Severance camping areas sit within the Adirondack Park near the southeast border at approximately 800-1,000 feet elevation. The region experiences warm summers with temperatures typically ranging from 70-85°F and cold winters with substantial snowfall. Most campgrounds near Severance operate seasonally from mid-May through early October due to harsh winter conditions.
What to do
Kayaking on Paradox Lake: Rent kayaks near the beach area at Paradox Lake Campground. "Paradox was beautiful. Lake had great view, went kayaking and enjoyed the scenery," reports Matthew L. The campground provides direct water access with boat rentals typically costing $10-15 per day.
Hiking from campgrounds: Access multiple trails directly from Sharp Bridge Campground. "Trail access from campground. Swim & boat on site. Modern but basic state park. Some tent sites nicely private. Close to rt 87, convenient stop on the way to or from Canada from NYC," notes Harry H. The campground connects to trails leading to multiple Adirondack peaks.
Fort Ticonderoga exploration: Visit this historic site just 8 miles north of Brookwood RV Resort. "Ft Ticonderoga is a few miles to the north where you can explore history with re-enactors," says Jean C. Fort admission costs approximately $25 per adult, with discounted rates for children.
Gem mining activities: Try gem mining at Spacious Skies Adirondack Peaks. "The kids loved the gem mining and train rides!! We enjoyed the water view and the staff was so nice to us!" shares Gayle S. Mining activities start at around $10 per bucket and can entertain children for hours.
What campers like
Secluded sites with waterfront access: Putnam Pond Campground offers remote camping options with boat-only access. "We have stayed here at the remote sites several times. Site roo5 is our favorite a private island all to yourself! Roo6 is good too but a little further to row out to," writes Tara F.
Clean, modern facilities: Frontier Town Campground maintains exceptionally clean restrooms and showers. "Everything looked spic and span like it had just opened last month," notes Butch K., while Chelsea B. adds, "The bathrooms are the cleanest I've seen so far and we do this full time."
Spacious campsites: Many campgrounds offer generous site sizes, particularly for RVs. "Sites are built wrong so it is hard to get you camper into your site correct. It is definitely catered to the equestrian part of the camping," shares Sheri C. about Frontier Town, noting the unusually large equestrian-focused sites.
Swimming options: Many campgrounds feature beach access or pools. "The beach area & lake were fantastic & very clean. The beach was dragged & groomed every night," notes Bella J. about Eagle Point Campground, highlighting the maintenance of swimming areas.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies dramatically between campgrounds. "Cell phone coverage is spotty, I was getting 1-2 bars with Verizon," reports Jean C. about Rogers Rock. At Paradox Lake Campground, connectivity is similarly limited.
Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds close in early fall. "Love staying here, however unfortunately they've started closing earlier in the fall," Kyle H. mentions about Paradox Lake. The typical operating season runs May through early October.
Noise considerations: Campground noise levels vary significantly. "This is a very popular spot and it's nice to see so many people enjoying beautiful Lake George," Alice C. comments about Rogers Rock, which can become crowded and noisy during peak summer weekends.
Mosquito and bug problems: Insects can be particularly problematic in early summer. "I saw the bugs, some of them clearly mosquitoes and I never saw one get away with biting me. But I ended up with two lower legs and two forearms that constantly itch like mad. I will never go back in June," warns Butch K.
Tips for camping with families
Dog-friendly campgrounds near Severance: Rogers Rock Campground welcomes pets and offers family-friendly amenities. "Rogers Rock is a great campground with many things to do like hiking, kayaking, swimming, biking and playing on a playground," says Meike W., noting activities that both children and pets can enjoy nearby.
Consider weekday visits: Avoid weekend crowds at popular campgrounds. "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 Carrie J.
Kid-friendly amenities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated play areas. "The day use area has shady spots and grills, nice for the kids," notes Alice C. about Rogers Rock Campground's family-friendly facilities.
Site selection for families: Choose sites away from main roads for safety. "Look carefully at the map when choosing your site. Many of them are near the main road," warns Jean C., emphasizing the importance of checking site locations when booking.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Medcalf Acres Riverfront Campground offers full hookups for RVers. "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 lots of seasonal campers but for a day camping the sites are really nice would highly recommend," says johanne Y.
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds have uneven sites requiring preparation. "The sites aren't particularly level or large," Jean C. notes about Rogers Rock, suggesting RVers bring leveling blocks.
Size restrictions: Consider vehicle length when booking. "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," warns Sheri C. about Eagle Point Campground.
Satellite connectivity: For those working remotely, select open sites for better connectivity. "It's really open with little tree cover which is perfect for those who work remote using Starlink. We had fantastic connection," shares Chelsea B. about the equestrian area at Frontier Town.
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