Camping options near Keene, New York range from backcountry lean-tos to established campgrounds with amenities. The elevation in this region varies dramatically, with campgrounds situated between 1,200 and 2,500 feet above sea level. Temperatures can drop below 50°F even in July and August at higher elevations, while valley campgrounds maintain warmer conditions through early fall.
What to do
Hike to mountain waterfalls: From Wilmington Notch Campground, access trails to cascades along the Ausable River. "There is an accessible trail from the back of the campground to an amazing waterfall on the west branch of the Ausable River and plenty of spots to trout fish/swim. A mile down the road is flume falls trails, which leads to a great swimming hole and various height choice cliff jumping," notes camper Zachary M.
Explore Olympic sites: Stay at Meadowbrook Campground for easy access to Lake Placid's historic venues. "The campsite is just down the road from Whiteface Mountain, a few fly shops, and many fishing access sites and hiking trails, and is about 15 minutes from Lake Placid," reports Rachael W., who has visited annually for 15 years.
Paddle remote islands: Saranac Lake Islands Adirondack Preserve Campground offers boat-in camping experiences. "We rented a motorboat to get to our own private little peninsula on the middle saranac. One of the coolest experiences I've ever had in my life - surrounded by nature - water, woods, birds and fishing for pike, bass and sunfish," says Sambath T.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: At Sharp Bridge Campground, campers appreciate the spacious arrangement. "We rented two spaces next to one another and had plenty of room for cars and all our tents. There were fire pits and picnic tables for use as well," reports Christina M.
Free hot showers: Many Adirondack campgrounds offer complimentary shower facilities. "Clean and quiet campground. 15 minutes to downtown lake placid. The whiteface mountain gondola ride to the top of the mountain is a must do," shares Megan B. about her experience at Sharp Bridge.
Backcountry lean-tos: Marcy Dam Backcountry Campsites provide rustic shelters along popular hiking routes. "We camped here for a few nights in one a lean-to for a group trip and it was absolutely amazing! The scenery was gorgeous and there were lots of nice hikes around," reports Isabel D.
What you should know
Road noise considerations: Campgrounds near major routes experience traffic sounds during daytime hours. At Draper's Acres, Jennifer O. notes: "We had a full hookup, pull through site surrounded by trees. There was some road noise during the day but it was nice and quiet at night."
Bear protection required: Backcountry sites mandate proper food storage. At Marcy Dam, camper Eric K. advises: "Bring your own bear canister. No toilets or piped water. No firepits, and you cannot start fires here - bring your stove."
Reservation timing: For Wilderness Campground at Heart Lake, plan ahead during peak season. "It did appear that you would be able to drive in without reservation on a weekday and find yourself a site! Weekends are PACKED and there were more than a couple of party sites," reports Alex & Lauren K.
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with activities: Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday offers entertainment options. "The mountain side has a playground, huge store, gem mining, arcade (which needs some love), hiking trails and a common area with some games," notes Nicole S.
Consider access to swimming spots: Several campgrounds provide water recreation opportunities. At Draper's Acres, Eric M. recommends: "This site has good tent sites that are separate from RV area and rental cabins. If you tent, try to grab a spot on the outer ring for a quieter time, larger space and better views."
Pack extra layers year-round: The Adirondack region experiences significant temperature swings. Jerry M. advises visitors to Saranac Lake Islands to "bring warm clothing for nights; temps can drop 30 degrees in hours."
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: At Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday, choose carefully between areas. Nancy W. explains: "There are two distinct sections of this campground—the 'Resort' section and the '100-Acre Woods' section. We stayed in site #73 of the 100-Acre section and would highly recommend staying in this area as opposed to the other. This section has tall shad trees and much more space between sites than the resort area."
Watch for low clearance: Many wooded campgrounds have tight access roads. "One ding for us was that there were lots of tree limbs that needed to be trimmed. Maneuvering through the park was pretty tight for us and we had to take it really slow," reports Nancy W.
Hookup availability varies: Most established campgrounds offer some utility connections. At Draper's Acres, Jennifer O. notes: "We had a full hookup, pull through site surrounded by trees. The bathhouses looked very 'rustic' but we didn't use them."
