Alex W.
Scout
ScoutLake Carmi State Park Campground
Good campground
Love it here, great for swimming, kayaking and camping with your family
Camping near Willsboro, NY
203 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Willsboro, New York provides access to diverse camping experiences across the Adirondack region and nearby Lake Champlain shorelines. Established campgrounds like Ausable Point Campground and Poke-O-Moonshine offer a mix of tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin accommodations. The camping landscape extends into Vermont with options like North Beach Campground and Mount Philo State Park, both within 30 miles of Willsboro. Campgrounds in this area generally support both primitive tent camping and developed sites with amenities, while several locations feature waterfront access to Lake Champlain and mountain views.
Seasonal operations significantly affect camping availability, with most facilities operating from May through mid-October. "We were 2 nights here. The plazas are private, through trees shielded from each other," noted one visitor about Shelburne Camping Area, which remains open year-round unlike most seasonal operations. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer months when waterfront sites fill quickly. Weather conditions change rapidly in the Adirondack region, with cooler temperatures at higher elevations even during summer. Many campgrounds offer electrical hookups and shower facilities, though amenities vary considerably between primitive and developed sites. Cell coverage can be spotty in more remote camping areas, particularly in mountain terrain away from main roads.
The region's campgrounds receive consistent praise for their scenic settings and access to outdoor recreation. Areas near Lake Champlain provide opportunities for swimming, boating, and fishing, while mountain locations offer hiking trails with panoramic views. "Fantastic spot in VT! Not many sites so book early, but so much nature, great for a family trip, the views from the summit of the mountain overlook Lake Champlain and the mountains of VT and NY," shares a camper about Mount Philo State Park. Proximity to attractions in Burlington, Vermont is noted as an advantage for several campgrounds on the eastern side of Lake Champlain. Campers frequently mention the area's natural beauty, with mountain views and lakefront access being particular highlights. Privacy between campsites varies significantly between locations, with state parks generally offering more secluded options than private campgrounds.
Best Campgrounds near Willsboro (203)
1. North Beach Campground
"Sites 1 to 16 are close to each other. Sites 113 to 119 are bad. Very close to each other. No redeeming qualities.
Sites have 30 amp electric and water but might need a longish cord or hose."
"A very short and easy drive right outside of Burlington, with direct access to the greenway along the lakefront."
from $37 - $100 / night
Check Availability2. Shelburne Camping Area
"This is a nice little private campground in Shelburne, just outside of Burlington. Close to Lake Champlain. Good place to spend the night and good access to activities."
"Lastly, the location was perfect, just outside of Burlington made access to the area ideal."
3. Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday
"Close to hiking trails, Whiteface Mt Parkway & Lake Placid. Nice, helpful staff. It is NOT wheelchair accessible. There are steep steps to the office, no grab bars in the bathrooms."
"Very large and busy campground, close to Lake Placid and other cool activities to take in. Pros- hot showers, convenient laundromat, you are guided to your site by staff on golf carts."
4. Mount Philo State Park Campground
"The toilets are composing toilets, but from the user experience, it's very close to a regular toilet in that it's in a stall in a nice, well maintained proper bathroom (unlike some composting toilets in"
"There are less than 20 sites total, and all sites are near walk-in paths to excellent views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks or the Green Mountains. The facility is small, but adequate."
from $23 / night
Check Availability5. Button Bay State Park Campground
"We selected it because it was nearby for our second outing with our new (used) R-Pod camper. Turns out it's a wonderful park."
"Wonderful state park, the waterfront sites are fantastic, they are wide so smaller units can be parked parallel to the lake. Bathrooms are clean, facilities are great. Easy access to the lake."
6. AuSable Chasm Campground
"Sites were a medium distance apart but still spacious enough to not be close to neighbors."
"Pretty decent campground with lots of sites anod close by to some fun attractions."
7. Ausable Point Campground
"Good birding, water activities, sunsets, geology/gorge, short easy forest hikes, beach walking, all the good stuff you expect from this part of New York."
