Glamping options near Chaumont, New York extend beyond traditional camping with several unique accommodations situated along the northern New York waterfront. Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River create a distinctive camping environment where water activities dominate the recreational options. The region experiences brisk winds off Lake Ontario, particularly in early summer when temperature differences between land and water are greatest, requiring campers to secure loose items at campsites.
What to do
Water activities at sunrise: Many campgrounds provide direct water access for early morning adventures. At Kring Point State Park Campground, campers can experience unique rock formations for swimming. According to one visitor, "Great fishing from almost every part of this park. Two beaches to swim. Almost every campsite is on the water."
Winter preparation: For those considering off-season glamping near Chaumont, options become limited as most facilities close by mid-October. At Southwick Beach State Park Campground, a camper noted the weather challenges: "Very quiet place. Bathrooms are great- showers with nice and hot water. Down sides- lake front campsites are all on a slope- minimum flat space. Also- depending on day- EXTREMELY VERY WINDY AND COLD!"
Local exploration: The small towns surrounding Chaumont offer interesting day trip options. One camper at Swan Bay Resort mentioned, "Within an hours drive of lots of cute, small river towns with tons of ambiance. Water sport potential was huge if you have your own watercraft (boats, jet ski, kayaking, etc). Many state parks and historical areas as well."
What campers like
Private bathroom facilities: Several glamping locations near Chaumont feature individual bathroom units. A visitor to Burnham Point State Park Campground mentioned, "Very clean bathrooms. Electric site with water. Very relax on the rules. Small but quite."
Unique camping options: Beyond standard glamping sites, some locations offer specialized accommodations. A camper at Long Point State Park Campground shared, "The campground has some of the best amenities we have seen in a state park. Personal toilet, shower & sink are contained within separate rooms within the amenity block, perfect for couples and young families."
Seasonal differences: The area changes dramatically between peak and off-peak seasons. A visitor to Southwick Beach noted, "Good hot showers. Friendly staff. Is currently in a construction zone and is experiencing flooding and dune erosion. The natural beauty still shines through these."
What you should know
Site characteristics: Many glamping sites have specific terrain features to consider. At Long Point State Park, a camper reported, "We arrived at Long Point to find out that the site is very wet. Gave us option on that site or 2 others. Took a different site and buried our class c up to rear axel."
Reservation challenges: Popular glamping spots fill quickly. A Kring Point visitor explained, "Hard to get into because people book far in advance," while another noted, "We've camped here every year but it's getting difficult to get in here... It's beautiful park. Goose bay on one side St Lawrence River on other."
Weather preparation: The location on major bodies of water creates specific conditions. At Sun Outdoors Association Island, a camper warned, "One HUGE downfall was the amount of BUGS! Millions (not exaggerating) of midges and mayflies swarming the grounds from Lake Ontario. Be prepared to deal with this as we were not and had to vacuum inside the RV every night for about an hour."
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Family-friendly glamping includes organized recreation options. At Yogi Bears Jellystone Park Camp Resort, a visitor highlighted, "This is a great place to stay if you have children. The kids had a blast playing the the river, heck the adults had fun too. Camp sites were good size and easy to access."
Loop selection: Choosing the right campground section affects your experience. At Selkirk Shores, a camper advised, "This campground is 4 different loops- A loop is like the loop for people here for fishing, B loop is the mellower crowd, and C and D were our nightmares: mass chaos, children running amok, loud groups, no thanks."
Water safety considerations: Waterfront glamping requires extra attention with children. A visitor to Burnham Point noted, "Beautiful view of the river. Easy access to swim in the water. Plenty of tree to hang your hammock."
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: RV glampers should verify space requirements. At Swan Bay Resort, a visitor detailed their experience: "Our site (#38) was a Passport America site so we got a great nightly rate of $42 which is half of the regular nightly rate. Our site was a 'standard site' near the pool, boat launch, activities, and Tiki Bar."
Wind protection: Lake effect winds can impact RV setups. At Sun Outdoors Association Island, one camper shared, "Loved the access to the water for our dogs to swim and for beautiful views. Our site backed up to the water and although it was windy they thought ahead and built the fire pit up to block it."
Location benefits: Proximity to amenities varies significantly between glamping sites. A visitor to 1000 Islands Campground observed, "Extremely clean, well run and has the most options for all kinds of camping. The grounds are spotless, as are the bathrooms and showers. The campground is conveniently located near many of the attractions."
