Sacandaga Campground — Adirondack Preserve
Cute and clean
Some sites have more privacy than others. Some are right on the river. There’s a good YouTube vid with walkthroughs of all the sites. Nice lil river running through the campground.
206 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds near Adirondack, New York provide access to a diverse range of camping experiences across the region's lakes and forests. Established campgrounds such as Rogers Rock, Scaroon Manor, and Paradox Lake offer sites for tent campers, RVs, and cabin stays. Several facilities in the eastern Adirondacks, including Putnam Pond and Medcalf Acres Riverfront, accommodate multiple camping styles with various amenity levels. Lake George Escape and Spacious Skies Adirondack Peaks feature additional options for glamping and yurt accommodations for those seeking more comfort in wilderness settings.
Most developed campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, typically from mid-May through early October, with specific opening and closing dates varying by location. Road conditions and accessibility factors differ across camping areas, with some sites requiring short hikes from parking areas to reach rustic campsites. The region includes both drive-in options and boat-access sites, particularly around Schroon Lake and Paradox Lake. Dispersed camping options exist but may require additional planning and suitable vehicles. "Please note Crane Pond Road from the lower parking lot to the pond itself is NOT maintained and often gets very muddy. 4WD is required, if you go back there without it your day is gonna suck," reported one camper about accessing dispersed sites.
Waterfront locations receive consistently positive feedback from visitors to the region. Campers particularly value the swimming, fishing, and boating opportunities at locations like Eagle Point and Scaroon Manor campgrounds. Many developed campgrounds feature amenities such as showers, electric hookups, and sanitary dump stations, though site sizes and privacy levels vary considerably. Forested campsites provide natural shade and cooler temperatures during summer months, making them popular choices for visitors seeking relief from the heat. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, several campgrounds offer spacious sites with lake views, though some visitors note that campgrounds like Eagle Point have tightly packed sites that may not be ideal for those seeking solitude. Winter camping options are limited, with most facilities closing after the fall season.
"For the last three years, we have traveled with dozens of friends and families to Rogers Rock Campground, which is tucked into the north end of the gorgeous 32 mile-long oasis that is Lake George."
"Ive been coming to this spot nearly every year since I was a little girl."
from $22 - $172 / night
Check Availability"We parked in a lot and walked about 5 minutes to the campgrounds on the lake. They were beautiful and well kept, even had a small pile of fire wood for us."
"Just next to the lake for a swim. So many mosquitos"
from $20 - $25 / night
Check Availability"We stayed here back in 2016 when the Adirondack Safari had their glamping sites here. We loved it. The best part honestly was tubing down the river."
"Campground is placed 10 minutes from the bottom of Lake George with great hiking trails in the surrounding area. The campground it’s self it’s very clean in every aspect."
"Running through the campground are several hiking trails and they are worth it. Heart pond and Bear pond were nice, but unspectacular. Rock pond on the other hand was great."
"However it is a gateway to Pharaoh Lake Wilderness. Lots of hiking trails to many ponds and one lake most of which have lean tos and other sites which are free."
from $18 / night
Check Availability"Adirondacks scenery, camping along the lake. Trail access from campground. Swim & boat on site. Modern but basic state park. Some tent sites nicely private."
"Paradox Lake is beautiful all year round. I have been here numerous times throughout the year and it never disappoints."
from $18 / night
Check Availability"Gorgeous days at the lake. Smores and campfires too."
from $22 / night
Check Availability"We stayed at this campground in a travel trailer for one week spent hours floating down the river biking took day trips to Lake Placid and Burlington Vermont lots of seasonal campers but for a day camping"
"There is an outhouse near that lot and a foot bridge off to the right, leading to Pharaoh Mtn Trail. "
"There is an outhouse nearby, several campsites, fire pits, and we went for a swim in the pond. Overall great experience!"
"Spacious sites close to great amenities! Super staff! Clean and updated facilities. Close to beautiful hiking, lake activities and rail bikes. We can’t wait to come back!"
"The doggos and husband absolutely loved being able to walk the beautiful trail in the cooler weather, especially the husky."
from $39 - $999 / night
Check Availability"The trails are well marked and well maintained. Overall, this is a fantastic campsite. There’s even a brewery a ten minute walk down the road. We didn’t go but looks nice."
"I only saw three or four other rVs and two of them had to camp right next to me. I saw the bugs, some of them clearly mosquitoes and I never saw one get away with biting me."
from $25 - $50 / night
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Some sites have more privacy than others. Some are right on the river. There’s a good YouTube vid with walkthroughs of all the sites. Nice lil river running through the campground.
Right along the road (so if anything happens you can get help) also has wifi signal. It’s right along a creek that’s clean and beautiful. Crisp air and calming flowing river noises all night made it so I slept like a baby!