"Take a walk up the path next to the chasm. So relaxing listening to the water falls. Great place to watch the sunset! "
from $22 - $40 / night
Check Availability8. Grand Isle State Park Campground
"Beautifully set on Lake Champlain in Vermont! This is a relatively large campground but is well laid out and doesn't feel small even when it's packed to the gills."
"We biked to this park from Burlington via the Island Line Trail. It was a super trip. The lakeside lean-to was awesome."
from $6 - $28 / night
Check Availability9. Lone Pine Campsites
"We had one right next to the playground so our daughter could walk straight to it without having to cross a road. And speaking of playground, it was large and very nice."
"Cool little campground right in Mallets Bay on Lake Champlain. Campsites are kind of close together. Nice pool, game room, and little store. Its a fun place for families!"
from $8 - $12 / night
Check Availability10. Poke-O-Moonshine
"Easy distance to Poko-moonshine mountain and several smaller mountains.Beautiful location. Removed from trafficked roads, very quiet. Can be busy in summer. Waterfront access to Long Pond."
Drive Time
- 36 min from Burlington, VT
- 1 hr 18 min from Glens Falls, NY
- 2 hrs 2 min from Albany, NY
- 2 hrs 46 min from Utica, NY
Recent Camping Photos near Willsboro, NY
332 Photos of 203 Willsboro Campgrounds
Dan C.
Shelburne Camping Area
Daniel L.
AuSable River Campsite
Drew Q.
Mount Philo State Park Campground
Sarah K.
KZ Farm
Lee D.
AuSable Chasm Campground
Greg S.
North Beach Campground
Tara S.
Button Bay State Park Campground
Cody F.
Ausable Pines RV Park & Campground
Ken D.
Lone Pine Campsites
Whitney W.
Camp Skyland
Jean C.
Lincoln Pond Campground
The Dyrt
Tentrr Signature Site - Piney Wood Hills
Recent Reviews near Willsboro, NY
801 Reviews of 203 Willsboro Campgrounds
- K
Ken D.ScoutLone Pine Campsites
Nice place
Spent a night here. Sites are grass for most part and level. Plenty of room. We did the water and electric site.
Stu T.
TravelerDraper’s Acres
They Are What They Advertise!
Just stayed at Drapers Acres for the Iron Man in Lake Placid. We stayed in a cabin and daughter and her husband stayed in their rig in an RV site. They clearly state that they are not a camping resort, but a base camp for the area adventures. Rest rooms were clean and had plenty of hot water. Staff was friendly and welcoming! Great playground for the kids to play on and plenty of privacy. Cabin was basic - had fan, heat, mini-fridge and microwave. If visiting the area again, I would not hesitate to stay there again! The RV site was large with plenty of space for their 40 foot rig and jeep. Use AT&T towers and had the ability to use phone as a hotspot.
Courtney L.ScoutMagic Pines
Feels like home
This is my first year seasonal at Magic Pines and my fiance and I love it. It's quiet, everyone is friendly, it's pet friendly and has a beautiful nature vibe to it.
- NNicole Z.Traveler
Last light on Michigan Brook
Upper Michigan dispersed sites
Private, large site. This was the first site in the road. We have a low clearance car and it was a bit bumpy. This site was amazing, clean and easy pull in pull out.
Adam and Suzanne B.
GuideLake Placid Volunteer Fire Dept.
exactly as described
This is a mostly dirt camper parking lot with full hook-ups next to the fire station. There is no shade for sites 1-13 and little shade for the rest. The The hook-ups were fine, although our sewer connection was slightly uphill. There are NO amenities. As this campground is run by volunteers, communication is SLOW. You must be patient. The location is excellent, just a mile from Main Street. The price is great for full hook-ups in the area. The other campers and the firefighters were friendly. It was quiet at night. We slept with windows open without a problem. The rail trail adjacent to and easy to access from the campground and there is a bike shop across the street.
