Camping near Paris, New York primarily offers seasonal options from spring through fall, with most facilities closing by mid-October. The region sits in central New York at elevations between 500-1,200 feet, creating distinct camping environments across the Mohawk Valley and foothills of the Adirondacks. Winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing, explaining why most campgrounds operate on a May to October schedule.
What to do
Water activities on Oneida Lake: Verona Beach State Park Campground offers direct lakefront access with excellent swimming options. One camper noted, "There is a public, life-guarded beach. It is a wooded area on beautiful Oneida Lake." The park recently upgraded facilities, with another visitor mentioning they "love to hang out at the splash pad and the state recently revamped some of the playgrounds."
Gemstone hunting: Herkimer Diamond Mine KOA combines camping with unique mining opportunities. "The diamond mines are very cool also, I found some excellent diamonds!" shared one camper. This activity makes for a distinctive family experience, with the mine located directly across from the campground. Many visitors plan multi-day trips around this activity.
Tubing excursions: West Canada Creek Campground specializes in creek tubing adventures. The campground "has a tubing business on property with an upstream shuttle as well as an ice cream stand!" according to one visitor. The West Canada Creek wraps around the property, creating natural tubing routes with shuttle service available for return trips.
What campers like
Clean, modern facilities: Green Lakes State Park Campground features recently renovated amenities that campers consistently praise. "This state park campground is one of the few that offer full hook ups. The bathrooms have been remodeled and most are private with a toilet, shower and sink," one reviewer shared. Another noted the "brand new restroom facilities and playgrounds."
Spacious, well-organized sites: The Villages RV Park at Turning Stone receives high marks for thoughtful layout. "Sites are spacious, lots to do for kids, facilities are new and clean," wrote one camper. Another mentioned, "Very well thought out. All sites are full hookups (i think) and paved. Definitely geared towards the RV or trailer crowd."
Free primitive camping options: Charles E. Baker State Forest provides no-cost dispersed camping opportunities. "Beautiful forest with miles of trails. I found this spot passing through on my bike and had no problem pitching a tent in a secluded spot in the woods," reported one visitor. Access requires traveling down "a long, but well maintained, dirt road" to reach designated sites.
What you should know
Seasonal limitations: Most campgrounds in the region operate from May through mid-October. Winter camping options are extremely limited. At Delta Lake State Park Campground, the season runs "May 12 to October 9," which aligns with most parks in the region.
Reservation requirements: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially for themed weekends. At West Canada Creek Campground, "Their themed weekends and accompanying activities throughout the season are wonderful... This weekend like many others fill up nearly a year in advance. Return guests reserve their spot the following year before they even check out."
Varied site privacy levels: Glimmerglass State Park Campground offers different degrees of seclusion. "Very quiet small campground - friendly staff - large spots/mainly bigger setups," noted one camper. The campground sits near Cooperstown, making it a good base for area attractions.
Tips for camping with families
Look for organized activities: Herkimer Diamond Mine KOA offers structured programming for children. "Very beautiful campground with tons of planned activities for the kids. Outdoor pool and clean shower/bathrooms," one camper mentioned. Another added it has "a children's playground, pool, little grocery store, volleyball area."
Consider water-based recreation: Lake Chalet Motel and Campground provides swimming and fishing opportunities on a small pond. "Nice place with swimming, fishing, and other things to do. Nice people," a visitor shared. The compact size makes it easier to monitor children while they play.
Check noise levels: Delta Lake State Park Campground balances activity with quieter areas. "It got really windy at night which was nice to keep the bugs away. Friendly neighbors as well," reported one camper. Another mentioned, "There's a huge beach and locker rooms" which provides dedicated areas for kids to play.
Tips from RVers
Full hookup availability: The Villages RV Park at Turning Stone offers comprehensive services for larger rigs. "Spacious FHU sites. Pull thru and back ins," noted one RVer. Another mentioned, "We scheduled a pull through for 1 night last minute due to an unexpected change in plans... The sites were level and great size with nice spacing in between."
Site leveling considerations: Butternut Hill RV Campground has well-drained sites important for larger vehicles. "This is a small campground set up on the periphery of Butternut Hill farm which is located on the main Route 20 in Bouckville NY," explained a visitor who noted that "though the access roads got a little muddy, the campsites seem well drained and did not get muddy."
Shuttle amenities: For RVers wanting entertainment options, The Villages offers convenient transportation. "Convenient to the highway with 24 hour shuttles to the casino 5 minutes away, yet quiet and beautifully maintained," according to one camper. This feature allows RVers to leave their rig set up while exploring local attractions.
