Best Campgrounds near Fonda, NY

Camping options in the Fonda, New York area range from established campgrounds to more primitive sites across the southern Adirondack region. DevilDoc Campsites offers tent camping, RV sites, cabins, and glamping opportunities with pond access, while Caroga Lake Campground provides developed sites with electric hookups approximately 15 miles north of Fonda. The area features a mix of state-operated facilities and private campgrounds, with several locations offering waterfront access to lakes and streams that characterize this transitional zone between the Mohawk Valley and Adirondack foothills.

Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from May through October, with limited winter accessibility. According to one visitor, "The only campground in all of New York that acquires to house back riders. There are campsites that also come with stalls for your horse!" Road conditions vary significantly, with some sites requiring navigation along narrow dirt roads or forest paths. Cell service can be inconsistent throughout the area, particularly at more remote locations. Many campgrounds offer electric hookups and water access, though primitive sites with minimal amenities are also available. Reservations are recommended during summer weekends and holiday periods when facilities often reach capacity.

Water features represent a significant draw for campers visiting the Fonda area. A review noted that Northampton Beach Campground offers "great facilities, and friendly staff. MANY campsites with lakeside access, although do pay attention to the time of year as the water level can drop considerably over the summer." Several developed campgrounds provide amenities like showers, electric hookups, and sanitary dump stations, while more rustic options focus on natural settings with basic facilities. The region's mixed-use campgrounds accommodate various camping styles, from tent sites to RV hookups and cabin rentals. Proximity to the Adirondack Park means visitors can experience both accessible developed camping areas and more secluded forest settings within a relatively short drive from Fonda.

Best Camping Sites Near Fonda, New York (140)

    1. DevilDoc Campsites

    14 Reviews
    Caroga Lake, NY
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 844-1591

    $15 - $25 / night

    "My buddy and I were looking for a campsite for a quick overnight stay before a bike trip around the Adirondacks, and this spot was a perfect fit."

    "He and his buddy, Rick, live on acres and acres of forested property, with my favorite campsites located at a seemingly magical pond surrounded by beautiful pine and birch trees."

    2. Caroga Lake Campground

    6 Reviews
    Caroga Lake, NY
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 835-4241

    $20 / night

    "This site also is bordered by a small stream so expect mosquitoes and the occasional visit from wildlife (we had raccoons at our site each night, so kept food in the car)."

    "It is also conveniently situated for a variety of nearby hikes."

    3. Royal Mountain Campsites

    3 Reviews
    Caroga Lake, NY
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 762-1946

    "The ice cream shop at the entrance was a huge bonus. We both ordered a small and it was near enough to consider a full meal! A very pleasant stay!"

    "Plenty to see nearby or just stay in. Truly loved camping here and will go back if the option ever presents itself again."

    4. Northampton Beach Campground

    11 Reviews
    Northville, NY
    19 miles
    +1 (518) 863-6000

    $22 - $40 / night

    "MANY campsites with lakeside access, although do pay attention to the time of year as the water level can drop considerably over the summer. large swimming area and great fishing."

    "Lots of bike riding and walking. Couple nice general stores that are reasonably priced AND a miniature golf place right outside of the entrance."

    5. Fort Plain Lock 15 on Empire Trail

    4 Reviews
    Fort Plain, NY
    13 miles

    "Continue driving past the original coordinates until you reach the dirt parking lot on the right. You’ll see signs that say “No Vehicles Past This Point” — those apply only to the grassy picnic area."

    "It offers sounds of the highway and freight trains going by, my wife and I love it. If you need quiet, keep on moving. There are grills in the grassy area for tent camping, also a potable water tap."

    6. Crystal Grove Diamond Mine & Campground

    5 Reviews
    St. Johnsville, NY
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 568-2914

    "Along with staying at this peaceful wooded campground, one can “mine” Herkimer Diamond quartz crystals adjacent to the campground via a bridge over the stream. I enjoyed a site next to the stream."

    "A fine campground with it's own Herkimer Diamond Mine walking distance (or you can drive up your vehicle) to the mining area. A fairly small, nicely wooded campground."

    7. St. Johnsville Campsite and Marina

    3 Reviews
    St. Johnsville, NY
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 568-7406

    "A train track is close by so it can be kind of noisy."

    "Only drawback is steady stream of trains going by around the clock. I didn’t mind by my wife didn’t sleep well."

