Camping around Lake George occurs at approximately 320 feet above sea level within the southeastern Adirondack region. Summer temperatures typically range from 50-85°F, with July and August bringing the warmest weather and occasional afternoon thunderstorms. Most pet-friendly campgrounds in the Lake George area enforce strict leash policies when dogs aren't in designated exercise areas.
What to do
Water activities on Schroon River: Lake George Riverview Campground offers direct river access with a small beach area for launching kayaks and canoes. "The river is the attraction at this Campground that provides hours of entertainment. If you are looking for a resort campground with lots of amenities this may not be the campground for you, but if you want a clean beautiful spot on a beautiful river convenient to Bolton's Landing& Lake George Village you will love it here," notes Happy Camper L.
Trolley transportation: King Phillip's Campground connects to the local trolley system for convenient access to downtown. "The trolley to Lake George picks up right outside," explains Stephanie H. This eliminates parking hassles during peak season when village parking can be scarce and expensive.
Biking on paved trails: Access the regional bike path from multiple campgrounds for car-free travel. "We road the bike path each day to and from Lake George. It was downhill on the way there and a little bit of an uphill battle on the way back but totally worth it," shares Stephanie H. from King Phillip's Campground.
Paddle sports on lake waters: Several campgrounds offer boat rentals for exploring Lake George. At Luzerne Campground, "Love being on the far side of the lake with the private beach and no motorboats allowed. Tons of bike riding options. Great little lake for kayaking and fishing," reports Dan H.
What campers like
Private, spacious campsites: Moose Hillock Camping Resorts stands out for site privacy. "The sites at this park are huge. You could have parked three RVs in our site. Added bonus is that there is nice separation between sites with trees and shrubs that block out your neighbors and provide lots of privacy," writes Nancy W.
Clean individual bathrooms: Some campgrounds feature private shower/bathroom combinations. At Lake George Riverview, "The private bathrooms were an unexpected surprise. Each bathroom was large with toilet, sink and shower! With many campers in RVs the bathroom were never busy," according to Jim B.
Designated dog exercise areas: Pet-friendly accommodations at Lake George RV Park include an exceptional dog park. "Best part- the 2 acre dog park with shaded seating for humans, bathrooms and a dog wash station," says April L. This allows pets to exercise off-leash in a secure environment while other campers enjoy pet-free spaces.
Community fire pits: Beyond individual site fire rings, some campgrounds feature shared gathering spaces. At Whippoorwill Campsites, "There are fire pits at every campsite along with a large community fire pit to socialize with and meet other campers. It's a great way to let the kids find someone to play with while being supervised," explains Mallory K.
What you should know
Seasonal restrictions: Operating dates vary significantly between campgrounds. Whippoorwill Campsites runs from May 1 to October 31, while Hearthstone Point Campground has a shorter season from May 19 to September 10. "I stayed summer of 2019 and it was the worst of my stays yet. The bathroom constantly flooded from broken toilets," warns Coleen, highlighting how facilities can deteriorate during peak season.
Road noise concerns: Some campgrounds experience traffic sound from nearby roads. At Hearthstone Point, "Friday and Saturday night there was a ton of street noise from Rt9," notes Ryan K. Request sites further from main roads when making reservations if noise sensitivity is a concern.
Varying site conditions: Sites differ dramatically between campgrounds and within the same facility. "Sites are spacious, shady, and had good separation between the neighboring sites which we enjoyed. Generators are allowed but not too many people were using them," explains Nancy W. about Moreau Lake State Park Campground.
Weekend crowding: Dog-friendly campgrounds near Lake George fill quickly during summer weekends. At Moreau Lake, "Campground and swimming area becomes very crowded, especially on holiday weekend due to proximity to I-87 and number of downstate tourists that frequent the park," cautions Robert L.
Tips for camping with families
Water play options: Moreau Lake State Park Campground offers swimming and watercraft rentals. "Great thing about this park is the hiking trails and lake so you don't even have to leave to the park to enjoy great outdoor recreation. After hiking and paddling, we loved relaxing out at our campsite with a campfire," says Nancy W.
Child-friendly site layout: Look for campgrounds designed with families in mind. At King Phillip's, "It is safe to let kids ride their bikes around the campground, go to the arcade, pool, or playground because nothing is too far away. It is a cozy campground," notes Mallory K.
Playground proximity: Choose sites near play equipment for convenient supervision. At Hearthstone Point, "This campground is well suited for families and groups if you can get campsites near each other. The amenities were nice: picnic table and fire place with grate at each site, clean bathrooms (w/ showers) nearby, water spigots," shares Jackie B.
Multi-generational activities: Some campgrounds accommodate diverse age ranges. At Moose Hillock, "We had multi-generations camping. From the great grandmother to 2 1/2 yr toddler we all enjoyed the pool. Walk in style, large, heated, slides," explains Julie E.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Many campsites require adjustment for RVs. At King Phillip's Campground, "The site pad was packed gravel and slightly unlevel. We have a 27 foot camper and was slightly difficult to maneuver into the site. If your camper sits low, chances are it will hit the road on some of the inclines," warns Cat R.
Campsite selection strategy: Larger rigs should research site dimensions before booking. At Lake George Escape Campground, "Campsites in the park are pretty inconsistent– meaning some are long and wide with good privacy but others are not. With over 400 campsites there are a lot to chose from and hard to know which is best for you unless you have been there before," advises Nancy W.
Electric hookup variations: Not all dog-friendly campgrounds offer full hookups at every site. At Hearthstone Point, "Our lakeside campsite had electric right at the site, so charging my stuff while traveling was made easy," mentions Tony F. Contact campgrounds directly about specific site amenities if hookups are required.
Dump station access: For RVers without sewer connections, check dump station availability. "If you opt for a site without sewer, they have a dump station that you can use on the way out which is what we did," explains Craig C. at Whippoorwill Campsites.
