Camping near Plattsburgh offers access to a diverse waterway system with Lake Champlain spanning 120 miles in length and ranging from 400 feet to 14 miles in width. Winter temperatures typically drop to single digits, while summer months average 75-85°F with evening cooling that makes cabin rentals popular for those seeking shelter from nighttime temperature drops. Seasonal availability for camping cabins near Plattsburgh varies, with most sites opening from mid-May through mid-October.
What to do
Water activities on Lake Champlain: Multiple campgrounds offer direct lake access for swimming, fishing, and boating. At Grand Isle State Park Campground, visitors enjoy both the beach and water sports. "We had a lean-to site that was just far enough from the bathroom that it felt far. I found the site to be well maintained and for the rangers to be kind and help. Great place to visit on the island," notes Ashley J.
Biking the Island Line Trail: The scenic trail system connects several camping areas. North Beach Campground offers easy access to Burlington via bicycle. "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. It's great!" shares Mackenzie B. Most bike rentals in the area cost $30-45 per day.
Rock collecting and geology exploration: The shorelines offer educational opportunities for rock enthusiasts. "Fantastic lake for rock collecting!!! Very pretty and diverse geological landscape! We immediately started googling the rock formations and it was super interesting!" reports Whitney W. from Camp Skyland.
What campers like
Private cabin settings: Secluded options away from crowded areas appeal to many guests. Apple Island Resort receives praise for its layout. "The campground is laid out in a very attractive way rather than typical straight rows. Lots of walking paths," observes Susan & Kevin W., noting that "sites are very large."
Clean facilities: Consistently maintained bathrooms and showers rate highly among reviews. "The bathrooms were always clean and shower areas had great water pressure," reports Nicole S. about Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday, adding that "the campground is very maintained."
Accessibility to nearby attractions: Location advantages factor heavily in camper satisfaction. "The area is awesome with beach access along the river with a huge playground. You're at the bottom of whiteface mountain which is full of hikes and watering holes to swim in, lake placid downtown area is 20 mins away," explains a KOA visitor, highlighting the practical transportation advantages.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Waterfront sites require extensive advance planning. At Burton Island State Park Campground, "Waterfront sites book very quickly (like 11 months in advance), but if you don't mind being farther from the main campground and running water, you can almost always rent one of the four primitive sites."
Accessibility variations: Some campgrounds require special transportation. For Burton Island, "You have to paddle yourself out or take the VT State Park passenger ferry from St. Albans," which costs "$8 per person, with no extra charge for gear."
Site differences within campgrounds: Research individual site characteristics before booking. "There are two distinct sections of this campground– the 'Resort' section and the '100-Acre Woods' section... This section has tall shade trees and much more space between sites than the resort area," notes Nancy W. about a local KOA.
Tips for camping with families
Beach quality considerations: Not all waterfront access is created equal. "North Beach State Park has a very rocky beach with little to no sand to play in," reports one camper, suggesting families might "look elsewhere" if sandy beaches are important for children's activities.
Look for family-friendly programming: Some parks offer structured activities. "It was a quiet, family friendly campground with a cute little beach and nature center with youth programs," shares Jessica G. about Grand Isle State Park.
Car-free camping options: AuSable Chasm Campground offers unique activities within walking distance. "The campground is within minutes of Ausable Chasm, which offers great hiking trails and rafting/tubing," notes Heather M., making it convenient for families who want to minimize driving between activities.
Tips from RVers
Hookup configurations: Be prepared for unusual setups. At Apple Island Resort, "their hook-ups are on the passenger side. You have to pull straight in with the truck and camper. This is because a lot of class A prefer this way," explains Ron H.
Leveling challenges: Some sites require significant equipment. At AuSable Chasm, "RV site 8 is so out of level that we couldn't get our Airstream level unless we put 10" of blocking under both axles," warns Brian P.
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," advises Lee D. about access roads at AuSable Chasm.
