Best Campgrounds near Forestport, NY

The Adirondack region surrounding Forestport, New York features a mix of developed campgrounds and primitive camping areas that accommodate various camping styles. Several established options like Kayuta Lake Campground and Marina provide full-service amenities with electric hookups, water access, and facilities for RVs, tents, and cabin rentals. This area serves as a gateway to the Adirondack Park, with nearby destinations including North Lake Reservoir Campground offering more rustic, dispersed camping experiences. Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally, typically from May through mid-October, with Kayuta Lake Campground running from May 15 to October 15.

Camping conditions vary significantly between developed campgrounds and more primitive sites in the Forestport area. The more remote areas like North Lake Reservoir require travel on gravel roads but don't necessarily demand four-wheel drive vehicles. Many developed campgrounds require reservations, particularly for summer weekends and holiday periods when waterfront sites fill quickly. Primitive camping areas generally operate on a first-come basis with some requiring camper registration. Cell service can be limited or non-existent at more remote locations, particularly at North Lake Reservoir. A visitor to North Lake noted, "Not that they would do this place any justice, but I sincerely wish I had pictures... Extremely primitive, you must get off Rte 28, heading toward the old Buffalo Head restaurant and passed there, keep going another 30-40 minutes along a dirt/gravel road until you reach N Lake Rd."

Waterfront access represents a significant draw for campers in the Forestport region. Several visitors highlight the quality of lakefront sites, particularly at Kayuta Lake and Delta Lake State Park campgrounds. Mixed-use campgrounds featuring both seasonal and short-term sites are common in the area, with some locations reporting a community atmosphere among long-term campers. Camping areas near Forestport tend to strike a balance between accessibility and natural settings, though the more primitive sites offer greater seclusion. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, campers especially value sites that combine lake or river access with wooded surroundings. Insects can be problematic during summer months, particularly at more remote sites. A camper at North Lake warned, "We were here in June and there was an invasion of biting flies. There were so many that you couldn't stand still for 5 seconds and it was just not enjoyable."

Best Camping Sites Near Forestport, New York (108)

    1. Kayuta Lake Campground and Marina

    8 Reviews
    Forestport, NY
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 831-5077

    $57 - $67 / night

    "And they are never more than a quick walk from your camper. Did I mention there is a pool? There is. And its HEATED."

    "The lake linked to a river was great for kayaking and fishing. We arrived at night and they had left everything for us making check in very easy."

    2. Delta Lake State Park Campground

    15 Reviews
    Westernville, NY
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 337-4670

    $24 - $32 / night

    "There’s a few steps down to a gravel beach and an expansive view of the delta lake. There were bathrooms in the middle of our loop which was great and easy to walk to and it was very clean."

    "A very nice, tidy campground located on a peninsula jutting into Delta Lake in Central NY."

    3. Nicks Lake Campground

    17 Reviews
    Thendara, NY
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 369-3314

    $22 / night

    "Great campground with nice sites and access to other areas in the ADK ... easy hikes up Bald Mountain or Rocky Point."

    "I love camping anywhere where there is a lake. I love kayaking, so normally if there is a lake nearby, then I always bring my kayak."

    4. Old Forge Camping Resort

    19 Reviews
    Old Forge, NY
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 369-6011

    "Great getaway in upstate New York"

    "This is one of the most family friendly resorts and a perfect weekend getaway for those living in other parts of New York State."

    5. North Lake Resevoir

    4 Reviews
    Otter Lake, NY
    14 miles
    Website

    "North Lake Reservoir is one of the Adirondack Park’s best kept secrets."

    "Still quite a bit of snow at the entrance once I got past that it was easy site are perfect right on the water with a little out house across. Breathtaking views!"

    6. West Canada Creek Campground

    4 Reviews
    Poland, NY
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 826-7390

    $64 - $999 / night

    "Heated pool, great store, large sites, surrounded by trees, events, soft serve ice cream, tube rentals to float on the creek (river). FHU as well as tent sites and cabins."

    "The West Canada Creek wraps around the entire property and provides such a tranquil backdrop. The sites are surrounded by lush oaks and pines."

    7. Herkimer Diamond Mine KOA

    17 Reviews
    Herkimer, NY
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 891-7355

    "Keeping in mind , it is a busy family resort during prime season and holidays, so if you're looking for a quiet, non-crowded location, this may not be the place for you (unless you try it in offseason)"

    "You have easy access to the river for your fishing desire, or you can try your hand at mining for diamonds( real open put diamond mine."

    8. North Lake Reservoir Campground

    2 Reviews
    Otter Lake, NY
    14 miles

    "32 sites all around the lake. Some are walk in right on the lake. Quiet, peaceful, and clean."

