Camping near Keeseville, New York takes you into the northern Adirondack region where elevations range from about 500 to 3,000 feet, creating varying camping conditions depending on location. The area experiences significant seasonal temperature swings, with summer highs averaging 75-80°F and winter temperatures frequently dropping below freezing. Cell coverage tends to be reliable along major routes like I-87 but can quickly deteriorate once you venture into more remote camping areas.
What to do
**Lake Champlain exploration: 3 miles east of Keeseville, Lake Champlain offers multiple water access points for kayaking, fishing, and swimming. At Apple Island Resort in nearby South Hero, VT, you'll find boat launches and kayak storage. "Across the street is a marina with rental boats/kayaks and a boat launch. We launched our paddleboard and kayak there," notes one visitor. The resort allows campers to "leave our kayak locked on a rack at the marina so we didn't have to take it back to our campsite every day."
**Hiking local trails: Within 15-20 minutes of Keeseville, several hiking paths accommodate different skill levels. A camper at Davey Falls ADK mentioned it's the "perfect location to explore eastern Adk" with "private waterfall, hiking trails" directly accessible from their secluded campsite.
**Historical sites: Fort Ticonderoga lies approximately 40 minutes south of Keeseville. A camper at Brookwood RV Resort shared that "Ft. Ticonderoga and Lake George are right around the corner" making it convenient for history enthusiasts to explore the region's Revolutionary War heritage.
What campers like
**Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain high standards for bathhouses and common areas. At Brookwood RV Resort, campers appreciate the "clean and well-kept" seasonal sites that are "largely separate from short-term campers." Another camper noted it's a "beautiful campground" with "nice quite campground" atmosphere.
**Waterfront access: Proximity to water ranks high among camper preferences. Apple Island Resort gets praised for "amazing views of lake Champlain" and its waterfront location. A visitor noted, "The views from the sites closest to the water are great," making it ideal for those seeking water views from their campsite.
**Family amenities: Pools, playgrounds, and organized activities appeal to families camping near Keeseville. At Spacious Skies Adirondack Peaks, campers enjoy kid-friendly features: "The kids loved the gem mining and train rides!! We enjoyed the water view and the staff was so nice to us!"
What you should know
**Seasonal operations: Most RV campgrounds near Keeseville close by mid-October. Brookwood RV Resort operates from "May 15-October 15," while others like Alburg RV Resort have similar seasonal limitations. A camper observed Alburg has "a big long sandy beach, a rec hall, and lots of games to play," but noted "the campground was pretty full it is well liked by all."
**Site dimensions: Sites at some campgrounds can be compact. One camper reported that at Alburg RV Resort, "the sites are tighter than we like," despite the resort having "a lot to offer." Consider requesting specific sites if you need extra space.
**Road conditions: Access roads to some campgrounds can be challenging. A visitor to Brookwood mentioned while sites were "really wooded, quiet, level, and spread out," they "got crappy cell service, and the camp wifi was spotty- but hey, we were camping, right?"
Tips for camping with families
**Pet policies vary: Check each campground's pet rules before booking. At Shady Oaks Camping Resort, pets are welcome, and the campground is "pet friendly" with "electric at each site." One visitor mentioned it has "a small pool, playground, and community of seasonal campers."
**Playgrounds and recreation: Campgrounds with built-in activities help keep children entertained. Spacious Skies Adirondack Peaks offers family-friendly amenities where "husband and I took a trip with all 3 pups and I couldn't even tell you who had more fun!! The doggos and husband absolutely loved being able to walk the beautiful trail."
**Swimming options: Pools provide supervised swimming areas safer than open water. Alburg RV Resort has "a big Rv Resort on Lake Champlain" where "the pool was packed yet felt good. The place is maintained well and very clean. There is a big playground which keeps the kids busy."
Tips from RVers
**Hookup availability: Full hookup sites with 50-amp service aren't universal. Smugglers Notch RV Village offers "a variety of different sites to fit each campers needs, a beautiful well kept bath house and a small but well stocked store. The sites are good size and come with full hookups."
**Dump station access: Not all campgrounds have on-site dump stations. Apple Island Resort provides full hookups where "the hook-ups at our site (11AD) were well-placed but the sewer pipe was high off the ground which did not let it drain even with a 'slinky.'"
**Site preferences: Request specific site types based on your needs. At Shady Oaks Camping Resort, sites are "mostly seasonal sites with only one overnight site that I saw. No tents allowed." Another RVer noted it's "great place for big rigs" with "small but clean areas with electric at each site."