Pick up your motorhome rental in Fort Drum and make the short drive south to Bud's Campsites, a small, family-friendly RV destination in Great Bend. There are full hookups available and washrooms, as well as an RV storage service for the winter months. If you’ve got a military ID, you can pull into one of the RV sites at the Remington Park RV Campground, which offers full hookup 20, 30, and 50-amp sites. There’s direct access to the wilderness hiking and biking trails of Remington Park, together with a nearby sandy beach and swimming area. Alternatively, you can drive east to the Natural Bridge / Watertown KOA, which features spacious sites beneath a canopy of mature trees. There’s a heated indoor pool that can be used in all weather conditions, as well as a pavilion where you can mingle with other guests. Wi-Fi is also available on site. Fort Drum is home to a Walmart on its western edge where you may be able to set up for a night or two with the manager’s permission.

Book an RV rental near Fort Drum and head to the Jefferson County Historical Society, which occupies a grand Victorian mansion in Watertown. Delve into the local history while browsing the artifacts, books, and documents on display in the period furnished rooms. Admire the Tyler coverlets and 19th-century textiles, as well as vintage carriages and a Babcock car, then take time to stroll through the surrounding Victorian garden. A short stroll away is the heritage-listed Paddock Arcade, a 19th-century shopping mall that is one of the oldest covered shopping arcades in the United States. It was designed in a Gothic style with a glass roof to allow light to filter in and is fronted by an elegant Italianate facade. The Paddock Arcade still functions as a shopping mall today and is home to a bicycle store, an antique shop, and numerous dining establishments. If you’re traveling with kids, don’t miss a visit to the Thompson Park Zoo and Conservancy, which exhibits a number of animals that are native to New York State. It sprawls across 32 acres, with enclosures where you can get up close to American elk, bobcats, wolverines, and black bears. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife at the Olmsted Pond’s viewing area and be surrounded by colorful butterflies in the Heather A Freeman Butterfly House. You’ll need to make the 20-minute drive into Watertown for other services if you’re not military personnel. Here you’ll find a handful of supermarkets where you can stock up on groceries and eateries if you want to dine out, as well as gas stations if you need to fill up your campervan rental from Fort Drum. Whether you’re visiting Jefferson County for its wildlife conservancy or forested trails, book an RV in Fort Drum and start exploring!