Best Tent Camping near Watertown, NY

We’ve heard great things about this camp ground and I can see why ppl come here. The views are beautiful, the water is clear, but wow is it crowded! We like to have privacy and prefer a quiet experience but ppl here are packed in. Everywhere we turned there was a person or kid running around on the rocks. Unless we get a hike in tent site I don’t see us ever returning.

I stayed 4 nights at a non electric tent site, it was me and my dog enjoyed some bon fires and some hiking in Wellesley island state park as well. It was very quiet somes sites are kind of close but no one was up there in a tent other than me. Park employees kept bathrooms clean and were very nice. Rates were cheap i spent roughly $65 for 4 nights. Other then the ticks we encountered at the other park it was a great vacation and a beautiful view

The area is incomparably gorgeous with so much to do. I really recommend heading to the nature center and following the trails there. The views are gorgeous and you get some great vistas. There's also fishing, kayaking, that sort of thing. Camp store has fire wood and ice. As for the campsites, I'm used to them being a little more secluded and shaded than the one we stayed at. If you're tent camping and booking through reserve america, I HIGHLY recommend perusing the site map for some time to find a site close to the water and farther from the RV ring. That being said, we loved our time there.

This campground offers so much for people of all ages.

• Crafts
• Games
• Activities
• Playground
• Pool
• Bouncy pillow
• Twice Daily wagon rides with Yogi and Boo Boo
• Bike parades
• River access
• Fishing
• Tubing
• Lounging

Our family camps at Yogi on the river at least twice a year. We always attend candy bar bingo, lounge by the river, play games with friends, get the little ones in the bike parades, and hang out with the friendly owners. With the cabins, park model rentals, tent sites, RV sites, everyone can come, no matter what their accommodations are.

Sites are well maintained, the campers are friendly, and the staff is helpful.

This is a good stopping point, but there isn't much to do unless you bring a boat. Or you could use it as a base for exploring other areas in the Thousand Islands. It's only about 10 miles from Clayton.

We stayed here on a bicycle trip from Rochester to the Thousand Islands at the end of a 63 mile day. Don't let anyone tell you it's not a hilly trip coming up along Lake Ontario to the Thousand Islands! There will be hills! The good news is there are NY state parks along the way.

Burnham Point is a small (less than 50 sites) campground on the St. Lawrence River. It was a good stopping point after seeing the lighthouse in Cape Vincent on our way. There are sites by the river that are tent only but we pitched our tent up above. The tent sites were rather difficult to get to with our bikes. There wasn't much shade where we settled, but the sun was not intense as we arrived in the early evening and left the next morning. Unfortunately, I have no site photos and only have a photo of the sunset...but it's a beautiful view.

Restrooms/showers were clean, and there was electricity at the site. Unfortunately, the bugs were bad but that's just a summertime hazard in the Northeast.

There is TONS of beach to explore at this little State Park in New York. I used to visit here as a kid years ago because my grandparents owned a cottage on the lake. Since they sold it, visiting Southwick is the next best thing. Lake Ontario is an amazing lake to be on and the water is pretty warm in the summer time. the waves don't get too big, so it is very safe for kids. Southwick itself has great camping spots right next to the beach. It is a little pricey if you only want to visit for the day, $8, but you can get a tent spot for $18 which is comparable to other state parks. Showers are available, and there are some short trails that are good for running or probably cross country skiing in the winter. There is also a sizable playground near the beach that is great for the kids.

We came to this campground after a week in Algonquin Provincial park in Canada and the contrast couldn't have been greater. Up north we stayed on a large, shady site in a radio free loop and everyone had canoes. In New York we had a cramped, open site and everyone seemed to have a motorboat on a trailer. Our neighbors across the road set up a movie screen . The overall feel was NOT "getting away from it all".
The facilities are good and there's a nice beach and well stocked General store, also a big boat ramp facility with some docks.
We chose this location because we were attending the Antique Boat Show in Clayton, 13 miles away, and this was the closest available. It suited us just fine for that.
Keep your stuff secure, there are brazen raccoons.

