Top Tent Camping near Jay, NY

Looking for the best tent campgrounds near Jay? You can find tent campsites by type, including drive-in, walk-in, and even hike-in for a backpacking adventure. Each tent site offers quick access to one or more of Jay, New York's most popular destinations.

Best Tent Sites Near Jay, NY (39)

Showing results 1-10 of 39 campgrounds

Recent Tent Reviews In Jay

624 Reviews of 39 Jay Campgrounds


  • Camper-submitted photo from Wilmington Notch
    September 8, 2024

    Wilmington Notch

    Amazing Campsite!

    I didn’t expect too much from a campground but this site was super clean, spacious and very quiet. Even though some of the sites are close to each other, it feels like your a mile apart with the sounds. The bathrooms are impressively clean and even have extra toilet paper if need be. Will definitely stay here again in the future!

  • Camper-submitted photo from Sno-Bird
    September 6, 2024

    Sno-Bird

    The location is outstanding, but the sites are very muddy.

    Snowbird is very wet and some sites are rooty. There is no lean-to. There are roughly seven campsites within ~20' of each other. Three sites could accommodate a 4 person tent and the other four would need a 1 or 2 person tent. You could potentially squeeze in another 2 person ternt sight somewhere. There is a privy. There is a small stream for filtering water ~50' down trail from the campsite that will likely be running all year. Snowbird is the only campsite that is above 4000' in the park. The location is awesome for tackling the great range, but how muddy the sites are is a major con. Just be aware that some if not all sites could have several inches of water at anytime of the year.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Scaroon Manor Campground
    August 27, 2024

    Scaroon Manor Campground

    Excellent views on the lake

    We stayed in the rustic campground right down the road from the main campground. We parked in a lot and walked about 5 minutes to the campgrounds on the lake. They were beautiful and well kept, even had a small pile of fire wood for us.

    The site had a relatively nice outhouse, a picnic table, a fire pit and a grate for grilling. It was right on the lake. There were a ton of other people in the main campground but only one other camper in the rustic area. $25 a night to camp.

    There was some noise from the highway but not too bad. Coyotes were howling all night and definitely heard some around our campground.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Lone Pine Campsites
    August 26, 2024

    Lone Pine Campsites

    OK for two nights

    We stayed for two nights to visit Burlington and lake Champlain.

    It was not our favorite campground. The site are open, so no privacy and the sites are fairly small.

    Toilets and showers are ok but nothing fancy. A bit worn.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Rogers Rock Campground
    August 22, 2024

    Rogers Rock Campground

    Worst Campground We Have Ever Been To

    Absolute worst campground we have ever been to(and we do a TON of camping in state parks both in NY and out of state and private campgrounds as well). When we arrived our site was covered in trash and the picnic table was in the site next to ours with old propane tanks sitting on them. Beer bottle caps and cigarette ends were EVERYWHERE on our site, crushed cans and bottles scattered around, tons of garbage throughout the site(plastic spoons, cardboard pieces, plastic wrappers, a huge metal pipe, etc.) We spent the first half hour there cleaning up all the trash on our site and we didn't even get it all. All of the sites next to us had just as much trash in them as well and were never cleaned up the duration of our stay either. When walking around we noticed tons of other sites with garbage left in them too. I don't think any of the sites are checked after checkout and if they are they are definitely not cleaned up at all after check out. We stayed on the'other side of the road' and the bathrooms were absolutely disgusting and falling apart. They were never cleaned at all during our stay(although we seen workers sitting in the golf cart goofing around and talking several times instead of actually cleaning the bathrooms). The only thing the workers did was add toilet paper(and not even enough because there were several times we went and there was no toilet paper). We were there 5 nights and the trash can wasn't emptied once and none of the garbage or toilet paper on the floor was ever picked up. There was also poop smeared across the wall and door in the one stall and poop all over one of the other toilets that was like that our whole stay as well. Mirror was literally tapped together with black tape, there was only one faucet handle and locks on the stall were broken. We had to go across the street into the other side of the campground to shower and the showers were absolutely disgusting. Black mold covered the shower curtains, was all in the lights and on the lower and higher sections of walls and it smelled like mildew. It was gross and cannot possibly be safe. This is definitely a party campground and no quiet hours are enforced. People were up partying, drinking and blasting music literally all night. It's such a shame because the location of this campground is amazing and it has the potential to be a great campground but we will never go back. We have never been to any campground this dirty, unkempt and with workers who literally just don't care or do their jobs. Such a disappointment. Wish I had seen all the other bad reviews before going.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Scaroon Manor Campground
    August 12, 2024

    Scaroon Manor Campground

    Peaceful park

    We booked this spot sight unseen as there were no pictures available. Tucked back in the woods and quiet. The front section was much wider open and more state parkish. Excellent showering facilities and a cook wash up station that was well maintained.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Mallets Bay Campground
    August 11, 2024

    Mallets Bay Campground

    Do not go here if you don’t need to

    We were with RV. Mostly permanent places, showers and toilets are full with mould and not clean as is said on the website. Rates are not transparant. The pool was nice for the kids.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Route 100 Dispersed Camping
    August 5, 2024

    Route 100 Dispersed Camping

    This is not a campground.

