187 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds near Keene in New York's Adirondack region range from established facilities to backcountry sites. The area includes notable options like Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday and Wilmington Notch Campground, both located within 15 minutes of major attractions. Accommodation types vary widely with tent sites, RV hookups, cabin rentals, and primitive camping areas. Campgrounds like Draper's Acres offer both wooded tent sites and electric hookups, while backcountry locations such as Marcy Dam and Copperas Pond cater to hikers seeking more remote experiences.
Most developed camping areas operate seasonally from May through October, with limited year-round options. Reservations are strongly recommended, particularly for summer weekends when popular campgrounds fill quickly. Winter camping is primarily available at wilderness sites with proper permits. The terrain varies significantly by location, with some campgrounds featuring relatively flat, accessible sites and others requiring significant hiking over rocky, steep terrain. Weather conditions change rapidly in the Adirondacks, with cool temperatures even during summer months, especially at higher elevations. According to one visitor at Copperas Pond, "The hike up to the campground was pretty rocky and steep, but not that long. About a mile up the trail splits in two; one way goes to the lean-to where we camped."
Campers consistently mention the proximity to outdoor recreation as a major advantage of staying in the Keene area. Several campgrounds provide direct access to hiking trails, fishing spots along the Ausable River, and swimming areas. At Wilmington Notch, reviews highlight the "great location, very close to Lake Placid and many different trails" while noting that some sites offer "little privacy between sites." Facilities vary widely across the region—some campgrounds provide full hookups, showers, and amenities like firewood for purchase, while backcountry sites typically offer minimal infrastructure beyond a fire ring and possibly an outhouse. Several reviewers mentioned road noise as an issue at campgrounds located near highways, suggesting that campers seeking quiet should request sites farther from major roads.
"Close to hiking trails, Whiteface Mt Parkway & Lake Placid. Nice, helpful staff. It is NOT wheelchair accessible. There are steep steps to the office, no grab bars in the bathrooms."
"Very large and busy campground, close to Lake Placid and other cool activities to take in. Pros- hot showers, convenient laundromat, you are guided to your site by staff on golf carts."
"Good location for major trailheads and near by lake placid keene. Tent sites are not very big. Although weconfortavly fit with one vehicle. Free hot showers."
"Great campground with secluded sites most with woods behind each site, especially the tent area. The RV and tent camping is well separated and there are different kinds of RV space available as well."
from $30 - $40 / night
Check Availability"Only about a hour and a half from the border of Canada. This is a great home base for Lake Placid area and Whiteface Mountain. Great clean bathrooms with free hot showers."
"Great location, very close to Lake Placid and many different trails. The sites are closer together and not as much privacy in some sections, be sure to reserve to get a prime spot."
from $18 / night
Check Availability"Despite the lake being frozen over, the views just steps away from our lean to were gorgeous. The staff were really friendly and someone is available 24/7 in case you run into issues."
"The lean to I had was right on the lake and on the edge of the campground. It's a bit of a trek to a bathroom but well worth it."
from $25 - $55 / night
Check Availability"This is a very basic campground situated in a small village in the Adirondacks – situated between Saranac Lake and Lake Placid. "
"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."
from $18 - $40 / night
Check Availability"Outhouse was a little rough around the edges, but doable. Town is close by for ice and things. Our island had 4 other campsites on it and we barely saw or heard our neighbors."
"This lake is so peaceful and the remote islands that are only accessible by boat make this spot really special. It's a gorgeous place to get away from everything and to really connect to nature."
from $22 - $40 / night
Check Availability"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."
"Quiet campground, close to many hiking high peak trails. Love the caretakers dog Rookie."
from $18 / night
Check Availability"This campground is conveniently located near the trails for Mt. Marcy, Mt. Colden, and Avalanche Pass. Everything is first come first serve."
"The scenery was gorgeous and there were lots of nice hikes around."
"Most of the campsites at Fish Creek Pond are along the waterfront, offering easy access to the pond. Some campers even build temporary docks that they leave behind for subsequent campers."
"Bike path, kayak rentals, close to Lake Placid Olympic center, Wild Center in Tupper Lake"
from $22 - $40 / night
Check Availability"The campground by Copperas Pond is up a trail in the Sentinel Range Wilderness Area. The hike up to the campground was pretty rocky and steep, but not that long."
ScoutMy brother and I hadn’t camped together since we were teenagers. Decided to bring the tents out again and see if we still knew what we were doing. Setup took longer than either of us would admit, but we had a blast.
ScoutAusable Pines was our first stop on a much longer RV trip, so there was a lot of excitement when we pulled in. We got connected, opened a bottle of wine, pulled out the map and started talking about everywhere we were headed next. Great way to start the trip.
ScoutMy parents joined us and the kids for this trip, which meant five people sharing a camper and somehow still getting along by the end of it. The grandparents took mornings slow while the kids were ready to go almost immediately. Everyone eventually met back at the campsite for meals. It was a different kind of family vacation for us and one we’ll probably remember much longer than another hotel trip.
TravelerMultiple small fire ring, camping spots with an outhouse down a trail by site 3.
ScoutWe wanted to visit Lake Placid but preferred bringing our RV instead of booking a hotel for the whole trip. We spent a full day around Lake Placid and the surrounding area, then drove back to Ausable Pines that evening. I liked having some separation between the busy sightseeing part of the day and where we were staying. The next morning we took our time making breakfast before heading out again. It gave the trip a nice balance between exploring and camping.
ScoutThis was our first longer trip with our new fifth wheel and we were definitely nervous about taking it somewhere unfamiliar. We had plenty of room for our setup and having full hookups made the whole experience much easier than expected. By the end of the stay we were already talking about where to take it next.
ScoutNice spots, clearly marked. Only if humans would practice leave no trace. Take all items you brought with you, out with you.
GuideIt’s a nice relatively small campground in a pretty setting. Sites are fairly close, and there’s definitely some longer tempura residents, but it’s well kept and seems like a nice place to stay.
GuideShadey lakeside campground with large sites, mine has easy lake access.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
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."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Keene, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, Keene, NY offers a wide range of camping options, with 187 campgrounds and RV parks near Keene, NY and 28 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Keene, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Keene, NY is Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday with a 4.4-star rating from 45 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Keene, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 28 free dispersed camping spots near Keene, NY.
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