RV Camping near Star Lake, NY

Camping options near Star Lake, New York range from rustic sites to full-service RV campgrounds. Located in the western Adirondacks at approximately 1,650 feet elevation, this area experiences cool summer evenings with temperatures often dropping into the 50s even in July. Winter snowfall typically exceeds 100 inches annually, which affects camping season lengths and accessibility.

What to do

Swimming and water recreation: Cranberry Lake Campground offers excellent water access with kayak-friendly shorelines. "The boys were having so much fun swimming and riding their inner tubes down the creek with little rapids. They spent almost every waking moment in the water," shares one visitor at Singing Waters RV Park & Campground.

Hiking opportunities: Multiple trail networks provide varied difficulty levels throughout the region. "The hike up and around Bear Mountain was a good workout and fun experience for our whole family (littlest is 6)," notes a camper at Cranberry Lake.

Fishing excursions: The St. Lawrence River and surrounding lakes offer diverse fishing opportunities. "Great Lake for kayaking and the deer are incredibly friendly and will walk right up to you," reports a visitor to Old Forge Camping Resort.

What campers like

Waterfront views: Many campgrounds offer premium waterfront sites with direct water access. At Swan Bay Resort, one camper noted, "Our waterfront pull-IN site was a level concrete pad and gravel with FHU and everything worked great. Oh, and the best part was our view of the St. Lawrence River with passing ocean liners and lots of migrating birds."

Wildlife encounters: The region supports diverse wildlife viewing opportunities. "Watch out for the skunks and raccoons on this island, they are huge from partaking in campers food!" warns a visitor at Wellesley Island State Park Campground.

Evening skies: Dark night skies offer excellent stargazing when weather permits. A Swan Bay Resort visitor mentioned it was "Quite dark at night, but that was a bonus as we were able to see the Milky Way!"

What you should know

Site privacy varies significantly: Some campgrounds offer more secluded experiences than others. At Thornbush Acres RV Park, a camper observed, "Not very private you are close to your neighbors. Great for Day trips around the area."

Reservation timing: Summer waterfront sites require advance planning. "Sites are large and staff is nice. It was great to have two pools and a bar. Things I would change: Make River sites hookup for TT's, add cable TV, and pave the rest of the campground," notes a visitor at Swan Bay Resort.

Wildlife precautions: Bears are active in some camping areas. "Lots of black bears in area heed the warnings regarding keeping cars and camper locked keep food and cooler secure," advises a camper at Old Forge Camping Resort.

Tips for camping with families

Look for kid-friendly water features: Shallow swimming areas provide safer recreation options. "The beach front area is great for families! Sites are fairly secluded!" reports a Cranberry Lake visitor.

Choose campgrounds with playgrounds: Several facilities offer dedicated children's play areas. "Singing Waters has a nice play area for kids! Overall a great camp ground," notes a camper.