Middle Grove sits at the edge of the Adirondack foothills in New York, with elevations ranging from 800 to 1,000 feet. The camping season typically begins in May with average temperatures between 45-65°F and extends through October when temperatures drop to 35-55°F. Sites in this region often feature mixed hardwood forests with maple, oak, and pine trees that provide natural shade during summer months.
What to do
Swimming and water recreation: Moreau Lake State Park Campground provides a sandy beach with lifeguard hours during peak season. "Nice sandy beach with lifeguard hours. Facilities are relatively modern but still basic, nice and clean. Most sites aren't right along the lake but it's still so close," notes Amber A. from Moreau Lake State Park Campground.
Paddling opportunities: Great Sacandaga Lake offers extensive kayaking and canoeing options with minimal motorized traffic in certain areas. "Large sites on huge lake perfect for kayaking. Few bugs," reports Dr. Angie M. from Northampton Beach Campground.
Hiking trails: The region features numerous trail systems for all skill levels. "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," explains Nancy W. who visited Moreau Lake State Park Campground.
Horseback riding: Some campgrounds accommodate equestrian campers with specialized facilities. "The only campground in all of New York that acquires to house back riders. There are campsites that also come with stalls for your horse!" states Brittnay B. about Luzerne Campground.
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: Many campgrounds in the area offer well-separated campsites. "I love the spacious campsites. It's very woodsy between sites, so it seems very private," writes Michi P. about Moreau Lake State Park Campground.
Clean facilities: Consistently mentioned in reviews is the cleanliness of bathrooms and shower facilities. "It's clean, there are lake side sites available. Swimming, boating, kayaking all easy from their ramp and beach," shares Sue B. about Northampton Beach Campground.
Proximity to attractions: Campgrounds near Middle Grove offer convenient access to popular destinations. "This campground is close to the highway between Albany and the Adirondacks. There's a nice big lake and the Hudson River. Many campsites are near the lake," notes Harry H. who stayed at Moreau Lake State Park Campground.
Local amenities: Small stores and shops near campgrounds provide convenient access to supplies. "Also, the little mom and pop store across the street is perfect for last minute needs and have the best homemade chocolate cream pie," mentions Antoinette W. about Luzerne Campground.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Sites fill quickly during peak season, especially water-accessible ones. "There are so many really nice sites at this campground. A lot of water sites that are very spacious with a beautiful view," explains Alyssa C. from Northampton Beach Campground.
Weather fluctuations: Even summer nights can be cool at higher elevations. "Nice state campground, very clean, nice staff. 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. about Moreau Lake State Park Campground.
Facility limitations: While most campgrounds offer basic amenities, some have maintenance issues. "The bathrooms were pretty awful though. The showers were broken and there was no hot water the entire 5 days we were there," reports Alyssa C. from Northampton Beach Campground.
Late season water levels: Lake water levels can change significantly throughout the season. "Great facilities, and friendly staff. MANY campsites with lakeside access, although do pay attention to the time of year as the water level can drop considerably over the summer," advises Robert L. about Luzerne Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Beach access sites: For families with children, waterfront sites offer convenient recreation. "We had a nice secluded site for our van. Off grid but with good sun for solar. Matt, the host, is so nice and made sure we had everything we needed," says Jen J. about Rustic Barn Campground.
Recreational activities: Look for campgrounds with organized activities and playgrounds. "Nice playground and beach, volleyball. Would recommend," shares Matthew L. about Moreau Lake State Park Campground.
Swimming options: Multiple swimming areas exist throughout the region, both lakes and pools. "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," reports Michael C. about Lake George RV Park.
Family-friendly campgrounds: Some locations specifically cater to families with children. "We have been going to this campground for almost 15 years and my husband went here as a kid with his family. We always get the same site, for 15 years. My daughter loves it here," says Antoinette W. about Luzerne Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site access considerations: Some campgrounds have tight turns or narrow roads. "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)," advises Nancy W. about Moreau Lake State Park Campground.
Hookup availability: Full-service sites are limited in some areas. "Lots of nice amenities like showers, toilets, water fill stations, recycling stations, etc. Also full, power, and tent-only style sites make this a very versatile campground," explains Daniel B. about Northampton Beach Campground.
Site leveling: Be prepared for uneven terrain at some of the best places to camp near Middle Grove. "Fantastic stay! There is a trolley to get around the camp ground as well as to the local outlets. Fun family activities and quite a few pools to relax in. Sites are decent size, but be sure to bring boards to level your trailer for some sites are quite uneven!" warns Michelle D. about Lake George RV Park.
Seasonal considerations: Many RV sites transition to seasonal rentals over time. "Large sites, shady, and had good separation between the neighboring sites which we enjoyed. Generators are allowed but not too many people were using them," notes Nancy W. who stayed at Moreau Lake State Park Campground.