Camping spots near Paradox, New York range from lakeside sites to forest-enclosed campgrounds throughout the eastern Adirondacks. The region sits at elevations between 800-1,100 feet, with the surrounding mountains reaching over 2,500 feet. Summer temperatures typically range from 50°F nights to 80°F days, while fall camping brings cooler temperatures and fewer insects.
What to Do
Floating adventures: Medcalf Acres Riverfront Campground offers tubing on the Schroon River. "We spent hours floating down the river," notes one camper who enjoyed the relaxed pace during their week-long stay.
Fort exploration: Visit Fort Ticonderoga near Brookwood RV Resort, where history comes alive with reenactors. A visitor mentioned, "Ft. Ticonderoga is a few miles to the north where you can explore history with re-enactors."
Paddling opportunities: Rent canoes and kayaks at many area campgrounds for $10-15 per day. "Putnam & North Pond are connected and the water is cool, clean and beautiful," according to a camper who spent a day exploring the connected waterways.
Hiking trails: Access numerous trails directly from campgrounds like Putnam Pond. "Running through the campground are several hiking trails and they are worth it. Heart pond and Bear pond were nice, but Rock pond on the other hand was great," reports a visitor who explored the network of connected trails.
What Campers Like
Remote island camping: Putnam Pond Campground offers unique sites on small islands. "Site roo5 is our favorite, a private island all to yourself! Roo6 is good too but a little further to row out to," shares a camper who appreciates the seclusion.
Pristine lake waters: The clarity of lakes in the region stands out to visitors. "The lake was amazingly clear! Enjoyed kayaking here," noted a camper at Paradox Lake, highlighting water quality rarely found in more developed areas.
Well-maintained facilities: Campers consistently mention the cleanliness of campgrounds. "The bathrooms were always clean, the showers were always clean and the campground as a whole was ALWAYS CLEAN," emphasized a Putnam Pond visitor who stayed for five nights.
Off-grid relaxation: Many campers appreciate the limited cell service as a feature, not a bug. "Cell phone coverage is spotty, I was getting 1-2 bars with Verizon," noted one camper, with others mentioning the chance to disconnect as a positive aspect of camping in this region.
What You Should Know
Campsite location matters: At Rogers Rock Campground, site selection greatly impacts experience. "Look carefully at the map when choosing your site. Many of them are near the main road. Sites aren't particularly level or large," advises a camper who notes the proximity to traffic.
Seasonal variations: While some campgrounds operate from mid-May through early October, others have shorter seasons. "I won't be going back in June," stated one camper at Frontier Town specifically because of aggressive insects during that time.
Road noise considerations: Several campgrounds have sites located near highways. "There was a bit of road noise but nothing major. It didn't have tons of traffic all through the night maybe a few trucks but still pretty quiet," noted a camper at Scaroon Manor.
Weekend crowds: The region sees significant differences between weekday and weekend occupancy. "This place is packed on the weekends. If you want to avoid the rush of campers, definitely try to make the trip on a weekday," recommends a Rogers Rock visitor.
Tips for Camping with Families
Beach options: Scaroon Manor Campground offers dedicated beach areas with water toys. "Beach is always clean and well kept with toys for the kids kept there on the beach for all kids to use," notes a regular visitor.
Playground access: Some campgrounds feature multiple play areas. Medcalf Acres has "a couple different playgrounds and an arcade for those rainy days," according to a camper who appreciated the bad-weather options.
Educational experiences: Combine camping with history lessons at nearby historic sites. A Crown Point visitor mentions that "walking around you can see sunrises, sunsets, boats, forts, the bridge, history," making it ideal for families interested in combining outdoor recreation with learning.
Gem mining activities: Spacious Skies Adirondack Peaks offers unique activities. "The kids loved the gem mining and train rides!!" shares an enthusiastic parent whose children particularly enjoyed these structured activities.
Tips from RVers
Site length considerations: Match your rig size to the appropriate site. "I was in site 43, it was long enough it could have fit two of the biggest RVs I have ever seen. My 75 foot starling cable did not even reach all the way back out to the road," reported a camper at Frontier Town.
Water conservation awareness: During dry periods, some campgrounds implement restrictions. "With COVID-19 restrictions this year, the bathrooms are closed to those who have facilities in their RV. There's also a drought and they're on a well, so water conservation is essential," noted a Brookwood RV Resort visitor.
Hookup variations: Not all sites offer full connections. "No full hookups. Poor cell reception," mentioned a Scaroon Manor camper, highlighting the importance of confirming what utilities are available before booking.
RV site privacy: Privacy between sites varies significantly across campgrounds. At Crown Point, a camper noted "some sites are a bit close but it was not very crowded so it didn't bother us," suggesting weekday visits might provide more buffer space between rigs.
