Camping opportunities near Fort Hunter, New York extend throughout the southern Adirondack region at elevations ranging from 400-1400 feet above sea level. The area sits at the junction of the Mohawk River and Schoharie Creek, providing water-based recreation alongside woodland camping options. Most campgrounds in this region experience seasonal transitions from spring mud to summer heat, with average July temperatures reaching 85°F during peak camping months.
What to do
Explore Herkimer diamonds: At Crystal Grove Diamond Mine & Campground, campers can search for double-terminated quartz crystals unique to the region. "Looking for adventure this is a place to find it. Along with staying at this peaceful wooded campground, one can 'mine' Herkimer Diamond quartz crystals adjacent to the campground via a bridge over the stream," notes a visitor who enjoyed a streamside site.
Go fishing: The Mohawk River and Great Sacandaga Lake offer prime fishing spots for multiple species. "At the lock parking area, you'll find pit toilets, a dumpster, and potable water available on the side of the building as you enter," explains a visitor to Fort Plain Lock 15 on Empire Trail, which provides river access for anglers.
Kayak on Sacandaga Lake: Paddlers find accessible launches at several campgrounds with minimal boat traffic during weekdays. "Large sites on huge lake perfect for kayaking. Few bugs," reports one camper about Northampton Beach Campground, highlighting the favorable conditions for water recreation.
What campers like
Private woodland campsites: DevilDoc Campsites offers secluded spots away from crowds. "We were lucky enough to be the only campers on site that weekend, and had the entire spread by the pond to ourselves," shared one visitor who appreciated the 25-acre property's natural setting.
Spacious waterfront sites: Campers consistently praise the room to spread out at lakeside locations. "Our site was next to the creek and relaxed to the quiet sound of water flowing by," noted a Crystal Grove visitor, while another camper at Northampton Beach Campground mentioned "very spacious with a beautiful view."
Fishing opportunities: Multiple campsites offer direct water access for fishing without driving. "The parking lot is large, rocky, and uneven, situated right on the Mohawk River. It's a great spot for wildlife viewing and fishing (with a valid license)," explains a Fort Plain Lock 15 reviewer.
What you should know
Bathroom facilities vary widely: Some campgrounds have limited or rustic facilities. "The bathrooms were pretty awful though. The showers were broken and there was no hot water the entire 5 days we were there," reported a Northampton Beach visitor, while others mentioned clean but dated facilities.
Seasonal water levels fluctuate: Water access changes throughout summer as reservoir levels drop. "Simply it's a parking lot with a view. The parking area is right on the water. It offers sounds of the highway and freight trains going by," notes a Fort Plain Lock 15 camper about environmental conditions.
Primitive options require preparation: Royal Mountain Campsites and other locations have limited services. "We paid for wood and the owner drove it to our site and gave us half a tree for $10!! Navigating the campground was easy and they had social fires by their pond in the evenings," explains a visitor about available amenities.
Tips for camping with families
Choose campgrounds with kid-specific activities: Several locations offer recreational options beyond hiking. "Great family place," notes a simple but enthusiastic review about Northampton Beach Campground, while another mentions "Lots of nice amenities like showers, toilets, water fill stations, recycling stations, etc."
Consider noise factors: Some campgrounds experience traffic sounds that might disturb light sleepers. "This campground was incredibly noisy. A number of the sites had been closed for the camping season. The beach area offered a great view, but again, so noisy. If you have children, and you're not looking for quiet time, this could be the campground for you!" advises a Caroga Lake camper.
Look for ice cream access: Hide-A-Way Campsites and Royal Mountain have treats nearby. "The 'office' is an ice cream shop off the side of the road that all the locals apparently love based on lines and what we tasted!" exclaimed one Royal Mountain camper who appreciated this family-friendly perk.
Tips from RVers
Check amperage availability: Some campgrounds advertise 30-amp but actually provide 50-amp service. "Website stated sites were 30Amp so very happy to have found 50Amp upon arrival!" shared a Royal Mountain visitor about the unexpected upgrade.
Consider site leveling needs: Terrain varies across the region with some challenging spots. "It is a cool place, Richard and Rick are great guys. The land they share has a pond that is very secluded. We used his power source so we were near his home and site was level for the travel trailer," noted a DevilDoc camper.
Use the dump stations early: Popular campgrounds experience long dump station lines on departure days. "Large sites, there is a fire pit and a picnic table. You are allowed a maximum of 3 tents per site, and that's still plenty of room for car parking," explains a visitor about the spaciousness at Northampton Beach.
