Best Campgrounds near Bloomingdale, NY
The Adirondack region surrounding Bloomingdale, New York features a mix of developed campgrounds and primitive sites set among forests, lakes, and ponds. Key camping areas include Jones Pond with free primitive sites and Buck Pond Campground with more established facilities. Camping options range from tent-only sites accessible by boat to full-service RV campgrounds with hookups. Several lakefront campgrounds like Fish Creek Pond and Saranac Lake Islands provide water access, while others such as Meadowbrook Campground offer proximity to hiking trails and nearby towns.
Camping is primarily seasonal in this part of the Adirondacks, with most developed campgrounds operating from May through October. "We stayed here over Memorial Day weekend in 2024. It's an average campground, but has a really good location between Lake Placid and Saranac Lake," noted one camper about Meadowbrook Campground. Road conditions vary throughout the region, with some primitive sites requiring high-clearance vehicles or four-wheel drive. The Jones Pond area features rough dirt access roads leading to waterfront sites. Weather can change rapidly in the mountains, with temperature drops of 30 degrees possible within hours. Most campgrounds require reservations during peak summer months, though some primitive sites operate on a first-come basis with stay limits of three nights without permits.
Waterfront camping receives consistently high ratings from visitors to the region. The Saranac Lake Islands campsites, accessible only by boat, offer particular seclusion and uniqueness. As one camper described, "There's something novelty about getting in a boat and paddling to your island for the week!" Most sites include basic amenities like fire rings and picnic tables, with developed campgrounds offering additional facilities such as showers and restrooms. Cell service can be limited at more remote camping areas. Privacy between sites varies significantly, with some campgrounds offering well-separated, wooded sites while others have more open layouts. Wildlife sightings are common, particularly at dawn and dusk when visitors can often observe deer and various bird species around the lakes and ponds.
