Camping options surrounding Johnsonville, New York sit primarily within the transitional zone between the southern Adirondack foothills and the Taconic Mountains. Most campgrounds in this region operate between May and mid-October due to the area's cold winters and substantial snowfall. Forest camping sites typically sit at elevations between 800-1,500 feet, creating cool evening temperatures even during summer months.
What to do
Hiking accessible trails: Several campgrounds near Johnsonville provide direct trail access for day hiking. At Woodford State Park Campground, visitors can explore paths around the reservoir. "We heard coyotes at night and loons in the morning. We're going back later this summer for a longer stay," notes Melissa S. about her experience at Woodford.
Waterfront activities: Many area campgrounds feature swimming and paddling options. The Lake Lauderdale Campground provides water recreation just 20 minutes from the Vermont border. As Mansi D. shares, "We visited last year and were blown away by the beauty. So many things near by to exlore. Lake lauderdale state park and Vermont is just 20 mins away."
Mountain exploration: The region offers excellent access to nearby peaks and state forests. At Emerald Lake State Park Campground, visitors can hike trails with varying difficulty levels. "Beautiful campground in south central Vermont. On a lovely emerald green small lake with nice beach. Good for fishing and kayaking," reports Christina S.
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: Many campers highlight the site separation at campgrounds near Johnsonville. At Moreau Lake State Park Campground, reviewer Michi P. notes, "I love the spacious campsites. It's very woodsy between sites, so it seems very private. Bathrooms and Showers are clean. Over 20 miles in hiking trails, this is one of the nicest parks, I've visited."
Clean facilities: Campgrounds in this region generally maintain well-kept bathrooms and shower facilities. At Woodford State Park, one camper reports, "The bathrooms were the cleanest campground bathrooms I've ever seen! The campsites are pretty big and somewhat private which is nice. They also have cabins you can rent."
Diverse accommodation options: Many locations offer camping alternatives beyond traditional tent sites. At Piebald Mountain, visitors can experience glamping near Johnsonville in yurts. "Excellent week at piebald mountain! We were greeted by some turkey and visited by some deer. Comfy and cozy setting," says Tarah Z. about her stay.
What you should know
Seasonal limitations: Most campgrounds in the region operate on limited schedules. Moreau Lake State Park Campground runs from "May 6 to October 13," while other facilities like Alpine Lake RV Resort operate from "May 6 to October 10."
Variable water access: Not all waterfront campgrounds offer direct lakeside camping. At Emerald Lake State Park, "While there are trails down to the lake from the campground, none of the sites are waterfront, or even water view. In fact, many of them are perched on a steep ledge, making them a bit sketchy for families with kids," reports Tara S.
Busy summer weekends: Popular campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. Regarding Lake George areas, Nancy W. notes, "We can imagine it could get very busy and noisy in the busy summer season. The beach area seems to be a draw for people so the summer camping season is probably packed."
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites carefully: Not all sites work well for families with children. At Emerald Lake State Park, a reviewer advises, "If you have little ones, check out the map before you reserve a site and find one on the opposite side of the ledge."
Look for kid-friendly amenities: Campgrounds with pools, playgrounds, or shallow water access better suit families. At Woodford State Park, Sambath T. reports it's "perfect for families! there are tons of different types of campsites with either tent spots, lean tus, and a few (hard to get) cabins. bathrooms are plentiful and clean, hot showers for a small price."
Consider noise factors: Family-oriented campgrounds may have different noise profiles. Another camper at Woodford notes, "If you're looking for a quiet spot maybe don't look here. If you have kids and don't mind them making friends and roaming the campground then this is great!"
Tips from RVers
Site accessibility varies: Many campgrounds have tight turns or narrow roads. At Moreau Lake State Park, one reviewer mentions, "The road to our campsite was paved and in good shape but there were a few tight spots because of the trees that make it tricky for a big rig (Loop A seems to be the best for big-rigs)."
Hookup availability: Several campgrounds offer limited or no hookups. At Savoy Mountain State Forest Campground, an RVer reports, "There are RV sites and there is a dump station/potable water fill station available at the park entrance, but no RV hook ups of any kind."
Off-grid considerations: Cell service is inconsistent throughout the region. A Savoy Mountain visitor notes, "The park is so hard to find that not even a cell signal can get there, if you're looking to unplug this is a great spot!"
