Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Cranberry Lake, NY

Cranberry Lake Campground permits pets throughout its waterfront and wooded sites, with dogs allowed on leashes no longer than six feet. Campers with pets frequently enjoy the privacy between sites and access to kayaking with their dogs on the lake. Birch's Lakeside Campground and Marina also welcomes pets at all 28 of its sites, providing direct lake access for dogs that enjoy swimming. The campgrounds maintain clean facilities with hot showers and bathrooms that accommodate campers traveling with animals. Pets must be kept on leashes at all times when outside vehicles or tents. Many campers report that the quiet atmosphere at Cranberry Lake makes it ideal for pets that are easily startled by noise or crowds.

The 50-mile Cranberry Lake 50 trail system offers extensive hiking opportunities where leashed dogs can join their owners. Backcountry sites on Cranberry Lake's islands allow pets and provide a unique camping experience where dogs can enjoy swimming and shoreline exploration. Campers should bring their own drinking water or filtration systems when visiting remote sites with pets. The nearby village of Cranberry Lake has limited pet supplies, so visitors should pack all necessary pet food and medications. Wildlife is abundant in the area, requiring vigilant pet supervision, especially during early morning and evening hours. During summer months, the lake provides cooling opportunities for dogs, with many waterfront sites offering direct access for pet swimming.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Cranberry Lake, New York (65)

    1. Cranberry Lake Campground

    20 Reviews
    Cranberry Lake, NY
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (315) 848-2315

    $20 / night

    "Cranberry Lake is located in the northwestern part of Adirondack Park. There are quite a few campgrounds here but most of them are geared toward touristy attractions that will draw in more people."

    "I hammocked right next to the water of Cranberry Lake. It has showers with hot water, which is timed and high pressure. Checkout was at 10am"

    2. Birch’s Lakeside Campground and Marina

    6 Reviews
    Cranberry Lake, NY
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 848-4500

    $25 - $65 / night

    "This was the perfect spot located on Cranberry lake -They have everything you need at their lakeside store, including boat and kayak rentals!"

    "Birch's Lakeside Campground has all the amenities needed to enjoy a stay in upstate New York, a general store, laundry & propane on site keep everything you need right there! "

    3. Fish Creek Pond Campground

    33 Reviews
    Tupper Lake, NY
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 891-4560

    $22 - $40 / night

    "Square pond is a lovely little lake that connects to a larger lake (Upper Saranac I believe) by passing through a canal. This campground has great facilities."

    "This is a gorgeous campground on the banks of Fish Creek Pond and Square pond close to Tupper Lake and Saranac Lake."

    4. Cranberry Lake Backcountry Sites

    2 Reviews
    Cranberry Lake, NY
    3 miles
    Website

    "We spent 3 nights backcountry camping on Catamount Island in Cranberry Lake and absolutely loved it! The sunsets from the island were truly incredible. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. "

    "amazing lake for kayaking and boating.

    sites not crowded together."

    5. Rollins Pond Campground

    20 Reviews
    Tupper Lake, NY
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 891-3239

    $20 / night

    "As it isn't too far of a drive for us, it quickly became our go-to campgrounds for quite a while due to the mostly flat campground and who doesn't love hearing the slow trickle of water splashing close"

    "Saw many dogs. Mine loved our own little beach at the back of our campsite. Perfect for paddleboards, canoes, kayaks (these can also be rented at the boat launch)Bathrooms are so clean!"

    6. Carry Falls Recreation Area

    2 Reviews
    Childwold, NY
    12 miles

    $16 / night

    "Small and quiet campground, just about 20 miles from the Village of Tupper Lake, along the Raquette River.  "

    7. Lake Eaton Campground

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

    $20 / night

    "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."

    "This campground is right on a lake where the sunrises are spectacular! Canoe and kayak rentals are available. The water is great for swimming & the beach is nice too."

    8. Higley Flow State Park Campground

    6 Reviews
    South Colton, NY
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 262-2880

    $17 - $30 / night

    "Out of all of the places that I have been in New York this is by far one of my favorite places to go"

    "We usually head for the Adirondack lakes further down the road but it's still in the foot hills, close to our home and very pretty especially at sunset."

    9. Forked Lake Campground

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

    $18 / night

    "We were unfortunately able to get a spot on the lake, also due to us having dogs that aren’t fond of riding in kayaks yet. We ended up camping out right past spot 6 on North Point Road. Loved it."