    "We got there after dark and it was beautiful to wake up to the view of the lake. Car camped, but there was enough room for a tent."

    9. HTR Adirondacks

    7 Reviews
    Old Forge, NY
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 369-2700

    "Well maintained and has beach access to river."

    "The boys were never bored and loved walking around the camp site. We stayed for 2 nights .. if work would have allowed we would have stayed longer."

    10. Limekiln Lake Campground

    12 Reviews
    Inlet, NY
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 357-4401

    $20 / night

    "We loved our stay at Limekiln Lake! We had site 270, which was close enough to walk down to the boat launch at night to look at the stars (and the Milky Way!)"

    "a small water passage off the lake leads you to a beautiful queit kayak trip through lily pads ans if you follow it leads to a beaver dam. My son loved it."

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Recent Reviews near Forestport, NY

449 Reviews of 108 Forestport Campgrounds


  • Abby H.
    Apr. 19, 2026

    Herkimer Diamond Mine KOA

    Disrespect & Discrimination

    Long read, but so worth it! Below is the review that I posted last August after our vacation. Mind you, the vacation for my immediate family has been 10 years in a row and when I was a kid the same! The incident that happened was with our friends and therefore when I wrote the review, it stated what I witnessed! I was hoping that management changed and/ or they fixed the problems so I was willing to give it another try, I mean, this has been apart of my childhood and my children’s so why not! I called today, lady was super nice and helping me look through all the campsites because we come with so many people! I paid and then friends of ours called. After they called, our friends said that my reservation was cancelled. What??? So I called back thinking it was something on my end. I then had to wait for management to call back. Called back, and whoever I spoke with was extremely rude! She basically told me I was never welcome back and that the owners said so! Now mind you through this whole thing, I never talked to the owners. So do the owners only take one side of the story? I’m not even someone that this incident directly happened to! I said, well can I please speak to your manager or the owner. No, i am the manager, you are not welcome back. I told her that everyone in our party will probably cancel as well and her response was“I’m just waiting for 1 person to call me”! I said a few choice words and I hung up. CRYING. WHAT????? Are you discriminating me because of an issue you had with another camper???? I can’t believe what this has amounted to. So instead of dealing with your issues you just don’t allow people back? Instead of having the owner or management actually call and have a respectful, which was not had, conversation with someone you just brush it off! I have come to Herkimer longer than some of these people have worked there! I really don’t have words for how I feel. And to make matters worse I always go over my dad’s anniversary of his death, August 5, because this was his favorite place and now I can’t go and neither can my children. Great job herkimer diamond mines koa! I applaud you on your discrimination, disrespect and the lack of empathy you have for your campers! Especially the ones who have been a constant! I’m assuming Phil and his wife are still management, good luck! And to the campers that wish to go there, I really hope you enjoy yourselves because it truly is an amazing place. Unfortunately, my memories had to stop here! August 2025 This review is extremely hard for me to write, but what I had witnessed for a week of being there is disgusting& just simply not right. My family has been coming to Herkimer KOA for decades. Throughout the years, we have shown many other families this"gem"... or so we thought. This year was a bit different, there are new camp managers... This week I have witnessed human waste being sprayed all over campsites, management that discredits everything you say, management that thinks its okay to have charges on your bill that they cant even explain, ice cream cart that closes right before the last kid orders& leaves in tears, bathrooms that are disgusting! This is NOT THE HERKIMER I REMEMBER AS A KID! If you look on google, the owners of this campground is a family that has owned it for 50 years! That's amazing& kudos to them! But Phil, Phil is going to ruin every ounce of what they have worked so hard for!& being a business owner, you want management there representing YOU! Doing what YOU would do if you were there. Those owners should not be receiving mine& my friends reviews today if management did their job! Unfortunately, again very hard to say, we will not be returning if Phil is there.& I can honestly say, that the 14-20 families we bring every time, that spend thousands of dollars, will not be as well! Thank you Phil for ruining a vacation I personally held so close to my heart.& because you don't care about how you treat people& how you manage, you have lost years& years& years of loyalty.

  • Sierra W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 31, 2026

    North Lake Resevoir

    So Beautiful and Peaceful

    Still quite a bit of snow at the entrance once I got past that it was easy site are perfect right on the water with a little out house across. Breathtaking views!

  • E
    Mar. 27, 2026

    Tilden Hill Farm

    Beautiful campground

    Beautiful and well- maintained. Very roomy sites. Owner is friendly and responds quickly to calls.

  • Dale H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 23, 2026

    Fort Plain Lock 15 on Empire Trail

    Not plowed in winter

    Great spot, great location. FYI to anyone who comes in the winter, it's not plowed, so you may need to adjust your plans accordingly.

