Camping spots near Putnam Station, New York range across a 20-mile radius spanning both New York and Vermont borders. The region sits within the Adirondack Mountains at elevations between 100-500 feet above sea level with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during day and 55-65°F at night. Fall camping sees temperature drops to 40-50°F overnight, requiring extra layers for comfort.
What to do
Paddling opportunities: Putnam Pond Campground offers direct water access with canoe rentals for exploring the connected waterways. "We spent a day on the ponds (Putnam & North Pond are connected) and it is beautiful. The water is cool, clean and beautiful," notes Michael G. from Putnam Pond Campground.
Hiking trails: Multiple trail networks originate from campgrounds in the area. At Moosalamoo Campground, "There is a nice trail to walk that follows along the shoreline," according to Lauren S. The campground hosts direct trail connections as "You will pass several trailheads on your way up to the campground," says Lauren S. from Moosalamoo Recreation Area.
Swimming access: Many campgrounds feature swimming areas with varying amenities. Half Moon Pond State Park offers "a deeper swimming area. Great for a little kayaking," according to Michele S. The park maintains "a small beach but it is never busy," notes Susan E.
What campers like
Privacy levels: Site spacing varies significantly between campgrounds. At Half Moon Pond, "Each site is separated with trees, offering some privacy and a greater sense of nature," according to M.A.D. P. from Half Moon Pond State Park. The park offers "sites right on the water. We were easily able to go straight from the tent to our kayak."
Natural features: Campers appreciate unique natural elements at each location. At Branbury State Park, "The site was so scenic with a little waterfall and stream nearby," notes Nicole E. Sites at this park are "in a wooded area surrounded by large rocks my daughter could climb on," according to Desiree V. from Branbury State Park.
Evening quiet: Campgrounds maintain varying noise levels depending on location and enforcement. For those seeking quiet, Moosalamoo Campground "is nice and quiet with great privacy," according to camper Jill B., who adds that it "has no road noise" due to its location down a long access road.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies dramatically across the region. At Rogers Rock, "Cell phone coverage is spotty, I was getting 1-2 bars with Verizon," reports Jean C. At Lake Bomoseen KOA, multiple campers report "NO cell coverage and the Wi-Fi is poor and very slow if you can connect," according to Dave S.
Bathroom facilities: Amenities vary by location and can influence site selection. Moosalamoo offers "surprisingly clean vault toilets. No showers," notes Lauren S. Lake Bomoseen KOA received mixed reviews where "Showers were awesome!!! Campground is very dog friendly," according to Robert L.
Weather considerations: Preparation for sudden changes is essential. At Lake George Escape, one camper reported, "We unfortunately got hit with some pretty bad weather so we couldn't enjoy the grounds as much as we would have liked to but that was obviously not their fault. We had to evacuate the mountain our last evening because of really bad thunder and lightening."
Tips for camping with families
Activity options: Several locations offer structured activities for children. Brookwood RV Resort provides "easy access to Fort Ticonderoga, restaurants in town and Lake George area," notes Michael J. from Brookwood RV Resort, making it suitable for educational day trips.
Beach access: Waterfront sites offer swimming opportunities but vary in quality. At Half Moon Pond State Park, "The pond itself is pretty shallow and has some weeds, but there is a deeper swimming area," according to Michele S. Branbury State Park features "access to the lake with plenty of grassy areas to hang out. And beautiful sunsets at night!"
Wildlife education: Some campgrounds offer nature programs. At Half Moon Pond, "There are a couple of small hikes in the park and more hiking nearby," says Susan E. Putnam Pond Campground has hiking trails where campers report "We saw lots of efts!" according to hikers with children.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: RV sites vary significantly across campgrounds. At Rogers Rock, "Sites aren't particularly level or large," according to Jean C. who recommends "Look carefully at the map when choosing your site. Many of them are near the main road."
Hookup availability: Utility options differ by campground. Lake Bomoseen KOA offers "full hookups (sewer, water, 50 AMP)," but Beth R. notes the "Gravel site" as a potential drawback, while other campgrounds like Putnam Pond offer electric but no sewer connections.
Navigational challenges: Some campgrounds present access difficulties. At Lake George Escape, "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," reports Nancy W., who recommends getting directions from reception.