Public Lands with about 8 semi private sites, each with nice views west or easterly. It's a large meadow and with a breeze, it will keep bugs away. Lacking a breeze, it is tough but still beautiful
Pam met us outside as she said ‘dodging rain drops’ to stack wood. She was warm and friendly. You can tell she runs a tight ship immediately telling us when quite hours were, and letting us know the dogs needed to be on leash and under our control. We brought our 2 labs with us. Only 2 vehicles per site is allowed. You do need tokens to use the shower. 2 tokens was more than enough for me to shower and not feel rushed. The bathrooms are AMAZING! I am looking forward to coming back!
Had a site booked for Memorial Day weekend but had a complication to my 5th shoulder surgery in 2.5 years and had my 6th which was a 3rd attempt at rotator cuff repair in mid-May. Called to see if I could change my reservation since I cannot drive due to Dr.'s orders but no dice. Could care less and told me too late due to policy. Offered to provide doctors documentation but didn't matter. I did not ask for refund just to change the date. Rude, dismissive and unwilling to work with me. Sad that a family-oriented place is run this way. End result I am out over$600 and they are smiling. As a business owner myself I would be out of business if I treated my customers this way.
DEC has designated and constructed 12 camp sites in areas around Shelving Rock Road and Dacy Clearing Road. Camping will only be allowed at the designated campsites or more than 500 feet from the Shelving Rock and Dacy Clearing Roads.
As noted by others, most of the sites have a fire ring and nothing more. A little more than half of the sites can be driven to and others require a very short walk (50 ft?). The toilets mentioned are at Texas falls area and are not a practical walk from most of the campsites.
There are no showers.
Aside from the loop trail at the falls there are also a couple of snowmobile trails that cross the area.
We emailed twice and traveled five hours to only find out they have a list of dog breeds they don’t accept. The list has no rhyme or reason. Our 7 year old 95lb Great Dane was not allowed. Ridiculous
We loved camping at Crane Pond. It was a little over 3 miles to hike into the waterfront sites. There is an outhouse nearby, several campsites, fire pits, and we went for a swim in the pond. Overall great experience!
Dispersed camping options exist throughout the Adirondack region, with numerous sites accessible from May through October. The area features campgrounds at elevations ranging from 800 to 1,500 feet, creating variable temperatures that can drop below 40°F even in summer months. Water access sites often require early reservations during peak season, particularly at established campgrounds around the region's 3,000 lakes and ponds.
Kayaking on Paradox Lake: The pristine waters provide excellent paddling opportunities with boat launches available at Paradox Lake Campground. "Paradox was beautiful. Lake had great view, went kayaking and enjoyed the scenery," notes Matthew L., who frequents the area.
Fort Ticonderoga exploration: Located just 8 miles from several campgrounds, this historic site offers educational experiences for history enthusiasts. "Ft. Ticonderoga isn't far away, either," mentions Jean C., who stayed at Rogers Rock Campground while visiting historical attractions.
Hiking at Pharaoh Mountain: Several trails connect to campgrounds in the region, offering day hikes with elevation gains of 1,200-1,500 feet. "We ended up hiking Pharoah Mountain, which was pretty good trek but totally worth it," reports Sue T., who stayed at Paradox Lake.
Swimming at rustic beach areas: Many campgrounds maintain swimming areas without lifeguards, requiring personal responsibility. "The water is cool, clean and beautiful," shares Michael G., who appreciated the water quality at Putnam Pond Campground.
Privacy of remote sites: Several campgrounds offer boat-in or hike-in options for those seeking solitude. "We stayed on their 'rustic campsite', which was a short 900 ft hike from the car. Our camp spot had a picnic table, fire, grate and own outhouse," explains Tracy B., who stayed at Scaroon Manor Campground.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The forest setting provides chances to see and hear local wildlife throughout the day and night. "Coyotes were howling all night and definitely heard some around our campground," reports Drew H., who camped at one of Scaroon Manor's rustic sites.
Well-maintained facilities: Several campers note the cleanliness of bathhouses and shower facilities. "The bathrooms and shower houses are maintained and cleaned daily, which is good because some campers are just inconsiderate and disgusting," shares John W., who has been visiting Rogers Rock Campground since childhood.
Spacious sites at select locations: While site sizes vary considerably across the region, some offer generous space. "We were in site 43, it was long enough it could have fit two of the biggest RVs I have ever seen. My 75 foot starling cable did not even reach all the way back out to the road," explains Butch K. about his stay at Frontier Town Campground.
Cell service limitations: Coverage is inconsistent throughout the region, with many campgrounds reporting minimal connectivity. "Cell phone coverage is spotty, I was getting 1-2 bars with Verizon," reports Jean C. about Rogers Rock.
