The Adirondack region surrounding Indian Lake sits at elevations between 1,600-2,000 feet with dense northern hardwood forests and numerous lakes. Camping options extend beyond glamping to include traditional tent sites, RV accommodations, and yurt camping opportunities. The area experiences warm summer days typically reaching 75-80°F with cooler nights around 50-55°F.
What to do
Hiking from campgrounds: Brown Tract Pond Campground offers easy access to surrounding trails. One visitor noted, "Behind the 100-Acre section are trails that lead to Whiteface Mountain so you don't have to get in the car to start a hike."
Kayaking on motor-free waters: Little Sandpoint Campground provides kayak rentals for $20 per 24 hours. A camper shared, "They rent out kayaks for $20 for 24 hours which in my opinion is a total steal."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Watch for various animals around the campgrounds. At Rollins Pond, campers report: "WE love staying at Rollins Pond in a tent! Our family always meet friendly people and falling asleep to loons is priceless! We always have wildlife at our site. This past trip we had chipmunks, squirrels, ducks, and a crane."
Visit Echo Cliffs: Take a short hike from Little Sandpoint Campground. "The short but steep trail to Echo Cliffs within walking distance was my favorite part because it was so close and you could see Piseco Lake below," reported one visitor.
What campers like
Large, private sites: Rogers Rock Campground offers spacious camping areas. A camper mentioned, "I was lucky to book a site (#68) on the water. Beautiful views and morning sun. There is a nice trail to walk that follows along the shoreline."
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain excellent bathrooms and showers. A visitor to Wilderness Campground noted, "I was absolutely impressed with the restrooms, dishwashing station, and beach area."
Waterfront camping options: Rollins Pond Campground provides lakeside sites with direct water access. One camper shared, "We had a waterfront site and we're absolutely delighted to be able to sit on the beach and watch the sunset, kayak at our leisure, and swim."
Quiet camping atmosphere: The more secluded campgrounds offer peaceful experiences. At Brown Tract Pond, a visitor observed, "Nothing but peace and quiet. When it's quiet hours, the only thing you here is nature and the occasional crackle of someone's fire."
What you should know
Bear safety protocols: Some campgrounds enforce strict bear regulations. At Brown Tract Pond Campground, a camper reported, "No cell service or WiFi. No hookups. Odd bear rules that basically make you pack up your site when not in use, unless you have a trailer or RV. No bear proof lockers to help out like federal campgrounds."
Limited amenities at rustic sites: Some campgrounds offer minimal facilities. According to one visitor, "This campground is for the adventurous. No electric or water hook ups (for RVs) and no shower facilities, but there are restrooms."
Water access challenges: Water hookups can be difficult at some locations. At Scaroon Manor, a camper noted, "The water is difficult to get as you can't connect a regular hose. Luckily a neighbor helped us out."
Road conditions: Access roads to some campgrounds may be challenging. One visitor warned about Wilderness Campground: "Road going in is very rough use extreme caution on a motorcycle with street tires."
Tips for camping with families
Look for activity options: Lake George Escape Campground offers numerous organized activities. A visitor shared, "This place is great for families, it has different activities, a waterslide, peddle carts, kayaks and boats for rent, dancing, and teen specific activities too!"
Choose campgrounds with beach areas: Beaches provide entertainment for children. At Eagle Point Campground, a camper observed, "The beach area & lake were fantastic & very clean. The beach was dragged & groomed every night. This is a great place for kids as it's small enough to let them roam."
Consider campgrounds with playgrounds: Some locations offer play equipment. At Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA, a visitor noted, "The campground on the mountain side has a playground, huge store, gem mining, arcade (which needs some love), hiking trails and a common area with some games."
Find campgrounds with ice cream vendors: Some locations have special treats for kids. As one Rollins Pond camper mentioned, "An ice cream truck and firewood truck make the rounds (ice cream truck may just be on weekends)."
Tips from RVers
Choose the right section at KOAs: Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday has distinct camping areas. An RVer explained, "There are two distinct sections of this campground—the 'Resort' section and the '100-Acre Woods' section... This section has tall shad trees and much more space between sites than the resort area."
Look for level sites: Not all campsites accommodate larger rigs. At Eagle Point Campground, a camper noted, "This is a very tight place to camp. If you have a camper, good luck on getting in this campsite. Very tight sites and some are very hard to get level."
Check road width inside campgrounds: Some campgrounds have narrow access roads. One RVer warned, "Maneuvering through the park was pretty tight for us and we had to take it really slow."
Consider yurt options for comfort: For those seeking an RV-like experience without the vehicle, yurt camping near Indian Lake provides a comfortable alternative. Several campgrounds in the region offer yurt accommodations with bedding and electricity.