Whether you're a tent camper, an RVer, or just passing through, Childwold, NY has a lot to offer. There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Childwold, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.
Enjoy the Adirondack Mountain countryside's pristine mountains, lakes and streams when you escape the city to say at Lake Placid/ Whiteface Mountain KOA. The Lake Placid and Whiteface region of the Adirondacks is one of the oldest vacation destinations in the country, and camping gives you plenty of opportunities to take in the big views, big scenery and big history this area is known for.
Located in Wilmington, NY near Lake Placid and Whiteface Mountain, our campground is your gateway to all the world-class recreation you will find in this region. That means fly-fishermen and hikers alike will feel right at home when choosing one of our tent camping or other sites as your home base. We are also an ideal destination for a romantic getaway or a family adventure in the great outdoors.
The 6,700-acre Stillwater Reservoir is located in the western Adirondacks, and provides undeveloped, remote camping on both islands and along the shoreline. The Reservoir offers a multitude of recreational possibilities including remote wilderness camping, canoeing, boating, fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing. The area receives considerable use during each of the four seasons.
During recent years, popularity of the Stillwater Reservoir has greatly increased. In an effort to alleviate some of the problems and preserve remote camping opportunities, campers are now required to use only designated sites, along the shoreline or to camp at least 150 feet inland from high-water mark. The high-water mark is generally that point where the sand beaches end and the forested or vegetative area begins.
Camping on sand beaches is no longer permitted. Camping within 150 feet of the high-water mark is limited to 46 sites designated and marked by the department. Camping beyond the 150 feet limit, as in past years, is relatively unrestricted. The intention here is to move camper use back from the water's edge to less fragile sites. The only exception is to the north of the Reservoir, which is in the Five Ponds Wilderness, where group sizes are limited to nine people or less.
Camping beyond the 150-foot perimeter remains relatively unrestricted, except for five Ponds Wilderness. That is, persons may use any site or open area for camping, provided it is more than 150 feet from the high-water mark, roads, trails or any other body of water. Furthermore, campers must comply with department regulations governing the use of state lands. These regulations will be posted at the registration booth at the Forest Ranger Headquarters and may also be found on the reverse side of the Interior Use Camping Permit. As the designated sites become filled, users are urged to camp within the Independence River Wild Forest Area on the south.
Campfires are allowed, but only dead and downed fuel may be used. The use of trail stoves is encouraged because of limited supplies of wood.
The Adirondack Mountain Club’s Wilderness Campground offers a variety of primitive camping opportunities. The seasonal washhouse is available during the spring, summer, and fall; this facility has men and women’s washrooms with showers, toilets, and sinks. During the winter months guests are able to use the facilities in the High Peaks Information Center. All food must be stored inside a vehicle to avoid attracting wildlife.
Campsites
There are 32 campsites located in the Wilderness Campground. Each campsite has a fire pit and picnic table. A limited number of sites are large enough to accommodate a pop-up camper or small trailer. A maximum of 6 people and a maximum of 3 tents are allowed per site. These sites are open year-round. Lean-tos
The Wilderness Campground has 16 lean-tos, several are located adjacent to Heart Lake. Lean-tos are a traditional three-sided Adirondack shelter, they offer protection from weather but have the feel of sleeping out in the open. Each lean-to has a fire pit and picnic table. The lean-tos are open year-round. Canvas Cabins
There are six canvas cabins in the Wilderness Campground, each sleeps six people in three bunk beds. The canvas cabins have mattresses but no pillows or linens are provided. Each canvas cabin has a fire pit and picnic table. They are open from the weekend prior to Memorial Day through Columbus Day.
$25 - $55 / night
$30 - $40 / night
To start off, we are avid KOA campers. So when we looked at this campground, we expected the typical layout which had a swimming pool and other stuff for the kids, however, this campground lacked all of the above. When we arrived here, check-in was easy we did drive along ways to get to our campsite which was nice to be wooded, but I did miss the typical activities and KOA usually has which when I booked the site, I usually expect them since the prices usually, fairly high compared to state parks. Our main reason for seeing KA versus state parks for these extra activities. With that said the bathrooms were clean, which we barely use since we have a full hook up camper. The dog park was very small and it looked like they did the very minimum to check the block. If you’re looking for a place to run your little guy around, he might be disappointed at this place. However, there are plenty hikes nearby to wear them out if you desire. As far as location, there is a lot of stuff to do in the area as we went and hike, the mountain, which was amazing.
