Best Campgrounds near Hammond, NY

Hammond, New York camping options include rustic dispersed sites, boat-accessible islands, and state parks along the St. Lawrence River. The region averages 43 inches of annual precipitation with summer temperatures typically reaching 80°F during peak camping months. Winter snowfall can exceed 100 inches, which explains the limited winter camping availability in the area.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: Eel Weir State Park Campground offers excellent fishing access along the Oswegatchie River. "Great fishing from almost every part of this park," notes a camper. Another visitor mentioned, "There's a family of owls that inhabit the trees that you see every night."

Water recreation: Wellesley Island State Park Campground provides multiple water activities including swimming and boating. "We had a wonderful time canoeing, fishing, and spending time together!" shares one visitor. The park includes "a marina, boat launch and boat rentals" according to another camper.

Hiking trails: The region offers various hiking options, particularly at Wellesley Island. "I really recommend heading to the nature center and following the trails there. The views are gorgeous and you get some great vistas," explains a camper who visited the park.

What campers like

Waterfront sites: Kring Point State Park Campground features premium waterfront locations with direct water access. "Every site is beautiful with rocks. But the rocks make it beautiful. We love sitting on a big rocks, watching sunsets and ships go by," writes one regular visitor.

Scenic views: Many campers note the exceptional views in the Thousand Islands region. One camper at Wellesley Island State Park stated, "The views of the ST. LAWRENCE River are amazing. You're around some of the best fishing in the country."

Private accommodations: Jacques Cartier State Park Campground offers spacious sites with good separation. A visitor noted, "Half of the loop is in the woods and the other half has spacious, grassy sites bordered with woods behind them."

What you should know

Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds fill quickly, especially waterfront sites. A Kring Point visitor advised, "Hard to get into because people book far in advance." For Jacques Cartier, one camper mentioned, "We book early so we can get a water front site."

Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds operate from May through early October. Weather can vary significantly, as one camper at Eel Weir State Park Campground noted: "I came here totally unprepared and ended up getting soaked. I didn't check the forecast and it started pouring."

Site variations: Campground terrain and amenities vary widely throughout the region. At Jacques Cartier State Park, a camper observed, "Some sites were hilly and we would not have been able to get our trailer in, so its worth calling before you book."

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Several campgrounds offer child-friendly amenities. At Jacques Cartier State Park, a camper mentioned, "There's a great guarded beach if you have young ones with a newer playground right next to it."

Swimming areas: Cedar Island State Park Campground provides unique swimming opportunities as a boat-access only location. "You need a boat to get here, making it one of our favorite places to camp in NY," states one visitor, noting the privacy this creates for families.

Special events: Ice cream trucks visit some campgrounds on specific days. A Jacques Cartier camper shared, "On Saturdays a ice cream truck rolls through after dinner!"

Tips from RVers

Site surfaces: Swan Bay Resort offers concrete pads ideal for RV leveling. "All of there sites are on slabs, neat and clean hook ups," notes one RVer. Another mentioned, "Our site was a level concrete pad and gravel with FHU and everything worked great."

Wind considerations: Several RVers warn about persistent winds in the region. A seasonal camper at Swan Bay Resort cautioned, "He lost three awnings to the wind. So, don't leave your awning out when you leave your camper."

RV site selection: At Wellesley Island, one RVer advised, "We were on site H33 in the Heron Loop with 30A electric. There are water spigots around the loop to fill up your fresh tank before setting your jacks."