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.
Tent Camping near Gouverneur, NY
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Tent campgrounds in the Gouverneur, New York region offer a mix of island-based and forest settings, ranging from free primitive tent campsites to boat-access waterfront sites. Top-rated tent camping options include Winona State Forest, which provides dispersed tent camping with minimal facilities, and Cedar Island State Park Campground, which requires boat access and offers waterfront tent sites. Francis Lake provides free tent camping with basic amenities including toilets, picnic tables, and access to water activities.
Tent sites throughout the area typically feature basic amenities with varying levels of accessibility. Winona State Forest offers primitive tent camping with only fire rings as amenities, requiring campers to be self-sufficient with their own water and supplies. Sites are often just feet from access roads with limited privacy screening. Cedar Island and Mary Island State Parks provide more developed tent sites but require boat transportation to reach them. According to one visitor, "You need a boat to get here, making it one of our favorite places to camp in NY." Campers should check seasonal availability, as many sites operate only from late May through early September.
The tent camping experience near Gouverneur varies significantly based on location. Forest sites offer quiet surroundings with hiking access, while island campsites provide unique water-based experiences with opportunities for kayaking, swimming, and fishing. A recent review noted that Francis Lake is "totally gorgeous, perfectly clean, and quiet" with "room for two or three tents, two fire circles and has an outhouse." Island campsites tend to offer more privacy between sites compared to forest locations. Winona State Forest campsites remain relatively undiscovered, providing solitude even during peak season. Many tent campers appreciate the primitive nature of these sites, with minimal development allowing for authentic backcountry tent camping experiences despite relatively easy access.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Gouverneur (11)
1. Cedar Island State Park Campground
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $14 / night
2. Back Bay Campground
Check Availabilityfrom $49 - $59 / night
3. Mary Island State Park Campground
"Every site is far away from the next and each has its own unique and beautiful view of the water and surrounding islands."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $17 / night
4. Camp Wildwood
5. Della Terra
"We're so excited to have Julian's property on our platform. This property is rural and beautiful."
Check Availabilityfrom $25 / night
6. Adirondack Mennonite Camping Associates Inc
"Beaver Camp (or, officially Adirondack Mennonite Camping Assoc.), is a classic summer youth sleep-away camp on Beaver Lake."
7. Francis Lake
"Great for swimming, kayaking, and a gorgeous place to wake up next to the water. There are two access points to the water, the more hidden point is where you hike in for camping."
8. Canoe Point State Park Campground
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $17 - $81 / night
9. Winona State Forest
"The only amenity was a fire ring made of rocks. The campsite appears to be the trailhead for a man-made trail. It rained while we were here but overall the campsite was quiet and peaceful."
"The primitive campsite was a little difficult to find there’s a tiny black and yellow placard that shows you where you can camp. There were some firewood set out except it was wet."
10. Winona Forest CCC Camp
"This is a hub for several snow mobile, cross country ski, and snow shoe trails. Several folks visited on Saturday and Sunday to enjoy the last bit of the snow."
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 Tent Camping Photos near Gouverneur, NY
2 Photos of 11 Gouverneur Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Tent Camping Reviews near Gouverneur, NY
226 Reviews of 11 Gouverneur Campgrounds
- BBruce W.
GuideRemington 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.
Ryan A.GuideCranberry Lake Campground
Family Friendly with Thoughtful Sites
I've stayed here twice, once in 2024 and again in 2026, both on Memorial Day Weekend. In 2024 I woke to the sound of loons but did not hear them in 2026.
This is a large campground on the shores of Cranberry Lake with access to many hiking trails and other activities. Quite a few of the sites are lakefront but they seem to book up fast. Most of the sites are spaced out fairly well although a few are close and will result in you seeing & hearing everything your neighbors are doing. However, they are mostly designed well and blend into the environment. A few seem like afterthoughts and are right on the road, so you'll want to choose carefully.
Dumpsters are in the center of the campground near the bathhouse, which has hot showers. There is a sandy beach area near the entrance of the campground and a volleyball area near the dumpsters/bathhouse.
It's a beautiful area and is mostly quiet. Other campers were respectful and didn't play loud music although a few talked loudly late into the night. There are lots of trailer camping sites, so you should expect to hear generators although most people were considerate and only ran them in the daytime.
This is a great campground for exploring the Adirondack Mountains. The town of Cranberry Lake seems mostly dead so don't plan on eating in restaurants nearby.
Janet R.
