Campgrounds near Waterford, New York provide access to both the Adirondack foothills and Hudson River Valley. Most campgrounds in this area sit between 200-500 feet elevation, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak season. Winter camping options are limited with significant snowfall typically beginning in November and lasting through March.
What to do
Lake activities: swimming, boating, fishing: Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground offers multiple water recreation options. "Big lake with swimming and boating as well as many hiking trails. Bathrooms on site as well as showers," notes Mary-Kate L. The park maintains boat rentals for those without their own equipment.
Archery practice: Lake George Escape Campground provides archery ranges for guests. Kimberly S. states, "There are SO MANY activities in this area. Archery was awesome!" Many first-time archers can receive basic instruction during summer months.
Creek paddling: Fish Creek runs adjacent to Lee's Park Campground with kayak and paddleboard rentals available. "Just down the creek is a great place to rent kayaks and paddleboard called the Kayak Shack!" mentions David B. The creek offers calm waters suitable for beginners and families.
What campers like
Dog-friendly amenities: Lake George RV Park features a dedicated dog park that impresses visitors. "Our favorite part was the dog park. I've never seen anything like it and wish we had access to something like this everywhere," says Debbie W. The park includes shaded seating, bathrooms, and a dog wash station.
Entertainment options: On-site entertainment keeps campers busy during evening hours. "Free shows every night at the playhouse kids loved. Animal shows kept daytime events going strong," reports Michael C. about Lake George RV Park. These structured activities often run from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Trolley service: Transportation within larger campgrounds helps guests access amenities. "There is also another trolly to the village of Lake George, Great Escape and the outlet center," explains April L. This service reduces the need for moving vehicles once set up at camp.
What you should know
Site layout considerations: Campgrounds vary in their organization and spacing. At Alpine Lake RV Resort, visitors should research site locations carefully. "Booked an 'Elite 50amp' site but had no realistic map to go by. Many of these types of sites are parallel to the water, but the map makes them look like back-in sites," warns April L. Some waterfront sites have steep drop-offs to the water.
Bathroom facilities: Cleanliness and accessibility vary between rv parks near Waterford, New York. "The bathrooms and showers are clean and the water stayed hot until the last weekend of the season," reports Seth K. about Lake Taghkanic State Park. However, not all campgrounds maintain accessible facilities as Stacie notes, "Facilities were not terribly ADA friendly!"
Reservation timing: Most campgrounds fill quickly during peak periods. "We would return here due to the proximity to Lake George and Saratoga, but we would choose a totally different type of site," mentions April L. after experiencing challenges with site selection at Alpine Lake RV Resort.
Tips for camping with families
Water features: Ledgeview Village RV Park offers pool access that appeals to families. "The pool was very cold but spotless, which was surprising since there's pine trees all around," notes Cecilia K. The clean environment provides peace of mind for parents with young children.
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds maintain playground equipment for different age groups. "This camp is the best camp I have ever been to! Beautiful scenery and comfortable environment!" shares Bai C. about Ledgeview Village RV Park, which features playground equipment suitable for children under 12.
Movie nights: Scheduled activities help keep children entertained. Lake George Escape offers regular entertainment as Christina M. explains, "They had a gift shop and arcade on site as well. We unfortunately got hit with some pretty bad weather so we couldn't enjoy the grounds as much as we would have liked to."
Tips from RVers
Site spacing: Arrowhead Marina & RV Park receives praise for generous sites. "This was one of our favorite campgrounds of our cross-country trip. Our site was back-in and had plenty of space," mentions Tina. The park's layout allows for easier maneuvering of larger rigs without encroaching on neighbors.
Seasonal considerations: Most rv parks in Waterford area close during winter months. "Well maintained, located on the Mohawk River. Shady, grassy areas. Boat launch and pier," notes Coffee&Camping T. The riverside location at Arrowhead provides scenic views but may be susceptible to seasonal flooding in early spring.
Electricity options: Most parks offer either 30-amp or 50-amp service, but not always both. Waterford camping destinations typically charge premium rates for 50-amp service when available. Lake George RV Park provides full hookups at every site, which one visitor appreciates: "Nice for not having to empty grey tanks into wagon!"
