Pottersville sits within the Adirondack Mountains at approximately 1,000 feet elevation, where summer temperatures typically range from 50-80°F while winter months can drop below freezing with significant snowfall. The region's dense forests surround multiple lakes and ponds, with Schroon Lake serving as the primary recreation hub. Most campgrounds operate seasonally from mid-May through early October due to the harsh winter conditions.
What to do
Hiking at Pharaoh Mountain: The nearby Pharaoh Lake Wilderness Area offers multiple trail options accessible from Crane Pond Dispersed Site. "There is a foot bridge off to the right, leading to Pharaoh Mtn Trail," explains one camper who appreciates this remote camping location.
Fishing from dedicated spots: Medcalf Acres Riverfront Campground provides direct access to Schroon River. "We stayed at this campground in a travel trailer for one week spent hours floating down the river biking took day trips to Lake Placid and Burlington Vermont," reports a satisfied visitor who enjoyed the versatility of activities.
Water activities: Rogers Rock Campground offers beach access and water recreation. One visitor noted, "Rogers Rock is a great campground with many things to do like hiking, kayaking, swimming, biking and playing on a playground." The campground maintains a dedicated swimming area with lifeguard supervision during peak season.
Gem mining for kids: Family-friendly activities are available at Spacious Skies Adirondack Peaks, where one visitor shared, "The kids loved the gem mining and train rides!! We enjoyed the water view and the staff was so nice to us!"
What campers like
Privacy between sites: At Moose Hillock Camping Resorts, campers consistently mention the spacious sites. "The sites at this park are huge. You could have parked three RVs in our site. Added bonus is that there is nice separation between sites with trees and shrubs that block out your neighbors and provide lots of privacy," explains one visitor.
Waterfront access: Many campers value the lakefront locations. At Rogers Rock Campground, a camper shared, "I was lucky to book a site (#68) on the water. Beautiful views and morning sun. There is a nice trail to walk that follows along the shoreline."
Clean facilities: Lake George RV Park maintains exceptional standards according to visitors. "The campground is so clean and nice! Perfect for the dogs with best dog park I ever saw. Pools and hot tubs extremely clean and the grounds looked more like a hotel resort than campground," reports a recent guest.
Rustic options: For those seeking more primitive experiences, Crane Pond Dispersed Site provides free camping with minimal amenities. "There is a stone cliff near it that goes down about 12(?) feet and is great for fishing or jumping off of. There is also a stone area right by the water if you want to fish or just sunbathe," notes an experienced camper.
What you should know
Site selection matters: Not all sites offer the same experience. At Eagle Point Campground, a visitor warns, "This is a very tight place to camp. If you have a camper, good luck on getting in this campsite. Very tight sites and some are very hard to get level."
Road conditions: Access to some sites requires preparation. At Crane Pond Dispersed Site, a camper cautions, "Please note Crane Pond Road from the lower parking lot to the pond itself is NOT maintained and often gets very muddy. 4WD is required, if you go back there without it your day is gonna suck."
Noise considerations: Proximity to roads affects some campgrounds. One visitor to Eagle Point noted, "The campground is right off of a pretty busy road so it wasn't as serene & quiet as one might like. The beach area & lake were fantastic & very clean."
Seasonal pricing: Rates increase significantly during peak periods. At Moose Hillock Camping Resorts, a visitor observed their rate "jumped up to in-season rates that were $99/night plus $20/night because it was a holiday weekend (and they consider the Thursday before Memorial Day part of the holiday)."
Tips for camping with families
Yurt camping: Spacious Skies Adirondack Peaks offers yurt accommodations popular with families visiting Pottersville, New York. "Husband and I took a trip with all 3 pups and I couldn't even tell you who had more fun!! The doggos and husband absolutely loved being able to walk the beautiful trail in the cooler weather," shares one visitor.
Water features: Lake George Riverview Campground provides river access that children enjoy. "We had a site on the river and it was beautiful! The river is the attraction at this Campground that provides hours of entertainment," explains a family camper.
Weekday visits: To avoid crowds at popular spots, plan midweek trips. "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. Sitting by the lake is really relaxing when you're all alone!" advises a regular at Rogers Rock Campground.
Entertainment options: Some campgrounds offer organized activities. At Lake George RV Park, a visitor appreciated that "Free shows every night at the playhouse kids loved. Animal shows kept daytime events going strong. Water park was great, kids spent all day there."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Lake George Riverview Campground offers various hookup options. "Electric and water hookups. WiFi was great. Cable tv hookups, also. Dump station on site was convenient. Also, they had propane there, so I topped off," notes one RV camper.
Site leveling: Many campgrounds in the mountainous terrain require leveling equipment. At Eagle Point Campground, a visitor mentioned, "While the campsites were spacious unfortunately not very level."
Navigation challenges: Some campgrounds have complex layouts. At Lake George Escape Campground, a visitor observed, "Roads in the park are confusing because none are parallel or perpendicular so we had to go slow just to make sure we didn't miss a turn in the RV."
Satellite reception: Tree coverage affects connectivity. At Moose Hillock Camping Resorts, one RVer noted, "I was able to use my roof-mounted satellite dish and get reception but that would not be true for all sites."
