Larry B.
Scout
ScoutWeaver Acres
Great setting. We were there by ourselves, so very quiet place to view the sky. The hookups were 50A only, no 30A connection, so we just used a conversion to 20A.
Camping near Gouverneur, NY
1 campground with availability this weekend
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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 excellent waterfront camping options along the St. Lawrence River and secluded 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 Campgrounds near Gouverneur (67)
1. Wellesley Island State Park Campground
"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."
7 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $24 - $188 / night
2. Kring Point State Park Campground
"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."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $20 - $109 / night
3. Payne Lake Dispersed Site
4. Green Pond - Bonaparte State Forest
"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."
5. Jacques Cartier State Park Campground
"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."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $17 - $30 / night
6. Swan Bay Resort - The 1000 Islands Premier RV Park & Marina
"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."
7. Eel Weir State Park Campground
"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.."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $17 / night
8. Cedar Island State Park Campground
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $14 / night
9. Natural Bridge/Watertown KOA
"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."
Check Availabilityfrom $40 - $131 / night
10. Cranberry Lake Campground
"This is a Great Lake for kayaking, clear and calm, lots of nooks and crannies to explore."
"Beautiful ADK campground with the whole lake to explore from the launch on site. Pros: canoe rentals on site, lakeside camp sites, hiking nearby, all-tent loop."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $20 - $40 / night
Drive Time
- 43 min from Watertown, NY
- 1 hr 39 min from Syracuse, NY
- 1 hr 50 min from Utica, NY
- 3 hrs 21 min from Burlington, VT
Recent Camping Photos near Gouverneur, NY
74 Photos of 67 Gouverneur Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Green Pond - Bonaparte State Forest
Lake Bonaparte Marina & CampgroundT
Natural Bridge/Watertown KOAD
Jacques Cartier State Park CampgroundJ
Kring Point State Park Campground
Keewaydin State Park Campground
Swan Bay Resort - The 1000 Islands Premier RV Park & Marina
Dewolf Point State Park Campground
Wellesley Island State Park Campground
Higley Flow State Park CampgroundE
Birch’s Lakeside Campground and MarinaP
Cranberry Lake Campground
Recent Reviews near Gouverneur, NY
235 Reviews of 67 Gouverneur Campgrounds
Matt T.
GuideHorseshoe Lake
Great Lake view
A few sites around the lake all seem to have good to great view of the lake. Ours was nice but next to a house no one was there! However The site had lots of room! The road was mildly rough. But nothing worth complaining about it’s dispersed camping! There was a few loons making noise great spot.
- BBruce W.Guide
Remington Park
Excellent Choice for Veterans and Active Duty
The MWR shop was excellent to work with!
The sites, under 15, are pull through and full hookups. They are spaced fast enough apart that privacy is a plus consideration!
Check in at front gate was courteous and quick!
- AASHLEY C.Scout
Swan Bay Resort - The 1000 Islands Premier RV Park & Marina
Enjoyable family trip
Traveled from northeastern PA with 5 other families. All with kids under 13. Location was great. Everyone super friendly. Very convenient being near the grocery store. Tiki bar was fun for adults! Very clean! We rented a boat and went to Clayton for the day. Will definitely go back again.
Christian A.ScoutBlack River Bay Campground
Quiet community
R/v area seems pretty full and seems to have lots of full time campers possibly.
- mmichel M.Scout
Weaver Acres
Hipcamp
This space is just off the road. It very flat water, power,sewer. Its Pack in pack out. 5 minutes walk from Tupper Lake. Bring your kayak they're hundreds of little lakes around this site.
Nathalie R.ScoutWinona State Forest
Campsites well established
The campsite itself was extremely buggy and it was a bit further into the road then I thought to get to the second campsite. But once we got there it was open and well marked
Christian D.ScoutKeewaydin State Park Campground
Great place with a few quirks
Very nice campground, pool is awesome when it’s hot and, the water’s edge of the campground is beautiful, expect noise. Not a quiet place. From fellow campers to boats and sirens. No tru till station just a water line when you enter. Also check sites out was extremely up hill. Camper barely cleared.
- rrandyScout
Santway Park
Not much there
Not very welcoming at night. Kinda creepy.
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
Where can I find camping sites near Gouverneur?
Where can I find camping sites near Gouverneur?
The Gouverneur area offers several excellent camping options within driving distance. Higley Flow State Park Campground is a top choice with well-maintained sites, clean facilities, and water activities for families. It's especially beautiful at sunset and offers both secluded and group camping areas. Another popular option is Cranberry Lake Campground, known for its crystal-clear waters perfect for kayaking and exploration. For campers seeking additional alternatives, Whetstone Gulf State Park and Eel Weir State Park also provide camping opportunities in the general vicinity.
What tent camping options are available in Gouverneur?
What tent camping options are available in Gouverneur?
Tent campers in the Gouverneur area have several scenic options to choose from. Old Forge Camping Resort is particularly family-friendly with a well-stocked welcome center and serves as an excellent weekend getaway. For those seeking a waterfront experience, Sun Outdoors Association Island offers spectacular sunset views with sites just steps from Lake Ontario. While primarily known for full hookups, it accommodates tent campers as well. Additional tent camping can be found at Kring Point State Park and Cedar Island State Park, both offering beautiful settings within driving distance of Gouverneur.
Is there camping available near 50 Gouverneur Street?
Is there camping available near 50 Gouverneur Street?
While there aren't campgrounds directly at 50 Gouverneur Street, several quality options exist within reasonable driving distance. Birch's Lakeside Campground and Marina offers comprehensive amenities including a general store, laundry facilities, and propane on-site. Wellesley Island State Park Campground is another excellent option with full hookup sites, hiking and biking trails, plus a swim area. Both provide well-developed facilities for comfortable camping experiences in the greater Gouverneur region.
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