LegendCranberry Lake Campground
Camping at Cranberry Lake
This has been one of my favorite campgrounds and I have camped there many times over the last several decades. Always well maintained, but peaceful state forest campground with spacious sites, many right on the water. There is an official beach, but the water sites really have their own access for canoes and nice swimming. The water is crystal clear, sunsets magnificent, canoeing and hiking opportunities abound, and even on a "busy" summer weekend the campground is quiet and the fellow campers are low key and respectful. For a tent camper, this is an ideal location and I love it. Fire ring, even tenting spot, picnic tables, etc. There are numerous accessible campsites, a shower building, and regular restrooms as well as privvies. Small trailers can fit and their is an RV dumpstation, but this is not a campground for big rigs and hookups. The campground is a little off the beaten path and in the further reaches of the Adirondacks for most campers, and the vicinity is one of the largest and most pristine areas in the ADK wilderness. Come well supplied with groceries and camping needs as there isnt much nearby. The SUNY Forestry school maintains a Ranger school at nearby Wanakena on the west side of the lake, and a Field Biology station on the south side of the lake. Nice hiking in the area
Guide to Gouverneur
Tent camping near Gouverneur, New York ranges from primitive forest sites to water-accessible destinations with limited amenities. Most campgrounds in this region operate seasonally from late May through early September due to harsh winter conditions. The terrain varies between dense woodland and waterfront settings with sites situated in the St. Lawrence River Valley.
What to do
Water recreation: Francis Lake offers excellent kayaking opportunities with protected waters ideal for beginners. "A little stream turns under a few footbridges and out to francis lake," notes camper Elizabeth B., who appreciated the secluded swimming areas.
Snowsports: Winona Forest transforms during winter months into a hub for outdoor activities. According to Quade S., "This is a hub for several snow mobile, cross country ski, and snow shoe trails. Several folks visited on Saturday and Sunday to enjoy the last bit of the snow."
Island exploration: Mary Island State Park Campground requires boat transportation, creating a unique camping experience. Camper Matt L. describes, "Every site is far away from the next and each has its own unique and beautiful view of the water and surrounding islands."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Cedar Island State Park Campground features well-spaced tent sites. Harry H. notes, "Really memorable due to it being on an island within the 1000 Islands, but the campsite itself is simple, pretty clean, rustic."
Quiet surroundings: Winona State Forest provides peaceful primitive camping. Kevin C. describes, "The campsite was just feet off of Bargy Road. The only amenity was a fire ring made of rocks... overall the campsite was quiet and peaceful."
Waterfront access: Many campsites offer direct water access for swimming and boating. Elizabeth B. describes Francis Lake as "totally gorgeous, perfectly clean, and quiet" with great spots "for swimming, kayaking, and a gorgeous place to wake up next to the water."
What you should know
Limited facilities: Most primitive sites have minimal amenities. At Winona State Forest, Thomas E. reports, "The primitive campsite was a little difficult to find there's a tiny black and yellow placard that shows you where you can camp. There were some firewood set out except it was wet."
Boat requirements: Several campgrounds are accessible only by water. Justin S. advises about Cedar Island State Park Campground, "Nice to have separate docks for the campers, as there are some day use facilities too. Basic sites, clean and very well kept."
Finding campsites: Some dispersed camping locations can be challenging to locate. Thomas mentions Winona's sites have small markers, while Kevin C. learned from maintenance staff that "there were currently two camping sites and that more might be added."
Tips for camping with families
Self-sufficiency preparation: Bring all necessary supplies when camping at primitive sites. Kevin C. noted at Winona State Forest, "The only amenity was a fire ring made of rocks," requiring campers to pack in everything they need.
Structured programs: Adirondack Mennonite Camping Associates offers organized activities. Elizabeth B. explains, "Weekend and week long programming for youth and families, or site rental of cabins and platform tents is available, as well as day use access to the beach and high ropes course."
Noise considerations: Some waterfront campgrounds experience party activity. Michael B. warns about Canoe Point State Park Campground, "Everyone else who came were in basically large party-boats with multiple rooms for sleeping, though they set up tents (and didn't sleep until almost daybreak...it was loud, foul language the entire time)."
Tips from RVers
Small RV options: Limited sites accommodate smaller recreational vehicles. Quade S. shared about Winona Forest CCC Camp, "I took my small RV here on its maiden voyage... I pulled to the back and parked out of the way. There was also an outhouse and a porta-potty here."
Self-contained camping: No hookups available at most primitive sites. Quade S. advises, "If you camp here, you need to be self sufficient as there is no running water or electricity. There is a dollar general about 15 minutes away if you need some supplies."
Winter accessibility: Some camping areas maintain plowed parking during winter months. At Winona Forest CCC Camp, the parking lot remains accessible for winter recreation enthusiasts, though camping during snow season requires extreme cold-weather preparation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent
campsite near Gouverneur, NY?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Gouverneur, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Gouverneur, NY is Cedar Island State Park Campground with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.
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tent camping near
Gouverneur, NY?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Gouverneur, NY?
TheDyrt.com has all 11 tent camping locations near Gouverneur, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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