Glamping options near Thurman, New York provide access to both Adirondack wilderness and Lake George attractions. Located about 20 miles northwest of Lake George Village at elevations ranging from 700-1,500 feet, the Thurman area experiences cooler nights than lakeside destinations. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F during day with nighttime lows often dropping into the 50s even during peak season.
What to do
Water recreation options: At Lake George Riverview Campground, the Schroon River offers excellent kayaking and tubing opportunities. "Fun on the River... my kids really enjoyed fishing& floating in the river," notes a visitor. The campground features a small beach area with easy watercraft launching.
Hiking trails: Numerous trails provide access to Adirondack wilderness within short drives. A visitor to Moreau Lake State Park Campground mentioned, "Over 20 miles in hiking trails, this is one of the nicest parks I've visited." Most trails range from easy to moderate difficulty with good markings.
Biking paths: Paved cycling routes connect several campgrounds to Lake George Village. "We road the bike path each day to and from Lake George. It was downhill on the way there and a little bit of an uphill battle on the way back but totally worth it!" shared a guest at King Phillip's Campground.
Swimming areas: Many campgrounds feature designated swimming zones with varied amenities. Scaroon Manor Campground provides lakefront access where a camper noted: "We stayed in the rustic campground right down the road from the main campground. We parked in a lot and walked about 5 minutes to the campgrounds on the lake."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Moose Hillock Camping Resorts receives consistent praise for spacious campsites. "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," noted one reviewer.
Clean facilities: Bathroom and shower facilities vary significantly between campgrounds. At Ledgeview Village RV Park, a visitor observed: "The shower room is very tidy and I like it very much!" Another mentioned, "Bathrooms very clean. Pool was nice."
Seasonal activities: Campground programs change throughout the open season. One camper at Stony Creek Family Campground shared: "It's a nice family ran campground. We love it here and plan to come back!"
Island camping: For a unique glamping experience near Thurman, some visitors choose Lake George island sites. A camper at Long Island Group noted: "We had a great spot on Long Island! Beautiful view, chill atmosphere, easy boat parking on the slip."
What you should know
Site selection matters: Not all sites at the same campground offer equal experiences. At King Phillip's Campground, a visitor advised: "Getting the right site here is key. Some have room, privacy, and trees. Others are close together, and out in the open."
Weather considerations: The Adirondack region can experience significant temperature drops at night. Pack appropriate layers even in summer months.
Booking windows: Most campgrounds accept reservations 9-12 months in advance, with holiday weekends filling quickly.
Budget considerations: Price points vary significantly between basic and premium sites. One camper at Moose Hillock noted: "This campground does come with a high price tag. It was $66/night during the first part of our stay but them jumped up to in-season rates that were $99/night plus $20/night because it was a holiday weekend."
Tips for camping with families
Pool facilities: Evaluate pool amenities when booking with children. At Lake George RV Park, a visitor found: "Pools and hot tubs extremely clean and the grounds looked more like a hotel resort than campground. Free shows every night at the playhouse kids loved. Animal shows kept daytime events going strong."
Playground access: Consider proximity to play areas when selecting sites. "We stayed at a tent site right near the playground. Pool, arcade, a short trolley ride to downtown lake George. It was a great stay and the kids loved it," shared one visitor at King Phillip's Campground.
Beach access: Sand beaches provide alternatives to pool swimming. At Moreau Lake State Park, "Nice sandy beach with lifeguard hours" was highlighted by a camper.
Wildlife awareness: Prepare for possible wildlife encounters. One camper at Long Island Group warned: "We were literally bombarded with a group of raccoons each night. It was bad."
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: Check specific site measurements before booking. "Our site was gravel but just out our door was sand which made for a mess when it rained. The patio area was pretty large but very little grass and mostly sand," noted a visitor at King Phillip's Campground.
Hookup variations: Full hookup availability differs between campgrounds. A Riverview camper noted: "They can accommodate any size camper from the 45' motorhome with 50 amp service to a tent just wanting electric and water. All sites have cable TV hookup and free WiFi at their site."
Navigation challenges: Many campgrounds have complex layouts. "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," shared one visitor.
Seasonal site options: For frequent visitors, seasonal options provide alternatives to transient camping. "The campground was clearly devoted to seasonal campers (moving a camper/trailer into a site and leaving it there for the summer as a weekend home-away-from-home)," observed one visitor.
