Water-accessible campsites define the Silver Bay camping experience, with boat-in options available throughout the region. Located in the eastern Adirondacks at 900 feet elevation, Silver Bay offers diverse terrain from dense forests to rocky shorelines. Remote island camping sites provide complete privacy while more developed campgrounds feature amenities from basic toilets to full resort facilities. Weather patterns remain relatively stable during peak camping months with daytime temperatures ranging 75-85°F in summer.
What to do
Hiking near Putnam Pond: Access multiple trails leading to scenic destinations from Putnam Pond Campground. The red trail loops around Rock Pond where hikers can explore remnants of an old graphite mine. "Take the yellow trail through the sites to the Rock pond lean-to. Along the pond there are great views and potential swimming locations. Take the red trail around and you will come across the old graphite mine, which was cool to look at it's remnants."
Water activities beyond swimming: Rent boats directly from campgrounds to access quiet areas of lakes. At Lake Bomoseen KOA, "There is a boat launch and docks to keep your boat. There is a general store, a game room and a rec hall." Kayaking on smaller ponds offers tranquility away from motorized watercraft.
Historical exploration: Visit nearby Fort Ticonderoga for educational activities. Located just minutes from Brookwood RV Resort, the fort features historical reenactments throughout the summer. "Ft Ticonderoga is a few miles to the north where you can explore history with re-enactors."
What campers like
Private island camping: Experience complete isolation at Narrow Island Group sites which require boat transportation. "Site roo5 is our favorite a private island all to yourself! Roo6 is good too but a little further to row out to." Prepare thoroughly as access requires planning.
Spacious wooded sites: Moose Hillock Camping Resort features unusually large campsites with natural buffers. "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."
Clean swimming areas: Half Moon Pond State Park maintains pristine water access points. "The bathhouse was very clean, the swimming beach is small but perfect, and there are even cabins for rent on the other side of the pond. Bomoseen State Park is right down the road, but I recommend staying at Half Moon and taking advantage of the large swimming area at Bomoseen."
What you should know
Seasonal staffing variations: Bathroom cleanliness can vary widely depending on time of visit and campground population. At Hearthstone Point Campground, "The restroom/shower facilities are always well kept. The one time I did notice it wasn't was on a holiday weekend. There were many party people there that weekend."
Electronic connectivity limitations: Cell coverage ranges from nonexistent to spotty throughout the region. "There is NO cell coverage and the Wi-Fi is poor and very slow if you can connect" at Lake Bomoseen KOA. Prepare for limited digital access, especially on islands and in more remote areas.
Road noise factors: Highway proximity affects some campgrounds more than others. "I was surprised how much road noise we heard inside of our trailer" at Lake Bomoseen KOA, while more remote sites offer quieter surroundings. Research site maps before booking.
Tips for camping with families
Pool options for kids: Lake George Escape Campground offers multiple swimming areas for different age groups. "It has three pools. A kiddie pool, a water slide pool and a larger pool that goes from 3 ft to 6 ft." This provides swimming options regardless of weather conditions.
Weekday visits recommended: Schedule family trips during weekdays when possible to avoid crowds. "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!"
Activity-focused campgrounds: Select locations with programmed recreation options. "So many activities, dance floor and kids meals comes in frisbee plates. You can mine for gold, chill by the pool or even try your shot at archery! Something for everyone here, teen nights, family days and everything in between."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: At Scaroon Manor Campground, "Campsites in the park are pretty inconsistent– meaning some are long and wide with good privacy but others are not. With over 400 campsites there are a lot to choose from and hard to know which is best for you unless you have been there before."
Utility considerations: Many campgrounds offer partial hookups only. "There is a dump station. The water is difficult to get as you can't connect a regular hose." Bring water container transport solutions if staying at primitive sites.
Seasonal timing: For RVers seeking quieter experiences, mid-week visits outside July-August offer significantly reduced crowding. "We visited mid-week so it was quiet, but there are a lot of seasonal rigs there so weekends could be busy."
