Peru, New York sits along the western shores of Lake Champlain at 340 feet elevation in the Adirondack foothills. The shoreline area experiences mild summer temperatures averaging 75-80°F during peak camping season, with cooler evenings in the 55-60°F range. The region's lakeside campgrounds typically fill up 2-3 weeks in advance during July and August when water temperatures reach comfortable swimming levels.
What to do
Kayaking the AuSable River: Access points near AuSable Chasm Campground provide excellent paddling opportunities with varying difficulty levels. "We rented kayaks and a canoe from down the road Adirondack River rentals and they delivered and picked up from our site," notes one Ausable Point camper.
Biking trail networks: The region offers extensive cycling opportunities with interconnected paths. "Bring your bikes! You're tucked away in the woods on gorgeous lake champlain and can bike into burlington for meals and city street strolls," shares a North Beach visitor about nearby trails.
Mountain hiking: Trails near Wilmington provide day hikes with lake views. "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," explains a Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday reviewer.
Swimming beaches: Lake access varies by campground, with some offering better entry points than others. "The beach is nice even though rocky, the lean to sites are a great way to help keep things dry," reports a Grand Isle State Park visitor about their waterfront experience.
What campers like
Private waterfront camping: Many dog-friendly campgrounds near Peru feature lakeside sites with varying levels of privacy. At Ausable Point Campground, "Site 98 on the river, highly recommend a river site or beach site. Was told getting beach site is nearly impossible, luckily got one on the river. No hookups on our site, water was available throughout the campground for filling tank."
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness receives consistent praise at most regional campgrounds. A visitor to Grand Isle State Park Campground noted, "The restrooms/showers are vintage but clean and functional. Showers are coin operated."
Quiet environment: Several campgrounds in the region maintain peaceful atmospheres. "This campground is a gem in the Lakes Region of Northern Vermont. It sits right on Lake Champlain and has the most amazing sunsets. It is a small adult only campground so it is pretty quiet," explains a visitor to Champlain Resort.
Helpful staff: Campground personnel receive frequent positive mentions. "We recently bought a travel trailer and this was our first camping trip with it. Emma and JC were wonderful from start to finish. They own the property and you can tell they take such great pride in this gem."
What you should know
Site selection considerations: Research specific site attributes before booking. At North Beach Campground, "Since this campground is within Burlington city limits it is a bit cramped and can get crowded. However its location makes it convenient too. Plus it's right on Lake Champlain with great beach access."
Road conditions: Interior campground roads vary widely in quality. "The road through the campground is dirt and rutted but the speed limit is 5 mph, so it wasn't that bad, but it would be a mess if it was raining," notes an Ausable Chasm visitor.
Waterfront access challenges: Lakefront sites don't always mean easy water entry. One camper noted at Ausable Point: "I was on a water spot but the only problem is u have to climb over logs to get to the water, from the riverside."
Booking timing: Reserve well in advance for premium waterfront sites. "We spent 3 nights at Ausable Point in August 2020. Had site 98 on the river, highly recommend a river site or beach site. Was told getting beach site is nearly impossible, luckily got one on the river."
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. At Iroquois Campground & RV Park, "Pool was clean, playground kids loved it. And facilities were clean, with hot showers."
Beach quality assessment: Consider the shoreline type for water play. At Cumberland Bay, "Large and nice-looking playground, pool, volleyball net, disc golf and mountain biking/hiking trails." However, at Grand Isle, one family noted: "Very rocky beach with little to no sand to play in, a bit of a walk to the water."
Recreation programs: Some parks offer organized activities. Grand Isle provides "a cute little beach and nature center with youth programs," according to a visitor, while Lake Placid KOA features "the tractor driving around, pulling the kids around."
Wildlife education: Nature observation opportunities abound. "Located at the mouth of the Ausable river and marsh it has beautiful views everywhere you go," shares a visitor to Ausable Point, making it "popular with kite surfers, kayakers, boaters, and fishermen."
Tips from RVers
Hookup variations: RV sites offer different utility options throughout the region. At Cumberland Bay State Park Campground, "Pump station for RVs but a lot of tent camping as well."
Site orientation challenges: Some campgrounds have unusual site arrangements. "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,'" reports an Apple Island Resort visitor.
Navigation considerations: Tree clearance and road quality affect larger rigs. At Lake Placid KOA Holiday, "There were lots of tree limbs that needed to be trimmed. Maneuvering through the park was pretty tight for us and we had to take it really slow."
Campsite layout variations: RV parking arrangements differ by campground. "Most of the waterfront sites are nose-in and suited well for motorhomes. Sometimes they would park a towable next to them and if they backed in there would be a shared patio."
Guide
