1 campground with availability this weekend
Tent camping options around Hadley, New York include several established campgrounds and dispersed sites throughout the Adirondack region. Stony Creek Family Campground provides tent sites with electric hookups and amenities like showers and a camp store, while the Lake George Islands offer a unique island camping experience accessible by boat. Murphy Lake Leanto provides a more rustic, secluded option with free sites available year-round, requiring a hike to access the remote location in the forest.
Most tent campsites in the Hadley area feature basic amenities with varying levels of development. Established campgrounds typically provide fire rings, picnic tables, and access to toilets, while dispersed options like Cod Pond Pull-Off and Ushers Road State Forest offer primitive tent camping with minimal facilities. Several campsites require reservations, particularly the popular Lake George Islands locations which book up to nine months in advance. Surface conditions vary from wooden tent platforms on the Lake George Islands to natural forest ground at dispersed sites, where campers should be prepared to find their own level spot.
The tent camping experience near Hadley offers diverse settings from waterfront sites to forested seclusion. The Lake George Islands provide a distinctive adventure requiring boat transportation but reward campers with exceptional views and privacy. One camper noted, "Worth a trip from just about anywhere. Absolutely beautiful and you can't beat camping on an island." More remote backcountry tent sites like Murphy Lake Leanto require significant effort to reach but offer genuine solitude. A reviewer described it as "worth the effort it takes to get there," mentioning the "technical challenge" of the trail and the "large leanto with ample room for many tents." Dispersed sites typically offer more privacy but fewer amenities, with campers responsible for proper waste disposal and bringing all necessary supplies including water.
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $28 / night
"When camping on lake George, staying on an island to camp is a must-do. We rented kayaks and actually reserved a spot on our own private island. It was little, slightly wooded, and private."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $28 / night
"The Murphy Bennett Trails is a technical challenge to hike, or bike in on. And be prepared to go over downfalls. The area is maintained, but windhappens in the old growth forest."
"This site is campsite 6 and very private (I believe there must be others located close by). The site has it’s own private road. A car is not reccomended."
"DEC has designated and constructed 12 camp sites in areas around Shelving Rock Road and Dacy Clearing Road."
from $189 / night
"I have stayed on Nobles Island & Floating Battery Island in the Narrows of Lake George. You must have a power boat ride out there or be up for a long paddle."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $28 / night
"This trailhead provides access to bicycle-friendly nature trails. I explored both directions on my bike, riding approximately half a mile down each side."
ScoutIt was dark. I arrived after 7p. There were 3 rv camps already going on. All 3 had camp fires. Many fire rings for many groups. No hassles at all. It's off the beaten path but worth it. The first 4 camp sites were open. Made a fire. Ate some food. I got a good night sleep. Nothing ate me or attacked me so that's 5 star in my book.
GuideWonderful owners. A variety of sites to choose from in a relaxing setting. No waste hookups here, but they have a dump station. $51 per night with cash.
LegendWhat an amazing find! This was a perfect location for the first 2 days of our vacation. Steve and Michelle were incredibly accommodating and wonderful hosts! We truly enjoyed our stay and will definitely return!
GuideWent with a friend on an impromptu last minute camping trip up in the NF and hoped we could find a spot on a Friday night. Quite a few spots were taken but there were still some free ones. We stayed at one near the creek just over a little bridge. Cute little site, nice fire pit, clean, perfect rock to put a big water jug on. The sound of running water was soothing. In the morning, adorable little red squirrels with big personalities made themselves known and there were wildflowers blooming all over with hummingbirds going about their business. This is dispersed camping so there’s no rest rooms, running water, etc. The particular site we stayed at did have another site on the other side of the creek and we could hear the family during the day and see them as they walked past, so it wasn’t as isolated as some of the other sites. It was a cute spot and I’ll def be back.
ScoutThis is a very pleasant campground just a couple of miles off the interstate. The staff is very friendly and helpful. Full hookups at most sites. Many amenities available. A very quiet setting to rest and repose. Highly recommended!
GuideGot a super site almost level with the water. Went for a swim. Oddly, the lake has no plant life, but a sand bottom. Lots of ducks. Many people enjoying the shallow warm water on kayaks and such. Most sites level. The bathrooms did not offer hot water, or any way to dry your hands .They were clean, and enough to go around. The showers on the other hand were quite distant. A 5 minute walk . But clean, and plentiful. I guess better that than dirty and close by? No hiking trails is a letdown, but here its all about the lake.
TravelerThis is a good spot if you don’t mind being social. The main camping area is a large grassy opening where multiple people park and camp together, and there is a bathroom, but there isn’t much privacy between sites. If you continue farther down the forest road, there are several smaller pull-offs with much more private dispersed camping spots. I’d recommend checking those out if you’re looking for a quieter experience.
RangerShadey lakeside campground with large sites, mine has easy lake access.
LegendWe spent a long weekend at Moose Hillock in Fort Ann, New York, to visit Lake George. This is a difficult place for me to review. But I’ll do my best to share my experience.
The pool is the main attraction here and probably the largest and most ridiculous I’ve ever seen at a campground. Great for young kids.
THINGS I LIKED:
— The sites are enormous and private, probably the biggest sites we’ve ever seen at any campground we’ve stayed at.