Took me five hours to drive there but finally made it. It was nice and peaceful. I will go there again
a 20 mile ride of just woods on a bumpy road. Pretty cool! Surprisingly the place wasn't that populated as I expected it to be. I went to a accessible campsite near the dam so I can pull stuff i needed from my car. The restaurant in the town had great food, the staff were nice, and had two cute dogs!
Stayed in a campground for one night just so I could hike Mount Marcy in the morning! It was 40 dollars a night and it has a great hot shower and flush toilet. The area was perfect!
Tons of free campsites and lean-to everywhere.
Some with picnic tables and fire area.
First arrive type!
I camped while hiking the full CL50 loop.
You can also swim or go fishing!
This is also listed as the North Pole Wilmington KOA. Medium size KOA, quiet, sires were a little bigger than most KOAs. Close to hiking trails, Whiteface Mt Parkway & Lake Placid. Nice, helpful staff. It is NOT wheelchair accessible. There are steep steps to the office, no grab bars in the bathrooms.
The sites are small, but there are mature trees between them & woodsy areas around the campsites. The campground is clean and well kept. The laundry room and bathrooms were clean. I didn’t have a chance to use the deck or the indoor pool.
The owners made me feel welcome from the minute I arrived. They went above & beyond for me.
The facilities are not wheelchair accessible. The owners said that they are working on that.
So far this has been the best campground we have experienced in NY. Cranberry Lake is massive and absolutely gorgeous. The people that work here are very nice and helpful. Try to get a site on the water. Pretty good privacy site to site. The hike up and around Bear Mountain was a good workout and fun experience for our whole family (littlest is 6). We cannot wait to get back there and camp again!
Having both camped, and trained with my SAR Unit, on Stillwater Reserve, I must say it's a wonderful place to "get lost" (voluntarily at least)!
We visited this campground twice this summer after the switchover to KOA. They had lots of activities to take back to the campsite for rainy days. They do not have a dog park and this caused our pup to get a bit hyper.
Great campground with spacious campsites. Clean bathrooms, unsure if there were showers. Great beach area for hanging out & water was clean
Some of the nicest people we have met yet. Helpful and accommodating. Lots of improvements over the last year they said, and it is really nice and clean! New bathrooms and laundry center.
Mostly Rv sites with full hook-ups and a few cabins nice filclities.
Our family has been camping here every summer for the past 40 years. We couldn’t believe it today when we heard from the front desk at check-out that they are closing this location for good at the end of the season (mid-October). No explanation was offered other than KOA purchased another campground less than a mile down the road (KOA Wilmington/North Pole) and that it would be the only option after this year. We went over to check out the “new” property and it is nothing at all like the KOA Whiteface. It’s not nearly as scenic, the pool is gross, the cabins look ancient, not much privacy at all. It makes no sense. We just don’t understand why KOA would shutter one of its most beautiful properties in favor of the rundown mess down the street. What gives KOA?!
Solid 10/10 would camp again! We stayed at the Heart Lake Campground for a week and a half utilizing it as our home base for adventures into the High Peaks Wilderness and the greater Adirondack region. We had a very pleasant stay here and personally found the weekdays to be best for “camp days” given there were few people—weekends are PACKED and there were more than a couple of party sites. It did appear that you would be able to drive in without reservation on a weekday and find yourself a site! Specifically, our site was fairly flat and most were like this but there were some that appeared to have a slope if you happened to be car camping. There are two wash houses with showering and bathroom amenities that are cleaned weekly (from what we observed). Multiple water fill stations sprinkled throughout the campground area. This campground is primarily tent centric, however, there are yurts, lean-to’s, and a handful of cabins available (and of course the ADK Loj has rooms). There is Wi-Fi at the Loj and meals are served but we believe these are for Loj guests only.
This place was the perfect rest spot after summiting Whiteface. The sites were larger than expected, good wi-fi, clean bathhouses, and tons of things to do around the campground. 100% will be coming back!
This is a Class A 5⭐️KOA Campsite! We arrived late and Jox & his sweet wife helped us manuever our RV into our pull through site B05. We were super close to the office, store, snacks, laundry & activities. Our site was a “ dirt” site that had a picnic table and fire pit with full hook ups. This campsite has concierge service that will help you out with any of your wants/needs. Great site in nature’s finest.
