Campgrounds near Inlet, New York offer primitive sites and developed facilities across the southern Adirondack region at elevations ranging from 1,700 to 2,200 feet. The area experiences temperatures between 70-80°F in summer months with evening lows dropping into the 50s, creating ideal conditions for tent and RV camping from May through early October.
What to do
Kayaking on clear waters: Limekiln Lake Campground visitors appreciate the pristine water quality. One 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."
Hiking to nearby ponds: The hiking trail from Eighth Lake Campground connects to additional bodies of water. According to a visitor, "The campground stretches between 2 lakes (Seventh and Eighth Lakes) and also has hiking trails with access to another lake (Bug Lake) and pond (Eagles Nest)."
Fishing in peaceful settings: Without motorboat traffic, waters remain calm for fishing at several locations. At Brown Tract Pond, "There are no motorboats allowed on the lake, so the water is perfect for paddling. They have canoes and kayaks for rent as well."
Winter activities: For off-season visitors, Old Forge Camping Resort offers winter recreation. "Snowmobiling is the real reason to come here. Dry cabins or cottages with bath and shower are available. Snowmobile trails are accessible from the campground."
What campers like
Private, wooded sites: Nicks Lake Campground receives praise for its layout. A camper observed, "A calm and peaceful campground with multiple driving loops separated by a generous amount of forest."
Sandy beaches: Several campgrounds feature beach areas for swimming. A visitor to Golden Beach noted, "This is a great stop when rolling into the Adirondacks. There are outhouses at the sites and one in particular has a great view up on a ledge."
Stargazing opportunities: The minimal light pollution creates excellent night sky viewing. One camper at Lewey Lake shared, "We loved our stay at Lewey 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!)."
Wildlife sightings: Many campgrounds offer opportunities to observe native animals. According to a visitor at Nicks Lake Campground, "The grounds are a wonderful option for families, not only hosting a number of amenities (i.e. campers beach, hiking trails), but providing opportunities to observe the local wildlife."
What you should know
Bear precautions: While most dog friendly campgrounds near Inlet provide bear boxes, additional precautions are necessary. At Lewey Lake, one camper warned, "You HAVE to keep all your food covered in a sealed container. We didn't have a sealed container for our dry goods, which in the past has been fine just leaving it in the car, but we ended up with a fleet of mice."
Limited cell service: Most campgrounds have minimal or no connectivity. A visitor noted about Moose River Plains, "Make sure you're prepared for dispersement camping as this location does not provide amenities other than Mother Nature itself."
Seasonal insect activity: Biting insects can be problematic during certain periods. According to one camper, "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."
Varied shower facilities: Shower availability differs between campgrounds. At Brown Tract Pond, "They have flush toilets at most sites, but no showers. You can use showers at a nearby campground."
Tips for camping with families
Beach activities: Sandy swimming areas provide safe water access for children. At Golden Beach Campground, "This is our favorite place to camp by far. The second time we were on site 86, on the water. It was amazing."
Playground access: Some campgrounds offer play structures for younger visitors. A camper at HTR Adirondacks mentioned, "The campground was very well maintained and clean, had restrooms, a small playground, and a beach area."
Water safety: Different lakes have varying swimming conditions. One visitor observed, "The beach is manned by a lifeguard until 6pm and is very well maintained. We love brining the kids here without worrying about loud crazy campers up until all hours of the night."
Local attractions: The area offers family-friendly activities beyond camping. A visitor to Old Forge Camping Resort shared, "There is a bus from the campground that takes you to enchanted forest safari, which is a great way to avoid parking."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Some campgrounds have limited space for larger vehicles. A visitor to Brown Tract Pond advised, "This campground is for the adventurous. No electric or water hook ups (for RVs) and no shower facilities, but there are restrooms."
Power limitations: Electrical service varies between pet-friendly campgrounds near Inlet. At HTR Adirondacks, one RVer cautioned, "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."
Road conditions: Access roads to some campgrounds require caution. A visitor to Moose River Plains recommended, "The main road through is a little rough, take it slow and you should get through with any vehicle, but I would recommend only high clearance 8" plus vehicles."
Leveling challenges: Some sites have uneven terrain. One camper noted, "The lots are also not gravel and not level. Ours was dirt and mostly mud and even with our leveling jacks down, we could not level due to the mud and lack of a gravel base."
