Ausable River Campground

For local users searching for "camping near me," Ausable River Campground, located at 367 State Hwy 9N, Keeseville, NY 12944, offers a riverside camping experience. You can contact them at (518) 834-9379 or +1 518-834-9379 for inquiries and reservations. Based on the available online reviews, here's an objective overview of what you might expect at this campground.

One long-term seasonal camper, who began staying at Ausable River Campground in 2021, initially reported a positive first-year experience. However, their subsequent years (2022, 2023, and 2024) were marked by significant issues related to flooding. According to this reviewer, the campground experienced multiple instances of flooding, leading to some campers losing their RVs due to the rising river levels. A major concern raised was the alleged lack of timely communication from the owners regarding approaching floodwaters, despite having campers' contact information. This resulted in substantial property damage for some seasonal residents, with one individual recounting a near loss of their camper due to delayed notification.

The same reviewer also expressed dissatisfaction with the maintenance and upkeep of the campground over the years. They claimed that promised improvements, such as addressing campground drainage problems and repairing essential infrastructure like power boxes and water lines, were often delayed or never materialized. The only consistent maintenance observed was the repeated raking of the road throughout the camping season. These issues reportedly led to significant disruptions in camping time for seasonal visitors, with potential losses of a month or two of usage in some years.

Further concerns were raised regarding site management and fairness. The reviewer alleged instances of the owner promising specific sites to their family members once previous campers vacated them, only to then allocate these sites to individuals who were already renting multiple sites. This practice was attributed to a perceived favoritism towards long-term renters, potentially at the expense of newcomers or those with smaller bookings. The reviewer also mentioned broken promises regarding early setup arrangements, which they attributed to owner inaction or preferential treatment of established campers.

The overall atmosphere of the campground, as described by this long-term camper, appears to have deteriorated over their years of stay. They reported issues such as excessive noise, frequent arguments among intoxicated individuals, late-night partying extending into the early morning hours, and unsafe behavior involving the operation of four-wheelers within the campground. Furthermore, they noted instances of vehicles being driven at excessive speeds (20-25 mph) through the campground, posing a safety risk to pedestrians and children playing.

For those considering short-term stays (nightly or weekend), the same reviewer suggests that many of the issues experienced by seasonal campers might also be encountered. These include "dirty and outdated bathrooms," "gross showers," and "old washing machines." The only listed amenity is the river's proximity to the campground, which is described as "very brown and gross." The reviewer also reported finding glass in the beach areas on a couple of occasions, advising against walking barefoot in those locations.

An additional point of concern raised by the long-term reviewer involves the campground owner allegedly using seasonal campers' electricity for operating sump pumps and electric golf carts during flood events, sometimes for extended periods, without offering any corresponding discounts on their electricity bills.

In contrast to this detailed negative account, a more recent and brief review offers a very positive perspective. This reviewer commended the owners, describing them as "the sweetest" and highlighting their accommodating nature during a phone reservation process with on-site payment. They also noted that "the campsite is in great conditions." This significantly different experience suggests a potential inconsistency in the campground's offerings or a difference in expectations and experiences between short-term and long-term visitors, or perhaps improvements have been made more recently.

Given the stark contrast in these two reviews, local users considering Ausable River Campground should exercise caution and seek more information before making a booking. The positive review, while encouraging, lacks the detailed insights provided by the long-term seasonal camper's extensive account of issues encountered over several years.

Prospective campers might want to contact the campground directly to inquire about the current condition of the facilities, the frequency and management of flooding events, the enforcement of campground rules regarding noise and vehicle speed, and the availability and quality of amenities such as restrooms, showers, and water access. It would also be prudent to ask about any specific policies or procedures in place to address potential flooding and ensure the safety and well-being of campers.

The conflicting feedback makes it difficult to provide a definitive assessment of the "environment, services, and features" of Ausable River Campground. While the riverfront location could be appealing, the reported condition of the river and the potential for flooding are significant factors to consider. The availability of hot showers is mentioned positively, but the overall state of the bathrooms and showers is questioned in one review. The suitability for group tent camping is not explicitly addressed in the negative review, which focuses more on the challenges faced by seasonal RV campers.

No specific promotional information was included in the provided reviews. Therefore, local users interested in any potential discounts or special offers should inquire directly with the campground management when contacting them.

In conclusion, Ausable River Campground presents a mixed picture based on the available online reviews. While one recent visitor reported a positive experience with accommodating owners and good campsite conditions, a long-term seasonal camper detailed numerous significant issues related to flooding, maintenance, site management, and the overall campground environment over several years. Local users searching for "camping near me" should carefully consider these contrasting perspectives and conduct their own due diligence by contacting the campground directly with specific questions and perhaps seeking more recent reviews from other sources to gain a more comprehensive and up-to-date understanding of what Ausable River Campground currently offers.

Ausable River Campground

367 State Hwy 9N, Keeseville, NY 12944, USA