The Adirondack region surrounding Jay, New York sits at elevations ranging from 1,200 to 3,000 feet, creating distinct temperature variations between valleys and peaks throughout the year. Winter temperatures often drop below zero while summer brings comfortable 70-80°F days with cooler evenings. The area's glacial terrain features numerous lakes and rivers alongside dense forest, making it ideal for year-round camping including specialized yurt accommodations.
What to do
Hiking from campsites: At Wilderness Campground at Heart Lake, trails to multiple peaks start right at the property. "Behind the 100-Acre section are trails that lead to Whiteface Mountain so you don't have to get in the car to start a hike," notes Nancy W. who stayed at Lake Placid/Whiteface KOA.
Water activities: Buck Pond Campground provides peaceful paddling opportunities. "Very peaceful place to go canoeing," shares Nancy P. The calm waters make this location perfect for beginners and families wanting relaxed water experiences.
Mountain biking trails: Several campgrounds maintain dedicated biking routes. "I wish I had my bike!!! I didn't know that this was a biking campground and there were SO MANY trails," writes Rebecca Y. about Ausable Chasm Campground, which offers extensive trail networks for various skill levels.
Winter recreation: For yurt camping near Jay, New York in colder months, some sites maintain winter operations. "We visited in late March when there was still a decent amount of snow on the site. Despite the lake being frozen over, the views just steps away from our lean to were gorgeous," explains Kayla M. who stayed at Wilderness Campground at Heart Lake.
What campers like
Site privacy levels: Draper's Acres receives positive reviews for its layout. "Great campground with secluded sites most with woods behind each site, especially the tent area. The RV and tent camping is well separated," explains Natalie N. This separation creates more peaceful experiences for tent campers.
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness matters significantly to campers. Brett N. mentions about Draper's Acres: "Both bath houses were adequate, even containing shampoo and body wash. Staff was friendly."
Natural features: The proximity to water features ranks highly in reviews. "The welcome center and store are so cute, sites are well maintained amid everyone is super friendly. There is a secret we discovered the last day. Walk to the back of the campground to the Ausable river, go down the path about 500 ft. There is an awesome swimming hole," shares Laura T. about her experience at Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday.
Off-peak advantages: Button Bay State Park Campground provides stunning water views. "The waterfront sites are fantastic, they are wide so smaller units can be parked parallel to the lake," notes IAN P. Many reviewers mention visiting during weekdays or shoulder seasons for more solitude.
What you should know
Road conditions: Access roads to some sites require careful driving. A visitor to Wilderness Campground notes: "Road going in is very rough use extreme caution on a motorcycle with street tires."
Booking considerations: Mount Philo State Park Campground has limited availability. "Only 8 campsites, dispersed in the trees. $23/night. Picnic table and fire pit. Moderate cell service," shares Kaelin P. Smaller campgrounds in the area fill quickly, especially during peak foliage season.
Weather preparedness: Temperature swings can be significant. "My boyfriend and I braved the 12° nights and pitched a tent," writes Laura Nicole A. about her experience at Wilderness Campground at Heart Lake. Even summer nights can drop into the 40s.
Site differences: Many campgrounds have distinct sections. "There are two distinct sections of this campground– the 'Resort' section and the '100-Acre Woods' section... This section has tall shad trees and much more space between sites than the resort area," explains Nancy W. about Lake Placid/Whiteface KOA Holiday.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: AuSable Chasm Campground offers child-friendly amenities. "DI'd a 4 night 4day stay. Was nice, pool was clean, play ground kids loved it. And facilities were clean, with hot showers," shares larry.
Swimming options: Multiple water options exist for families with children. "There is a nice pool, but it closes after Labor Day weekend. If you want to swim in Lake Champlain, I highly recommend Kingsland Bay State Park, just a few miles north," advises Tara S. about camping in the region.
Kid-friendly hikes: Look for shorter trails with interesting features. "Definitely hike the short nature trail out to Button Bay Point. It's especially lovely in the evening as the sun is setting," recommends Tara S. about Button Bay State Park.
Safety considerations: Some campgrounds offer better supervision than others. "Nice field, swings and small playground for kids. Close to hiking and Lake Placid!" notes Jennifer O. about Draper's Acres. Always check if water areas have lifeguards when camping with children.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: North Beach Campground offers good access for larger vehicles. "This has been one of our favorite campsites so far. We loved being able to walk down to the beach, as well as having full hookups," shares Laura L.
Hookup variations: Electric service varies between campgrounds. "We had a full hookup, pull through site surrounded by trees. There was some road noise during the day but it was nice and quiet at night," reports Jennifer O. about Draper's Acres.
Site positioning: The orientation of RV sites matters for comfort. "The sites have water and electricity; which is certainly a treat in the high peaks," explains Alyssa C. about Ausable River Campsite. In hot weather, position for afternoon shade if possible.
Navigational challenges: Large rigs face some limitations. "Maneuvering through the park was pretty tight for us and we had to take it really slow," notes Nancy W. about Lake Placid/Whiteface KOA Holiday. For yurt camping near Jay, New York, this is less of a concern since permanent structures are already positioned optimally.
