Higley Flow State Park

Introduction of Higley Flow State Park

Higley Flow State Park, nestled among the Adirondack foothills on the picturesque Raquette River, is an ideal RV getaway for those seeking peace and quiet. The park is located in St. Lawrence County, New York, and is surrounded by the man-made Higley Flow and Warm Creek Flow, both of which were created by impounding the Raquette River. This location by the water allows park visitors to participate in a variety of exciting activities all year. The Raquette River reservoir has a popular sandy beach that is also popular for canoeing and fishing. Boat launching facilities are available to park visitors. The waters freeze over during the winter, making ice fishing possible.Hiking trails are also popular, and the Beaver Pond Nature Trail has interpretive signs that explain the six distinct habitats that the trail passes through. In the winter, hiking trails double as cross-country ski trails, and snowmobiling and snowshoeing are permitted. Higley Flow State Park has 128 RV-friendly campground sites with a mix of 30-amp and 50-amp connections, so you’ll be camping in comfort whether you’re renting your first RV or looking for a place to park your van. The campsites are well-known for their spaciousness, with beautiful pine trees separating you from neighboring campsites. Higley Flow State Park’s facilities are open from mid-May to early September.

Higley Flow State Park Camping

Higley Flow State Park has excellent RV camping facilities. There is one campground with multiple loops in the park. The sites range from being near the water’s edge to being large and private due to the tall trees within the campgrounds. RV campers can choose between 30 and 50 amp electrical hookups at each of the 128 available sites. Water hookups are available at some sites, which is always a plus. The sites also include a picnic table and grill for your use during your stay. The campground also has an updated restroom, showers, a dump station, water collection points, a boat ramp, and beach access.

Because of the abundance of state parks and forests in this area of New York, your camping options are virtually limitless. If all of the campsites at Higley Flow State Park are taken, head east to Snow Bowl State Forest, or west to Taylor Creek State Forest and Glen Meal State Forest. RV resorts dot the area around the park and provide first-rate amenities such as full RV hookups, laundry facilities, Wi-Fi, restaurants, flush toilets, hot showers, dog parks, and more. Hotels are as close as Canton and Potsdam if you want to get out of the pop-up for a few nights or have a day or two before your RV rental is ready.

Higley Flow State Park Activities

Birding

Do you want to go bird watching on your camping trip? Don’t forget to bring binoculars with you in the campervan because Higley Flow State Park is an excellent place for birding whether you’re walking, skiing, or paddling. Check out the Beaver Pond Trail for an all-around birding experience, as it contains a variety of habitats such as wetlands, forests, and open meadows that attract a variety of birds. Warblers, bluebirds, owls, hummingbirds, osprey, and numerous other birds of prey can be found in the park.

Cross Country Skiing

When the weather becomes too cold for hiking, the trails at Higley Flow State Park are converted into cross-country skiing terrain. Many visitors come to Higley Flow State Park to enjoy the excellent cross-country skiing trails made possible by volunteers known as the Friends of Higley Flow State Park. If you include the unplowed park roads, there are approximately 18 miles of skiing available. Higley Flow State Park does not offer ski rentals, so bring your own equipment. 

Hiking

Higley Flow State Park has around 10 miles of well-maintained hiking trails for you to enjoy if you need to stretch your legs after a long road trip in the motorhome. The trails wind through the park’s beautiful backcountry, providing hours of entertainment during your visit. We recommend the one-mile Beaver Pond Loop Trail if you’re looking for a quality short trail. This hike will take you through a variety of habitats within the park, including a bog and the park’s namesake pond. Hikers benefit from an educational experience while hiking because the trail has informative signs along its route. 

Ice Fishing

Ice fishing is a popular winter activity at Higley Flow State Park for both locals and visitors. During the colder months, the Higley Falls Reservoir usually freezes over, allowing you to fish for smallmouth bass, northern pike, and panfish. Because the park does not actively monitor the ice thickness, make sure you test it before dropping a line in the cold water. Because there are no fishing rentals at the park, you must bring all of your own equipment. Don’t forget to bring an auger to test the ice thickness.

Boating

Higley Flow State Park has something for every type of boater, so tie the boat to the back of the rig. For those who want to motorboat, there are deep waters on the eastern side where you can spend the day. There are many small coves that only you will have access to if you are in a smaller watercraft such as a kayak or canoe. We recommend paddling past the two western peninsulas, where the water is filled with rocks and tree stumps rising just above the surface. Within the park, there are several boat launches available for use.

Swimming

Do you want to go swimming during your stay? Higley Flow State Park contains a beautiful sandy swimming beach. The swimming beach is open during the summer months, and lifeguards are stationed on the beach for your protection. There are some great facilities near the beach area, such as a pavilion with grills and picnic tables. A playground for children is also available near the beach. Pets are not permitted near the beach, so leave them at the camper (this rule does not apply to service animals).

Higley Flow State Park Location

Higley Flow State Park is located in St. Lawrence County in northern New York. The park is in a lovely setting near the Adirondack foothills. The Adirondack foothills are a scenic area of New York state, bordered to the west by Glenmeal State Forest and Taylor Creek State Forest, and to the east by Snow Bowl State Forest. If you need supplies, the town of Colton is about six and a half miles to the north of the park and has a few small shops.Aside from Colton, many of the towns surrounding the park will lack major amenities. Canton and Potsdam, which are more populated, are about 16 miles away and have better options for supplies and facilities. The roads leading to the park are well-kept, and trees are set back far enough from the road that branches will not damage your RV. The roads will be extremely difficult to navigate during the winter, and most RV campers will avoid the area during this time.

Parking

Parking is available

Public Transport

Public Transport is not available