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

    10. Golden Beach Campground

    13 Reviews
    Raquette Lake, NY
    29 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."

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Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Cranberry Lake, NY

414 Reviews of 65 Cranberry Lake Campgrounds


  • Carrie J.
    Sep. 30, 2016

    Cranberry Lake Campground

    A quiet section of the Adirondacks

    Cranberry Lake is located in the northwestern part of Adirondack Park. There are quite a few campgrounds here but most of them are geared toward touristy attractions that will draw in more people. To me, that makes the experience a little less genuine. If you're looking to get away from the noise and tourists, give Cranberry Lake a shot. Be prepared for non-motorized activities. If you get on the lake, you'll have to row or paddle.

  • Crystal H.
    Jul. 9, 2018

    Fort Drum Recreation Area

    A beautiful place to stay

    With my family and pets in tow, we took a weekend and committed it to nature and ourselves. Remington is a Military campground, but for the several military families looking to disconnect a couple of miles from home this would be it.

    They offer regular camping sites and RV sites, they also have a dog park for the little furry ones.

    It is easy to get to and several forms of outdoor entertainment.. Remington is a b autiful well kept place and I could spend my summer there.

  • Jacob D.
    Sep. 13, 2024

    Cranberry Lake Campground

    Quiet and dark

    Stayed here one night and it was super quiet and dark 8pm until we woke up. I hammocked right next to the water of Cranberry Lake. It has showers with hot water, which is timed and high pressure. Checkout was at 10am

  • Kari L.
    Feb. 13, 2024

    Birch’s Lakeside Campground and Marina

    Quiet getaway

    Add this stop when visiting the Adirondacks! This was the perfect spot located on Cranberry lake -They have everything you need at their lakeside store, including boat and kayak rentals! The lake was beautiful, the campground was quiet and we had the best view of the stars at night (we were there during a meteor shower). You can tell the campers truly love this place and had nothing but great things to say about the owners. We will be back again soon

  • J
    Jun. 7, 2019

    Cranberry Lake Campground

    Love Cranberry lake

    We love cranberry lake it’s so beautiful! camping right on the lake and listening to the waves as you fall asleep.

  • Bethany S.
    Sep. 6, 2018

    Cranberry Lake Campground

    A campground with a lot to offer

    Cranberry Lake is a fantastic place to get away from it all. It really has so much to offer. Many of the sites offer quite a bit of privacy from your neighbor, and are laid out nicely for tent camping. We go there to kayak so it’s also nice that there are a lot of water front sites. If hiking is your thing, there’s a nice trail right within the campground. It’s not a terribly long hike, but it takes you up to a spectacular view of the lake and islands. Bonus points for the campground being within 30 minutes of two breweries (Tupper Lake) 👍🏻

  • Shari  G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 28, 2018

    Cranberry Lake Backcountry Sites

    Your Own Private Island for FREE!

    We spent 3 nights backcountry camping on Catamount Island in Cranberry Lake and absolutely loved it! The sunsets from the island were truly incredible. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. Ours had an extensive pile of dry wood, too. There is a decent privy tucked back in the woods. Bring your own TP though! Also, you will either need to bring your own potable water or filter from the lake, so don’t forget your water filter.

    In addition to many cool places to kayak from the island, there are a few hiking trails where you can land your boat and hike for a few hours. The Curtis Pond hike was our favorite and there are some incredible beaver dams along the way. While the mosquitoes weren’t bad at the campsite itself or while kayaking, they are terrible on the trails this time of year; so bring your bug spray, or better yet, bug shirts! The millions upon millions of dragonflies help make up for the mosquitoes!

    The Village of Cranberry Lake (which is accessible from the lake) has some supplies, but not much except the very basics at the general store.  You’ll need to head to Star Lake or Tupper Lake for anything of significance.

    Backcountry camping is first come, first served…no reservations necessary or even possible. No permit is needed. The only fee is if you want to park your vehicle in the state park while you are camping on the island, it is $8 per day.

  • C
    May. 22, 2023

    Cranberry Lake Campground

    Perfect Camping Spot!

    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!

  • Jake C.The Dyrt ADMIN User
    Oct. 4, 2023

    Birch’s Lakeside Campground and Marina

    A Convenient Stay in the Adirondacks

    Jake from the Dyrt here! Birch's Lakeside Campground has all the amenities needed to enjoy a stay in upstate New York, a general store, laundry & propane on site keep everything you need right there!  Check them out and leave a review about your stay on the Dyrt!


