Primitive and rustic camping options flourish in the southern Adirondack foothills near Mayfield, New York, situated at approximately 750 feet elevation with temperatures averaging 10-15 degrees cooler than nearby cities. The region features numerous public campgrounds and private sites offering tent spaces, RV hookups, and glamping accommodations along Piseco Lake, Moreau Lake, and the Sacandaga Reservoir. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing from December through March, making seasonal availability an important consideration for campers.
What to do
Hiking to Echo Cliffs: Visitors at Little Sandpoint Campground can access the Echo Cliffs trail directly from their sites. One camper noted, "Quiet small campground with a lot of waterfront sites. Hike to Echo Cliffs right from the campground."
Winter recreation: Frosty Acres Campground offers year-round options for cold weather enthusiasts. A camper shared their winter experience: "You'll have the entire mountain side all to yourself! Snowshoe, cross country ski. Winter campfires. Owners Mike and Sherri are great."
Gem hunting: The Herkimer Diamond Mine KOA combines camping with a unique mining experience. A visitor explained, "The mines are so much fun... This was part of our gemstone trip which including sluicing, diamond mining, visiting the gemstone museum, then we stopped at Howe Caverns on the way home."
Water activities: Multiple campgrounds offer swimming, boating and fishing opportunities. At Alpine Lake RV Resort, "There were plenty of activities to keep me entertained — from relaxing by the lake and enjoying the hiking trails to spending time at the recreation areas."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: DevilDoc Campsites receives high marks for its secluded spaces. A reviewer mentioned, "The campsites themselves are huge - this isn't a state park site where you're smushed on top of your neighbor. There are all types of campsites available for various camping styles; not all are adjacent to the pond."
Clean facilities: Lake George RV Park maintains exceptionally clean facilities. A camper stated: "The campground is so clean and nice! Perfect for the dogs with best dog park I ever saw. Pools and hot tubs extremely clean and the grounds looked more like a hotel resort than campground."
Natural water features: Several campgrounds feature swimming lakes and streams. A camper at Herkimer Diamond Mine KOA described, "The creek is AMAZING. Both kid and adult friendly... Lazy river flow with some faster spots, truly a perfect way to spend the days in the sun, hawks flying overhead and refreshingly cool and shallow water."
Well-maintained sites: Campers appreciate the care taken at many campgrounds. At Moreau Lake State Park, "Nicely treed sites and cabins with a pretty lake. Hiking, biking, swimming, boat/canoe/paddleboard rentals. No hookups but does have dump station."
What you should know
Seasonal variations: Some locations operate limited schedules or have varying amenities by season. At Caroga Lake Campground, a visitor noted, "For us, a drawback was a lack of any hikes connecting to the campsite."
Crowds at popular sites: Some locations get very busy, especially on weekends. A Moreau Lake State Park camper mentioned, "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."
Site slope challenges: Some campgrounds have uneven terrain. At Caroga Lake, a camper reported, "Site F-90 - there is a slope on the site with limited privacy. I suggest avoiding this site but there are quite a few other sites that looked nice and a stream flowing through."
Water limitations: DevilDoc Campsites has some utility constraints. A camper noted, "Only con was that they were limited on water so could not dump tanks during our stay, had to travel to another place, a little hassle."
Tips for camping with families
Look for on-site activities: Glimmerglass State Park offers multiple recreation options for families. A camper shared, "The sites are a great size for accommodating two tents and have many people gather at meals. The beach, trail to historic house, boating, fishing, and Cooperstown nearby keep everyone in the group entertained."
Consider noise levels: Some campgrounds are quieter than others. At Caroga Lake Campground, a camper warned, "This campground was incredibly noisy. A number of the sites had been closed for the camping season. The beach area offered a great view, but again, so noisy."
Check for special facilities: Various campgrounds have unique kid-friendly amenities. At Herkimer Diamond Mine KOA, a visitor appreciated the "children's playground, pool, little grocery store, volleyball area, and of course, the Herkimer Diamond Mine and restaurant, right across the street."
Find guided activities: Some locations offer scheduled events. Lake George RV Park features "free shows every night at the playhouse kids loved. Animal shows kept daytime events going strong. Water park was great, kids spent all day there."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for large rigs: Not all campgrounds accommodate bigger RVs. An RVer at Moreau Lake State Park explained, "The road to our campsite was paved and in good shape but there were a few tight spots because of the trees that make it tricky for a big rig (Loop A seems to be the best for big-rigs)."
Water and power hookups: Facility options vary between locations. A camper at Glimmerglass State Park mentioned, "Water available and electric. The lake is pristine and wonderful to swim in."
Consider site placement: At Lake George Escape, "Our site was fine and large enough to accommodate our RV and tow car but some campsites were pretty small and would not fit large RVs. Roads in the park are confusing because none are parallel or perpendicular."
Leveling requirements: Some sites require additional equipment. A visitor to Alpine Lake RV Resort advised, "Booked an 'Elite 50amp' site but had no realistic map to go by. Many of these types of sites are parallel to the water, but the map makes them look like back in sites."
