV and tow car. The water spigot at our site broke when I was hooking up the water which was then gushing everywhere. Staff were really prompt at coming out and shutting off the water and getting it fixed."
Winter storage options: Some campgrounds offer off-season storage for seasonal campers. Michael G. notes that North Beach is "Right on the Burlington bike path and across the beach, there is plenty to do and easy access to town and other attractions."
Low clearance areas: Watch for tree branches on narrow campground roads. "We have a 'big rig' 40' 5th wheel with 4 slide outs. Called them same day from Capital Region Welcome Ctr in NY, about 3 hrs away (below Albany). They had a full hook up, pull-thru corner space for us," shares DJ from Shelburne Camping Area.
