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Best Campgrounds near Blue Mountain Lake, NY

707 Reviews

Blue Mountain Lake, New York sits within the heart of the Adirondack Park, surrounded by numerous state-operated campgrounds that provide access to pristine lakes and forested mountains. Lake Durant Campground, located directly in Blue Mountain Lake, serves as a central option with both tent and RV sites available from May through early October. Nearby options include Golden Beach Campground on Raquette Lake, Lewey Lake Campground to the south, and Lake Eaton Campground to the north. The area is home to the Adirondack Experience museum, which showcases the region's cultural heritage. As one camper noted about Lake Durant, "The site I had was pretty secluded and the park was kept in great shape," highlighting the natural setting that draws visitors to the region.

Most campgrounds in the Blue Mountain Lake area operate seasonally from mid-May through early October, with some closing after Labor Day weekend. Winter conditions make camping impractical during the colder months when temperatures regularly drop below freezing and snow accumulation is significant. Reservations are strongly recommended during peak summer season, particularly for weekends and holidays. Cell service is generally limited throughout the region, with spotty coverage reported at most campgrounds. Fire regulations follow standard New York DEC rules, with fires permitted only in designated fire rings. Bear activity is present in the area, so proper food storage is essential at all campsites.

Water recreation forms the centerpiece of the camping experience around Blue Mountain Lake. Many campgrounds offer direct lake access with boat launches, swimming areas, and fishing opportunities. Campers frequently bring canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards to explore the interconnected waterways. Hiking trails of varying difficulty levels are accessible from most campgrounds, with options ranging from short nature walks to challenging mountain ascents. RV campers should note that while hookups are available at several campgrounds, many sites have limited capacity for larger rigs, and some of the more remote campgrounds like Moose River Plains are better suited to smaller vehicles or tent camping.

Map showing campgrounds near Blue Mountain Lake, New YorkExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites Near Blue Mountain Lake, New York (148)

    1. Golden Beach Campground

    13 Reviews
    Raquette Lake, NY
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 354-4230

    $20 / night

    "It’s the standard weird-ass New York thing where you have a site and you can park wherever the hell you want within it (so foreign to me), but you should spend some time with the map."

    "Each campsite has it's own outhouse and you are close to the water so you can fish or park your boat by your campsite. Book early cause they fill up fast."

    2. Lake Durant Campground

    11 Reviews
    Blue Mountain Lake, NY
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 352-7797

    $20 / night

    "I took a solo trip through upstate New York a couple years back and spent a lot of time in the Adirondacks. I stopped at Lake Durant camp ground for a night and had a great experience."

    "Right on the lake. Separated sites. Close by bathrooms. Best camp shower I have ever been to! Wished the beach would have been open"

    3. Lake Eaton Campground

    14 Reviews
    Long Lake, NY
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 624-2641

    $20 / night

    "This campground was just outside the town of Long Lake, which offers restaurants, shopping and other amenities. Also not far (Blue Mountain Lake) is a ADK Experience museum which is a great meseum."

    "This time we camped along the back edge, near RT 30. There had been some bear sightings recently so i was excited. Shady spot uphill from the car. no road noise really given the proximity."

    4. Lewey Lake Campground

    19 Reviews
    Speculator, NY
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 648-5266

    $20 / night

    "Lewey Lake was such a great experience, I really can't wait to go back!"

    "There are a lot of options here, there are over 200 sites, scattered around Lewey and Indian Lakes."

    5. Forked Lake Campground

    9 Reviews
    Long Lake, NY
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 624-6646

    $18 / night

    "There was a bear den close to our site that was pretty cool."

    "we came here for a night and stayed at the camp 76 by the lake. it was beautiful. definitely top 5 best campgrounds we have ever been to. they had a picnic bench and an outhouse in good condition. great"

    6. Indian Lake Islands Campground

    10 Reviews
    Speculator, NY
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 648-5300

    $20 - $40 / night

    "I took my kayak to the Indian Lakes Island camping ground and had a great experience. All sites are boat in only and offer beautiful panoramic views of the lake and surrounding forests."

    "Last year we came to Indian Lake and fell in love with it, so this was my second trip."

    7. Moose River Plains

    9 Reviews
    Raquette Lake, NY
    14 miles
    Website

    "There’s a sign-in box at the entrance, for purposes of gauging usage and also for emergencies. 

    Each site is marked with a little yellow number placard."

    "Plenty of campsites available, ranging from exposed/near the road to secluded/tucked away. All seemed to include an outhouse."

    8. Eighth Lake Campground

    9 Reviews
    Raquette Lake, NY
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 354-4120

    $22 / night

    "The campground stretches between 2 lakes (Seventh and Eighth Lakes) and also has hiking trails with access to another lake (Bug Lake) and pond (Eagles Nest.)"

