Camping opportunities around Harrisville, New York center on the western Adirondack region's dense forests and interconnected waterways. Located at approximately 1,400 feet elevation, this area experiences distinct four-season weather patterns with heavy snowfall from November through April. Fishing access points and hiking trails connect many camping sites, providing paths to local swimming spots during summer months.
What to do
Hiking from camp: Green Pond in Bonaparte State Forest connects to several moderate trails. "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!" reports Amandalynn P.
Water activities: Payne Lake Dispersed Site offers public water access for small watercraft. "Public access boat ramp with limited parking available on both sides. No amenities on-site. Beautiful views, peaceful and quiet," notes Mona M.
Tennis and swimming: Birch's Lakeside Campground provides access to tennis courts and public beach within walking distance. "Lots to do here between the lake and public beach/tennis courts within walking distance. Star gazing is FANTASTIC!" writes Paul B.
Astronomy opportunities: Most remote sites offer superior night sky viewing due to minimal light pollution. Rachel P. from Birch's Lakeside notes: "We met some regulars and some passer through-ers, loved the community here!"
What campers like
Water-based relaxation: Wellesley Island State Park campers appreciate shoreline access. "We stayed at site Bluejay 3. Very spacious and private. 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," writes Erin B.
Wildlife viewing: Small islands at remote sites offer chances to spot local wildlife. Kane reports about Stillwater: "I came here a couple days ago only to realize that all except one campsite needs a boat to be reached."
Seclusion from technology: Many campers value the digital break at remote sites. "My wife and I kayaked to Long Island and stayed for a weekend. It was quiet and had the whole island to our self. Would recommend if you want to break away from technology because you get zero service out there," writes sam T. about Stillwater.
Easy fishing access: Shoreline camping allows direct fishing access. "There's boat access for canoes and kayaks as this is part of the Beaver River route," explains Elizabeth B. from Soft Maple Campground.
What you should know
Dispersed site limitations: Many remote sites require boats for access. At Stillwater Reservoir, "all except one campsite needs a boat to be reached. It's first come first serve so best to find another place if you intend to drive up to your campsite," writes Kane.
Reservation systems vary: Some sites require advance booking while others operate first-come, first-served. At Soft Maple, Elizabeth B. notes: "Only about a dozen sites or so, first come first serve. Level sites for RVs or tent or hammock camping."
Cell service gaps: Connectivity varies widely across the region. Mona M. reports from Payne Lake: "I'm getting two bars of Verizon signal with the help of a WeBoost."
Seasonal variations: Campgrounds have different operating seasons. Wellesley Island State Park operates from "May 6 to October 10," while others close earlier in fall.
Tips for camping with families
Seek campgrounds with activities: Natural Bridge/Watertown KOA offers family amenities. "The sites are small, but there are mature trees between them & woodsy areas around the campsites. The campground is clean and well kept," notes Liz M.
Check beach quality: Soft Maple gets high marks for family swimming areas. "The beach is lovely and clean. There's boat access for canoes and kayaks," according to Elizabeth B.
Consider accessibility needs: Not all sites accommodate mobility issues. Liz M. notes about Natural Bridge/Watertown KOA: "The facilities are not wheelchair accessible. The owners said that they are working on that."
Wildlife encounters: Prepare children for possible wildlife sightings. Joseph S. mentions Stillwater as "a wonderful place to 'get lost' (voluntarily at least)!"
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: Cranberry Lake Campground offers varied site sizes. Rebecca D. advises: "First thing about Cranberry Lake: the staff are wonderful. Our site was on the uphill slope so we had some road noise due to that."
Dump station access: Check facilities before arrival. Rebecca D. adds: "Brand new sewer dump area for folks who need it."
Shower facilities: Some campgrounds have central shower houses requiring drives. "There is a shower house which is great but be ready to drive to it, as I said the campground is bigger than expected!" reports Rebecca D. about Cranberry Lake.
Camp store proximity: Birch's Lakeside gets high marks for convenience. Tami W. notes: "The staff at the store (which has everything you could ever want) was fantastic."
Legend