    8. Glimmerglass State Park Campground

    21 Reviews
    Springfield Center, NY
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 547-8662

    $14 - $26 / night

    "Only downside is there is not a hiking/walking path down to the lake from the campground. Very nice bathrooms w shower and wash station. Electricity and water available at or near each campsite."

    "Close to Cooperstown and within driving distance from Oneonta. Quiet and spacious campsites"

    9. Hide-A-Way Campsites

    2 Reviews
    Sloansville, NY
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 868-9975

    $22 - $32 / night

    10. Frosty Acres Campground

    3 Reviews
    Duanesburg, NY
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 864-5352
Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 140 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Recent Reviews near Fonda, NY

475 Reviews of 140 Fonda Campgrounds


  • Pete V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 12, 2025

    Fort Plain Lock 15 on Empire Trail

    Nice quiet overnight stay

    This was a quiet overnight stay, just as the other reviewers say, a gravel parking lot that is easy to find a level spot in. This is on the river with a nice view. Lots of trains rolling through across the river but the noise wasn't an issue for me. There was a police officer that drove through the lot and drove around my campervan and continued on his way so I know that it is okay to overnight there.

  • Chelsea B.
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Whip O Will Campsites

    Not for recreational campers

    Full disclosure, we did not stay here. PLEASE, folks that leave reviews on this app, PLEASE say whether it’s a full-timer campsite or a recreational campsite. We arrived after leaving another campsite in the area (that was also 100% full timers) and were disappointed to find that this site was all permanent campers with crap everywhere. One site even had a funeral home sign hanging out front of an entire plywood addition to their camper…like what? Call me picky, but I don’t feel entirely comfortable camping for fun next to folks who live in the campground like this. After driving through the super narrow and rutted out roads to the site they recommend, a man came hauling a** into our site (with a beer in his hand) and was saying “hello hellooooo.” Said he was the owner of the campsite and asked if we were staying, we said we were thinking about it, just checking out the available sites (as the lady up front told us to do). TL;DR- bad vibes. Didn’t stay. Be warned this is a full time campsite with crap everywhere. The lady working the office was super nice though.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 18, 2025

    Bear Slide in Lake George Wild Forest

    Night alone in my jeep

    It was rocky getting there but super super remote - zero service. Great space for my jeep and honestly you could fit a LARGE RV. There is a bathroom at the entrance. No fires because it’s super remote. Peaceful and almost untouched.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Hide-A-Way Campsites

    Quaint and truly hid away

    Well maintained clean campground. Friendly attendants guided us to site and directed in spot. Gravel unlevel pad full hookups.

  • T&J  F.
    Aug. 28, 2025

    West Canada Creek Campground

    Nice place, a little pricey

    Pros: clean campground, camp store, ice cream/pizza shack, shuttle to tubing, sites are pretty flat, pool is large and clean, quiet hours are enforced. Cons: $5 per dog "surprise" when we arrived. Even though we camped there 2 nights for 3 years in a row, $15 per person for the tubing shuttle seems steep; a discount or free would be nice for campers, as drop off points are just down the road. Sites are narrow.

  • Jennifer H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 10, 2025

    Hartwick Highlands Campground

    Closest campground to Dreams Park

    Great campground very well kept and closest to Dreams Park. We drove around to the three closest RV parks to Dreams Park and would definitely stay here with the team and / or on your own. Security gate to enter and exit, pool, store, arcade, wide open where the RV’s are.

  • Jennifer H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 10, 2025

    Cooperstown Beaver Valley Campground

    Great proximity to Dreams Park

    Cute cabins, lots of great amenities, pools, corn hole, volleyball net, nicely kept baseball fields , store, areas for group picnics. You could have the whole team stay here in the cabins and bring RV’s too. Only 10min or so to dreams park. Wooded area where RV’s are and separate area where the cabins are. Great spot. Festive and well kept.

  • Jennifer H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 10, 2025

    Cooperstown Family Campground

    Great spot for a week at Dreams Park

    Peaceful, quiet, spread out. We had a big grass baseball field almost all to ourselves. Showers, bathrooms, efficient store, 24 hours laundry, 12 or so arcade machines in a cute barn they’ll open up for you when you want to play. Fire circles great for evening campfires. A pool across the street that seemed well cared for. A couple ponds that have Canadian geese. You feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere. Tons of trees and wide open space. Healthy grass sites to park on with water, electric and sewer hook ups.


