Northeast Lakeside Campground Recommendations?

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Hello all. After many hours scouring Google, I thought perhaps I'd poll the collective here for some ideas. We live in MA and generally camp in Maine and NY. However we are open to anyplace in New England that fits the bill. Previously we had a boat and our RV. My wife would pull the boat and I would tow the RV. Less than fun on our average 4-6 hour trips taking two vehicles. Last fall we sold our boat in favor of a 3 seat PWC that will fit in the garage of our toyhauler. That way my wife, daughter, and I can all ride together. (Which is part of the fun!) Anyways, we have found a couple of places that can accommodate our RV, is on the water, and has a boat launch with mooring or docks for the PWC. However, they are few and far between. Some lakes don't allow PWC's and some that do have campsites that are frightened by the stigma of wild hooligans on "jet skis" and have a no PWC policy. Anyways, if anyone has any ideas of campgrounds that would accommodate a large 42' 5ver, are on a lake with direct water access (or better yet have waterfront sites), and allow PWC's please pass along the info. We'd really appreciate it! TIA...

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Mike& Rose wrote:
Clearwater in NH is on the lake. We have not stayed there but have camped right across the road at Meredith Woods.
My family has a home on Lake Bomonseen, VT and I know there is a KOA on the other end of the lake. We have not camped there but it should have lake access. That end of the lake is extremely weedy though. We would go to that end to fish. Check out their web site. There are also public launch areas along the lake at the main end near Castleton.
There is also a campground on Lake George,NY near the town of Bolton Landing right on the lake. Do not remember the name but the sites may be too small for you.
Also past Sabago Lake is a campground right on the a lake in Naples, Maine. Not sure of the name but we stayed right next door at Naples Campground which did not have lake access.
Moosehead Lake, Maine has Lilly Bay Campground
. Hope this helps.

Thanks! Some of those we've seen but looking at Clearwater now. Seems like a possible...

[Mike__Rose]

Clearwater in NH is on the lake. We have not stayed there but have camped right across the road at Meredith Woods.
My family has a home on Lake Bomonseen, VT and I know there is a KOA on the other end of the lake. We have not camped there but it should have lake access. That end of the lake is extremely weedy though. We would go to that end to fish. Check out their web site. There are also public launch areas along the lake at the main end near Castleton.
There is also a campground on Lake George,NY near the town of Bolton Landing right on the lake. Do not remember the name but the sites may be too small for you.
Also past Sabago Lake is a campground right on the a lake in Naples, Maine. Not sure of the name but we stayed right next door at Naples Campground which did not have lake access.
Moosehead Lake, Maine has Lilly Bay Campground
. Hope this helps.

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NH is good now. As long as it's NASBLA approved, NH accepts it.

[NAUTIQUE]

Also watch the NH boating regulations. Not sure if it applies to jetskies, but I think you need the NH saftey course. They weren't accepting other state's certifications? Which amazed me n the vacation state! Not 100% sure if this still applies though.

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spadoctor wrote:
BE AWARE....in NYS you must have a permit to drive a PWC....not for a boat just a PWC. We took the course which also covered the optional boating coarse. Check with NYS DEC for which states certificate/license NY will accept. No license you get a ticket and PWC impound

Thanks for letting me know. Looks like VT, CT, and NH are the same. The good news is, it's only $20. The bad news is, it's 8 hours of things I already know. Next up for debate... RV license endorsement... 😉

[spadoctor]

BE AWARE....in NYS you must have a permit to drive a PWC....not for a boat just a PWC. We took the course which also covered the optional boating coarse. Check with NYS DEC for which states certificate/license NY will accept. No license you get a ticket and PWC impound

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Wow, there's a find and it mentions jet ski slips right on their site... Thanks for the lead!

[Can-AmDuo]

Try Paugus Bay Campground in NH.

http://www.paugusbaycampground.com/

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loggenrock wrote:
Hmmm... LOTS of PWC on Lake Winnipesaukee, which is what Ellacoya SP is on. Didn't see anything pro or con on their website. Certainly a "No Wake Zone" at the beach - but the lake is certainly open to PWC. I think you should call them and ask specifically. Try NH Marine Patrol HQ - also in Gilford - they would know. (603) 293-2037. ST

It says no jet skis right on their reservation website which I didn't see when booking. It also said it on the reservation confirmation email I printed out after booking which I did see and then had to cancel. "NO" is in capital letters and they used an exclamation point. I guess they mean business on this...LOL.

Here it is from their website in the "alerts and important information" section:

Alerts and Important Information

SITE FEE COVERS 2 ADULTS AND UP TO 4 CHILDREN. FOR ALL ADDITIONAL ADULTS A FEE OF $10 PER NIGHT AND FOR ALL ADDITIONAL CHILDREN FEES OF $5 PER NIGHT ARE TO BE PAID UPON ARRIVAL.

Pop-ups allowed, but must hook up to all 2 services (water, abd electric).

Cable connection is available.

NO jet ski!

A maximum of 14 nights (cumulative) between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day. This applies to rigs as well as individuals..

Tents are NOT allowed at Ellacoya. No fire rings at any site.

All campers MUST hook up to all 2 services (water, and electric All campers MUST be self contained with water, and electric hook ups.

Pets are NOT allowed at any time.

Sites accommodate a maximum of 6 people, combination of adults and children with no more than 4 adults per site.

Payment at time of reservation covers 2 adults and up to 4 children. Additional adults and children pay at check in.

**For any refund requests after the reservation arrival date must be in writing and sent to The NH Reservation Information Office, PO Box 1856, Concord, NH 03302-1856 **
Contact Information:
Mailing Address:
ELLACOYA STATE PARK
Route 11
Gilford NH 03246
Phone Number:
Information: (603)293-7821


So, as I said earlier, lots of lakes that are open to PWCs have campgrounds that are not...

[loggenrock]

Hmmm... LOTS of PWC on Lake Winnipesaukee, which is what Ellacoya SP is on. Didn't see anything pro or con on their website. Certainly a "No Wake Zone" at the beach - but the lake is certainly open to PWC. I think you should call them and ask specifically. Try NH Marine Patrol HQ - also in Gilford - they would know. (603) 293-2037. ST

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Just checked out Danfourth Bay. Thanks but like many others, they don't allow PWC's. We had planned and and booked a trip to Ellacoya but just had to cancel it last week when we found on their website that PWC's weren't allowed. Many lakes that allow them have campgrounds that don't which is the case with both of these... Very frustrating...

[loggenrock]

As long as you don't travel with a pet, check out Ellacoya State Park in Gilford, NH - right on Lake Winnepesaukee. In NH, PWC are prohibited on bodies of water less than 75 acres in size.But they are also defined as carrying 1 or 2 persons, so not sure where your 3-person sits..., ST

[DaveNH603]

We really enjoy Danforth Bay in Freedom, NH. We're not boaters so I don't know the rules on PWC. They allow regular boats.

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Thanks Drew. We've done Apple Island with the boat. Not sure if Champlain is too big for the PWC.