84 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping options around Great Bend, New York include established campgrounds along the nearby waterways and forested areas. Several campgrounds feature cabin accommodations, including Fort Drum Recreation Area, Wellesley Island State Park, and Natural Bridge/Watertown KOA. The 1000 Islands region provides diverse camping experiences with proximity to water bodies like the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario. Most campgrounds in the area accommodate both tent and RV camping, with several also offering cabin rentals for those seeking more sheltered accommodations.
The camping season in the Great Bend region typically runs from May through October, with most facilities closing during the winter months. Many campgrounds require reservations, particularly during peak summer periods when tourism increases in the 1000 Islands area. Limited dispersed camping is available at locations like Payne Lake, where primitive conditions prevail but fees are not required. Facilities vary significantly between developed campgrounds and more rustic sites. At Green Pond in Bonaparte State Forest, campers can find a free, well-maintained site with basic amenities. A visitor noted, "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."
Waterfront access represents a major draw for campers in the region, with several campgrounds offering views of the St. Lawrence River or nearby lakes. Reviews indicate high satisfaction with water-adjacent sites, especially during summer months. Swan Bay Resort provides concrete pads with full hookups and views of passing ships on the St. Lawrence Seaway. Family-friendly amenities are common at developed campgrounds, with several featuring playgrounds, swimming areas, and organized activities. A camper at Westcott Beach State Park commented, "We always camp in the plateau across the road from the main park area—sites are huge, clean bathrooms and a nice park right in the circle." Most campgrounds in the area maintain clean facilities, with reviewers frequently noting well-kept bathrooms and grounds.
"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."
from $24 - $200 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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."
from $40 - $131 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $25 / night
Check Availability"The sunsets were spectacular and our site was literally just steps from Lake Ontario. All sites are full hook up. Wifi is available and fairly good."
"Great location offering both sunrise and sunsets over the water of Lake Ontario. Loved the access to the water for our dogs to swim and for beautiful views."
from $53 - $116 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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."
from $24 - $109 / night
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GuideMy boyfriend and I rented out cabin 26 at this camping resort and it was very worth it ! Our cabin was right next to the bathroom/shower facility. We also had a very spacious cabin with a fire pit outside.
GuideVery nice night spent at Winona State Forest with my boyfriend and our dog, Michelob. Lots of horseflies and mosquitoes but big spray did help and the fire. We have a truck bed tent we used for this trip and a canopy tent to put all of our stuff under. Each site does have a fire pit of some sort.
TravelerWe thought the campground was beautiful, tight to your neighbors on majority of sites, and lack of trash cans for pet waste especially since the campground is so big. It has ball field, 2 playgrounds, rec room, camp store, lake Ontario to swim, trails for multi use, and pavillions. Down fall for us was small site , lack of trash cans to toss pet waste, not being told about fill station because there is no water faucets like most state parks along campground. We were there for first time so not familiar with park. Office did not offer us a map to get to our site or clue us in on filling our tank prior to parking camper. Main gate personnel not on same information. bathrooms could be cleaned more often. bathhouse building is all gender with bathrooms on one side of building and showers on other. Bathroom and showers are private space rooms. Beach is very rocky with little sand area. Life guards only guard one side of beach making everyone crowded to one side
ScoutNot very welcoming at night. Kinda creepy.
GuideI'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.
TravelerGood place to fish and stay. Good welcoming friendly host also. Well come back
LegendThis 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
GuideThis is a surprisingly large facility with multiple options, including cabins, tent, and RV sites. We were there in late October on a Saturday night when they were having a big Halloween festival, so very crowded but festive environment. Everybody packed up and left the following morning.Close to the town of old Forge and Lakes. Beautiful area.
TravelerGreat camp. Easy in and out for big rigs. Right on the St. Lawrence River. Many amenities to include 3 bay R.V. wash as well as car wash. Nice sites and some on the water with docks and a boat ramp.
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.
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!"
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."
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."
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."
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Great Bend, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, Great Bend, NY offers a wide range of camping options, with 84 campgrounds and RV parks near Great Bend, NY and 9 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Great Bend, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Great Bend, NY is Fort Drum Recreation Area with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Great Bend, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 9 free dispersed camping spots near Great Bend, NY.
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