Camping in the Gouverneur region of New York sits within the St. Lawrence River Valley, characterized by rolling hills, numerous lakes, and mixed coniferous-deciduous forests. Winter temperatures frequently drop below zero, while summer highs typically reach the mid-80s with moderate humidity. Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from May through October due to harsh winter conditions that make camping impractical.
What to do
Kayaking on Cranberry Lake: Located about an hour from Gouverneur, Cranberry Lake offers excellent paddling opportunities. "We spent one day kayaking on the lake and another day hiking. While the mosquitoes weren't bad at the campground itself, they are terrible on the trails this time of year, so bring your bug spray, or better yet, bug shirts!" noted a visitor to Cranberry Lake Campground.
Fishing for perch: The St. Lawrence River and surrounding waterways provide excellent fishing. Jacques Cartier State Park is a popular fishing spot. "The sites are large with some located with waterfront (St. Lawrence River). A boat launch in the park may it easy for boaters," according to one reviewer at Jacques Cartier State Park Campground.
Visit local attractions: The Thousand Islands area offers several notable sites. "We stayed at Swan Bay Resort in Alexandria Bay, NY, for our last trip this year... Oh, and the best part was our view of the St. Lawrence River with passing ocean liners and lots of migrating birds," shared a camper at Swan Bay Resort.
What campers like
Dark skies for stargazing: The rural setting provides excellent night sky viewing. "Quite dark at night, but that was a bonus as we were able to see the Milky Way!" reported a visitor at Swan Bay Resort.
Swimming areas for families: Several parks offer designated swimming beaches. At Old Forge Camping Resort, campers appreciate "a pretty little pond for swimming and paddle boats a short hiking trail around the pond and the staff were all very friendly."
Wildlife viewing: The region offers opportunities to observe local wildlife. "Although I didn't camp here and I only spent the day, I really enjoyed myself! It's absolutely beautiful with a huge lake! Also, the deer are incredibly friendly and will walk right up to you," noted a day visitor to Old Forge Camping Resort.
What you should know
Varying site privacy: Site conditions vary greatly between campgrounds. At Eel Weir State Park Campground, "There's little undergrowth between sites for privacy but spacious sites makes up for it. We found a site on the edge for good privacy."
Bear awareness: Some areas have active black bear populations. "Lots of black bears in area heed the warnings regarding keeping cars and camper locked keep food and cooler secure," warns a visitor to Old Forge Camping Resort.
Wind conditions: Wind can be problematic in some locations, particularly those on large bodies of water. One seasonal camper at Swan Bay Resort "mentioned that he lost three awnings to the wind. So, don't leave your awning out when you leave your camper and beware of winds if you want to be on the water."
Tips for camping with families
Look for playgrounds: Several campgrounds have facilities specifically for children. Jacques Cartier State Park offers "a great guarded beach if you have young ones with a newer playground right next to it."
Consider noise levels: Some campgrounds are quieter than others. At Swan Bay Resort, one camper noted, "We loved this park during the slow season and during the week when there were not kids running around and adults playing loud music and drinking constantly."
Plan bathroom access: When camping with kids, proximity to facilities matters. "There are plenty of bathrooms and washing machines are in all of them," reported a camper at Swan Bay Resort, though at other campgrounds like Cranberry Lake, you might "be ready to drive to it, as I said the campground is bigger than expected!"
Tips from RVers
Site selection for big rigs: Level sites with easy access are important for larger RVs. At Fort Drum Recreation Area, "With my family and pets in tow, we took a weekend and committed it to nature and ourselves. Remington is a Military campground, but for the several military families looking to disconnect a couple of miles from home this would be it."
Concrete pads availability: Some RV camping near Gouverneur, New York offers concrete pads. "All of there sites are on slabs, neat and clean hook ups. There is riverviews from just about every site which is nice," noted a camper at Swan Bay Resort.
Winter accommodations: While most RV campgrounds close seasonally, limited winter options exist. Old Forge Camping Resort offers winter camping: "Dry cabins or cottages with bath and shower are available. Snowmobile trails are accessible from the campground and seasonal rentals are available."