Joe K.ScoutWaterbury Reservoir Remote Sites — Waterbury Center State Park
Remote but most campsites aren't really on water
We camped here in June of 2026. It is not as remote as some other locations, mainly because you are in Waterbury, VT and Waterbury can be quite busy with visitors.
We parked on Cotton Brook Rd and were told by multiple people that you need to be aware of rain. The parking lot can flood if you get days of rain. The days we camped we did have heavy downpours the morning of day 2 and by the time we left the reservoir was probably 6 ft higher. So it is a real thing. The benefit of that is tons of waterfalls lead into the reservoir and they are quite pretty.
It is a long canoe from the Cotton Brook lot and you need to go to campsite 14 to really get a campsite with a full view of the lake. We were on campsite 18 and it is surrounded by trees. Thats great if you want privacy, but not great if you want a view of the lake.
No loons while we were there. : (
In short, it is pretty good, but we would recommend others.
- Alex W.Scout
Maplewoods campground
Recommended campground
I love this place, nice atmosphere, clean showers and nice mountain range views. Recommended for anyone looking for a nice campground that has very good cell reception for the ones who are depending their stays to have it.
Paige M.ScoutButton Bay State Park Campground
Love this state park!
We have stayed here a few times. It’s always clean and quiet. Pool is nice but very family (kid) oriented. Love the trails to the water from both camp loops. Great place to stay with a kayak or paddle board!
Guide to Willsboro
Camping sites near Willsboro, New York range from isolated mountain retreats to waterfront locations along Lake Champlain shorelines. The region experiences temperature fluctuations with summer highs averaging 75-80°F during peak camping months, but dropping significantly in higher elevation sites. Fall campers should prepare for nighttime temperatures that can dip below 40°F by mid-September at many Adirondack campgrounds.
What to do
Kayaking at Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday: Located near the Ausable River, this campground provides water access for paddlers. "We had a great holiday weekend in this campground of Adirondack. It's nice to close to the river, also you can rent boats from the registration," notes Maggie H. The nearby swimming hole offers a natural alternative to the on-site pool.
Hiking at Mount Philo State Park Campground: This small park with only 8 campsites offers a short but rewarding hike to panoramic views. "Only 8 campsites, dispersed in the trees. $23/night. Picnic table and fire pit. Moderate cell service. Nice hikes and cool views of the area!" shares Kaelin P. The park's summit trail takes approximately 10-15 minutes from the campground area.
Biking at Grand Isle State Park Campground: Cyclists can ride directly from camp to Burlington without returning to their vehicles. "We biked to this park from Burlington via the Island Line Trail. It was a super trip. The lakeside lean-to was awesome," writes John L. The trail includes a bike ferry that connects segments across a small section of Lake Champlain.
What campers like
Waterfront access at North Beach Campground: Proximity to Lake Champlain with multi-use paths connecting to Burlington. "Right on the Burlington bike path and across the beach, there is plenty to do and easy access to town and other attractions. Other than the beach itself, this is not a resort campground but it is in an outdoor paradise with plenty to do in the area," reports Michael G.
Secluded sites at Shelburne Camping Area: Open year-round when most other campgrounds close for winter. "We didn't advance book, so we were in one of the last available spots. Site 2 is a flat, gravel back in, 30 amp, full hookup. We were near the pool and office," explains C O. Despite its proximity to town, sites maintain a sense of privacy.
Lakefront views at Apple Island Resort: Sites with premium views of Lake Champlain. "This campground is located in a central area between Burlington and north hero. The views of lake Champlain are amazing. Ex check in and plenty of amenities," says Ronald C. The resort features a 9-hole par-3 golf course with putting green for campers.
What you should know
Seasonal operation limitations: Most campgrounds in the region operate between May and October, with very limited winter camping options. "We stayed over Memorial Day weekend and were surprised that the campground was not full. One thing we noticed was that all the campers were clustered together while they could have been spaced out so there was an empty site between us and our neighbors," observes Nancy W. at Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday.