— The mature trees are everywhere, great for privacy.
— It’s located about 25-minutes to the heart of Lake George. Easy drive away but not in the loud and busy area.
— The camp store is pretty good and sells snacks, drinks, basic supplies, and souvenirs.
THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE SO MUCH:
— Our site(# 709) was sloped, so much that even with leveling boards under the rear wheels, rear jacks fully extended and front jacks fully retracted, we couldn’t level. That’s annoying and so easily fixed by a campground this size with this array of equipment and resources.
— Except for the entry roads, the rest of the park is gravel and dirt, which was extremely dusty. Our vehicles and our stuff were instantly covered by this dusty dirt which was a never-ending battle to keep outside.
— I’m ok paying premium money for a great site, but this site wasn’t matched to the price. I paid$647.38 for 3-nights. That’s$215.79 per night.
WOULD WE COME BACK?
Probably not. For me, having a level site that’s not covered in dirt and dust is important— especially when it costs$215 per night. There’s a much nicer park about 10-minutes away(closer to Lake George) where we’ve stayed in the past. The sites are smaller, but they’re level.
Tent camping near Hadley, New York centers around the southern Adirondack region, where elevations range from 800 to 3,000 feet and forest cover transitions between northern hardwoods and conifer stands. Dispersed camping options remain available year-round, though accessibility varies with seasonal conditions. Primitive sites typically require campers to position tents at least 150 feet from water sources and roads.
Fishing opportunities: Cod Pond Dispersed Pull-Off provides access to a river where "the sound of the river down the hill from the campsite helps keep it fairly cool at night," according to Taylor A. The site offers a combination of privacy and natural cooling that makes it particularly comfortable during summer months.
Biking forest trails: Ushers Road State Forest features bicycle-friendly nature trails with multiple potential camping locations. One reviewer noted, "This trailhead provides access to bicycle-friendly nature trails. I explored both directions on my bike, riding approximately half a mile down each side. The terrain eventually transitions into a low-lying, swampy area."
Kayaking adventures: The Lake George Islands provide exceptional paddling opportunities. Rebecca E. mentioned at Narrow Island Group, "You must have a power boat ride out there or be up for a long paddle. TAKE EVERYTHING you need including extra ice. Once there, settle in & relax, you aren't going anywhere."
Island privacy: Many campers appreciate the seclusion of island camping. At Glen Island Group, Justin B. shared, "Me the wife and our 3 children had an amazing time on our three night stay. Definitely no amenities other than an outhouse but spectacular views and pristine waters. Great fishing, lots of fun to be had on the water and quiet peaceful evening by the campfire."
Family-run atmosphere: Stony Creek Family Campground offers a welcoming environment that keeps campers returning. Elizabeth P. mentioned, "It's a nice family ran campground. We love it here and plan to come back!"
Hidden dispersed sites: Cod Pond Pull-Off provides secluded camping options that feel removed from civilization despite being accessible. Josie W. described it as a "Decent site right off of the 'main' road. 'Main' because it was quiet. Easy to access via a short dirt road, but also easy to miss."
Island booking timeline: For the best tent camping near Hadley, New York at Lake George Islands, prepare to book well in advance. Rebecca E. advises, "Book 9 months in advance & good luck. Last minute cancellations are a common occurrence though."
Primitive facilities: Most dispersed sites lack formal amenities. At Murphy Lake Leanto, Tony F. mentions the technical challenge of reaching the site: "This leanto is worth the effort it takes to get there. And you have to earn it on foot, bike or other. A two hour bike ride with a couple of breaks."
Wildlife interactions: Be prepared for local wildlife visitors at many campsites. Taylor A. warned about Cod Pond Pull-Off: "The bugs were terrible," while others mention raccoon activity at various lake sites.
Site selection considerations: When camping with children, choose sites with appropriate terrain. At Long Island Group, Ryan noted the challenge of uneven ground: "There were no leveled space whatsoever (except for one platform per site...but where would a second tent go? On the horrible ground beside it."
Transportation planning: Island camping requires careful planning for gear transport. Erin H. recommends, "We rented kayaks and actually reserved a spot on our own private island. It was little, slightly wooded, and private."
Weather preparation: Wind and weather conditions can change rapidly on Lake George. Rebecca E. advises, "Check the weather before your stay- you may be able to swap for a site on the opposite side of the island if you get an idea of where the winds will be coming from. Don't under estimate this tip."
Access limitations: Most dispersed camping locations near Hadley have limited vehicle access. Taylor A. notes about Cod Pond Pull-Off: "A car is not recommended. Possible to turn around but you definitely need a smaller SUV."
Site turning radius: Consider vehicle maneuverability when selecting tent camping sites accessible by vehicle. Josie W. mentioned about their SUV at Cod Pond: "Site was big enough to pull our mid-size SUV down and unfold rooftop-tent, but we did have to back out in the morning; not enough room to turn around."
Seasonal accessibility: Road conditions to the best tent camping near Hadley vary significantly by season. During spring thaw or after heavy rains, many forest roads become difficult or impossible to navigate even with appropriate vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Hadley, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Hadley, NY is Stony Creek Family Campground with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Hadley, NY?
TheDyrt.com has all 28 tent camping locations near Hadley, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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