RV parks near Owls Head, New York sit within the northern Adirondack region, with an average elevation of 1,500 feet and temperatures that can drop below freezing even in summer months. Most campgrounds in this area operate seasonally, typically closing by mid-October due to harsh winter conditions. The region features a mix of forested and waterfront camping options within driving distance of the Canadian border.
What to do
Lake activities: 10-15 minute drive from Shady Oaks Camping Resort to nearby Lake Champlain for fishing, swimming and boating. "This ground was very quiet. Mostly seasonal sites with only one overnight site that I saw. There is also a small pool, play ground and a picnic table and hook ups from the sites."
Golfing: On-site par-3 course available at Apple Island Resort for an additional fee. "They have a 9-hole par-3 golf course with putting green," notes a visitor, while another mentions "My husband enjoyed his time at the golf course."
Hiking: Multiple trail options within 30 minutes of most RV parks. One visitor at Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA noted, "Behind the 100-Acre section are trails that lead to Whiteface Mountain so you don't have to get in the car to start a hike. My dog loved running through the woods and there were a couple of small streams where she could get a drink of water."
What campers like
Community atmosphere: Many RV parks near Owls Head host regular activities. A Pine Ridge Park Campsite visitor shared, "A very fast varsity of activites for all ages" and another mentioned "Fun events almost all summer, from a tail gate party to a end of school party for the kiddos."
Local food options: Farm stands and markets within short driving distance of most campgrounds. A camper at Babbling Brook RV Park noted it's "Located near river," providing a "paradise" setting for relaxation after visiting local markets.
Organized recreation: Scheduled events provide entertainment options. "The campground is nice. The people are friendly. We stayed there the last week of the season so things were very quiet," shared an Apple Island Resort visitor, while another noted its "Ex check in and plenty of amenities."
What you should know
Site spacing varies significantly: Some campgrounds offer more privacy than others. At Apple Island Resort, a camper observed "Most campsites are in the open with a lack of shade or privacy. If you visit in the summer you may want to make sure your patio is on the shaded site."
Reservation timing: Peak foliage season (September-October) requires booking 3-6 months in advance. Summer weekends fill quickly at Iroquois Campground & RV Park, where a visitor noted it's "Nice campground near Plattsburgh. Sites somewhat small and tight but there are some larger sites. Staff very friendly, under new ownership, lots of seasonal sites and folks, fun activities."
Facilities maintenance: Quality varies between RV parks. "Wifi at campsite was inconsistent and unreliable. Had to work from rec center and pool which was ok but not what we were told," reported one Iroquois Campground visitor.
Location-specific weather: Northern New York experiences significant temperature fluctuations. "Weather was cool and rainy the first two days. Friday was beautiful," shared one Apple Island Resort camper about early summer conditions.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Many campgrounds offer dedicated children's programming. Pine Ridge Park receives high marks from families, with one visitor sharing: "This campground has the best staff you can find in northern New York. The whole time they are open they have activities planned for the kids all summer long."
Playground access: Several RV parks include play equipment. At Shady Oaks, there's "a small pool, play ground and a picnic table and hook ups from the sites," according to a visitor.
Reading nooks: Some campgrounds provide book exchanges or lending libraries. A Pine Ridge Park camper noted, "If your kids like to read. There is place they can find a book and read a book."
Pool facilities: Several Owls Head area RV parks offer swimming pools with varying schedules. At Apple Island Resort, "The pool opens at 9am for adult lap swims for an hour which we took advantage of daily. It was crowded with four of us trying to swim laps and people trying to do water aerobics."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Choose locations based on shade needs and hookup requirements. One Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday visitor advised, "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 shad trees and much more space between sites than the resort area."
Navigation challenges: Access roads to several RV parks Owls Head require careful driving. "One thing we noticed was that all the campers were clustered together while they could have been spaced out so there was an empty site between us and our neighbors," noted a KOA visitor.
Hookup positioning: Setup may require adaptations at some locations. An Apple Island camper pointed out that "the hook-ups at our site were well-placed but the sewer pipe was high off the ground which did not let it drain even with a 'slinky.'"
Seasonal considerations: Water access varies significantly by season. A visitor to Iron City RV Park, located further from Owls Head, mentioned it's "Located far out in nature, the views are breathtaking. Owner was really nice and helpful."
