Camping near Fort Drum offers options for military personnel and civilians looking to explore the St. Lawrence River and Thousand Islands region. The area experiences lake effect weather conditions with winter temperatures dropping below freezing and summer temperatures averaging 70-80°F. Most campgrounds open from May through October, with water access being a defining feature of many sites.
What to do
Water activities on Lake Ontario: Sun Outdoors Association Island provides direct lake access for kayaking and fishing. "We were able to drop our kayaks right in the water in front of our rig and paddle to our heart's content. The water is clear and cool," notes Donna C.
Thousand Islands exploration: Kring Point State Park Campground offers excellent water recreation on the St. Lawrence River. "Great fishing from almost every part of this park. Two beaches to swim. Almost every campsite is on the water," writes Brian F. The park features rock cliffs for swimming and jumping.
Hiking local trails: The Thousand Island Lakes Trust manages several trails where dogs can stretch their legs. The MacSherry Trail in Redwood and other preserves provide walking paths around farm fields and natural areas with limited crowds and good visibility.
What campers like
Waterfront camping sites: Wellesley Island State Park Campground offers prime waterfront sites for fishing and boating. "We stayed at site Bluejay 3. Very spacious and private. We reserved the site 3 days prior and still found most waterfront campsites already reserved," reports Erin B. Sites fill quickly during summer months.
Clean facilities: 1000 Islands Campground maintains high standards for cleanliness. "Extremely clean, well run and has the most options for all kinds of camping. The grounds are spotless, as are the bathrooms and showers," shares Kathi V. The campground provides regular staff presence with several hosts available.
Boat access: Many campgrounds feature boat launches, docks, and water access. "There is a marina, boat launch and boat rentals. Docking. You can even day trip it use public grills and still enjoy everything the park has to offer," explains John L. about Wellesley Island.
What you should know
Wind conditions: Lake Ontario sites experience significant wind, particularly at waterfront locations. "Our site backed up to the water and although it was windy they thought ahead and built the fire pit up to block it," notes April L. about camping at Sun Outdoors Association Island.
Bug preparation: Midges and mayflies can be abundant in certain seasons. "One HUGE downfall was the amount of BUGS! Millions (not exaggerating) of midges and mayflies swarming the grounds from Lake Ontario. Be prepared to deal with this," warns Tracey G. Bug spray, screens, and proper tent setup are essential.
Reservation timing: Popular parks book quickly, especially for summer weekends. "It's so nice it's hard to reserve, because people grab it nine months in advance!" mentions Brian F. about Keewaydin State Park Campground.
Site selection: Site sizes and privacy vary widely between campgrounds. "The sites are small, but there are mature trees between them & woodsy areas around the campsites," reports Liz M. Research site maps and photos before booking to find appropriate accommodations.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds offer playground facilities for children. "My son loved the playground," states Sara H. about 1000 Islands Campground. These areas provide activity options during downtime at camp.
Swimming options: Black River Bay Campground provides family-friendly amenities. "Play area for kids! Pavillion! Events! Docks for boats! Fishing! Nice store with plenty of camping supplies!" notes G H. The camp store stocks essentials families might need.
Historical attractions: The region offers educational opportunities beyond camping. "You're 10 min from Alexandria Bay. Boldt castle, singer castle, you can go on river cruises and view these beautiful islands and homes on them. Watch the cargo ships cruise the channel," shares John L.
Off-peak visits: Consider camping on weekdays when possible. "We arrived on a weekend and it was pretty busy but loved it during the week when everybody left and things were quieter," explains Nancy W.
Tips from RVers
Hookup verification: Confirm electric and water connections when booking. "When we got there there was no one in the sign in station. No electricity or water hookups. We reserved online and there was a mix up," cautions Sara H. about Keewaydin State Park.
Site dimensions: Many campgrounds have varied site sizes that may not match listed dimensions. "Our original site was listed at 55', but there was no way our 43' camper would fit, nor make the tight turn into it," shares Bryan about 1000 Islands Campground.
Level concrete pads: Look for campgrounds with solid parking surfaces. "All of there sites are on slabs, neat and clean hook ups," notes Michael M. This feature provides easier setup and stability for larger rigs.
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