201 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping options near Keene Valley in New York's Adirondacks include both developed campgrounds and backcountry sites throughout the High Peaks Wilderness region. The area features several notable camping areas like Wilderness Campground at Heart Lake and Draper's Acres, which accommodate various camping styles from tent and RV sites to cabins and glamping. Most campgrounds provide basic amenities including fire rings, picnic tables, and access to potable water, while backcountry sites like Marcy Dam and Sno-Bird offer more primitive experiences for hikers exploring the mountain trails.
The camping season in the Adirondacks typically runs from May through October, with many campgrounds closing during winter months. "We stayed at the Heart Lake Campground for a week and a half utilizing it as our home base for adventures into the High Peaks Wilderness and the greater Adirondack region," noted one visitor on The Dyrt. Road access varies throughout the area, with some locations requiring caution due to rough conditions. Most developed campgrounds require reservations, particularly during summer weekends when sites fill quickly. Backcountry campers should be prepared for changing weather conditions, as temperatures can drop significantly at higher elevations even during summer months. Bear-resistant food storage is necessary throughout the region.
Waterfront camping receives consistently positive reviews, with Heart Lake and Saranac Lake Islands among the highest-rated destinations. Several visitors highlight the proximity to hiking trails as a key advantage of camping in this region. According to feedback on The Dyrt, "The location is awesome for tackling the great range," though some backcountry sites can be "very muddy" depending on recent weather. The campgrounds closer to Lake Placid provide convenient access to town amenities while still offering natural surroundings. For campers seeking solitude, backcountry lean-tos and tent sites accessed by hiking trails provide more secluded experiences. Wildlife viewing opportunities exist throughout the area, though proper food storage is essential to avoid attracting bears to camping areas.
"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."
"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."
"Some if the sites are rather close to each other, and the proximity to the road was noticeable but my white noise app dealt with that while I slept. Prices were more than fair for what was provided."
from $30 - $40 / 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"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"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 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"The waterfront sites are great, but you can be very close to your neighbors. The last site 15 is also right next to a very busy boat launch."
"This state campground offers a variety of wooded sites, some drive in and others remote boat-in (29R-31R)."
from $18 / 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"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."
"One lean-to and 3 campsites. 2 near the lean-to across the bridge.
1 on the other side.
There's also a privy.
It's far out and the only way to access is by hiking."
"If you’re coming from Marcy Dam by way of Lake Colden, this campsite is a great spot to stop for the night on the way to Mt. Marcy."
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.
GuideShadey lakeside campground with large sites, mine has easy lake access.
GuideLarge sites, shade, beautiful beach,
ScoutWe stayed here because we wanted to spend a few days exploring the Adirondacks without moving the RV every night. It worked perfectly for that. We headed out early each morning, explored somewhere new, and had our camper waiting for us when we got back.
Backcountry camping sites near Keene Valley, New York range from primitive lean-tos to RV-friendly campgrounds with amenities. The area sits within the High Peaks Wilderness at elevations of 1,000-4,000 feet, creating significant temperature variations even during summer months. Most camping in the region follows a seasonal pattern with peak visitation from July through September, when nighttime temperatures can still drop below 50°F.
Hiking to waterfalls: From Wilmington Notch Campground, access nearby waterfall trails and swimming areas. "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," reports Zachary M.
Winter camping options: Unlike many seasonal campgrounds, some locations remain accessible year-round. A visitor to Wilderness Campground at Heart Lake noted their March trip: "My boyfriend and I visited in late March when there was still a decent amount of snow on the site. Despite the lake being frozen over, the views just steps away from our lean to were gorgeous. The bathrooms are really nice and warm, especially during the cold off season."
Backpacking to Mt. Marcy: For those planning summit hikes, consider Feldspar Lean-to as a strategic overnight location. Seth K. explains: "If you're coming from Marcy Dam by way of Lake Colden, this campsite is a great spot to stop for the night on the way to Mt. Marcy. There's a good water flow for water that is safe to drink (suggest bringing iodine just in case). There's a lean-to and a latrine in the area as well."
