Tent camping near Mottville, New York sits within the diverse terrain of central New York, where elevation ranges from 700 to 1,200 feet above sea level. The region experiences distinct seasonal changes with warm summers averaging 80°F and winters dropping below freezing. Most dispersed campsites remain open from April through October, though seasonal conditions can extend or limit accessibility depending on rainfall and ground conditions.
What to do
Fishing at Long Pond: Access multiple fishing spots including a handicapped accessible fishing pier near campsite 1 and a carry-in kayak access near campsite 6. "The pond is quite large compared to other area ponds, and there are three accesses for fishing: a regular boat launch with parking lot and dock, a carry-in kayak access near campsite 6, and a handicapped accessible fishing pier near campsite 1," notes a visitor to Long Pond Campground.
Kayaking at Cross Lake: Paddle the quiet waters at Cross Lake Park where waterfront access provides easy launching. "We kayaked in the lake it was a lot of fun," shares one camper from Cross Lake Park Campgrounds.
Hiking from primitive sites: Access the Onondaga Trail directly from tent sites with connections to the National North Country Scenic Trail system. At Nature Lover's Paradise, one reviewer appreciates "the tent site and the 70 acres of hiking trails" that offer extensive walking options.
Canal-side recreation: Camp near historic Erie Canal with access to canal-side paths for walking or cycling. A camper at Red's Twilight on the Erie RV Resort mentions "kayak launches and boat marina nearby" making it convenient for water activities.
What campers like
Accessible fishing platforms: Some campgrounds feature specially designed fishing access for visitors with mobility limitations. At Long Pond Campground, "a handicapped accessible fishing pier near campsite 1" provides easier water access for all anglers.
Social camping atmosphere: Certain locations offer community-oriented camping experiences where interaction with others enhances the stay. At Empire Haven Nudist Park, one visitor found "the campground is as quiet and peaceful as anyone would like, but the community enables campers the freedom to socialize and share meals whenever you want to reach beyond the family who came with you."
Natural soundscape: The pond environments create unique auditory experiences for tent campers. One camper at Spruce Pond noted, "This was a nice spot, but the animals at the pond are very active and made a lot of noise in the night."
Shade coverage: Dense tree canopy at most tent sites provides natural temperature regulation. A camper at Long Pond observed, "The camp sites I saw all seemed to be large and level spots all located beneath the tree canopy. Sites seemed disbursed enough to provide a modest level of privacy."
What you should know
Garbage management: Many primitive sites have no trash collection. At Long Pond Campground, a camper noted: "There is no water or garbage services at this site. Would rate 5 stars if it had water and a garbage dumpster."
Security considerations: Some campgrounds experience occasional issues with visitors or vandalism. One reviewer observed at Long Pond: "The other campsites nearby are not located in a distinct campground, but are strung out along the shoreline close to the highways, each with its own driveway right off the highway, which creates a lack of privacy as passersby can quite easily pop right in off the highway."
Bathroom facilities vary widely: Facilities range from seasonal port-a-potties to none at all. At Spruce Pond, a camper mentioned "Port-a-potty was available" while another noted "Toilet isn't set up yet but will once the season opens."
Campsite selection strategy: Some campgrounds have significant variability in site quality based on location. At Spruce Pond Camping Area, one visitor advised: "The first few campsites are the best the further down you go the worse the sites get for tent set up."
Tips for camping with families
Strict speed limits: Some campgrounds enforce very low speed limits to ensure child safety. At Red's Twilight, a reviewer mentioned "The speed limit is 5 MPH and they mean it.... Kids on bikes and having a good time in the enormous play area and the pool far enough from the campsites but close to the store."
Swimming access: Look for campgrounds with designated swimming areas for safer water play. One camper at Cross Lake Park Campgrounds appreciated the "access to water and swimming. Nice playgrounds."
Noise considerations: Ponds can create unexpected nocturnal sounds that might disturb light sleepers. A Spruce Pond camper warned about "loud frogs" and noted that "animals at the pond are very active and made a lot of noise in the night."
Cell service availability: Coverage varies significantly between locations. At Long Pond, one camper reported "no phone signal" while another found "T-Mobile service has been exceptional."
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Some sites require significant work to level larger vehicles. At Stoneys Pineville Campground, the terrain demands preparation for uneven ground, while a visitor to Red's Twilight noted "Almost all of the sites are not even close to level. Not a big issue with a fifth wheel but a real hassle with a motorcoach."
Solar limitations: Dense tree coverage affects solar charging capabilities. One RVer at Long Pond reported: "The trees are so thick we could not feed our solar panel."
Size restrictions: Many primitive sites accommodate only smaller RVs. A reviewer at Long Pond observed: "Most camping spots are ideal for tents or very small campers or trailers."
