Cabin camping in the Massena area offers varied terrain along the St. Lawrence River, with sandy beaches and forested sites throughout the region. Temperatures range from summer highs around 80°F to evening lows near 50°F during prime camping season. Waterfront sites are particularly popular between June and August when river temperatures are most comfortable for swimming.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Eel Weir State Park Campground, the Oswegatchie River provides excellent fishing conditions. According to one camper, "you can hear the clip clip of horses from the Amish buggys on the road across the river" while fishing from your campsite. The park maintains 30+ sites with several directly on the water.
Boat rentals: Rollins Pond Campground offers kayak and canoe rentals from their boathouse (note: typically opens in June/July). A visitor notes, "Not super spread out but was definitely a beautiful spot. Near fish creek. We loved riding bikes, ice cream truck every night. Ice and firewood available. Close store for goods. Kayaking was wonderful."
Wildlife viewing: Several campgrounds feature abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. One camper at Rollins Pond mentioned, "WE love staying at Rollins Pond in a tent! Our family always meet friendly people and falling asleep to loons is priceless! We always have wildlife at our site. This past trip we had chipmunks, squirrels, ducks, and a crane."
Ship watching: Several campgrounds provide views of large vessels. A visitor to Coles Creek stated, "This campground is fun! It's huge and flat and sits on the St. Lawrence Seaway! You get to see ships sail by! It's beautiful and quiet too!"
What campers like
Lakefront accommodations: Meacham Lake Campground features two distinct camping areas with differing experiences. According to a visitor, "It's split into 2 sides. The west side is way cooler, less bugs and more views. The east side is RV/camper heaven." Another camper added, "Love this campground, nice big spots, I was on the water which made my trip."
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained facilities. At Jacques Cartier State Park Campground, visitors appreciate that "Jacques Cartier State Park is a model which most parks should follow. The park is unbelievably well kept. The sites are large with some located with waterfront (St. Lawrence River)."
Quiet atmosphere: Many campgrounds in the area provide peaceful settings. A camper at Robert Moses noted, "This park is usually busy all year round. Good for kids, has people come through during the night to quiet camps down. Very nicely kept and clean."
Yurt camping options: While traditional cabins dominate the Massena, New York area, yurt camping is available at select locations. Adirondack Adventure Base offers yurt accommodations for those seeking alternative shelter options near Massena, New York.
What you should know
Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds operate from May through September. Coles Creek runs from May 13 to September 10, while Buck Pond operates May 19 to September 4. Weather can vary significantly during shoulder seasons.
Reservation requirements: Popular waterfront sites fill quickly. A camper at Coles Creek State Park Campground shared, "There are some waterfront sites that are beautiful but we have been unable to get them because they are highly sought after. We always get stuck in the sites that are in the middle of the field."
Variable campground layouts: Site privacy varies significantly between campgrounds. One camper at Coles Creek noted, "sites are tightly packed and a lot is in open areas where you're camping with all of your neighbors." For greater privacy, Meacham Lake's west side offers more secluded options.
Limited connectivity: Cell service and internet access can be limited. A Meacham Lake camper mentioned, "There is no cell or internet there," making it ideal for those wanting to disconnect.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Riverside Campground received praise for its family-friendly facilities. One camper noted, "Some of the nicest people we have met yet. Helpful and accommodating. Lots of improvements over the last year they said, and it is really nice and clean! New bathrooms and laundry center."
Biking opportunities: Many campgrounds feature bicycle-friendly roads. As one Rollins Pond visitor shared, "We loved riding bikes, ice cream truck every night." Several campgrounds have designated biking areas with minimal traffic.
Swimming options: Jacques Cartier offers supervised swimming. A visitor noted, "There's a great guarded beach if you have young ones with a newer playground right next to it." Water temperatures typically reach their warmest in late July through mid-August.
Wildlife education: Children often enjoy the abundant wildlife. A Rollins Pond camper shared, "Our family always meet friendly people and falling asleep to loons is priceless! We always have wildlife at our site. This past trip we had chipmunks, squirrels, ducks, and a crane."
Tips from RVers
Site access considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging terrain for larger RVs. A camper at Buck Pond Campground noted, "Some sites do have an uphill driveway lined with trees. If you have an RV, looking at the site on ReserveAmerica.com might be the way to go."
Electrical availability: Power options vary widely. The same Buck Pond visitor shared, "We didn't see any sites with electricity and there is one outlet in the bathroom area (I plugged my coffee percolator into this outlet every morning)."
Dump station information: Several campgrounds including Coles Creek and Meacham Lake offer dump stations, but not all do. Jacques Cartier provides electric sites but many are "dry camping" only. As one visitor noted, "About half the sites have electric and the balance are dry."
Site selection strategy: For optimal RV camping, research site specifics before booking. A Jacques Cartier visitor recommended, "We book early so we can get a water front site," noting that waterfront sites accommodate RVs but fill quickly.
