The Forestport area sits in the southwestern Adirondack foothills at elevations between 1,100-1,600 feet, creating a transitional climate zone between the Mohawk Valley and higher Adirondack peaks. Summer temperatures typically range from 50-80°F with frequent afternoon thunderstorms in July and August. Many campgrounds remain operational from mid-May through mid-October, with peak visitor season running from late June through Labor Day.
What to do
Tubing on West Canada Creek: HTR Adirondacks (formerly Singing Waters) offers tubing activities with shuttle service. "They have a tubing business on property with an upstream shuttle as well as an ice cream stand! There is a playground with slides and swings as well as a swimming pool," reports Sean M.
Diamond mining excursions: Visit Herkimer Diamond Mine KOA for unique geological experiences. "Across the road from a do it yourself quartz mine. Plenty of things to do including tubing the west Canada river. Easy in easy out for the tubing," notes Secc P. The mine lets visitors hunt for double-terminated quartz crystals known as "Herkimer diamonds."
Paddling on quiet waterways: North Lake Reservoir Campground offers secluded paddling experiences. "Very remote and secluded. We got there after dark and it was beautiful to wake up to the view of the lake," shares Ashlee C. The reservoir prohibits motorized boats on certain sections, creating peaceful paddling conditions.
What campers like
Waterfront site access: Limekiln Lake Campground offers premium lakeside spots. "If your lucky enough to get a water site it's even better. We camp here for two weeks every year in July," says Kim M. The lakefront sites allow campers to pull kayaks directly up to their campsite.
Dark sky stargazing: Night skies offer excellent astronomy viewing. "We loved our stay at Limekiln Lake! We walked down to the boat launch at night to look at the stars (and the Milky Way!)," Lena L. explains. The limited light pollution creates prime conditions for meteor shower viewing during summer months.
Winter camping opportunities: Several campgrounds maintain winter operations for cold-weather activities. "Close to skiing. Snowmobiling is the real reason to come here. Dry cabins or cottages with bath and shower are available. Snowmobile trails are accessible from the campground," shares Carrie H. about Old Forge Camping Resort.
What you should know
Bear activity management: Proper food storage is essential in this region. "There were some pesky bears wandering at night looking for an easy meal. Although if you are careful about your food items they will not even stop at your site," notes Jeremy H. Most campgrounds provide bear boxes or lockers.
Biting insect seasons: Plan for heavy insect activity, particularly in early summer. "We were here in June and there was an invasion of biting flies. There were so many that you couldn't stand still for 5 seconds and it was just not enjoyable," warns Joel M. about North Lake Reservoir.
Limited cell service: Communication capabilities vary significantly between campgrounds. "Important note there is limited to no cell service here," reports Tate T. about North Lake Reservoir. Some campgrounds like Limekiln provide payphones with free in-state calling as an alternative.
Tips for camping with families
Beach facilities: Nicks Lake Campground offers supervised swimming areas. "The beach is manned by a lifeguard until 6pm and is very well maintained. We love bringing the kids here without worrying about loud crazy campers up until all hours of the night," says Jeremy H.
Organized activities: Several campgrounds schedule regular events. "Very beautiful campground with tons of planned activities for the kids. Outdoor pool and clean shower/bathrooms," Jeani B. mentions about Herkimer Diamond Mine KOA.
Kid-friendly biking areas: Look for campgrounds with low-traffic roads. "Really nice park kids got to ride their bikes everywhere with minimal traffic," explains Jynee Z. about Limekiln Lake, making it suitable for beginners and young riders.
Tips from RVers
Electric supply limitations: Some campgrounds struggle with power demands during peak season. "We spent this weekend on a 'full hookup site' in our class A motorhome. We used a surge protector when plugging in to electric. It wasn't long before our power kept kicking off," reports LL J. at HTR Adirondacks.
Site spacing considerations: Delta Lake State Park Campground offers more generous spacing. "Spacious, mostly flat sides. Complete shade and a lot of sites right on the water," notes Marlene H. The park's Loop C section tends to have more tree coverage between sites than Loop A.
Size restrictions: Larger RVs face access challenges at certain campgrounds. "This is NOT a place for big rigs. We damaged our rig getting to our lot. The roads and turns are not wide enough for a 45' rig even with the tow disconnected to make turns," warns Mark B. about HTR Adirondacks.
Scout
