Recreational camping options surround Harrisville, New York in the western Adirondack foothills. The region features a mix of state park facilities and private campgrounds within an hour's drive of town. Winter temperatures often dip below 10°F while summer days typically range from 65-80°F with frequent evening cool-downs.
What to do
Water sports on Lake Ontario: Sun Outdoors Association Island provides direct lake access. "There is a marina with pontoon boat rentals. They put on Octoberfest during our stay which featured a live band and food and craft vendors," notes a visitor. The island location offers opportunities for paddleboarding, kayaking and fishing.
Hiking forest trails: Moderate to challenging routes surround most campgrounds in the region. One camper at Cranberry Lake Campground reports, "The hike up and around Bear Mountain was a good workout and fun experience for our whole family (littlest is 6)." Most trails range from 1-5 miles with varied terrain.
Wildlife viewing: Bears are common at certain campgrounds. A visitor to Old Forge Camping Resort observed: "Sites are close together and beware of the bear. We had one or two in and around our camp site almost every nite. Heed the warnings and lock car doors and don't leave coolers or grills out."
What campers like
Dark night skies: The region offers excellent stargazing opportunities away from urban light pollution. One visitor to Swan Bay Resort commented, "Quite dark at night, but that was a bonus as we were able to see the Milky Way!"
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept bathrooms and showers. A camper at Wellesley Island State Park noted, "Bathrooms were a short walk down the road and mostly clean." State parks typically offer hot showers with push-button timers.
Water access: Most popular sites feature river or lake frontage. "We stayed at site Bluejay 3. Very spacious and private. We reserved the site 3 days prior and still found most waterfront campsites already reserved. Luckily, 2 waterfront sites were available at Bluejay 2 and 3 when we arrived, so we spent most of the time there fishing and canoeing."
What you should know
Reservation timing: Book 6-12 months ahead for peak season waterfront sites. At Natural Bridge/Watertown KOA, "The owners made me feel welcome from the minute I arrived. They went above and beyond for me." Some campgrounds offer off-season discounts of 30-50% for non-peak dates.
Weather considerations: Strong winds affect lakeside camping. One camper observed at Sun Outdoors Association Island: "I was hoping to spend a bit of time on my paddleboard but soon realized it is very windy here and found very few windows to paddle. Our neighbor mentioned that he lost three awnings to the wind."
Water quality varies: Tap water at some campgrounds contains high chlorine levels. A visitor reported: "Water pressure good but water reaks of chlorine. DO NOT drink the water. Made the mistake of using it for morning coffee. So much chlorine its like pool water." Consider bringing drinking water for sensitive campers.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several rv campgrounds near Harrisville offer child-friendly amenities. A visitor to Swan Bay Resort described: "The playground is awesome and huge with lots of cool features for kids to explore. The dog park is very nice and a decent size to throw a ball for your dog."
Wildlife safety education: Teach children proper food storage and animal awareness. "Keep food and cooler secure," warns one camper about bears in the area. Most campgrounds provide metal food storage lockers or recommend storing all scented items in vehicles overnight.
Swimming options: HTR Adirondacks offers water play areas suitable for different ages. "It has beach access to river," notes a recent visitor. Another camper shared their experience: "The boys were having so much fun swimming and riding their inner tubes down the creek with little rapids. They spent almost every waking moment in the water."
Tips from RVers
Power limitations: Some smaller rv facilities near Harrisville struggle with electrical capacity. One RVer noted: "We used a surge protector when plugging in to electric. It wasn't long before our power kept kicking off. We contacted the office and a staff member came and advised us that they do not have enough power for all of the campsites."
Site dimensions: Larger motorhomes face access challenges at older campgrounds. A visitor observed about HTR Adirondacks: "The sites are also not gravel and not level. Ours was dirt and mostly mud." Most campgrounds list maximum RV length restrictions ranging from 30-45 feet.
Seasonal availability: Most RV parks near Harrisville operate from May through October only. Fort Drum Recreation Area remains a reliable option for military families, with one visitor noting: "For the several military families looking to disconnect a couple of miles from home this would be it. They offer regular camping sites and RV sites, they also have a dog park for the little furry ones."