    This site was lovely, but signs say No Camping. There were a few spots with fire rings and picnic tables and would be a great place to camp though! Not sure how strict that is. There was someone camping for a least a week given their tent was there the whole week I was in the area. So I guess it's not that strict. Signs indicate this offshoot road where these sites are is also FR-25, then FR-25 picks up again as a spur off of VT 100 a little farther south down 100 where there were permitted (but full) camping sites.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Green Mountain National Forest FR25 - Dispersed Camping
    August 5, 2024

    Green Mountain National Forest FR25 - Dispersed Camping

    Pretty, scattered sites along small stream

    All the sites were full when I visited (6 to 8 sites, approximately, but i didn't go down a couple little gravel paths to check each spot as you couldn't turn around easily) , so I didn't get to camp there. There was a NFS sign along FR-25 posted asking people to clean up after themselves (litter and human waste) as there'd been complaints to the extent that they were considering closing the sites if people didn't do better. There were some fire ring sites along Vermont 100 where FR-25 intersects it, but those are marked as No Camping (though one tent had been there at least a week). That area along 100 is supposed to be a day-use picnic area. 

    The sites looked lovely though. Some people were really entrenched with string lights etc.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Rogers Rock - DEC
    August 4, 2024

    Rogers Rock - DEC

    It’s a party camp ground

    Do you enjoy staying up until sunrise, underage drinking, staff that don’t give AF, and rules that don’t matter? Then this is the state park for you! I wanted to give the park a try even with all the bad reviews, because the location is awesome. Now I realize the views are not worth it if you’re sleep deprived. I thought since it was a not a holiday weekend it wouldn’t be that bad, I was wrong. If you still plan on coming, I’d avoid the first week in August. Some garbage family from New Jersey rents out a bunch of sites and gives their teenagers their own site, because they hate them too. All in all, it was not a good time. There are plenty of other parks around if you want to actually enjoy camping. This one isn’t it. 10/10 would not recommend 👎

  • Camper-submitted photo from Rogers Rock Campground
    July 22, 2024

    Rogers Rock Campground

    Beautiful sites of Lake George

    This campground is the northwest side of the lake. There are not many amenities or services for the phones but that could be good if you want an off the grid type of camping. We were lucky enough to score a few days in one of the group sites. They had a bathroom with just a potty & sink. At the end of the site, they had water that was able to be used to clean dishes but not consume. The views out the camper were just amazing. The bathroom with the showers by the beaches were gross, and the amount of crap on the ground was super unacceptable, like people haven't cleaned it in weeks. The showers up closer to the sites were very nice and clean. They have a cool beach but make sure to bring water shoes because everything is gravel. I wish they had a playground for kids to play. We brought bikes but it was very hard to ride with the hills and gravel so we didn't use then often. We moored our boat directly out from out site and you could swim out to it. Great lake, super clean, beautiful breeze can't wait to go back.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Underhill State Park Campground
    July 20, 2024

    Underhill State Park Campground

    Terrific Camping

    Spent a few nights here as a base camp while hiking some of the mountains in the area. Camp spots were far enough away from one another, trees helped with privacy, and the tent site had a great area to setup the tent.

    Facilities were accessible and clean. Quiet hours were definitely observed. Easily one of the best camp sites I’ve stayed at.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Jones Pond NYSDEC Primitive Campsites
    July 13, 2024

    Jones Pond NYSDEC Primitive Campsites

    Nice spot for a couple nights

    Stayed here with a group of friends at site #4. Was a great spot and lots of room for our 4 tents/3vehicles. It was over the July 4th week, so very busy and found people would just walk through your campsite. Which of course would make our dogs bark at them. Also a lot of people just walking the road, so privacy can really be hit or miss. A lot of people have their dogs off leash as well. One of the rangers stopped by and sure did have a big chip on his shoulder. Overall would stay again, but would maybe instead stay at site 5 or over at a short hike in spot along Jones Pond rd. Overall a great place, just wish people would have more respect when around others campsites.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday
    July 12, 2024

    Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday

    This is a good place to sleep, but not much more to it

    To start off, we are avid KOA campers. So when we looked at this campground, we expected the typical layout which had a swimming pool and other stuff for the kids, however, this campground lacked all of the above. When we arrived here, check-in was easy we did drive along ways to get to our campsite which was nice to be wooded, but I did miss the typical activities and KOA usually has which when I booked the site, I usually expect them since the prices usually, fairly high compared to state parks. Our main reason for seeing KA versus state parks for these extra activities. With that said the bathrooms were clean, which we barely use since we have a full hook up camper. The dog park was very small and it looked like they did the very minimum to check the block. If you’re looking for a place to run your little guy around, he might be disappointed at this place. However, there are plenty hikes nearby to wear them out if you desire. As far as location, there is a lot of stuff to do in the area as we went and hike, the mountain, which was amazing.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Champlain Resort Adult Campground
    July 8, 2024

    Champlain Resort Adult Campground

    Wonderful Experience-Highly Recommend

    We recently bought a travel trailer and this was our first camping trip with it. Emma and JC were wonderful from start to finish. They own the property and you can tell they take such great pride in this gem. The grounds are beautifully kept and both were very helpful. We arrived much later than expected because of traffic and this being our first time traveling with the travel trailer. They were very accommodating to our later than expected arrival. Once we got all set up at our site, we were very happy. JC is very helpful with helping guide you in to your spot if you need it. There's a nice bath house with toilets and private showers. It was kept very clean and it was nice to know we could use that if needed. There's a beautiful spot to go down by the lake and watch the sunset over Lake Champlain. We absolutely loved our time there and will be happy to return again. JC has quite the sense of humor and my partner and him had fun conversing. Emma was great at communicating from start to finish and made everything easy and convenient.

  • Camper-submitted photo from North Beach Campground
    July 6, 2024

    North Beach Campground

    Nice Popular Spot

    Great spot near the lake to put up a tent for the night. Very safe and super close to town. Seemed really popular and a little loud until around 11. If you’re a light sleeper then consider bringing some ear plugs.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Frontier Town Campground, Equestrian and Day Use Area
    June 27, 2024

    Frontier Town Campground, Equestrian and Day Use Area

    New, very nice, with killer bugs

    I was in site 43, it was long enough it could have fit two of the biggest RVs I have ever seen. My 75 foot starling cable did not even reach all the way back out to the road. I drove through the equestrian loop and found it very confusing. Lots of fences and shared pedestals. I stayed in the next loop, stagecoach. Everything looked spic and span like it had just opened last month. The young man at the check in station said there were very few people there except on the weekends. I only saw three or four other rVs and two of them had to camp right next to me. I saw the bugs, some of them clearly mosquitoes and I never saw one get away with biting me. But I ended up with two lower legs and two forearms that constantly itch like mad. I will never go back in June.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Smugglers Notch State Park Campground
    June 27, 2024

    Smugglers Notch State Park Campground

    Newly Developed … Work in Progress

    Pros: Full hookup (sewer, water, 50 AMP) 1.7 mile from #7 Ranked World's Best Disc Golf Course: Fox Run Meadows New fire ring New picnic table Gorgeous Mountain View

    Cons: Grass site No amenities No Wi-Fi Soft ground, sinked during setup

  • Camper-submitted photo from Brookwood RV Resort
    June 26, 2024

    Brookwood RV Resort

    Beautiful site

    Pros: Full hookup (sewer, water, 50 AMP) Level, shaded site Wi-Fi Pool Cornhole Chess Connect 4 Playground Bath house Laundry Nice picnic table

    Cons: Gravel site

  • Camper-submitted photo from Apple Island Resort
    June 20, 2024

    Apple Island Resort

    Amazing views

    This campground is located in a central area between Burlington and north hero. The views of lake Champlain are amazing. Ex check in and plenty of amenities.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Waterbury Reservoir Remote Sites — Waterbury Center State Park
    June 13, 2024

    Waterbury Reservoir Remote Sites — Waterbury Center State Park

    The best sites you could imagine.

    These remote sites are so peaceful. Be sure to launch from cotton brook road if your site r11-27. We made the mistake of parking at little River rd the first time and the paddle to r14 from there was way too long. It was about 30 minutes from the cotton brook launch to the site and was much more doable for all the trips we took bringing our gear in. The bathroom is a composting toilet that you’ll share with fishing spiders the size of your hand, slam the lid before use! Also the spot where you set up tent at this site was on a slope, others sites might be better.. still 10/10 will return, these sites are all prime locations!

  • Camper-submitted photo from Meadowbrook Campground
    May 27, 2024

    Meadowbrook Campground

    Average campground great location

    We stayed at Meadowbrook over Memorial Day weekend in 2024. It's an average campground, but has a really good location between Lake Placid and Saranac Lake. 