    "Large campground with access to 2 beautiful lakes"

    9. Brown Tract Pond Campground

    7 Reviews
    Raquette Lake, NY
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 354-4412

    $18 / night

    "Beautiful, peaceful large pond/small lake. Loons. Ducks and ducklings. Beaver. Canoes($20/day) and kayak rentals. Firewood for sale ($9?) or gather downed wood. Fishing."

    "There are no motorboats allowed on the lake, so the water is perfect for paddling. There is a small beach for if you don't get a waterfront campsite. They have canoes and kayaks for rent as well."

    10. Cedar River Entrance Camping

    3 Reviews
    Speculator, NY
    9 miles

    "There are many outhouses, a picnic table, and a fire ring close by. beautiful surroundings of geometry dash lite."

    "Picnic table, fire ring and several outhouses nearby. Beautiful surroundings. There is a small landing to launch kayaks or canoes. A dam with some additional sites on the other side. "

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Showing results 1-10 of 148 campgrounds

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Recent Camping Photos near Blue Mountain Lake, NY

341 Photos of 148 Blue Mountain Lake Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Blue Mountain Lake, NY

707 Reviews of 148 Blue Mountain Lake Campgrounds

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Horseshoe Lake

    NY Designated Camping

    Along Co 421, by Horseshoe Lake, there are 10-11 designated campsites. Most have fire pits.

    Road is rough but easily doable if you take it slow.

    As it’s a forest, the sites are pretty shaded, so solar and Starlink may present challenges. Slight AT&T at earlier sites.

  • Laura W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 25, 2025

    Rogers Rock Campground

    Roger's Rock

    It was a pretty good park. Wooded nicely. Big lots where we were. Down near the water the sites were pretty crammed together Not parked in a row like an RV park.

  • Robert K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Jones Pond NYSDEC Primitive Campsites

    awesome place

    I came from the Albany area. It took me about two hours 45 minutes and well worth the drive, I first stopped at site four and fully set up my Truck tent and the rest of camp, awesome location. You can walk down to the water, which is only a small ledge and enough space to put a chair, me and my German Shepherd were walking around the trails and we found site five which was absolutely beautiful and right on the water, I mean right on the water. I went back to site for packed up a bunch of stuff into the truck and left the truck tent in there since it takes about 30 minutes to take up and down, I had walked the road a couple of times to see if I could get my truck down there, definitely need four-wheel-drive, but it is possible to get your truck down there and I did, set up camp there spent the rest of the day the night and all of the next day. Absolutely beautiful the dog loved the water being right there, I definitely love this place. This is my first campsite that I found using the app highly recommend.

  • X
    Aug. 23, 2025

    Carry Falls Recreation Area

    Quite, not high quality.

    Thai place is very cute, quiet, and not a lot of people frequent. The bathrooms are kind of “rundown” they are old and they use composing toilets with no showers and one sink located outside of the facility. It is NOT FREE they charge 16.00 a night. Located on an inlet of the man made lake. Water access, quiet, not busy, small, gives small town feel. Comes with picnic table and fireplace. We had site 6 and fit our 30 ft camper with 4 cars.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Little Green Pond

    Peaceful spots under the pines

    12 designated camping spots. Some require driving down a bumpy access road that can be muddy after a rain. Sites are on the Pond. Pond has a small beach to swim. Tree covered sites.

  • M
    Aug. 8, 2025

    Brookwood RV Resort

    Nice Campground

    Well maintained campground. Shop onsite with all you can possibly need. Beautiful pool. And easy access to Fort Ticonderoga, restaurants in town and Lake George area.

  • The L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 4, 2025

    Powley Road in Ferris Wild Forest

    Site 4

    Site 4 is magical, it is road side, but the view, and access to the river is great. There is a path right from the site. Occasionally you will get the yahoo that speeds by and makes a dust cloud but otherwise it’s great. There is zero Verizon cell service in the whole area. So plan accordingly,

  • Alex
    Aug. 1, 2025

    Lake Harris Campground

    Perfect Campsite

    The campsite has clean bathrooms. The campsite itself is more secluded and there wasn’t a lot of people or noise. It was intimate and quiet, no loud people or families. Honestly the perfect getaway.

  • C
    Jul. 27, 2025

    Camp Whiteface Mountain

    Awesome Adirondack Campground

    If you want a nice camping spot for exploring the Adirondacks this is it. Nestled in the trees by the Ausable River its a convenient place to explore the area.  20 minutes from downtown Lake Placid at the base of Whiteface mountain. 2 hours away is Montreal or Burlington VT.

Guide to Blue Mountain Lake

Camping near Blue Mountain Lake, New York, offers a fantastic escape into nature with beautiful scenery and plenty of outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are several campgrounds that cater to different preferences.

What to do:

  • Kayaking and Canoeing: Many campers love the water access for kayaking and canoeing. One visitor at Fish Creek Pond Campground said, "This is a gorgeous campground on the banks of Fish Creek Pond... perfect for dogs, kids, and hanging out in the water."
  • Hiking: The area is surrounded by trails for hiking. A reviewer from Nicks Lake Adirondack Preserve mentioned, "There is a wonderful swimming area and motorized boats are not allowed on Nicks Lake so it is very peaceful."
  • Fishing: Anglers will find great spots for fishing. A camper at Cranberry Lake - DEC noted, "Beautiful state campground in the heart of the Adirondacks. Well maintained, peaceful with wonderful fishing."

