Camping sites near Riparius, New York range from rustic tent-only areas to full-service RV resorts throughout the southeastern Adirondack region. Elevation in the area averages 800-1,100 feet, contributing to cooler summer nights with temperatures typically 10-15 degrees lower than nearby urban areas. Most campgrounds in the Schroon River valley experience earlier frost dates than surrounding regions, with overnight temperatures sometimes dipping into the 40s even in late August.
What to do
Archery practice: Lake George Escape Campground offers on-site archery facilities for campers of all skill levels. "Archery was awesome!" noted Kimberly S. in her review of the activities available at the campground.
Water sports on Schroon River: Rent kayaks or canoes to explore the calmer sections of the river near camping areas. "We stayed on their 'rustic campsite', which was a short 900 ft hike from the car. Could see the lake from our site and the spots were relatively spread out," reported Tracy B. about her experience at Scaroon Manor Campground.
Local hiking trails: Access nearby trails ranging from easy walks to more challenging terrain within 15-20 minutes of most campgrounds. "The Inman Pond Trail (about 15 minutes north of the campground) is a nice easy walk in the woods which takes you to a pretty pond good for fishing and a great place for my dog to swim," wrote Nancy W. about trails accessible from Moose Hillock.
Berry picking: Seasonal wild berries grow throughout the area, particularly in July. "Bonus is you camp in July, there are raspberry bushes throughout the park!" mentioned Sheri S. about her stay at Moose Hillock Camping Resorts.
What campers like
Private waterfront sites: Many campers appreciate the more secluded waterfront options available at certain campgrounds. "We had a site on the river and it was beautiful! The river is the attraction at this Campground that provides hours of entertainment," reported Happy Camper L. at Lake George Riverview Campground.
Clean individual bathrooms: Some facilities offer more private bathroom options than standard campground fare. "The private bathrooms were an unexpected surprise. Each bathroom was large with toilet, sink and shower!" noted Jim B. about the facilities at Lake George Riverview Campground.
Spacious camping areas: Site size varies significantly between campgrounds in the region. "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," explained Nancy W. about her experience at Moose Hillock Camping Resorts.
Proximity to towns: Many campers value the balance between natural settings and access to nearby communities. "There is a cute town down the road which has a liquor store, grocery store, bakery, coffee shop and a couple of bars," mentioned Tracy B. about the amenities near Scaroon Manor Campground.
What you should know
Seasonal insect activity: Mosquitos can be particularly intense in certain areas, especially near water. "Beautiful large spots new and clean restrooms. Just next to the lake for a swim. So many mosquitos," warned Julie V. about her experience at Scaroon Manor Campground.
Noise considerations: Proximity to roads affects sound levels at some campgrounds. "Friday and Saturday night there was a ton of street noise from Rt9," reported Ryan K. about his weekend at Hearthstone Point Campground.
Wildlife encounters: Local wildlife, including coyotes, are active near camping areas. "Coyotes were howling all night and definitely heard some around our campground," shared Drew H. about the rustic camping area at Scaroon Manor Campground.
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies widely throughout the region. "Cell service is iffy. I was getting 1-2 bars with Verizon," reported Jean C. about her stay at Rogers Rock Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Beach access: Seek out campgrounds with dedicated swimming areas for children. "The beach area has a lifeguard to watch over the swimmers. Dogs are not permitted on the beach," explained John W. in his review of Rogers Rock Campground.
Playground facilities: Some campgrounds maintain play equipment specifically for younger campers. "This campground did have a newer playground which my kids loved, as well," mentioned Kasey M. about her family's experience at Lake George Schroon Valley Resort.
Evening activities: Certain campgrounds schedule regular entertainment options. "Free shows every night at the playhouse kids loved. Animal shows kept daytime events going strong," shared Michael C. about his family's week at Lake George RV Park.
Multi-generational options: Consider facilities that accommodate various age groups. "We had multi-generations camping. From the great grandmother to 2 1/2 yr toddler we all enjoyed the pool. Walk in style, large, heated, slides," described Julie E. about her family's stay at Moose Hillock Camping Resorts.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Be prepared for uneven terrain at some campgrounds. "Some campsites were pretty small and would not fit large RVs. 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," cautioned Nancy W. about navigating Lake George Escape Campground.
Road width considerations: Narrow campground roads can present challenges for larger vehicles. "Some roads are unpaved, unmarked with directional signs, very narrow, and tough to navigate," warned Kim T. about driving through Rogers Rock Campground.
Specific site selection: Research individual sites when booking. "Some of the sites in the older section have sand/dirt patios and sandy roads which makes it very dusty. The new area has crushed gravel and lots more room and some pull-thru sites," noted Nancy W. about Lake George Riverview Campground.
Service hookup locations: Pay attention to utility placement when selecting sites. "The water/electric was positioned perfectly that we could have gotten away with using 5 foot connections," mentioned Debbie W. during her stay at Lake George RV Park.