10 Awesome Camping Spots in the Adirondacks
Moose River Plains Wild Forest
Location: Between Inlet and Indian Lake, NY
Why we love it: The Moose River Plains is an escape to accessible wilderness. Campsites are spaced out and remote, but still accessible by car. In the early summer months, Helldiver Pond is notorious for sightings of a huge male moose visitor, often seen munching on the aquatic vegetation.
Features: Primitive sites; limited outhouses, with some waterfront sites in the Cedar River Flow area.
Fish Creek Ponds
Location: Lake Clear, NY
Why we love it: Fish Creek offers visitors a true feeling of community camping and most sites are waterfront. Campers cheer you on from the shore while enjoying water sports, there are “yoo-hoo” calls that circle around the lake just before quiet hour and maybe a rendition of Taps, making the campground is a friendly and fun place. Rollins Pond is close by, a quieter alternative to Fish Creek. Canoers and kayakers can paddle from Fish Creek to Rollins Pond through a channel system with winding narrow streams and ponds which vary in size and connect the two larger bodies of water.
Features: Full campground facility, showers, and bathroom facilities, and everyone’s favorite part - an ice cream truck drives by every night.
Forked Lake
Location: Near Long Lake, NY
Why we love it: Forked Lake is a well-hidden gem, quiet and serene with 80 campsites accessible by boat or by foot. It is a bit of a hike for all but three sites near the ranger post that are RV accessible. There are plenty of opportunities for exploration by boat, including some islands. Since only small boats are allowed, the lake is calm and perfect for loon sightings. Paddlers must be aware that some parts of the lake are surrounded by private land.
Features: All waterfront sites, even some islands - primitive sites, outhouse available at each site.
Lake Eaton
Location: Near Long Lake, NY
Why we love it: Campground offers 135 tent and trailer sites, a nature hike on the northern end of the campground and a sandy beach with volleyball court and boat rentals are available. Shallow waters near the shore, and at some points in the middle of the lake, make great swimming and fishing spots. Plenty of activities are available in nearby Long Lake, all types of boating or grabbing a great meal at the Adirondack Hotel. A trip to the Long Lake area is not complete without stopping in at Hoss’s Country Store for a friendly chat or a true Adirondack souvenir.
Features: Full campground facility, showers and bathroom facilities, many prime water sites, secluded sites, and boat/canoe rentals.
Lake Lila
Lewey/Indian Lake
Location: South end of Indian Lake, NY
Why we love it: A HUGE body of water to explore between Lewey Lake and Indian Lake, and it is easy to get from one lake to the other. Wetlands at the southern end of Lewey Lake has a channel system that offers paddlers a chance to truly immerse themselves in a marsh ecosystem - surrounded by reeds, birds, and small mammals of all kinds, a great opportunity to learn about nature.
Features: Full campground facility - hot showers and bathroom facilities, many prime water sites, secluded sites, boat/canoe rentals.
Limekiln Lake
Location: Inlet, NY
Why we love it: Campground has 271 campsites, however, only a small portion are waterfront. It has a great beach and the lake itself is fun to explore. There are several small islands to explore while paddling, including one with a large rock, a perfect platform for jumping into the water. Limekiln is known for it’s visiting bears so each campsite is equipped with a bear locker for food storage.
Features: Full campground facility - showers and bathroom facilities, a few prime water sites, secluded sites, boat/canoe rentals.
Saranac Lake Islands
Location: Near Saranac Lake, NY
Why we love it: ISLAND CAMPING, sometimes your own private island !!! The lake is beautiful and offers plenty of privacy, with some sites available along the shoreline. The paddle can take a few hours from the DEC launching area off Rte. 3, but once you reach your site the reward is worth the long paddle. We experienced one of the best sunsets ever while camping on one of the islands - the deep purples, pinks, and oranges were breathtaking !!!
Features: Primitive sites, rustic outhouses, accessible by boat only
Seventh Lake
Location: Near Inlet, NY
Why we love it: The lean-tos work on a first-come, first-serve basis. The sites are all waterfront and most of have a perfect place to hang a hammock for dipping your toes in the water. The Eighth Lake campground is right around the corner if you want something a less primitive. Seventh Lake is close to Inlet, a charming Adirondack town. It is home to a killer pizza/wings/beer place - the Screamin Eagle… if you stop in be sure to try the bourbon wings !!
Features: Primitive sites, rustic toilet boxes, accessible by boat or foot (faster by boat)
Tioga Point
Location: Raquette Lake, NY
Why we love it: This is a boat access only campground so you certainly get a nice tour of Raquette Lake as you make your way out to the quiet peninsula that has 15 lean-tos, 10 tent sites, and a friendly ranger. From 1951 to 1966, Tioga Point was actually the Raquette Lake Boys Camp operated by the Conservation Department. The camp buildings were removed, but there is still a rustic community camping feeling present at Tioga Point.
Features: Primitive sites, rustic outhouses, accessible by boat.
This obviously is just a select list of Adirondack camping areas based on our own experiences. From campgrounds to primitive campsites, there are endless camping options in the Adirondack Park. Just pull out a map and start planning! Or spontaneously come across some of the camping areas in your adventures around the park.
