Best Tent Camping near Gansevoort, NY
The Adirondack region surrounding Gansevoort, New York offers diverse tent camping opportunities, with Lake George Islands providing some of the most unique tent-only camping experiences in the area. Lake George features several island groups including Long Island, Glen Island, and Narrow Island, all accessible primarily by boat and operating seasonally from May through early September or October. Ushers Road State Forest, located south of Gansevoort, provides primitive tent camping with sites that must be at least 150 feet from trails. For those seeking walk-in tent sites, Camden Creek Farm and Carrie W's Land offer small, private tent camping areas with basic amenities like drinking water and fire rings.
Most tent campsites in the region require advance planning and preparation. The Lake George Islands sites feature picnic tables and fire rings but limited other amenities, with pit toilets that "leave something to be desired," according to one camper. At dispersed sites like Cod Pond Pull-Off, the terrain may appear level but often isn't ideal for sleeping. Campers should verify seasonal availability, as most established sites operate from late spring through early fall. Fire regulations vary by location, with most areas permitting campfires in designated rings. Walk-in tent sites typically require carrying all gear from parking areas, while boat-in sites necessitate watercraft and the ability to transport all supplies.
The tent camping experience around Gansevoort offers notable privacy and natural settings. One visitor to Cod Pond noted that "the site is mostly shaded with plenty of trees for hammocks," adding that "the river down the hill helps keep it fairly cool at night." At Ushers Road State Forest, a camper reported finding "a previously used campsite approximately 200 feet from the main trail with a stone fire ring," highlighting the abundance of potential camping spots in the area. Island camping on Lake George provides a particularly distinctive experience, with one camper advising to "take everything you need including extra ice" since "once there, settle in and relax, you aren't going anywhere."