Overall, our trip to this campground on an island was awesome! The sunsets were spectacular and our site was literally just steps from Lake Ontario. All sites are full hook up. Wifi is available and fairly good. Trash is picked up from your site between 8-10am each day. Staff was VERY nice and helpful. Most sites are spacious enough though you can see your neighbor. Fire pits are behind the camper pad so you can see others at their fire pits but most were spread out and I didn't hear the neighbors conversations. Being right on the lake and on the west facing side allowed for the prevailing winds to be felt. One night we couldn't sit outside due to the high winds. The Midge gnats were horrible for about a day and a half. They were around all week and I understand this was the time of year for them but the one day, you could not walk outside without being swarmed. In fact, I took pics of the swarm up above the trees. I've never seen anything like it before! We went out to eat the night they were so bad you couldn't cook, eat, or sit outside. There is a store with limited supplies, a "cafe" that served food but hours were not regular, a nice pool though too chilly in mid June to use. You can rent a golf cart which isn't really needed but fun. The opposite side of the island near the marina (not a full service marina just docks for your boat if you bring one)  and sunrise view had more spacious sites and you could access the lake easier. I don't think swimming is allowed though in the lake. The interior sites not on the water were okay, but a bit close in areas. The campground was not full most of the week we were there but began filling up by the weekend. There is a winery that does tastings on Friday afternoon and evenings which was fun. The closest towns are Watertown to the east which has any store you could need (Walmart, Lowes, etc.),  Henderson Harbor (not much there), Sagett's Harbor (cute but small with a couple cool restaurants though skip the brewery as they had no local beer and the food was just okay), Cape Vincent (cool lighthouse and small downtown), and Clayton which is about a 50 min. drive. We loved Clayton. Eat at Bellas on the St. Lawrence River! There is fishing at the island and a lot was being caught but most of it was small fish. Our friends went Go Karting somewhere close by. There are a few state parks that had great hiking trails and scenery. We had a lot of down time just relaxing while taking in the beautiful view. I'd happily go again!

The campground was clean. Bathrooms could be kept clean more. The water view was amazing. The clear sky at night was wonderful for looking at the stars. The had some construction going on maybe new bathrooms. Playground was nice as well as beach area to swim. If you are looking for a wooded area to set up tent this is not the place.

Cabins have a screen and a stone fireplace. Lake Ontario has great fishing. The beach is smaller than it was before now that it is guarded. This is a great spot for large gatherings and you can rent out the big Adirondack style covered areas. Also is just as good for tents with wildlife nosing around.

Many repeat campers over many years. Best sites are hard to book ahead and are best for tents or small trailers. Some bathrooms are older. Nice play spaces for kids of all ages, and also has a nice playground area. Almost always a breeze and storms can come up quickly off the lake - be sure to keep things put away and weighted down, and be ready to “batten down the hatches” as my dad used to say!

Whitaker park is such a fabulous place to spend a picnic day or stay for a few! Wide open flat fields for kickball or baseball and a view of the Adirondack foothills, spread out a blanket and read, play on the jungle gym or cook a great lunch on the grills at the pavilion. 

Clean bathrooms with showers, sites for tents and rv’s, and a breathtaking trail to overlooks and waterfalls.

Beautiful campground. The ladies at the check in point were very nice and helpful! Bathrooms were clean (no hot water). Just didn't expect the plots to be so small with no privacy. Thought we chose a plot in an area with tents only, but there was a massive camper right beside us with noisy people. I would go back again if I could pick a site that had the neighboring ones not reserved, to get a little more privacy.

We've camped here every year but it's getting difficult to get in here. We've camped all over from tents to all kind of campers. Never stayed in cabins but been inside. It's beautiful park. Goose bay on one side St Lawrence River on other. Every site is beautiful with rocks. But the rocks make it beautiful. We love sitting on a big rocks, watching sunsets and ships go by. Playground, private bathrooms, boat launch, docks, beach and fishing.

This spot is totally gorgeous, perfectly clean, and quiet. Room for two or three tents, two fire circles and has an outhouse. Great for swimming, kayaking, and a gorgeous place to wake up next to the water.

There are two access points to the water, the more hidden point is where you hike in for camping. A little stream turns under a few footbridges and out to francis lake.

This place is top notch. A large park with diverse types of camping. Many tent-suitable sites right on the river are highly coveted so you have to book way in advance. Lots of dry-camping RV sites are easier to book. The full hook-up RV sites are also very difficult to book, but if you score one, it will be a dream experience. Facilities are very well maintained. There’s lots to do…. a swimming beach, boat launches, a Nature Center, hiking trails, and an ADA kayak launch on Eel Bay. Only fifteen minutes to the charming community of Thousand Island Park.

Beaver Camp (or, officially Adirondack Mennonite Camping Assoc.), is a classic summer youth sleep-away camp on Beaver Lake. Sleeping in cabins with bunk beds, swimming, canoes, and a high ropes course, gathering around the campfire to end the day- Beaver Camp has it all.

Weekend and week long programming for youth and families, or site rental of cabins and platform tents is available, as well as day use access to the beach and high ropes course.

This camp is a great way to access a beautiful area in a way customized for your family!

One of my favorite places to camp! The sites there are big!!! We usually get 2 sites and place as many as 5 tents between the 2 sites! Watch out for the skunks and raccoons on this island, they are huge from partaking in campers food! The park is very large, you can get in a few miles for a run or bike ride! Great price for camping! There is a boat launch for your own boat or you can rent a boat. The fishing on the St. Lawrence is awesome!!! Catch some perch and have a fish fry back at camp! If you fish near the boat rental there is a place to clean you fish! Perfect place to camp if you want to go to Alexandria Bay! Great shopping and great restaurants! Make sure you visit Bolt Castle! Happy Camping!

