ADK Journal  /  Camping

Camping in the Adirondacks

Camping is one of the things we actually know well. Over the years we've done it every way the Adirondacks allows — pulling up to a lakeside site with the pop-up camper, paddling our canoes into remote spots, and everything in between. Six million acres of park means there's no wrong way to do it.

How We Camp
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Developed Campgrounds
Full-Facility Campgrounds
DEC campgrounds with full facilities — showers, boat launches, fire rings. We do this one with the pop-up camper, sometimes with friends in tow with their tents. Great for families and first-timers who want the full campground experience.
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Drive-In Primitive
Car-Access Primitive Sites
Accessible by vehicle but without developed amenities — think Moose River Plains Road. You drive in, find a site, and it's just you and the woods. No reservations, no showers, no ice cream truck. Exactly the point.
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Paddle-In
Paddle-In Camping
Load the canoe, kayak, or paddleboard and go. Shoreline sites, island sites, lean-tos — all accessible by water only. If you can fit your gear, this is one of the best ways to camp in the Adirondacks. Saranac Lake Islands, Forked Lake, Lake Lila.
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Backcountry
Backcountry Camping
Hike in with everything on your back and find a designated tent site or lean-to. The most committed version of ADK camping. Requires planning, proper gear, and familiarity with DEC wilderness regulations — but the payoff is hard to match.
From the Field
Canoe Camping on Little Tupper Lake

Little Tupper Lake sits inside the William C. Whitney Wilderness Area — no motorboats, 23 primitive sites scattered along the shoreline and islands, all first-come first-served. It's one of those places that feels genuinely remote even though the put-in is right off Route 30. Loons are a given. Bald eagles show up regularly. The lake holds a heritage strain of brook trout found nowhere else. Bring your canoe, pack light, and don't count on having the place to yourself on a summer weekend.

Before You Go

Reservations
Most DEC campgrounds require reservations, especially for summer weekends. Book through ReserveAmerica as early as possible — waterfront sites go fast. Some primitive sites are first-come, first-served.
Primitive Camping Rules
Free on most state land. Camp at least 150 ft from trails, water, and roads. Groups of 3+ nights or 10+ people need a free DEC permit. Camping above 3,500 ft is permitted only in lean-tos or designated sites.
Bear & Food Safety
Bear canisters required in the Eastern High Peaks Zone; bear boxes provided at campgrounds. Never leave food unattended, dispose of garbage promptly, and secure anything with a strong scent — toiletries, cookware, pet food, even clothes you cooked in. Many ADK bears know how to open car doors. Full guidance from the DEC →
Campfires
No campfires in the Eastern High Peaks Zone. Elsewhere, fires are permitted in designated rings. Buy firewood locally — don't move firewood across regions due to invasive species.
Dogs
Dogs must be leashed at all DEC campgrounds, trailheads, and campsites. In the Eastern High Peaks Zone, dogs must be leashed at all times.
Stay Limits & LNT
Maximum 14-night stay at DEC campgrounds. Quiet hours are typically 10pm–7am. Pack out everything you pack in. Leave your site better than you found it.

Ready to book? Popular campgrounds fill up quickly — you can reserve a DEC campground up to 9 months in advance, so book as soon as you know your dates. Don't wait on waterfront sites.

Reserve a Site →
Not Camping? Consider the Empire Pass
If you want access to day-use facilities at DEC campgrounds and State Parks — beaches, picnic areas, boat launches — without booking a campsite, the Empire Pass is an annual pass worth having. Good for unlimited day-use entry at hundreds of sites across New York State.

Featured Campgrounds

From the PureADK Journal

10 Awesome Camping Spots in the Adirondacks

  • Moose River Plains — primitive, remote, moose country
  • Fish Creek Pond — community camping at its best
  • Saranac Lake Islands — paddle out to your own island
  • Lake Lila — boat-access only, dead quiet
  • Forked Lake — all waterfront, near Long Lake
  • Tioga Point — lean-tos on Raquette Lake by boat
  • ...and four more spots we keep coming back to
Read the Guide →

Know Your Site Before You Book

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Useful Tool

NY State Campsite Photos — CampADK

Dave and Kate at CampADK built a genuinely useful tool: photos of individual campsites at New York State campgrounds so you can see exactly what you're booking before you arrive. No more ending up in a shadeless gravel lot when you wanted a waterfront site under the pines. Highly recommended for anyone booking a developed campground.

Browse Campsite Photos →

Canoe Camping

The Paddle Gets You There. The Campsite Is the Reward.

Canoe camping in the Adirondacks opens up spots you simply can't reach any other way — island sites on the Saranac chain, remote lean-tos on Lake Lila, tucked-in sites along the St. Regis Canoe Area. We cover routes, put-ins, and paddling logistics on our Paddling page.

Explore Paddling →

If You're Going Deep

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Book Recommendation

Wilderness Camping in the Adirondacks: 25 Hiking and Canoeing Overnight Adventures

by Bill Ingersoll — Chair, Adirondack Wilderness Advocates

25 routes across the park covering both hike-in and paddle-in overnight trips — lean-tos, primitive tent sites, and water-access-only camps. Includes trail and waterway maps, gear tips, LNT principles, and a breakdown of NYS wilderness camping regulations. A solid companion whether you're planning your first backcountry night out or looking for new routes.

View on Amazon →

* Affiliate link — we may earn a small commission at no cost to you.

Planning Resources