Camping sites near Great Bend, New York concentrate in a 25-mile radius primarily along the Black River and tributaries. Elevations range from 500 to 800 feet with hardwood forests dominating the landscape. The camping season extends from early May through mid-October with peak visitation occurring in July and August when temperatures average 70-85°F during daytime hours.
What to do
Paddling activities: The St. Lawrence River provides opportunities for boating and kayaking with access points at multiple campgrounds. At Fort Drum Recreation Area, visitors can enjoy "several forms of outdoor entertainment" with convenient water access. Kring Point State Park offers "great fishing from almost every part of this park" and features "flat rocks, watching sunsets and ships go by."
Fishing opportunities: Multiple species are available in area waterways. Kring Point State Park Campground provides productive fishing spots where visitors report "my husband caught a pike and small mouth bass his first day!" Green Pond at Bonaparte State Forest is recommended by locals as "our go to area close to town" where "there is a doc down the road for boats and fishing!"
Water recreation: Swimming areas exist at several parks with beaches and natural swimming holes. At Natural Bridge/Watertown KOA, guests can use the indoor pool year-round. Kring Point features "two beaches to swim" plus "great rock cliffs to jump off and swim!"
What campers like
Waterfront access: Waterfront sites are highly valued in this region with several campgrounds offering direct water views. At Swan Bay Resort, "there is riverviews from just about every site" and some sites allow you to "face west, so you do get beautiful sunsets." A reviewer noted Kring Point State Park has "almost every campsite is on the water."
Secluded spots: Some campgrounds offer more private sites away from crowds. At Wellesley Island State Park Campground, campers appreciate that "the sites there are big!!!" A reviewer staying at site "Bluejay 3" found it "very spacious and private." For true seclusion, Payne Lake Dispersed Site offers "beautiful views, peaceful and quiet" with minimal facilities.
Stargazing conditions: Minimal light pollution allows excellent night sky viewing. At Swan Bay Resort, a camper noted it was "quite dark at night, but that was a bonus as we were able to see the Milky Way!" Association Island provides similar conditions where "each of our interactions with staff was warm and friendly."
What you should know
Military proximity: Fort Drum military training grounds can create occasional noise. A Green Pond camper mentioned "the training range can be a little loud at times" but still gave the site five stars. Military personnel can access Fort Drum Recreation Area, described as "a beautiful well kept place."
Wind conditions: Lakefront and riverside sites often experience strong winds. At Sun Outdoors Association Island, "our site backed up to the water and although it was windy they thought ahead and built the fire pit up to block it." Another camper warned that their neighbor "lost three awnings to the wind" so "don't leave your awning out when you leave your camper."
Site variations: Campgrounds have significant differences between sites. Wellesley Island State Park has "NYS may get tons of flack for its politics and politicians. However they're doing it all correct in their state parks." Kring Point sites are "beautiful with rocks. But the rocks make it beautiful," though some find the plots "to be so small with no privacy."
Tips for camping with families
Playground facilities: Multiple campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. Black River Bay Campground offers a "play area for kids! Pavillion! Events!" Fort Drum Recreation Area has "a dog park for the little furry ones" along with family-oriented amenities.
Swimming safety: Water conditions vary greatly between locations. Wellesley Island State Park provides "tons of playgrounds and swimming" in designated areas. Kring Point allows rock jumping but parents should supervise as depths can vary.
Activities planning: Scheduled events occur at many campgrounds. Black River Bay has "Events! Docks for boats!" while Wellesley Island offers "hiking trails all over the park" plus "a marina, boat launch and boat rentals."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Many campgrounds have uneven terrain requiring preparation. Natural Bridge/Watertown KOA features "mature trees between them & woodsy areas around the campsites" but some sites require leveling. Swan Bay Resort offers "cement pads with full hookups" which provide "concrete parking areas with gravel in front, pavers for a patio and full hook-up."
Water access considerations: Launch facilities vary widely between locations. Swan Bay Resort has a "free boat launch and boat slips" though one camper noted "it is very windy here and found very few windows to paddle." Wellesley Island provides "electric and water on many sites" with "a marina, boat launch and boat rentals."
Seasonal planning: Most facilities close by mid-October. Natural Bridge/Watertown KOA operates from "May 12 to October 15" while Swan Bay Resort runs from "May 1 - Oct 31" with different amenities available during shoulder seasons.