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the stunning views. One happy camper at Moffitt Beach Campground said, "The beach is beautiful; the sites are a decent size and staff is always friendly."
  • Clean Facilities: Many campgrounds are praised for their cleanliness. A visitor at Lake Eaton Campground shared, "Amazing campground, very clean & spacious campsites. Crystal clear water."
  • Wildlife Encounters: Campers enjoy spotting wildlife. A reviewer from Rollins Pond Adirondack Preserve mentioned, "We always have wildlife at our site. This past trip we had chipmunks, squirrels, ducks, and a crane."

What you should know:

  • Bug Season: Be prepared for bugs, especially in late spring. A camper at Moffitt Beach Campground noted, "Pretty buggy during the last week of May."
  • Site Proximity: Some campgrounds have sites that are close together. A visitor at Old Forge Camping Resort mentioned, "The roads are through the campground are very tight making backing into a spot very difficult."
  • Primitive Camping: If you prefer a more rustic experience, check out Saranac Lake Islands Adirondack Preserve. A reviewer said, "Primitive camping with water access only. Most sites are on islands. Very private, spacious sites."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for campgrounds with amenities for kids. A camper at Golden Beach Campground said, "The lake at the campground was fantastic and gave our pups a chance to swim."
  • Plan for Activities: Bring games and outdoor toys. A family at Nicks Lake Adirondack Preserve enjoyed, "There is a great little swimming area and close access to a lot of activities for the kids."
  • Pack Snacks: Keep snacks handy for the kids. A visitor at Fish Creek Pond Campground mentioned, "An ice cream truck and a firewood truck made the rounds."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Old Forge Camping Resort said, "Only 1 site was pull thru but it was so unleveled we could not put our jacks down."
  • Look for Amenities: Choose campgrounds with necessary hookups. A camper at Lake Eaton Campground noted, "The main campgrounds were great and beautiful on the lake with extremely nice bathroom and shower building."
  • Plan for Quiet Hours: Respect quiet hours to ensure a peaceful stay. A visitor at Rollins Pond Adirondack Preserve shared, "After they play taps at 10 pm, it's completely quiet."

Camping near Blue Mountain Lake, New York, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. With beautiful campgrounds and plenty of activities, it's a great spot to enjoy the great outdoors.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping amenities are available at Blue Mountain Lake campsites?

Campsites around Blue Mountain Lake typically offer standard amenities including picnic tables, fire rings or grills, and access to toilet facilities. Lake Eaton Campground near Long Lake provides access to restaurants, shopping, and is close to the Adirondack Experience museum at Blue Mountain Lake. Eighth Lake Campground in the region offers additional amenities including showers, bathrooms, a dump station, boat launch, hiking trails, and opportunities for swimming, fishing and canoeing. Most public campgrounds in the area maintain a rustic Adirondack feel while providing essential facilities. Some sites have electrical hookups, but many embrace a more primitive camping experience in keeping with the natural setting.

Where are the official campgrounds located around Blue Mountain Lake, NY?

Several official campgrounds are located near Blue Mountain Lake in the Adirondacks. Lake Durant Campground is one of the closest options, situated right in the Blue Mountain Lake area with early fall colors and peaceful waterfront sites. For those willing to venture slightly further, Lewey Lake Campground provides another excellent public option near the hamlet of Indian Lake. Both campgrounds offer scenic Adirondack settings with basic facilities. Other nearby public campgrounds include Forked Lake and Indian Lake Islands, which provide varying levels of accessibility and amenities for campers exploring the Blue Mountain Lake region.

Are there private camping options at Blue Mountain Lake?

Yes, there are private camping options in the Blue Mountain Lake region. Birch's Lakeside Campground and Marina offers a well-equipped private camping experience with amenities including a general store, laundry facilities, and propane on-site. For those willing to travel a bit further in the Adirondacks, Old Forge Camping Resort is a family-friendly private option with comprehensive facilities and a welcome center stocked with supplies. Another unique private option is DevilDoc Campsites, which provides a more intimate camping experience and is suitable for quick overnight stays when exploring the Adirondacks.

Is island camping available on Blue Mountain Lake?

Yes, island camping is available in the Blue Mountain Lake region, though not directly on Blue Mountain Lake itself. The nearby Indian Lake Islands Campground offers boat-in camping on islands, providing a unique Adirondack wilderness experience. For similar experiences, Rollins Pond Campground features waterfront sites with access to adjoining ponds, ideal for paddlers seeking a peaceful setting without motorized boats. These island and waterfront camping opportunities require paddling equipment (kayak, canoe, or rowboat) for access and transport of camping gear. Reservations are recommended for island sites, especially during peak summer season, as they tend to fill quickly due to their popularity and limited availability.

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