The Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests region features diverse terrain spanning Vermont and New York, with elevations ranging from 600 to over 4,000 feet. The area experiences distinct seasons, with peak camping months from June through September. Winter arrives early at higher elevations, with many campgrounds closing by mid-October when overnight temperatures regularly drop below freezing.
What to do
Water activities at Jamaica State Park: Access to the West River provides opportunities for swimming, fishing, and kayaking. A flat riverside trail extends from the campground. According to one visitor, "Great weekend in Jamaica! Clean well kept level areas! Staff was friendly! Great hiking or biking along the West River!"
Hiking to waterfalls: Several campgrounds offer access to waterfall hikes within walking distance. One camper at Jamaica State Park noted, "We hiked the west river trail (which leads right out of the campground) to Hamilton falls which is a gravel closed road that follows the west river upstream 2 miles to Hamilton falls trail which then leads up hill for another mile to the falls."
Mining activities: Spacious Skies Adirondack Peaks offers gem mining activities for kids. A visitor mentioned, "Being a fan of gems, I definitely bought an embarrassing amount of dirt for the gem mining (Got some good finds, so worth it!)"
Seasonal recreation: Lake George Escape Campground provides multiple activities based on season. One camper shared, "There are SO MANY activities in this area. Archery was awesome!" Another mentioned, "You can mine for gold, chill by the pool or even try your shot at archery!"
What campers like
River access: Many campgrounds feature riverfront sites with water recreation. At Brookside RV Camping, a visitor noted, "This is a great spot to stop for a night with your RV and enjoy the river for a night. Easy to get to, just off of a one-way paved road."
Natural swimming areas: The region offers swimming beyond traditional pools. A Jamaica State Park visitor wrote, "I love the area around Jamaica State Park and have stayed a few times! There is plenty of trails in the area and you can go to the waterfall/rock slides and take a dip in the pools."
Pet amenities: Lake George RV Park features extensive dog facilities. A visitor explained, "Best part- the 2 acre dog park with shaded seating for humans, bathrooms and a dog wash station."
Recreation facilities: Campgrounds offer various recreational options. At Ledgeview Village RV Park, a camper shared, "Bathrooms very clean. Pool was nice. Campground nice for younger families."
What you should know
Site variations: Campground sites vary significantly in size and privacy. A visitor at Lake George Escape noted, "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."
Seasonal campers: Many RV campgrounds have a mix of transient and seasonal residents. At Ledgeview Village RV Park, a visitor observed, "The place was packed but you wouldn't know it. So peaceful."
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies throughout the region, particularly in more remote areas. At Jamaica State Park, a camper mentioned, "small town general store, no cell service and a gorgeous back drop is a perfect spot to just unwind from the real world."
Road noise: Some campgrounds experience traffic noise from nearby highways. One camper at Ledgeview Village noted, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Multiple campgrounds offer swimming facilities. A visitor at Dorset RV Park shared, "Great location near a fantastic quarry, country store, and Manchester shopping. The camp grounds were family friendly and quiet. They even had rabbits and chickens for the kids to enjoy."
Entertainment for different ages: Look for campgrounds with age-specific activities. A Lake George RV Park visitor noted, "There is also another trolly to the village of Lake George, Great Escape and the outlet center. Bike trails throughout with a connection to the local bike trails leading to Lake George and Glens Falls area."
Family-friendly sites: Consider the site layout when traveling with children. One camper at Brookwood RV Resort stated, "Sites were clean and well-kept. Shop onsite with all you can possibly need. Beautiful pool. And easy access to Fort Ticonderoga, restaurants in town and Lake George area."
Playground access: Many campgrounds feature playground equipment. A visitor to Ledgeview Village RV Park noted, "Has a playground and pool. Kids enjoyed the area."
Tips from RVers
Campground road navigation: Roads within some parks can be challenging for larger rigs. A visitor at Lake George Escape noted, "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."
Site leveling needs: Be prepared to level your rig at some campgrounds. A camper at Brookwood RV Resort mentioned, "Full hookup (sewer, water, 50 AMP), level, shaded site, Wi-Fi."
Dump station availability: Not all rv campgrounds in Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests offer full hookups. A visitor at Jamaica State Park observed, "The bathroom facilities, while rustic, were clean. There is a plethora of things to do in the park itself and in the local community."
Site access challenges: Some campgrounds have narrow roads and tight turns that can challenge larger RVs. At Dorset RV Park, a camper warned, "Larger rigs might want to avoid loop 6-14, especially for sites 8-12. Tree placement and a pretty sharp 110+ degree turn makes it challenging to maneuver."
