The Adirondack region surrounding Witherbee offers diverse camping opportunities within the 6-million-acre Adirondack Park. Most campgrounds in the area sit between 500-1500 feet elevation, with temperatures that can drop into the 40s overnight even during summer months. Many campsites near Witherbee provide access to both mountains and lakes, creating distinctive microclimates where morning fog and afternoon breezes are common.
What to do
Hiking at Pharaoh Mountain: Access trailheads from Putnam Pond Campground where several hiking trails lead to small ponds and the old graphite mine. "Take the yellow trail through the sites to the Rock pond lean-to. Along the pond there are great views and potential swimming locations. Take the red trail around and you will come across the old graphite mine, which was cool to look at its remnants," reports Michael G.
Kayaking on calm waters: Rent boats directly from campgrounds or bring your own for paddling on smaller lakes. "We spent a day on the ponds (Putnam & North Pond are connected) and it is beautiful. The water is cool, clean and beautiful," notes a Putnam Pond visitor. Paradox Lake is also popular for water activities as one camper shares, "the lake was amazingly clear! enjoyed kayaking here."
Historical exploration: Visit Fort Ticonderoga near Crown Point Campground where you can experience colonial history. "Walking around you can see sunrises, sunsets, boats, forts, the bridge, history. The fort and its museum are the main attractions but there's a lot more to do nearby as well," explains Justin S., highlighting the recreational diversity beyond just the camping experience.
What campers like
Private island camping: For those seeking seclusion, Putnam Pond offers remote boat-in sites. "Site r005 is our favorite - a private island all to yourself! R006 is good too but a little further to row out to," recommends Tara F. These sites require bringing your own boat or renting one from the campground.
Cleanliness of facilities: Many campgrounds near Witherbee maintain high standards for bathrooms and shower facilities. At Sharp Bridge Campground, one visitor noted, "The restroom seems pretty new, but half of the stalls were in real need of a good cleaning." However, other campgrounds like Putnam Pond receive consistent praise: "The bathrooms were always clean, the showers were always clean and the campground as a whole was ALWAYS CLEAN."
Proximity to High Peaks: Several camping areas serve as excellent basecamps for Adirondack High Peak adventures. As Monica G. from Sharp Bridge Campground states, it's a "Quiet campground, close to many hiking high peak trails." Similarly, South Meadow Campground offers access to numerous trailheads, though with primitive amenities and restrictions.
What you should know
Fire restrictions vary: Not all campgrounds permit open fires. South Meadow Campground explicitly prohibits fires as noted by camper Mike F.: "NO FIRES ALLOWED!" Most established campgrounds do allow fires in designated rings, with firewood often available for purchase.
Road access challenges: Some campgrounds require navigation on secondary roads that may be challenging for larger vehicles. For Putnam Pond, the access road is unpaved in sections, while Sharp Bridge is more accessible as Kyle H. notes it's a "Gem just off the Northway" with "4g LTE service."
Reservation timelines: For summer weekends at popular campgrounds like Rogers Rock Campground, reservations may fill 9 months in advance. Weekdays offer better availability. As one visitor observed, "I was here midweek, so it wasn't packed, but I image when it's full that it may be noisy."
Tips for camping with families
Consider proximity to amenities: Button Bay State Park across Lake Champlain offers more structured recreation 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!" shares Debbie S.
Look for dedicated swim areas: Not all lakes near Witherbee have developed swimming areas. Button Bay features a supervised swimming pool with a lifeguard, while other campgrounds like Paradox Lake have designated beach areas but may lack supervision.
Pack for temperature swings: Even in July and August, overnight temperatures can drop dramatically. Many campgrounds sit at higher elevations where 30-degree temperature variations between day and night aren't uncommon, especially in early and late season.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup options: Full-service RV sites are available at Bridgeview Harbour Marina but with only 4 total sites. "The campsites are just a short walk away from the working marina. So you will hear some equipment noise from folks maintaining and launching boats. However, it didn't bother us at all," reports Cam R.
Consider site size and privacy: At Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA, RVers note significant differences between sections. "There are two distinct sections of this campground– the 'Resort' section and the '100-Acre Woods' section. We stayed in site #73 of the 100-Acre section and would highly recommend staying in this area as opposed to the other. This section has tall shad trees and much more space between sites than the resort area."
Watch for low-clearance issues: Many campgrounds in the Adirondacks have tree canopies that may create challenges for taller RVs. Sharp Bridge Campground features pines that offer shade but could present obstacles, so carefully research site specifications before booking.