    Our site had the standard DEC picnic table and fire pit. There are showers (the hot water was broken the day we were there, but the attendant said we could go to nearby campgrounds to use theirs), toilets, and water spigots. I had decent Verizon signal. 

    The sites were clean, but the fire pit was showing its age. We stayed in site 37, which was a bit more private and surrounded by trees. The sites in the two loops closest to Rte 86 (#1-13, 27-34, and 51-62) were much closer together, and some didn't have trees between sites. Even at our more "isolated" site, we could still see our neighbors. 

    The bathroom was actually one of the nicest I've seen in a DEC campsite; it looked like it had recently been rebuilt. 

    There are positives and negatives about the location. On the plus side, there's ice cream and places to eat within walking distance. We also forgot lunch for our hike the next day and were able to walk to a convenience store to grab supplies. And if you're doing things in Lake Placid and Saranac, the location is tough to beat. On the minus side, there's a bit of road noise and some of the campsites looked like they had great views of a parking lot.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Route 100 Dispersed Camping
    April 10, 2024

    Route 100 Dispersed Camping

    Great little spot right off RT-100

    I was looking for the Austin Brook campsite north of this one, but someone on here gave directions to this site, which turns out has its own page on here. Right off the road, a small handful of camp sites, some picnic tables, presumably some fire rings although with snow coverage I didn’t see any. Main lot has plenty of parking, perfect for car camping. Pull through the trees has some spots for tents and smaller setups. Entrance and exit are a little steep and tricky in the winter, lot wasn’t plowed so AWD/4x4 and good ground clearance are recommended.



Guide to Jay

Camping near Jay, New York, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking: There are numerous trails nearby, perfect for exploring the stunning landscapes. One camper mentioned, "We went and hiked the mountain, which was amazing," highlighting the great hiking opportunities around the Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday.
  • Water Activities: Kayaking and swimming are popular at places like Fish Creek Pond Campground. A visitor shared, "Every site has water access, and the water is super shallow... perfect for dogs, kids, and hanging out in the water."
  • Fishing: Many campgrounds are located near lakes and rivers, making them ideal for fishing. One review noted, "This lake is so peaceful... It's a gorgeous place to get away from everything and to really connect to nature," referring to the Saranac Lake Islands Adirondack Preserve.

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A visitor at Grand Isle State Park Campground said, "The cleanliness of the facilities was excellent."
  • Friendly Staff: Many campgrounds have helpful staff. One camper at North Beach Campground mentioned, "The campground is well maintained, comfortable and clean," emphasizing the positive experiences with the staff.
  • Scenic Views: Campers love the beautiful surroundings. A review for Rollins Pond Adirondack Preserve stated, "The campground is beautiful, and most of the sites are lakefront."

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Saranac Lake Islands, are primitive and lack basic utilities. A camper noted, "Primitive camping with water access only... very private, spacious sites."
  • Bugs: Be prepared for bugs, especially in warmer months. A visitor at Fish Creek Pond Campground mentioned, "Pretty buggy during the last week of May."
  • Reservations Recommended: Popular spots fill up quickly. One camper at Button Bay State Park Campground advised, "Book early for the best sites."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Activities for Kids: Look for campgrounds with activities for children. A parent at Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday mentioned, "They had lots of activities to take back to the campsite for rainy days."
  • Pet-Friendly Options: Many campgrounds allow pets, making it easier to bring the whole family. A visitor at Grand Isle State Park Campground noted, "Pets allowed, picnic table, reservable."
  • Safety First: Always keep an eye on kids near water. One camper at Rollins Pond said, "Falling asleep to loons is priceless! We always have wildlife at our site."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at AuSable Chasm Campground mentioned, "RV site 8 is so out of level that we couldn't get our Airstream level unless we put 10" of blocking under both axles."
  • Electric Hookups: Look for campgrounds with electric hookups if needed. A review for Apple Island Resort stated, "The campground was very clean and had electric hookups."
  • Road Conditions: Be aware of road conditions leading to campgrounds. One camper at AuSable Chasm Campground noted, "The 'road' into the campground is more like a goat trail."

Camping near Jay, New York, offers a variety of experiences for everyone. Whether you're hiking, fishing, or just enjoying the scenery, there's something for every camper.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular tent campsite near Jay, NY?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Jay, NY is Saranac Lake Islands Adirondack Preserve with a 4.9-star rating from 15 reviews.

  • What is the best site to find tent camping near Jay, NY?

    TheDyrt.com has all 39 tent camping locations near Jay, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.