The campground itself isn’t great; there is not much in it. The sites have water and electricity; which is certainly a treat in the high peaks, but that’s really all that’s great about the campground itself. However, it is centrally located and is really only 15 minutes from Lake Placid. There isn’t much there but there is a lot around that makes it worth while to stay there.
Was a great camp site very big and had a trail that lead down to the water. This campsite is right down the road from the fire tower trail.
My wife and I kayaked to Long Island and stayed for a weekend. It was quiet and had the whole island to our self. Would recommend if you want to break away from technology because you get zero service out there
Overall, the place was beautiful. Very peaceful, lots of privacy, and we loved it. We camped on site 188 for 3 nights and really enjoyed having our own private “beach,” however, we it was extremely boggy! The campground had put down sheets of plywood to help, but still the ground was so soggy that the plywood had eventually “soaked away.” It helped but not much.
Aside from the wetness of the ground it really is a beautiful spot. I’d still camp there but not at 188. Also, the hike in does take some effort, it’s not bad but if you car camp and have pop up or anything heavy it could be difficult for you.
My family of 4 camped here for a week (10-3-21 through 10-11-21) in the 100 acre side, and it was WONDERFUL! The sites are so roomy with gorgeous trees offering lots of shade and fall foliage. Sites are not level but are clear of debris and obstacles which made it easy for us to have room to get it leveled. The route suggested on their website was an “RV friendly” route so that the drive was stress free. Facilities were all clean and up to date, and the staff were super friendly and eager to help. There is plenty to do at the campground, but it is conveniently located to lots of activities. Stores and restaurants are also nearby, and a short 20 minute drive to Lake Placid offers a bigger selection of both if you desire. I highly recommend this campground!
Or site was large enough for two double tents, a hammock, and 2 vehicles. Each site includes a fire ring and picnic table. The office sells firewood. Both bath houses were adequate, even containing shampoo and body wash. Staff was friendly. Some if the sites are rather close to each other, and the proximity to the road was noticeable but my white noise app dealt with that while I slept. Prices were more than fair for what was provided.
I agree with some other reviewers that the proximity to the road does detract a little bit. But at night time when you're sleeping it doesn't seem to be much of a problem, though a white noise app on your phone would help.
My site was large enough for two double tents, a hammock, and if needed, two cars. The nearby bathroom and shower we're basic, but certainly adequate. They even provided soap and shampoo in the showers. I will say the toilet paper was the single ply version. Not a deal breaker, just for your information. I thought the rates were extremely reasonable. The campsites can be on top of each other, but if there is space they didn't seem to have any problem relocating at someone's request as we saw one couple do. I will definitely stay here again.
First thing about Cranberry Lake: the staff are wonderful. We arrived when the check in staff had the day off. Not a problem we only needed wood which was available just down the street from the campground. No need, the ranger, who let us know the overworked staff was off, brought it to our site once he had figured out the key. Sweet. Our site was on the uphill slope so we had some road noise due to that. We walked a bit of the campground until we realized it's larger than first assumed. I will say do your homework, check out the site photos which you can easily find online. Get a waterfront site but be aware the privacy isn't great at many sites, at least the ones we saw. There is a shower house which is great but be ready to drive to it, as I said the campground is bigger than expected! Some sites are super close which would be great for groups who may like to visit or it could be a nightmare with loud folks. The lake is beautiful. We weren't set up for it but if you can plan for the sunset view I think it's worth rescheduling your trip for the right site. Brand new sewer dump area for folks who need it.
Spent 3 days, 2 nights here from a Wednesday-Friday. Very large and busy campground, close to Lake Placid and other cool activities to take in. Pros- hot showers, convenient laundromat, you are guided to your site by staff on golf carts. Cons- tent sites aren’t given much privacy, on the days we stayed we were put very close to the main building when we requested a spot near the back away from the busy area, kids allowed to run and yelling and screaming WELL after quiet hours.
Very accommodating and friendly staff. Lots of fun for the whole family and tons of different types of sites!
Camping near Childwold, New York, offers a fantastic escape into nature with beautiful lakes and serene landscapes. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, this area has something for everyone.
Camping near Childwold, New York, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, whether you're in a tent, RV, or cabin. With beautiful scenery and plenty of activities, it’s a perfect spot for families and adventurers alike.
Frequently Asked Questions
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