The best places to camp near Mooers Forks, New York provide access to both the Adirondacks and Lake Champlain, with elevations ranging from 100 to 500 feet above sea level throughout the region. The area experiences distinct seasons with summer temperatures typically ranging from 60-80°F, making May through September the prime camping months. Water activities dominate the camping experience with multiple lakefront access points across northern New York and neighboring Vermont.
What to do
Kayaking and canoeing on Lake Champlain: Several campgrounds offer direct lake access for paddlers. At Burton Island State Park Campground, visitors can rent equipment on-site. "You can bike directly from here all the way to Burlington, without ever getting back in your car! Take the bike ferry across a small section of Lake Champlain and keep on riding," notes one camper who appreciated the car-free environment.
Swimming in natural water spots: Rocky beaches and natural swimming holes provide cooling options during summer months. "The south tip of the island gets more wind, and therefore waves, which my children greatly enjoyed for swimming. The northern part has shale beaches, and a few areas of mucky/pebbly beaches," reports a visitor at Burton Island.
Ferry transportation: Take advantage of the ferry systems connecting New York and Vermont. "We biked to this park from Burlington via the Island Line Trail. It was a super trip. The lakeside lean-to was awesome," reports a camper at Grand Isle State Park Campground.
What campers like
Private waterfront sites: Many campers prefer sites with direct water views. "We had a lean-to site that was just far enough from the bathroom that it felt far. I found the site to be well maintained and for the rangers to be kind and help," notes a visitor at Grand Isle State Park.
Family-friendly amenities: Playgrounds, beaches, and organized activities rate highly among reviewers. One camper at Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday shared that "the welcome center and store are so cute, sites are well maintained and everyone is super friendly. There is a secret we discovered the last day. Walk to the back of the campground to the Ausable river, go down the path about 500 ft. There is an awesome swimming hole."
Clean facilities: Bathhouses and common areas receive regular praise. At Champlain Resort Adult Campground, a visitor noted that "the facilities are cleaned daily, firewood is available, and the owners are a wealth of local knowledge and insight. This is by far the best campsite we have ever stayed at."
What you should know
Weather variability: Lake effect weather can change quickly, particularly near water. "We spent 4 nights in a 'prime' lean-to at this location on the Vermont side of Lake Champlain. This was our second time at this location, but first experience in their lean-tos, and the views, staff and cleanliness of this place did not disappoint," reports a visitor to Burton Island.
Reservation timing: Many campgrounds fill up far in advance, especially waterfront sites. "Campsites at Burton Island book far in advance. When we booked our Labor Day weekend tent site back in March, there were only 2 leantos (out of 26) left and a handful of tent sites (out of 14)," warns one camper.
Site privacy varies: Many campgrounds feature a mix of open and secluded sites. A camper at Shady Oaks Camping Resort noted that it's "mostly seasonal sites with only one overnight site that I saw. No tents allowed. There was not many people around, everything looked clean. The families in the seasonal sites were very friendly."
Tips for camping with families
Look for swimming areas with gradual entry: Rocky lake shores can be challenging for small children. One family at Grand Isle State Park reported, "What a lovely state park! We had a huge campsite that was comfortable for 3 tents and 6 adults. The restrooms/showers are vintage but clean and functional. Showers are coin operated."
Check for family programs: Some parks offer organized activities for children. A visitor to Grand Isle mentioned "a cute little beach and nature center with youth programs."
Consider noise levels: Some campgrounds specifically cater to quieter experiences. A camper at Someday Happens River Retreat noted they were "excited to have this campground on the Dyrt and ready for you to book," highlighting new options becoming available in the region.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability varies: Electric and water connections are inconsistent across the region. At Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday, a reviewer shared, "We stayed in a full hook-up site that was plenty long enough for our 45' RV and tow car. The water spigot at our site broke when I was hooking up the water which was then gushing everywhere. Staff were really prompt at coming out and shutting off the water and getting it fixed."
Site sizes and access roads: Larger rigs may face challenges at some locations. "There are two distinct sections of this campground—the 'Resort' section and the '100-Acre Woods' section. We stayed in site #73 of the 100-Acre section and would highly recommend staying in this area as opposed to the other. This section has tall shade trees and much more space between sites than the resort area," notes an RV camper at the KOA.
Consider traffic patterns: Some campgrounds experience heavy seasonal traffic. "This campground is very maintained. The campground on the mountain side has a playground, huge store, gem mining, arcade (which needs some love), hiking trails and a common area with some games. They have cabins, tent site areas, and huge wooded camper sites."
