Best Campgrounds near Gouverneur, NY

Camping in northern New York near Gouverneur includes a mix of established state parks and free dispersed sites spanning the region between the Adirondacks and the St. Lawrence River. Within a 40-mile radius of Gouverneur, campers can access primitive dispersed sites at Payne Lake and Green Pond in Bonaparte State Forest, or opt for more developed experiences at state parks like Jacques Cartier, Kring Point, and Wellesley Island. Most campgrounds accommodate both tents and RVs, while several state parks also offer cabin rentals. The area features a mix of waterfront camping along the St. Lawrence River and inland forest sites with varying levels of amenities and privacy.

Most state park campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from May through early October, with some closing after Labor Day weekend. Reservations are recommended for developed campgrounds, particularly for waterfront sites which book up to nine months in advance. Electric hookups are available at several state parks including Wellesley Island, Kring Point, and Jacques Cartier, while dispersed sites like Payne Lake and Green Pond offer free primitive camping with no amenities. Many campgrounds feature boat launches, fishing access, and swimming areas. Cell coverage varies throughout the region, with limited service at more remote sites. A visitor to Jacques Cartier State Park noted, "We book early so we can get a waterfront site. Everyone swims, kayaks, and paddle boards off their sites."

Waterfront camping represents the primary draw for many visitors to the region, with sites along the St. Lawrence River and its bays receiving consistently high ratings. Campers particularly value the combination of water access, swimming opportunities, and scenic views. According to reviews on The Dyrt, Kring Point State Park stands out for its location between Goose Bay and the St. Lawrence River, with one camper describing it as having "access to the water great for boating and swimming." Some campgrounds like Cedar Island require boat access, adding to their appeal for those seeking more remote experiences. For quieter, more budget-friendly options, the dispersed sites at Green Pond and Payne Lake offer peaceful settings with fewer amenities but greater solitude, described by one camper as "our go-to area close to town but still just want to get away from it all."

Best Camping Sites Near Gouverneur, New York (63)

    1. Green Pond - Bonaparte State Forest

    4 Reviews
    Harrisville, NY
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 376-3521

    "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!"

    "This is my second time camping at this location and I’ve enjoyed it so much. Not very well know and really quite however the training range can be a little loud at times."

    2. Wellesley Island State Park Campground

    29 Reviews
    Thousand Island Park, NY
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 482-2722

    $20 - $188 / night

    "Our site is located adjacent to a mowed grass path that leads to the main road, close to the camp store. Beautiful area, lots of hiking and biking trails and swim area."

    "Walking areas. Access to water for swimming."

    3. Kring Point State Park Campground

    8 Reviews
    Alexandria Bay, NY
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 482-2444

    $20 - $109 / night

    "Access to the water great for boating and swimming. Kring point has islands as well you can jump off the rocks into the water."

    "Water nearby, 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."

    5. Jacques Cartier State Park Campground

    6 Reviews
    Hammond, NY
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 375-6371

    $17 - $30 / night

    "Half of the loop is in the woods and the other half has spacious, grassy sites bordered with woods behind them."

    "There’s a great guarded beach if you have young ones with a newer playground right next to it. They pick up your trash everyday, just leave by the road."

    6. Eel Weir State Park Campground

    6 Reviews
    Ogdensburg, NY
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 393-1138

    $17 / night

    "We found a site on the edge for good privacy.

    Sites are well maintained. Bath facilities need maintenance. "

    "I love how it has great fishing and nice camp sites even let's you bring a boat nice clean showers and bathroom can easily find firewood near by as well.."

    7. Swan Bay Resort - The 1000 Islands Premier RV Park & Marina

    12 Reviews
    Thousand Island Park, NY
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 262-8297

    "It’s an easy mile from I-81 and just 10-minutes drive to Alexandria Bay downtown. The staff was great— friendly and helpful."

    "We paralleled Cayuga Lake (which is part of the Finger Lakes) for some time and then took the Great Lakes Seaway Trail."

    8. Cedar Island State Park Campground

    2 Reviews
    Hammond, NY
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 482-2444

    $14 / night

    9. Natural Bridge/Watertown KOA

    1 Review
    Natural Bridge, NY
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 644-4098

    $40 - $131 / night

    "The sites are small, but there are mature trees between them & woodsy areas around the campsites. The campground is clean and well kept. The laundry room and bathrooms were clean."

    10. Keewaydin State Park Campground

    6 Reviews
    Alexandria Bay, NY
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 482-3331

    $17 / night

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Showing results 1-10 of 63 campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Gouverneur, NY

220 Reviews of 63 Gouverneur Campgrounds



Guide to Gouverneur

Camping near Gouverneur, New York offers year-round opportunities in the transitional zone between the Adirondack foothills and St. Lawrence Valley. This region ranges from 400-800 feet in elevation with winter temperatures often dropping below 0°F. Winter camping remains available at several dispersed sites while most established campgrounds close after Labor Day.

What to do

Fishing experiences: Green Pond in Bonaparte State Forest provides accessible fishing opportunities. "There is a doc down the road for boats and fishing!" notes camper Amandalynn P. The nearby military training range can occasionally create background noise.

Boating access: Many sites allow direct water access from individual campsites at Wellesley Island State Park. One visitor mentions, "We usually get 2 sites and place as many as 5 tents between the 2 sites!" Another camper adds, "Large open sites with not much shade but it is the only loop that gets US Verizon service."

Winter camping: While most established campgrounds close after Labor Day, dispersed sites at Payne Lake remain open year-round with limited facilities. "Public access boat ramp with limited parking available on both sides. No amenities on-site," reports a visitor who used a WeBoost to improve cell signal strength in the area.

What campers like

Riverside camping: Many campers appreciate the direct water access at Jacques Cartier State Park, noting "Half of the loop is in the woods and the other half has spacious, grassy sites bordered with woods behind them." The park features a guarded beach with newer playground equipment adjacent to it.

Budget options: Free camping at Green Pond offers a quiet alternative to busier parks. A camper describes it as "not very well known and really quite however the training range can be a little loud at times." Another noted it's "our go to area close to town."

Island experiences: For those with boats, Cedar Island State Park provides a unique camping option. "You need a boat to get here, making it one of our favorite places to camp in NY. There are quite a few sites here, all pretty private, but still make reservations," advises one visitor who appreciates the separate docks for campers.

What you should know

Booking windows: Reservations open 9 months in advance for waterfront sites at Kring Point State Park. A frequent visitor notes, "We've camped here every year but it's getting difficult to get in here" and recommends planning far ahead.

Cell coverage: Signal strength varies throughout the region with Wellesley Island's Heron Loop noted as the only section receiving consistent US Verizon service. At Payne Lake, visitors report "getting two bars of Verizon signal with the help of a WeBoost."

Weather considerations: The region experiences significant temperature fluctuations. One camper at Jacques Cartier warned, "I came here totally unprepared and ended up getting soaked. I didn't check the forecast and it started pouring. It was hot and sunny and then cold and wet."

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Gouverneur, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, Gouverneur, NY offers a wide range of camping options, with 63 campgrounds and RV parks near Gouverneur, NY and 7 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Gouverneur, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Gouverneur, NY is Green Pond - Bonaparte State Forest with a 5-star rating from 4 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Gouverneur, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 free dispersed camping spots near Gouverneur, NY.