Camping spots near Westport, New York provide access to both the Adirondack Mountains and Lake Champlain, with elevations ranging from 100 feet at the lakeshore to over 4,000 feet in the nearby High Peaks region. The camping season typically runs from mid-May through mid-October, with July temperatures averaging 70-85°F during daytime hours. Cell service varies significantly throughout the region, with stronger reception near towns and spotty coverage in more remote camping locations.
What to do
Kayaking at Lincoln Pond: Lincoln Pond Campground offers calm waters ideal for paddling, with boat rentals available on site. "The lake and area are beautiful," notes a camper who visited recently, adding that waterfront sites provide direct access to the water, though they can be "very close to your neighbors."
Hiking near Whiteface Mountain: Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday serves as a convenient base for exploring nearby trails. "There are two distinct sections of this campground—the 'Resort' section and the '100-Acre Woods' section... Behind the 100-Acre section are trails that lead to Whiteface Mountain so you don't have to get in the car to start a hike," explains a visitor who stayed in a full hook-up site.
Exploring historic sites: Crown Point Campground places you directly on the grounds of significant colonial-era fortifications. "Lots of history here, old forts. On river border of NY & VT. Nice views from the campsites, some places to walk around including a bridge," reports one camper, while another adds, "The fort and its museum are the main attractions but there's a lot more to do nearby as well."
What campers like
Lakefront sunrises: Bridgeview Harbour Marina offers premium views from its waterfront sites. A camper at the pumphouse campsite reports, "While you do not have direct access to the lake for swimming, it is very private with many trees providing shade. And waking up to that sunrise every morning was incredible."
Quiet, wooded sites: Sharp Bridge Campground provides more secluded camping with a natural setting. "The campground is in a forest of red and white pines, giving it an open feeling," notes one visitor. Another camper adds, "One of the quietest campsites I've ever stayed at in the Adirondacks," mentioning that it receives 4G LTE service despite its relatively remote location.
Swimming options: Many campsites offer alternative water access beyond Lake Champlain. A visitor to Mount Philo State Park recommends "nearby Charlotte town beach for swimming ($10 for non-residents)," while Button Bay State Park campers appreciate having "a nice swimming pool" with lifeguards when lake conditions are less than ideal.
What you should know
Reservation timing: The most desirable sites fill quickly, particularly for summer weekends. At Button Bay State Park, "Book early for the best sites," advises a camper who notes that the "waterfront sites are fantastic, they are wide so smaller units can be parked parallel to the lake."
Seasonal factors: Weather can vary dramatically throughout the camping season. "We've been camping at Button Bay for years, and while it can be hot and buggy in the summer months, there is no place we'd rather be in September!" reports one experienced visitor, adding, "The pool closes after Labor Day weekend."
Road conditions: Access to most established campgrounds remains good throughout the season, though some remote sites may require more careful navigation. A camper at Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday noted, "Roads in the park are gravel and were very dusty" and mentioned "lots of tree limbs that needed to be trimmed. Maneuvering through the park was pretty tight for us and we had to take it really slow."
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and activities: Seek out campgrounds with dedicated children's facilities. At North Beach Campground, families appreciate beach access with "life guards on duty at the beach and a playground and grills (claim them early if you want them)." Button Bay State Park similarly offers "a great playground for kids and a nice swimming pool."
Biking opportunities: North Beach Campground connects directly to Burlington's bike path network. "Easy access to all of Burlington by bike. Reasonable price for campsites and the sites are large," reports a regular visitor who stays annually for the Vermont City Marathon. Another camper advises to "bring your bikes! you're tucked away in the woods on gorgeous lake champlain and can bike into burlington for meals and city street strolls."
Site selection for privacy: Families may prefer specific loops or areas within larger campgrounds. At Mount Philo State Park, campers appreciate that "only 8 campsites, dispersed in the trees" makes for a "great little campground at a beautiful state park" with "widely spaced wooded sites" that is "exceptionally quiet."
Tips from RVers
Full hookup options: Barber Homestead Park provides complete services within Westport itself. A recent visitor found it to be a "Very quiet, well maintained campground. Easy to maneuver our rig into," adding that "This is a hidden gem in that area!" with "Direct access to Lake Champlain."
Site spacing considerations: RV sites vary significantly in terms of proximity to neighbors. At Shelburne Camping Area, some campers find that "sites are somewhat small close together," while those with larger rigs appreciate that some campgrounds offer dedicated parking: "Super nice owners! Offered parking for our truck right across lane on separate site."
Big rig navigation: Larger RVs require careful campground selection. Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday accommodates substantial units, with one camper reporting their site "was plenty long enough for our 45' RV and tow car," though they caution about tight interior roads and the need to "take it really slow" due to low-hanging branches.