  • Janet R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 31, 2025

    Sagamore Lake primitive camping, Adirondacks Blue Ridge wilderness

    Beautiful backpack /paddle camping in the Adirondack Blue Ridge wilderness

    This review is for primitive backpack or paddle in camping alogn the breathtakingly beautiful Sagamore Lake. On the southwest corner of the lake is located the historic Camp Sagamore, one of the so-called Great Camps of the Adirondacks and which is now a comfortable lodge and camping retreat which hosts lifelong learning workshops on crafts and history  throughout the year. If interested in visiting it, see this link:  https://www.sagamore.org/

    However, beyond the grounds of the Camp is the vast Blue Ridge Wilderness of the Adirondack State Forest Park which completely surround the lake. Adhacent to camp Sagamore is a parking lot for campers and hikers, which includes an outhouse, picnic table, launch for canoes or kayaks, and trailhead for hiking and backpacking. The trail encircles Sagamore lake is is about 3.8 miles long. There is primitive and dispersed camping all along the trail and and along shore and beyond as long as you practice Leave No Trace principles. This basically means no campsite amenities other than the glorious woods and lake, but you will have your pick of remote spots to pitch a tent without having to backpack for hours. The trail does attract a fair number of day use hikers or paddlers, but few campers. The trail is reasonable to tackle for beginning dispersed campers, with the added safety of being able to hike out to the Camp within a couple miles in case of emergency. Highly recommended!

  • Janet R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 31, 2025

    Brown Tract Pond Campground

    Backwoods at Brown Tract Pond

    This is a small rustic state forest off the beaten track, remote from but not too far from the village of Inlet in the Adirondacks. It is smaller than some of the other are forest campgrounds, and more quiet and peaceful. While in a rustic location at a distance from the main road, amenities do include picnic tables and firerings, flush toilets as well as privvies, and a trailer dump station 9but no hooksups)  Sites are spacious and private and well shaded. You can paddle and fish right here, with lots of good hiking in the area. Fairly easy to get to from the Utica area, and with reasonably close access to a quaint Adirondack village, but still providing a remote expereince at the edge of the wilderness.

    Note: just 3.5 miles from the campground is the very nique and special Ferd's Bog reserve. There is a floating boardwalk into the trail, under the shadow of Cascade Mountain. Myriad unique boreal plants for view by botany fans, about a 1.2 hike in and back, and easy trail access from nearby Uncas Road, more info here: https://cnyhiking.com/FerdsBogTrail.htm

  • Janet R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 31, 2025

    Golden Beach Campground

    Semi-remote along the South Bay

    The Golden Beach campground has two sections: one is the main campground, with the usual state forest amenities including bathrooms, showers and beach, shared with a couple hundred campsites along the east side of Racquette Lake. However, the campground also manages a string of more remotely placed campsites located along the shor of the south bay of Racquette Lake, removed from the main campground and its amenities but with much more space between sites and direct access to the lake. They also are clustered in small spurs directly accessible to Rt 28, which has pluses and minuses. For me, these quieter more rustic sites are preferable, especially with the easy access for canoeing right on the lake. Picnic table, tent site, parking spot and fire ring are all provided, right along the beautiful lake. The smallest spur has only 2 campsites, which is perfect when you want a quiet spot! Big trees, peace and quiet, beautiful Adirondack experience, also not too far from the main campground  and many hiking trails in the area

  • 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.

  • Marc D.
    Oct. 21, 2025

    Old Forge Camping Resort

    Very large camping resort

    This is a surprisingly large facility with multiple options, including cabins, tent, and RV sites. We were there in late October on a Saturday night when they were having a big Halloween festival, so very crowded but festive environment. Everybody packed up and left the following morning.Close to the town of old Forge and Lakes. Beautiful area.


Guide to Forestport

Dispersed camping sites near Forestport, New York range from quiet reservoirs to family-oriented campgrounds with recreational activities. The region sits at approximately 1,200 feet elevation in the western Adirondacks, where summer temperatures typically range from 55-80°F. The camping season generally spans May through October, with most primitive sites lacking services after mid-October.

What to do

Kayaking on pristine waters: North Lake Reservoir offers exceptional paddling opportunities on clean waters. A camper noted, "The lake this time of year is beautiful and clear and a very nice temperature for dunking in. There's a lot to explore out on the kayaks."

Tubing on local creeks: At HTR Adirondacks, the West Canada Creek provides natural entertainment. One visitor shared, "The boys were having so much fun swimming and riding their inner tubes down the creek with little rapids. They spent almost every waking moment in the water..rain or shine."

Gem hunting experiences: Herkimer Diamond Mine KOA offers unique activities just a short drive from Forestport. A camper explained, "The mines are wonderful also if you'd want to search for your own Herkimer diamonds (clear doubles terminated quartz)."

