Camping options near Wilton, New York range from rustic tent sites to full-service RV resorts within a 15-mile radius. The region sits at the southeastern edge of the Adirondacks with elevations around 300-400 feet, creating a mixed woodland terrain with significant seasonal temperature variations. Summer humidity can make bug protection essential during peak camping months from June through August when daily temperatures typically range from 65°F to 85°F.
What to do
Kayaking at Luzerne Campground: Located about 15 miles from Wilton, this campground offers direct lake access for paddlers. "My overall favorite place. Love being on the far side of the lake with the private beach and no motorboats allowed. Tons of bike riding options. Great little lake for kayaking and fishing," notes camper Dan H. Paddle rentals available on-site.
Winter recreation options: While most campgrounds close by mid-October, the surrounding area offers seasonal alternatives. "The park has a large number of hiking trails for every level of outdoorsman... Hiking trails become nice XC skiing trails," shares Amber A. about Moreau Lake State Park. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails open when conditions permit.
White water adventures: The Adirondack region offers seasonal white water opportunities. "Great location! Small state run campground in the SE Adirondacks- plenty to do: tubing and white water rafting (spring) great hikes, horseback riding, canoe/kayaking, zip lines," according to Troy H. Day trips for tubing and rafting typically run from May to September depending on water levels.
What campers like
Large, private camping sites: Site size varies significantly between campgrounds. Moose Hillock Camping Resort receives consistent praise for generously-sized sites. "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," notes camper Nancy W.
Clean facilities: Maintenance standards vary by location. "Shower rooms are clean. Love that we can rent boats too. Also, the little mom and pop store across the street is perfect for last minute needs and have the best homemade chocolate cream pie," mentions Antoinette W. about Luzerne Campground.
Family-friendly amenities: Campgrounds cater to different visitor preferences. "Campsite was a little creepy but the scenery and attractions around the area were amazing. Lake George is right down the road and it is also across from an adventure/tubing area," notes Katarina M.. Many campgrounds offer playgrounds and seasonal recreation programs.
What you should know
Seasonal crowds affect experience: Tourism levels vary dramatically by season and location. "Nice state campground, very clean, nice staff. Campground and swimming area becomes very crowded, especially on holiday weekend due to proximity to I-87 and number of downstate tourists that frequent the park," writes Robert L. about Moreau Lake State Park.
Road noise concerns: Some campgrounds experience highway noise. "The only downside was the road noise, our site was adjacent to the road and you could hear the loud noise of the tractor trailers all night. We camp in a pop up, I don't know if you would hear the noise in a trailer," mentions Lauren about Ledgeview Village RV Park.
Weather preparedness: The region experiences variable conditions. "We unfortunately got hit with some pretty bad weather so we couldn't enjoy the grounds as much as we would have liked to but that was obviously not their fault. We had to evacuate the mountain our last evening because of really bad thunder and lightning," shares Christina M. about Lake George Escape Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Look for dedicated family activities: Programming varies between parks. "Beyond clean facilities. Very friendly and helpful staff. Went with 3 kids under 8yrs old. They had a blast and so did we, they have family activities everyday too," notes ryan G. about Moose Hillock Camping Resort.
Consider campground layout: Site proximity to amenities affects family convenience. "The park is very large so if you want to be near the pool/entertainment area or nearby bathrooms, pick your site accordingly," advises Nancy W. about Moose Hillock. Most family-oriented campgrounds provide site maps during reservation.
Pack for variable swimming conditions: Water access varies by location. "Nice swim at your own risk beach (no guards), boat rentals, good fishing," mentions Robert L. about Luzerne Campground. Lifeguard services typically operate between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends at larger parks.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Terrain varies considerably between campgrounds. "Sites are decent size, but be sure to bring boards to level your trailer for some sites are quite uneven!" advises Michelle D. about Lake George RV Park. Most sites require some leveling equipment.
Site selection strategy: Research specific sites before booking when possible. "Our site was fine and large enough to accommodate our RV and tow car but some campsites were pretty small and would not fit large RVs. Roads in the park are confusing because none are parallel or perpendicular so we had to go slow just to make sure we didn't miss a turn in the RV," notes Nancy W. about Lake George Escape Campground.
Hook-up considerations: Services differ between sites. "The sewer hook-up was very weird and at an angle that was hard to secure my hose to. Instead of flowing straight down into the ground, it was at 45 degrees and took a big rock for me to secure it," explains Nancy W. about King Phillip's Campground. Most RV parks in the region offer full hookups, but specific site amenities vary.
