Camping spots near Salem, New York typically operate from late April through mid-October, with most facilities closing after Columbus Day weekend due to harsh Northeast winters. The region sits at the border between New York and Vermont, where the terrain transitions from the Adirondack foothills to the Green Mountains, creating a diverse landscape for campers. Fall camping is particularly popular as daytime temperatures remain comfortable while nights dip into the 40s.
What to do
Kayaking and paddling at Grout Pond: Located about 35 minutes east of Salem in Vermont's Green Mountain National Forest, this secluded pond offers peaceful paddling without motor boats. "If you plan on staying past campsites 1-3 bring extra socks and rain boots because it gets muddy. The walk is pretty long to other campsites," notes Jenny J. about Grout Pond Campground.
Swimming in Emerald Lake: The lake's turquoise waters make it popular for cooling off in summer months. "Emerald Lake State Park has a nice grassy area on the water that's dog-friendly, and a separate little no-dog swimming and paddle boat area," explains a camper at Emerald Lake State Park.
Hiking nearby trails: Multiple trail systems connect camping areas to scenic overlooks. "Nearby is good hiking in Adirondack Park where trails range from easy to difficult and have some great views of the lake and surrounding area. The Inman Pond Trail (about 15 minutes north of the campground) is a nice easy walk in the woods which takes you to a pretty pond good for fishing," shares Nancy W. about exploring from Moose Hillock.
Tubing on the Battenkill River: The gentle current makes for relaxing float trips during summer months. "Friends and I camp here every June, and we love being close to the river. We sleep in tents so the sound of the river puts you to sleep at night. We also tube down the river," writes Heather P.
What campers like
Private, spacious sites: Many campgrounds in the region offer larger than average sites with natural barriers. "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," remarks Nancy W. about Moose Hillock Camping Resorts.
Clean facilities: Campground restrooms and shower buildings receive consistent praise. "The campground is so clean and nice! Perfect for the dogs with best dog park I ever saw. Pools and hot tubs extremely clean and the grounds looked more like a hotel resort than campground," shares Michael C. about Lake George RV Park.
Waterfront options: Several campgrounds offer direct access to water for swimming and paddling. "I stayed right on the river in site 14 with a small popup. The river is beautiful and the site was huge. We did some fishing and swimming," reports Michele S. about Camping On The Battenkill.
Winter camping options: While limited, some areas permit off-season camping. "Great spot for a little winter camping. About halfway down the entrance road there is a pull off on the right hand side that is technically before the campground itself. The trails are great for hiking, and the pond and the reservoir are beautiful when frozen over," mentions Erik C. about winter camping at Grout Pond.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance booking, especially for peak seasons. "We did get a 20% Covid-19 discount because many activities were cancelled and the pool was closed but that is still pretty steep. Their price for firewood is $9 for an average size bundle but there are plenty of places along Route 149 with better prices," notes Nancy W. about pricing at Moose Hillock.
Shower costs: Many state parks require quarters for showers. "Pay showers so save your quarters. Nice lake for canoeing with trails from the camping area. Family friendly with semi private sites. A little road noise from nearby highway but it quiets down for a good night's rest," advises Gary C. about Moreau Lake State Park.
Bugs in late spring: Insect activity peaks in May and June. "We were there in late May and the bugs ate us alive. It was miserable. Smoke seemed to work the best, so we just kept a smoke fire going while we were at the campsite and bathed in OFF when we weren't," warns Molly G. about Grout Pond.
Site selection considerations: Not all sites are created equal, with significant variation in privacy and accessibility. "If you have little ones, check out the map before you reserve a site and find one on the opposite side of the ledge," recommends a camper about Emerald Lake State Park's terrain.
Tips for camping with families
Look for kid-friendly amenities: Some campgrounds offer extensive recreation options. "We took the time to make this happen and the staff at Emerald Lake State Park were very helpful to make it a great time," notes Tammy E. about taking her Girl Scout troop to Emerald Lake State Park Campground.
Consider tent sites near water: River and lakefront sites provide natural entertainment for children. "Very clean campground along the battenkill river. Pretty clean bathrooms and showers but not the best. The tent sites are nice and private near the river. They have laundry and a fenced in dog area that was much appreciated!" shares Katy Z.
Check for playground facilities: Some campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. "Great for families. Nicely wooded and not crazy packed. We only stayed one night because we were passing thru but it was easy to get a spot! Too hilly to ride bikes but walking to lake is fine," explains Kirsten J.
Reserve early for holiday weekends: Family-friendly sites book months in advance for summer holidays. "Sites aren't on top of each other but you can see your neighbors. Very dog friendly campground with a small off leash fenced in area at the entrance," notes a recent visitor.
Tips from RVers
Maneuverability considerations: Narrow access roads can challenge larger rigs. "Tree placement and a pretty sharp 110+ degree turn makes it challenging to maneuver. I don't think campground staff is familiar with their own campground and that larger rigs are likely to have issue in this loop," cautions Katie E. about Dorset RV Park.
Hookup availability: Full hookup sites are limited outside of private campgrounds. "Sites are level but some definitely were not. We got twenty or so television channels with the cable hookup. I was able to use my roof-mounted satellite dish and get reception but that would not be true for all sites," notes Nancy W. about Dorset RV Park.
Off-season availability: Most RV facilities close from mid-October through late April. "When we checked in, there was a sign that personnel were working in the park and there was a phone number for us to call. They responded right away and met us at the office and showed us where our site was," explains a camper about spring camping at Dorset RV Park.
Site size variation: Research actual site dimensions before booking. "The roads and campsites are gravel and a little tight to get around because of all the trees but we were able to manage in our 45' motorhome," shares an RVer about navigating Dorset RV Park.
Traveler