Insect populations: Mosquitoes and deer flies can be prevalent, particularly in early summer. "The deer flies were horrible everywhere but in our site," notes Michael G. about Putnam Pond Campground.
Water access challenges: Not all waterfront campsites have easy water access, with terrain creating obstacles. "Some water sites have a steeper path to the water," warns Lauren S. about Rogers Rock.
Varying campsite privacy: Site placement differs significantly across campgrounds and within the same facility. "Sites aren't particularly level or large," observes Jean C. about Rogers Rock Campground.
Seasonal water restrictions: During dry periods, conservation measures may impact facilities. "With COVID-19 restrictions this year, the bathrooms are closed to those who have facilities in their RV. There's also a drought and they're on a well, so water conservation is essential," explains Jean C. about Brookwood RV Resort.
Playground options: Several campgrounds maintain play equipment for children. "There is a nice beach down the road which has a lifeguard to watch over the swimmers. Dogs are not permitted on the beach. Also close to the beach area kayaks and canoes are available to rent for about $10-$15 per day," shares John W. about Rogers Rock Campground.
Educational opportunities: Some facilities offer learning activities for children. "This is a total family playground and if that is what you are looking for, this is your place! There are tons of activities, lots of families and 'stuff' going on all the time," notes Nancy W. about Lake George Escape Campground.
Beach amenities: Sandy beaches with shallow entry points work well for younger swimmers. "The beach area & lake were fantastic & very clean. The beach was dragged & groomed every night. This is a great place for kids as it's small enough to let them roam & not so far into bear country you're worried about food being left out," reports Bella J. about Eagle Point Campground.
Weekday visits recommended: Crowds diminish significantly during weekdays, creating a better experience for families. "This place is packed on the weekends. If you want to avoid the rush of campers, definitely try to make the trip on a weekday. Sitting by the lake is really relaxing when you're all alone!" advises Carrie J. about Rogers Rock.
Site accessibility varies: Some campgrounds have limited access for larger rigs. "If you have a camper, good luck on getting in this campsite. Very tight sites and some are very hard to get level," cautions Sheri C. about Eagle Point.
Hookup locations: Placement of utilities can require extra equipment at certain sites. "There is a dump station. The water is difficult to get as you can't connect a regular hose," explains Tara N. about her stay at Medcalf Acres Riverfront Campground.
Road navigation challenges: Internal roadways in some campgrounds present difficulties for larger vehicles. "The roads in the park are confusing because none are parallel or perpendicular so we had to go slow just to make sure we didn't miss a turn in the RV," warns Nancy W. about Lake George Escape.
Power options: Electric service varies across the region, with some sites offering 50-amp connections. "Full hookup (sewer, water, 50 AMP)," notes Beth R. about the reliable power at Brookwood RV Resort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any free or low-cost camping options in the Adirondacks?
State-operated campgrounds provide the most affordable camping options in the Adirondacks. Moreau Lake State Park Campground offers reasonably priced sites with access to a lake, the Hudson River, and hiking trails. Similarly, Hearthstone Point Campground provides budget-friendly camping near Lake George. Most DEC (Department of Environmental Conservation) campgrounds in the region charge between $18-30 per night, significantly less than private alternatives. For truly free options, dispersed camping is permitted in many parts of the Adirondack Forest Preserve, though specific regulations apply regarding distance from water sources and roads.
What amenities are available at Adirondack campgrounds and campsites?
Amenities at Adirondack campgrounds vary widely. Golden Beach Campground offers waterfront sites with spectacular sunset views, boat rentals, and swimming areas. Most public campgrounds provide basic facilities including picnic tables, fire grills, restrooms, and drinking water. Meadowbrook Campground features sites with good privacy thanks to trees and shrubs, especially on the outer rings. For glamping experiences, some locations offer additional comforts. Many campgrounds include access to recreational activities such as hiking trails, fishing spots, boat launches, and beaches.
Where are the best campgrounds in the Adirondacks for RV camping?
Lake George RV Park offers premium RV camping with full hookups, ideally located about 2 miles from I-87. This well-maintained park serves as a perfect base for exploring the Lake George area. For more affordable RV options, Eighth Lake Campground in Inlet provides a state park experience with amenities including a dump station and showers while keeping you close to nature. Many RV-friendly campgrounds in the region offer spacious sites that accommodate larger rigs, with varying levels of hookups depending on your needs.
When is the best season for camping in the Adirondacks?
Summer (June-August) is peak season in the Adirondacks with warm days perfect for swimming and water activities. However, early fall (September-October) offers a magical experience as Lake Durant Campground and surrounding areas showcase spectacular autumn foliage with trees displaying vibrant colors. Early September provides mild temperatures with fewer crowds. Lewey Lake Campground is particularly beautiful during this transition period. Spring (May-early June) can be delightful but prepare for cooler nights and potentially muddy conditions as the ground thaws.
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