Stargazing opportunities: The region's dark skies create excellent stargazing conditions. At Delta Lake State Park, a visitor mentioned, "We had a waterfront hookup! So pretty especially in the morning with the sunrise... There's a few steps down to a gravel beach and an expansive view of the delta lake."

What campers like

Lakefront sites: Delta Lake State Park Campground receives praise for its waterfront camping spots. A camper commented, "Was here with a camper on a lake accessing site. Sites are fairly big but not completely separated. Having the kayaks were great, there's so much to explore, and town is right down the road."

Spacious wooded sites: Limekiln Lake Campground offers more secluded options. A visitor explained, "Our site was spacious, with room for two cars, 4 kayaks, and two tents. The site features a picnic table (great condition) and a concrete fire pit... Because the site is surrounded by trees, we hung up multiple hammocks for a very cozy weekend!"

Swimming beaches: Many campgrounds maintain beach areas for family enjoyment. A camper at West Canada Creek Campground shared, "The campground has all amenities necessary to a great camping experience... There's a playground and a beach area. The place is very clean and was decorated for the 4th of July festivity."

Recreational amenities: Family-friendly facilities enhance the camping experience. At Herkimer Diamond Mine KOA, a visitor noted, "They offer a children's playground, pool, little grocery store, volleyball area, and of course, the Herkimer Diamond Mine and restaurant, right across the street."

What you should know

Bear-aware camping required: Wildlife encounters are common in the area. At Nicks Lake Campground, a camper advised, "There is a box to keep your garbage or food from the black bears which was nice... There were some pesky bears wandering at night looking for an easy meal. Although if you are careful about your food items they will not even stop at your site."

Seasonal insect considerations: Plan for biting insects, particularly in early summer. A visitor to North Lake Reservoir warned, "The flies are actually pretty horrible—not sure if it's a late year for them or if they're just particularly bad this year, but they were relentless."

Variable facility standards: Bathrooms and amenities vary widely between campgrounds. A Nicks Lake camper observed, "The bathrooms were pretty clean and had ample soap supply in this weird time of COVID. We didn't check out the showers, but they did have them further down by the beach."

Limited cell service: Many campgrounds have minimal connectivity. A visitor to North Lake Reservoir Campground mentioned, "No cell service" as something to be aware of when staying at this primitive camping area.

Tips for camping with families

Seek campgrounds with planned activities: Old Forge Camping Resort offers structured entertainment for kids. A visitor reported, "Their themed weekends and accompanying activities throughout the season are wonderful. We had the pleasure of staying for Labor Day weekend in which they had a kids carnival set up among many other things."

Consider heated pools for shoulder seasons: Some campgrounds provide temperature-controlled swimming options. A Kayuta Lake Campground visitor noted, "Did I mention there is a pool? There is. And its HEATED. Which is nice, as we often get up there early or late in the season, and a heated pool is a necessity."

Check for playground facilities: Kid-friendly amenities help keep children entertained. A West Canada Creek Campground visitor shared, "Very nice quiet campground. Bathrooms are a little old but very clean. Had fun shooting archery targets. They also have lazer tag but we didn't participate."

Look for wildlife viewing opportunities: Natural encounters create memorable experiences. At Old Forge, a camper mentioned, "Also, the deer are incredible friendly and will walk right up to you."

Tips from RVers

Electrical limitations: Some campgrounds have power constraints. A visitor to HTR Adirondacks warned, "Power sucks. 30amp only but not truly providing that. We kept blowing the breaker and noted our lights flickering. We can easily run on 30amp. This is typical of an overbuilt park with not enough power for the campers onsite."

Site leveling considerations: Prepare for variable site conditions. A camper noted, "The sites are kinda close, so you don't get a ton of privacy, and you can really hear what's going on next door. The roadways can get a little tight between the trees, and can make for some interesting backing in."

Check for full hookups: Amenities vary significantly between campgrounds. At Delta Lake State Park, a visitor mentioned, "They have recently added electricity to the sites and a new playground at the beach. The concession stand at the beach will deliver to your camp site."

Road access cautions: Some sites have challenging access routes. A camper at North Lake Reservoir explained, "Extremely primitive, you must get off Rte 28, heading toward the old Buffalo Head restaurant and passed there, keep going another 30-40 minutes along a dirt/gravel road until you reach N Lake Rd."

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Forestport, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, Forestport, NY offers a wide range of camping options, with 108 campgrounds and RV parks near Forestport, NY and 14 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Forestport, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Forestport, NY is Kayuta Lake Campground and Marina with a 3.1-star rating from 8 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Forestport, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 14 free dispersed camping spots near Forestport, NY.