Camping spots near West Chazy, New York provide access to both the Adirondack mountains and Lake Champlain's shoreline, with elevations ranging from 95 to 150 feet above sea level. The region experiences typical northeastern seasonal patterns with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping months. Most campgrounds in this area sit within a 20-mile radius of West Chazy, creating convenient camping access to both New York and Vermont sides of Lake Champlain.
What to do
Paddling excursions: Burton Island State Park Campground offers boat-in only access with great paddling opportunities. "We biked to this park from Burlington via the Island Line Trail. It was a super trip. The lakeside lean-to was awesome," notes one visitor who enjoyed the combination of biking and paddling to reach this car-free island destination.
Swimming options: Ausable Point Campground provides beach swimming access for families. "The public beach in campground is beautiful," writes one camper, while another adds that "Popular with kite surfers, kayakers, boaters, and fishermen. Awesome for families with tons of things to do nearby."
Hiking nearby: Knight Island State Park features remote trails with waterfront views. As one visitor explains, "It doesn't host a ton of amenities other than outdoor toilets, but it doesn't need to because every remote campsite is waterside, with fabulous access to amazing swimming, gorgeous sunsets, and fantastic hikes across the island."
What campers like
Sunset views: Grand Isle State Park Campground receives consistent praise for its evening views. One camper shared, "we camped here and loved it so much we convinced our family to camp here the following summer! we will absolutely be back again! we love it's location! it's secluded, gorgeous, close to great biking, and close to burlington!"
Adult-focused options: Champlain Resort Adult Campground offers a peaceful environment for adults seeking quieter camping. "It is child free which means it is super quiet and so relaxed. We spent about 11 days in absolute paradise at this campground. All of the sites are charming in their own right and the access to the lake is wonderful," reports a satisfied visitor.
Well-maintained grounds: Apple Island Resort maintains meticulously groomed facilities. "Very nice campground, nice staff, the sites are spacious, the grounds and facilities are clean. They have a par 3 golf course and boat docks on site," notes one camper who appreciated the recreational amenities alongside the clean facilities.
What you should know
Booking timing: State park campgrounds fill months in advance, especially waterfront sites. "Campsites at Burton Island book far in advance. When we booked our Labor Day weekend tent site back in March, there were only 2 leantos (out of 26) left and a handful of tent sites (out of 14)," explains one camper.
Rocky shorelines: Lake access points typically feature rocky terrain rather than sandy beaches. "Love this state park and it was super quiet during the week... Also has a boat launch and beach area for swimming or nice sunset views," notes one camper about Grand Isle State Park, while another mentions "a bit of a walk to the water" and "Very rocky beach with little to no sand to play in."
Weather fluctuations: Even summer weather requires preparation for cooler evenings. Cumberland Bay State Park visitors mention "Even with a windy, cold, rainy day it is still beautiful. But when it is sunny out it is great," indicating the need to pack for variable conditions.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Grand Isle State Park offers dedicated children's programming. "It was a quiet, family friendly campground with a cute little beach and nature center with youth programs," notes one family who visited with six adults and found the facilities "clean and functional" despite being "vintage."
Larger sites for groups: Multiple campgrounds offer sites that accommodate extended families. One camper at Grand Isle mentioned, "We had a huge campsite that was comfortable for 3 tents and 6 adults," showing the spaciousness available for family groups.
Beach access considerations: When choosing sites with children, consider distance to water and beach conditions. At Cumberland Bay State Park, a visitor mentioned, "This is a great place for the family. The playground is great. New bath house. Some sites with electric," highlighting the combination of play areas and improved facilities families appreciate.
Tips from RVers
Site orientation: Apple Island Resort has unique hookup placement. "One thing is that their hook ups are on the passenger side. You have to pull straight in with the truck and camper. This is because a lot of class A prefer this way, not sure," explains one RVer who stayed at the resort.
Seasonal capacity: Many campgrounds in the region accommodate seasonal residents alongside short-term visitors. At Shady Oaks Camping Resort, a camper observed it was "Mostly Seasonal area with some overnight spots. No tents allowed. But pet friendly. Small but clean areas with electric at each site."
Power and water access: Cumberland Bay State Park provides electric hookups at select sites. "Water was available throughout the campground for filling tank," noted one RVer at Ausable Point, while another mentioned Cumberland Bay has "Some sites with electric" making it suitable for RVs requiring power connections.