Waterfront site considerations: Not all waterfront sites provide direct water access. At Ausable Point Campground, "I was on a water spot but the only problem is u have to climb over logs to get to the water, from the riverside," mentions Debbie T. Beach sites may have steep drop-offs at some locations.
Reservation requirements: Popular sites fill quickly, especially waterfront locations. "Only 8 campsites so try to book early. Nice trails that lead to scenic views of Lake Champlain. Bathrooms and showers were clean. Showers were quarter operated, 50 cents for 5 minutes," advises Beau B. about Mount Philo State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Beach access options: Selecting campgrounds with swimming facilities. "Burlington is my favorite city by far, and this campground is right on the beach! You get the best of both worlds at this location. Biking into Burlington takes 5-10 minutes and you're also right on the beach of Lake Champlain," says Brittany R. about North Beach Campground.
Playground facilities: Button Bay State Park offers structured recreation areas for children. "This state park is so fun to camp at! It has a great playground for kids and a nice swimming pool! You can hike on the trail and Lake Champlain is right there!" recommends Debbie S.
Nature programs for children: Grand Isle State Park features educational opportunities. "They have a small place to put in kayaks and wade in water. They have a jumping pad on that side also. Both sides have the tractor driving around, pulling the kids around," reports Nicole S. about activities at Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA.
Tips from RVers
Hook-up placement awareness: At Apple Island Resort, "The hook-ups at our site (11AD) were well-placed but the sewer pipe was high off the ground which did not let it drain even with a 'slinky.' The cable yielded a number of channels but was not HD. Campground Wifi was good and our Verizon phone and hotspot worked well," notes Nancy W.
Site selection for water views: Different tiers of sites offer varying levels of lake views. "Some Platinum Plus sites are in the first row with unobstructed views; whereas, our site was three rows back. Not sure why they charge the same when our site was overlooking two rows of RVs," comments Nancy W. about Apple Island Resort's tiered pricing structure.
Dump station availability: Button Bay State Park offers dump stations but no full hookups. "Great campground. Everything from sunny meadow sites to more wooded private sites. Nice pool. No hookups but have a dump station," advises Barbara Y. for those requiring waste disposal services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find camping spots in Willsboro, NY?
Where can I find camping spots in Willsboro, NY?
Willsboro and the surrounding Adirondack region offer several camping options. Meadowbrook Campground is a basic campground located between Saranac Lake and Lake Placid with picnic tables, open fire grills, and spacious sites with privacy along the outer ring. For more wilderness camping, Flowed Lands offers beautiful lakeside lean-to sites with stunning views. Both campgrounds provide access to the natural beauty of the Adirondacks. Other nearby options include Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday in Wilmington and various primitive camping sites throughout the region. Most campgrounds in the area are seasonal, typically operating from May through October.
What amenities are available at Willsboro Bay Marina and Campground?
What amenities are available at Willsboro Bay Marina and Campground?
While specific review information for Willsboro Bay Marina and Campground is limited, similar waterfront campgrounds in the region like Cumberland Bay State Park Campground offer amenities typical for Lake Champlain camping areas. These generally include shoreline access, picnic areas, swimming areas, and basic facilities like restrooms and fire rings. Many Lake Champlain campgrounds feature boat launches and docking facilities. For more developed camping options with additional amenities, Brookwood RV Resort is in the general vicinity and offers more extensive services for RV campers. Contact Willsboro Bay Marina directly for current amenity information and reservation details.
What are the best camping spots near Lake Champlain in Willsboro?
What are the best camping spots near Lake Champlain in Willsboro?
Ausable Point Campground offers exceptional Lake Champlain camping on a beautiful peninsula with sunrise and sunset views. The campground provides excellent water activities, birding opportunities, beach walking, and easy forest hikes. It's particularly scenic in autumn. Another excellent option is North Beach Campground, which offers beautiful views of the Adirondacks across Lake Champlain. Sites 90 to 108 are well-spaced under trees and considered the best options. The campground connects to Burlington's paved bike/walking trail with easy beach access. Both campgrounds provide the quintessential Lake Champlain camping experience with water access and scenic views.
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