Guide to Cranberry Lake

Cranberry Lake sits in the western Adirondacks at an elevation of 1,480 feet, covering over 7,000 acres with 55 miles of shoreline. The surrounding area features mixed hardwood forests and numerous hiking trails connecting to the Five Ponds Wilderness Area. Water temperatures remain cold through early summer, warming to comfortable swimming temperatures by mid-July when nighttime temperatures typically drop into the 50s.

What to do

Kayaking on Raquette River: At Carry Falls Recreation Area, paddlers can access the Raquette River. "Great campground for an extended river trip, as there is a nice launch at the far end of the campground," notes Shari G., who advises bringing insect protection as "there are thousands of mosquitos who don't seem to be crepuscular! They are out all day and night."

Star gazing: The remote location provides exceptional night sky viewing opportunities. At Birch's Lakeside Campground and Marina, Paul B. reports "Star gazing is FANTASTIC!" while Kari L. adds, "we had the best view of the stars at night (we were there during a meteor shower)."

Hiking the Cranberry Lake 50: This 50-mile trail system offers multiple access points and difficulty levels. Alex R. notes there are "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."

What campers like

Pristine lake swimming: Many campsites offer direct water access for swimming. At Lake Eaton Campground, Kelly H. explains, "The best feature of this campground is the incredibly clean and clear Adirondack lake it sits beside. Lake Eaton is arguably the cleanest lake in the Adirondacks. Super sandy bottom that stays shallow for a ways out."

Hot showers after backcountry adventures: Returning from primitive sites, campers appreciate proper facilities. Jacob D. says Cranberry Lake Campground has "showers with hot water, which is timed and high pressure," adding that the campground is "super quiet and dark 8pm until we woke up."

Wildlife viewing opportunities: Early mornings and evenings offer the best chances for wildlife sightings. Caitie S. recalls at Forked Lake Campground, "There was a bear den close to our site that was pretty cool," though she warns they "went during peak black fly season and got eaten alive."

What you should know

Limited supplies available: Stock up before arrival as local stores carry minimal inventory. Shari G. warns, "The Village of Cranberry Lake has some supplies, but not much except the very basics at the general store. You'll need to head to Star Lake or Tupper Lake for anything of significance."

Bug season considerations: Black flies and mosquitoes can be intense from May through June. At Carry Falls, Shari G. reports mosquitoes "found ways to get inside our camper. Our only saving grace was the downpour that kept them away." Similarly, at Forked Lake, Meike W. cautions, "Bugs were bad in late June, you would get eaten alive by black flies."

Potable water access: Not all campgrounds provide drinking water. Rebecca D. notes at Cranberry Lake Campground, "The ranger, who let us know the overworked staff was off, brought it to our site once he had figured out the key," showing how staff try to accommodate campers' needs despite limited resources.

Tips for camping with families

Lake activities for kids: Shallow areas are ideal for young swimmers and water play. At Golden Beach Campground, Rodney D. shares, "Our kids grew up with the same dozen other kids that have been there the third week of July for eons... The lake is peaceful, the beach is amazing."

Playground facilities: Some campgrounds offer additional recreation options. Jennifer I. notes that Higley Flow State Park Campground has a "Great playground for the kids, hiking trails and more," making it a versatile option for families with children of various ages.

Dog-friendly beach areas: For families camping with pets, beach access is important. Christopher from Cranberry Lake Campground shares, "The hike up and around Bear Mountain was a good workout and fun experience for our whole family (littlest is 6)," indicating the trails are manageable for children while also being dog friendly.

Tips from RVers

Site leveling challenges: Many Adirondack campgrounds have uneven terrain. At Rollins Pond Campground, Erin notes, "No hookups, so a bit trickier for rv's, but being right on the water makes it worth it."

Limited hookup availability: Most dog friendly campgrounds near Cranberry Lake have minimal or no hookups. At Birch's Lakeside Campground, Tami W. mentions "In spot 14 where we were located the wooden platform was a little rickety," but appreciates that "This place even has WiFi!!!"

Generator restrictions: Check regulations as some parks limit generator use. Cyndi B. advises, "No w/e/s hookups at any of the sites, but there is a three-lane dump station for your convenience if you are in an RV," when describing Fish Creek Pond Campground.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Cranberry Lake, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Cranberry Lake, NY is Cranberry Lake Campground with a 4.8-star rating from 20 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Cranberry Lake, NY?

TheDyrt.com has all 65 dog-friendly camping locations near Cranberry Lake, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.