The Adirondack foothills around Northville sit at elevations between 700-1,500 feet, creating a diverse landscape of woods, lakes, and gentle mountains. Summer temperatures typically range from 55-80°F, while spring and fall camping seasons can see overnight lows dip into the 40s. Most camping areas near Northville remain open from mid-May through mid-October, with peak crowds in July and August.
What to do
Hiking Echo Cliffs: Little Sandpoint Campground offers direct trail access to Echo Cliffs with panoramic views of Piseco Lake. "Hiking is also available directly from the campground and connects to nearby trails, leading wherever your heart desires, from treks to the lakes nearby to one that even goes all through the Adirondacks," notes a camper at DevilDoc Campsites.
Paddling and boating: Multiple lakes provide paddling opportunities with boat rentals available. At Little Sandpoint Campground, "they rent out kayaks for $20 for 24 hours which in my opinion is a total steal," reports one visitor who explored Piseco Lake.
Biking: The region offers both mountain biking and paved trails. "The PeckHill state forest is close by for mountain biking. You can park at the trailhead on CR 101, or at Stump City brewing, to ride the trails," shares a camper. A visitor to King Phillip's noted, "We road the bike path each day to and from Lake George. It was downhill on the way there and a little bit of an uphill battle on the way back but totally worth it!"
Stargazing: Minimal light pollution makes for excellent night sky viewing, particularly at more remote sites like DevilDoc Campsites. "You'll fall asleep to the sounds of bull frogs, oh and the star gazing is pretty darn nice as well!" according to one visitor.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Unlike many campgrounds, DevilDoc offers significant space between camping areas. "The campsites themselves are huge - this isn't a state park site where you're smushed on top of your neighbor," explains one reviewer. Similarly, Moose Hillock Camping Resorts receives praise for its "huge sites, love the privacy! Each site is gigantic and well thought out and can easily say there is not a bad site in the place."
Clean facilities: Moreau Lake State Park Campground maintains well-kept amenities. "Bathrooms and Showers are clean. Over 20 miles in hiking trails, this is one of the nicest parks, I've visited," notes a recent camper. Other visitors appreciate "relatively modern but still basic, nice and clean" facilities.
Helpful local hosts: Many campground operators provide valuable local insights. At DevilDoc, "Rich is the owner and he's an absolute riot. A dude with an obvious zeal for life, his mission for this campground is to share this truly beautiful place he's lucky to call home." Another visitor found the "host is super nice and answered any questions I had about staying/getting there."
Natural water features: Ponds, lakes, and streams enhance many campsites. At Caroga Lake Campground, visitors appreciate "a stream flowing through" many sites. DevilDoc features an "Artesian fed pond" that serves as a focal point for camping activities.
What you should know
Booking timing: Many campgrounds have limited availability during peak season. At Caroga Lake Campground, "we spent a relatively quiet long weekend here on loop F 97, which is a bit removed from the main campground. It was a bit noisy on Saturday night but nothing disturbing."
Site selection matters: Research specific site numbers before booking. "Getting the right site here is key. Some have room, privacy, and trees. Others are close together, and out in the open," advises a camper at King Phillip's Campground.
Seasonal variations: Spring brings more mosquitoes while fall offers cooler temperatures. "Since we camped in May, there were quite a few bugs. Mostly mosquitos that were quite pesky but I'm guessing they may die down in the season," notes one visitor.
Primitive vs. developed options: Sites range from basic to fully-equipped. DevilDoc offers more rustic experiences: "Primitive dispersed camping is what you get, and EXACTLY what we wanted. We had the entire campground and the small Artesian fed pond to ourselves until our last night when other campers arrived."
Tips for camping with families
Water activities: Lake George RV Park features extensive water recreation. "Water park was great, kids spent all day there. Arcades and game rooms are great for rainy days. Indoor pool too!" reports one family. Others mention "pools and hot tubs extremely clean and the grounds looked more like a hotel resort than campground."
Kid-friendly amenities: Some campgrounds offer specific children's programming. "They have movies, dances and even some kayaking, padding, ect. They have these dinos scattered throughout the park and also a few pools," notes a visitor to Alpine Lake RV Resort.
Level terrain for beginners: When glamping near Northville, New York with children, consider site accessibility. "Site F-90 - there is a slope on the site with limited privacy. I suggest avoiding this site," advises a Caroga Lake visitor, while others recommend waterfront sites that are "peaceful and quite."
Playgrounds and activities: Many campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. King Phillip's Campground has a "tent site right near the playground. Pool, arcade, a short trolley ride to downtown lake George. It was a great stay and the kids loved it."
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions and access: Some campgrounds have limited space for larger vehicles. At King Phillip's Campground, "The site pad was packed gravel and slightly unlevel. We have a 27 foot camper and was slightly difficult to maneuver into the site. If your camper sits low, chances are it will hit the road on some of the inclines."
Hookup locations: Position matters for efficient connections. "The sewer hook-up was very weird and at an angle that was hard to secure my hose to. Instead of flowing down into the ground, it was at 45 degrees and took a big rock for me to secure it," notes one RVer.
Road conditions: Internal campground roads vary in quality. At Moreau Lake State Park, "Loop A seems to be the best for big-rigs" while other areas have "a few tight spots because of the trees that make it tricky for a big rig."
Leveling needs: Bring appropriate equipment for uneven sites. "Some campsites were pretty small and would not fit large RVs. Roads in the park are confusing because none are parallel or perpendicular so we had to go slow just to make sure we didn't miss a turn in the RV," advises a visitor to Lake George Escape Campground.
