Tent camping near St. Johnsville, New York occurs primarily in the southern Adirondack foothills at elevations ranging from 400-1,200 feet. This region experiences seasonal temperature variations with summer highs averaging 78-85°F and nighttime lows dropping to 55-65°F. Several state forests and recreation areas provide primitive camping with specific regulations for stay duration and group size.
What to do
Fishing at local reservoirs: North Lake Reservoir Campground offers 32 sites surrounding a lake where visitors can fish. A camper reported, "Very remote and secluded. We got there after dark and it was beautiful to wake up to the view of the lake."
Explore forest trails: Charles E. Baker State Forest provides miles of hiking trails through diverse woodland terrain. A visitor noted, "Beautiful forest with miles of trails. I found this spot passing through on my bike and had no problem pitching a tent in a secluded spot in the woods."
Cross-country skiing: Winter camping opportunities exist at locations like Betty and Wilbur Davis State Park, where a camper shared, "You can cross country ski here in winter—in fact, reserve one of the winterized cabins and come for a long weekend of cozy cabin time and quiet time outdoors on the winter trails."
What campers like
Waterfront accessibility: North Lake Reservoir Campground features walk-in sites directly on the lake. A reviewer mentioned, "Some are walk in right on the lake. Quiet, peaceful, and clean. Make sure to take a left at the start of the lake, the right is all private road and you will have to turn around."
Canal-side convenience: Tent camping at E16 Canal Lock provides reliable cellular connectivity in a natural setting. One camper noted, "The Canal Corporation provides designated spots for tent and van camping along the canal. Stays are limited to a maximum of 48 hours. The Verizon signal is good in the area."
Privacy and seclusion: Duck Pond Campsite offers isolated tent sites away from crowds. A visitor commented, "After driving unpaved dirt road for a while, we arrived at surprisingly well maintained beautiful campsites. The pond is small so the mosquitos were not too bad. So few people passed by and very unknown quite and we just loved the experience."
What you should know
Road conditions: Access to more remote tent sites requires navigating unpaved roads that can be challenging for standard vehicles. At Duck Pond Campsite, a camper advised, "Just be careful driving in the sometimes rough conditions."
Reservation requirements: Some locations like Betty and Wilbur Davis State Park require advance booking, especially during peak times. A reviewer mentioned, "Reservations must be made in advance for the cabins, and you can be sure they will be filled on special event weekends in nearby Cooperstown."
Trail difficulty: Backcountry sites often require significant hiking effort. At Murphy Lake Leanto, a camper explained, "This leanto is worth the effort it takes to get there. And you have to earn it on foot, bike or other. A two hour bike ride with a couple of breaks."
Limited facilities: Most primitive sites lack amenities. A Charles E. Baker State Forest visitor noted, "Only giving 4 stars because the best free sites have water pumps and vault toilets, but this is a great camping experience."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Grandpa's Back 40 Glamping provides drinking water, picnic tables, and market access that can make family camping more comfortable for those with children.
Playgrounds and pavilions: Some state parks include recreational facilities designed for children. A reviewer at Betty and Wilbur Davis State Park stated, "There is a beautiful picnic pavilion and playground, so kid friendly."
Cell service considerations: Families with children may prefer camping at locations with reliable communication. A camper at Duck Pond Campsite observed, "Intermittent cell service which was frightening while driving on these rough roads."
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions: Most dispersed camping areas near St. Johnsville cannot accommodate large RVs. Murphy Lake Leanto access requires "going over downfalls" and navigating "rocky, rooted terrain and pine tree barrens" making it impossible for RVs.
Limited hookups: The majority of camping areas offer no electric, water, or sewer connections. RVers should prepare for self-contained camping or select the few sites with partial hookups.
Alternative accommodations: For RVers seeking more amenities, cabin options provide a compromise. Betty and Wilbur Davis State Park offers "pretty amazing glamping for camper cabins" according to a visitor who added, "The cabins are beautifully built with lovely settings, and well appointed though you need to bring your own linens."
