Campgrounds near Massena, New York sit along the St. Lawrence River on the US-Canadian border, with most sites positioned at elevations between 200-300 feet above sea level. The region experiences warm summers with average July temperatures around 80°F and cold winters that typically limit camping seasons to May through October. Local campgrounds feature both wooded sites with shade and open riverfront locations offering water access.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: The St. Lawrence River and connecting waterways provide excellent fishing near Eel Weir State Park Campground. "I love how it has great fishing and nice camp sites even let's you bring a boat nice clean showers and bathroom can easily find firewood near by as well," notes one camper. The park is known for its river access and multiple fishing spots.
Water recreation: Swimming and paddling are popular at Jacques Cartier State Park Campground with its protected cove location. "Everyone swims, kayaks, and paddle boards off their sites," explains one regular visitor who adds, "There's a great guarded beach if you have young ones with a newer playground right next to it." The park offers both riverside camping and beach access.
Visit Eisenhower Locks: From Barnhart Island Camping Area, take a short drive to watch massive ships navigate the St. Lawrence Seaway locks. A visitor notes it's "Really fascinating! I have read that Verizon has good service there but my AT&T service was not good and kept bouncing off Canadian towers so be careful!" The locks operate year-round but summer offers the most consistent ship traffic.
What campers like
Private waterfront access: Campers frequently mention the peaceful shoreline sites at several campgrounds. At Higley Flow, one camper shared: "Water views, cheap good firewood, big private sites and brand new bathhouses." Sites directly on the water typically book fastest, especially during July and August.
Peaceful environment: The quiet setting appeals to many visitors at Meacham Lake Campground. "Very peaceful, well managed and very well upkept!" notes one reviewer. Another adds, "It's split into 2 sides. The west side is way cooler, less bugs and more views. The east side is RV/camper heaven."
Family-friendly activities: Pine Ridge Park Campsite organizes regular events for children throughout the summer. A seasonal camper shared, "The whole time they are open they have activities planned for the kids all summer long. The staff is always smiling and welcoming you into the campground." Another noted, "Many different theme nights" are available for families.
What you should know
Campground differences: Many parks in the region have distinct camping areas that differ significantly. At Pine Ridge Park Campsite, "Everyone is so friendly and welcoming. Fun events almost all summer, from a tail gate party to a end of school party for the kiddos. A very fast varsity of activites for all ages." The campground maintains a strong reputation for organized activities.
Cell service limitations: Many campgrounds in the area have limited connectivity. One Meacham Lake camper reports, "There is no cell or internet there," while AT&T users might experience issues with signals bouncing to Canadian towers, potentially triggering international roaming charges.
Site conditions vary: Terrain and site quality can differ dramatically even within the same campground. At Meacham Lake, a camper advised, "Avoid 188... we camped on site 188 for 3 nights and really enjoyed having our own private 'beach,' however, we it was extremely boggy! The campground had put down sheets of plywood to help, but still the ground was so soggy."
Tips for camping with families
Look for designated swim areas: Jacques Cartier State Park features "a great guarded beach if you have young ones with a newer playground right next to it." The combination of supervised swimming and play equipment makes this park particularly suitable for families with children of different ages.
Choose campgrounds with planned activities: Many families appreciate the structured events at local campgrounds. One visitor to Pine Ridge Park commented, "My family started camping at Pine ridge in 2018 as seasonal campers because we had heard all the great reviews. So if anyone has been thinking about it stop thinking and just do it! It's an amazing family oriented campground."
Consider noise levels: Some campgrounds have quiet and more active sections. At Meacham Lake, "One side of the lake is a bit crowded and can get rowdy. This side has flush toilets and showers. There are waterfront sites here. The other side of the campground is completely different, and a bit hidden... No flush toilets or showers, simply outhouses at each site."
Tips from RVers
RV site selection: For RV sites near Massena, New York, consider specific loops and campground sections. At Meacham Lake, "The east side is RV/camper heaven" with better access for larger vehicles and more open sites compared to the wooded west side.
Electric options: Most campgrounds offer varying electric service. Higley Flow has "3 loops with electric" as one camper noted: "First booked a site without electric. YES THEY HAVE 3 loops with electric. While driving there I took a peak online to find that they had one site that had come available with electric."
Site leveling considerations: RVers should check site grading before booking. At Jacques Cartier, sites are "large and wooded, most all paved (not always very level!)" requiring leveling blocks at many locations. Riverside sites may offer better views but sometimes have more significant slopes.