We came here for our first camping trip together after marriage (in 2005)...and it's lucky we ever went anywhere again! Thankfully we both had previous positive camping experiences, and have had MANY together since then, just at other camp grounds.

1. "Canoe" being in the name implied that it is frequented, at least occasionally, by canoes. According to the staff person there who swore in disbelief that a canoe actually made it to the island, he didn't remember there being a canoe there before. The lack of arrival space for canoes also made this clear.

2. Everyone else who came were in basically large party-boats with multiple rooms for sleeping, though they set up tents (and didn't sleep until almost daybreak...it was loud, foul language the entire time)

3. All of the available wood was wet, so nothing would burn.

4. Spiders overrunning some areas

Not faulting them for the weather that night, as it's NY, so that happens. But in so many ways, this was a bust of a trip.

Soft Maple is a truly gorgeous small campground. Only about a dozen sites or so, first come first serve. Level sites for RVs or tent or hammock camping. Each site has a nice space with fire ring and picnic table. The beach is lovely and clean. There’s boat access for canoes and kayaks as this is part of the Beaver River route. 

The entire campground is accessible, with gravel pack paths, and level sites.  

Charlie is the caretaker here and everyone says he is the nicest person you’ll meet.  You can’t beat site number 11 for the perfect mix of treelined and water view!

There is space for RVs and a dump station but the sites do not have power or hookups. 

If you come in to the campground from “number 4 road” (aka state rt. 26) it’s exactly five miles from the Left turn on to Soft Maple rd. If you have time, stop halfway- the 2.5 mile mark will bring you to the entrance for Eagle falls, a short hike with a fantastic reveal.

Another large, well maintained and facilitated campground. At least 200 sites with spaces for tents and RVs with electric. Reasonably spread out, some sites are relatively isolated and give the feeling of being in nature and in the woods/by the water while others are more or less in a field. I found the perfect site D10 tucked away at the end of a short driveway directly on the water with a little walk out to a small rocky outcropping perfect for catching the sunset or watching the boats and day go by. Bathrooms were decent and reasonably places, never being too far from anyway. Plenty of water was available throughout. The entire island itself is an interesting area and can be explored by bike to make for a great day of site seeing and local immersion. Alexandria Bay is not far away too and is essentially the only civilization you’ll find around, with plenty of bars restaurants and shops, as well as boat tours around the thousand islands are and to the Boldt Castle. The Boldt castle is an awesome adventure. For about $20 you get a boat ride over and can spend as little or as much time as you want on the island exploring the grounds and the buildings. The history of the building and in the building gives pretty good insight and background to what is and is on Wellesley Island, where you are staying.

Tucked away behind acres upon acres of rural farmland, between the Thousand Islands Region and Tug Hill Plateau, is Whetstone Gulf State Park. The Park was fairly crowded, with lots of bustle, and well-suited for large RVs and campers. My sister and I lucked out that upon a late arrival (8:15pm), the main office was still open for check-in. The staff was plenty friendly and assisted to direct us to our site.

Our site, 14, was large and had access to electricity. The trees were tall and towered over the grounds. We were, thankfully, relatively shielded from a brief rainstorm the following morning. I was a bit disappointed with several items of trash found at my site upon arrival, including a glob of paint from a paintball gun on one of the picnic tables. Despite this, I have to say that this site is one of the better options at this campground in terms of privacy and seclusion, even with the bathrooms only being steps away. Sites 32 and 49 were also decent, but many of the sites were open and visible. Think “woodsy suburb”.

As a whole, the grounds were geared towards big campers and RVs. Being a tent camper who savors shade, solitude and quiet, this is not my favorite of parks. Additionally, the loop closest to the “beach house” contained piles of dirt and gravel, leaving something to be desired.

The grounds do have multiple trails, including a gorge trail, which perhaps may offer some redeeming qualities. Though I will have to save them for a future visit. The beach was closed for the season, but the grounds did offer a nice playground for children.

This is a great family beach/day tripping beach. You can get campsites along Lake Ontario where you can see amazing sunsets. It does get a bit crowded at the beach where people day visit but other than that it was a very pleasant experience overall and the campsites are pretty spaced out. If you don’t grab a lakeside campsite early they will def be taken so reserve early!

We have only camped the electric loop up on the hill across the Street from the rest of the park. It is spacious and restroom buildings are kept up. Nice new children’s playground. Nice hiking trail as well.

We always camp in the plateau across the road from the main park area-sites are huge, clean bathrooms and a nice park right in the circle. The beach is nice but can get crowded. This is our kids favorite campground