higley flow state park

Our family has a particular affinity for state parks in multiple states (NY, MN, PA, and WI). This is in the northern end of the Adirondacks (or just outside it, depending which map you look at). From Potsdam, it's the closest camping location. Definitely a nice place.

If you are looking for a campsite that has lots of big beautiful trees and privacy along with electrical hook ups and hot showers than this may be the spot for you. There is also a wonderful childrens play sructure, a small beach and a boat ramp. Staff are friendly and helpful and the park recycles. The only negative is that it seems to rain there a lot. We have been there 6 times and had rain every time!!!!!!

This is not the first time i have stayed at the campsite. As a child in the late 70s I stayed here with my family (our radio was stolen way back then), then as an adult my family stayed there 4 and five years ago. our children attended hockey sports camps at SUNY Potsdam during the day, so we enjoy the park as adults during the day, then bring the kids in at night. Other than the theft, each stay has been pleasant. The beach area and pavilion are very nice. The new playground is fantastic my youngest (8) and her friend (9) played there for hours. We ran, rode our bikes and fished as usual. This year for the first time we brought our kayaks -- this turned a pleasant vacation to a fantastic one. My husband and I paddled for an hour or two each day, exploring different parts of the flow. At night I took my youngest to the spooky lagoon, which made her giggle while my older child paddled over to a rope swing. We have stayed in both B loop and E loop -- definitely liked the quietness of e loop this time. No hook ups in E but it was worth it. Of the electrified sites I would definitely suggest B -- it just seems less crowded.

First night there dogs barking to midnight. Low life dirt bags took my camp stove and lantern. Area has definitely gone bad.

I live in Colton now but as a kid, we camped at Higley all the time! Today it's even better! They beach front has a very nice pavilion and play area for children! There are trails for hikes that are well marked with info panels! We've stayed in loop C, an electric but allows tents loop! It was fairly quiet and private! It's not too far from the beach and the bathrooms are central. So even though I live less than four miles away, this is still a favored camp ground!

We might have been very very unlucky on August 17-18 but the campsite was LOADED with groups, tons of kids screeming and running everywhere and lots of people in general (they definitely don't manage the maximum number of 6 people per site and 2 cars). In addition, we were probably the only ones with a tent, eventhough we choose the no-electricity loop. We had to endure all the caravans with their generators (although there are running hours, some neighbors just don't care and it's very unpleasant when you are seeking quietness). Do not choose site F115 as it is straight in front and very close of the bathroom. Having toured the whole campground, I am surprised to read people saying the sites are well appart and private. The campground in general in super clean and the trees are very nice, nice short trails as well. Would recommend to carefully choose your weekends. Hope this helps.

We visited this park for a picnic, it is Beautiful. Great beach, was nice and clean. Plenty of life guards. Very relaxing!

Excellent trails for hiking, despite the rainy cool weather. Didn't use any of the other facilities, but the staff seemed nice, informed and helpful.

We camped here Memorial Day weekend 2013. Although the weather did not cooperate (very rainy) the park was beautiful. Very well maintained and the park staff are very helpful and keep the park very clean. Sites are separated by tall fir trees but also small shrubs and growth, so you get good privacy from site to site while still getting good light during the day. Beach area is very nice with lots of activities for the kids and picnic tables with grills. Just outside the park is a store with gas, diesel, propane and groceries in case you forgot anything. Excellent setting in the Adirondack foothills. We will certainly be back this summer.

My family really enjoys this park. Good boat launch, great place for canoe/kayak in area that boats can't get to - safe to explore and see wildlife. Nice to walk around the park. If you can catch it when it is warm up there, it is a great place to enjoy the Adirondacks!

We stayed here over Labor Day weekend. It's a scenic park with all the amenities needed for camping. There is a nice beech. The park is full of beautiful trees which make it peaceful, private and quiet. The canoeing was wonderful. I would highly recommend and we will return again!

I have camped here my entire life. It's a paradise close to home. Tall pine trees separate every site so there's lots of privacy. Its a premier camping spot in the adirondacks. There's a beach, boat launch, hiking trails, nature center, state park police for security, and of course fishing on the racquette river.

We discovered this park when looking for a place to camp in the northern Adirondacks that offers walking and kayaking opportunities. It is a gem, with a wonderful campground featuring secluded sites (some with electic hook-ups), a beach, beautiful trails, and lots of places to kayak. The park is located on a reservoir (or flow) of the Raquette River and a few of the campsites are right on the water, although we preferred ones away from the waterfront that offer a little more privacy. The park draws many families, but even on a Friday night in July the campground was not full. We particularly enjoyed the Beaver Pond Trail, a 1-mile loop through a variety of habitats, and kayaking on Blake Reservoir's south end, where we saw a bald eagle and numerous waterfowl. Be sure to check out the "Black Lagoon," a small cove across from the boat launch that is rumored to have a resident "monster" and where people have placed spooky decorations such as gravestones, skeletons, etc. Only small boats can get in there. We went in broad daylight, but it could be an interesting twilight paddle!Just a short way north on Rt. 56 is Sunday Rock, which legend says used to mark the boundary between the civilized St. Lawrence Valley to the north and the wild "Great South Woods" of the Adirondacks. South of this rock, there was said to be no Sunday.Be sure to bring your groceries as there is only one small store in nearby South Colton. Otherwise, you have to drive 20 miles or so to Canton or Potsdam. The one drawback we encountered was some relatively loud music on Friday evening that may have been coming from outside the park. But it was not a major problem.

This is a great park! Clean beaches (one that allows dogs, one that doesn't), large sites, clean facilities and lots of paved roads for biking. If you're really feeling active, there are plenty of cross-country running trails as well! We'd highly recommend this park - and we've done our share of camping!

Higley Flow State Park has been one of our favorite parks ever since we "discovered" it many years ago. Set in the quiet little town of Colton, NY, it's away from the hustle and bustle of a tourist town. We love the quiet atmosphere and the pine tree covered sites. Kayacking on the resovoir is interesting and fun. The park is great for riding bikes, with moderate hills to get your heart pumping! The beach is clean and pleasant.