Guide to Fonda

Camping near Fonda, New York, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to explore.

What to do

  • Hiking: The area is known for its scenic trails. Many campers enjoy the nearby hiking opportunities, with one reviewer mentioning, "The hiking trails and lake so you don’t even have to leave the park to enjoy great outdoor recreation" at Moreau Lake State Park Campground.
  • Swimming: Campers can take a dip in the lakes. One visitor at Glimmerglass State Park Campground said, "You will also enjoy the amazing beach and waterfront on Otsego Lake."
  • Fishing: Many lakes in the area are great for fishing. A camper at Moffitt Beach Campground noted, "We had breathtaking views and were able to slide our kayaks right in, on our site."

What campers like

  • Natural beauty: Campers appreciate the stunning views. One reviewer at North-South Lake Campground described it as "a tent campers paradise" with beautiful sites tucked under shady trees.
  • Privacy: Many campgrounds offer spacious sites. A visitor at Moose Hillock Camping Resorts mentioned, "For a private campground, the sites are large and well spaced out."
  • Wildlife: Campers enjoy spotting local wildlife. One camper at Lake George Escape Campground shared, "Saw some bears up close," which adds to the adventure.

What you should know

  • Limited amenities: Some campgrounds may not have all the modern conveniences. A reviewer at Lake George RV Park mentioned, "The sandy dirt is too messy," indicating that some sites could use improvements.
  • Noise levels: Be prepared for some noise from nearby roads. A camper at Hearthstone Point Campground noted, "You can hear the car noise almost always until late evening."
  • Bear activity: Keep food secured to avoid attracting wildlife. A visitor at North-South Lake Campground warned, "There are bears that visit the campground."

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose family-friendly campgrounds: Look for places with activities for kids. One reviewer at Lake George Escape Campground said, "There is a FULL schedule of themed activities for the kiddos."
  • Plan for quiet hours: Respecting quiet hours is important for family enjoyment. A camper at Moose Hillock Camping Resorts mentioned, "The few other campers around that used them were mindful of quiet hours."
  • Pack games and activities: Bring along games for downtime. A visitor at Moffitt Beach Campground suggested, "Everyone was respectful and the sites are a good distance from each other."

Tips from RVers

  • Check site sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Old Forge Camping Resort noted, "The roads are through the campground are very tight making backing into a spot very difficult."
  • Be prepared for extra fees: Some campgrounds charge for additional activities. A camper at Moose Hillock Camping Resorts mentioned, "Lots of rules and charges for every little thing."
  • Look for amenities: Choose campgrounds with good facilities. A visitor at Lake George RV Park said, "The staff treated us so nicely and the array of resort-level amenities are beautifully maintained."

Camping near Fonda, New York, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. With beautiful landscapes and plenty of activities, it's a great spot for your next outdoor adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping options are available at Fonda Speedway?

Fonda Speedway offers primitive camping for race attendees in designated areas of the speedway grounds. For those seeking more amenities near Fonda, Royal Mountain Campsites provides drive-in access with water and toilets, suitable for both tent and RV campers. Alternatively, motorsport enthusiasts can consider DevilDoc Campsites, which is popular among bikers exploring the Adirondacks and offers convenient overnight stays with good directions for late arrivals.

How much does camping cost at Fonda Lake?

Camping costs at Fonda Lake area campgrounds typically range from $20-35 per night for basic tent sites to $30-45 for sites with electricity. Northampton Beach Campground, which offers lakeside access, charges around $25-30 per night for standard sites. For a more premium experience, Caroga Lake Campground has sites starting at $28 per night, with options along small streams that provide a peaceful setting. Prices may vary seasonally, with higher rates during summer peak periods and weekends.

What are the camping regulations at Fonda Recreation Area?

The Fonda Recreation Area follows standard Adirondack region camping regulations. Quiet hours typically run from 10PM to 7AM, with a maximum stay of 14 consecutive days. At Lewey Lake Campground in the region, fires are permitted only in designated fire rings, and firewood must be sourced within 50 miles to prevent invasive species. For those seeking more remote options, Powley Road in Ferris Wild Forest offers dispersed camping with roadside sites, but requires proper waste disposal and has no cell service, so come prepared.