Island camping solitude: Boaters favor the isolation of Saranac Lake Islands. "Huge sites, a lot of privacy (nearest campsite in most cases is not even visible). We kayaked before, and found the biggest drawback was impossible to bring a lot of food and a cooler. Bought a small aluminum boat with a motor and now can bring a lot more gear," shares Kelly H.
Proximity to trailheads: Locations adjacent to popular hiking areas save driving time. At Meadowbrook Campground, Olivia M. explains: "This was the first campground I ever stayed at. I'd had a bad car accident and was determined to hike Mt Phelps. The campground had plenty of privacy and was clean. Nothing too crazy but close to the good hiking spots."
Free hot showers: Several campgrounds in the region provide no-cost shower facilities. At Draper's Acres, Brett N. observed: "Both bath houses were adequate, even containing shampoo and body wash. Staff was friendly. Some if the sites are rather close to each other, and the proximity to the road was noticeable but my white noise app dealt with that while I slept. Prices were more than fair for what was provided."
Road conditions: Several access roads require careful driving. A visitor to Wilderness Campground at Heart Lake warned: "Road going in is very rough use extreme caution on a motorcycle with street tires."
Fire restrictions: Fire regulations vary by location. At Marcy Dam Backcountry Campsites, campers must understand: "No firepits, and you cannot start fires here - bring your stove. Bring your own bear canister."
Tent site layouts: Campground designs affect privacy levels. Brett N. observed at Sharp Bridge Campground: "I agree with some other reviewers that the proximity to the road does detract a little bit. But at night time when you're sleeping it doesn't seem to be much of a problem, though a white noise app on your phone would help. My site was large enough for two double tents, a hammock, and if needed, two cars."
Water recreation options: Lincoln Pond Campground provides family-friendly shoreline activities. According to Jean C.: "This state campground offers a variety of wooded sites, some drive in and others remote boat-in (29R-31R). There's a large beach and boat rentals are available. If you plan to fish, purchase your license before you arrive as phone signals are weak."
Playground access: Some campgrounds include kid-friendly recreation areas. At Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday, Nicole S. found: "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. They have cabins, tent site areas, and huge wooded camper sites."
Campground atmosphere: Consider noise levels when booking with children. Sharp Bridge Campground receives positive reviews for its peaceful setting: "The campground received 4g LTE service. One of the quietest campsites I've ever stayed at in the Adirondacks," noted Kyle H.
Site navigation challenges: Some campgrounds present accessibility concerns. Nancy W. warns about Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday: "One bad thing about this park is that you have to pay high fees for visitors. Day passes for adults are $12 and $6/kid. Overnight fees are crazy high at $15/adult, $8/kid and $7/car. Another 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."
Site selection strategy: At Wilmington Notch Campground, experienced RVers recommend specific areas: "Sites are spaced out, but little privacy. Luckily I had a water bandit, as the water spigot does not have threads for a hose. Very clean facilities. Quick drive to all the stuff to do in Lake Placid."
Utility access realities: Despite listings, not all campgrounds provide full hookups. One visitor to Meadowbrook Campground clarified: "The amenities list is incorrect. There are no hookups, electric or water. There is wood for sale when the office is open, a dump station and it has showers."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping options are available near Keene, NY?
The Keene area offers diverse camping options throughout the Adirondack region. Ausable Point Campground provides beautiful lakeshore camping with sunrise and sunset views, excellent for water activities and beach walking. Sharp Bridge Campground offers a more traditional forest camping experience with drive-in access. For those willing to venture slightly farther, you'll find campgrounds around Lake Placid, Wilmington, and Saranac Lake offering varying levels of amenities. The region also features numerous backcountry camping options for those seeking solitude, though these require proper preparation. Most campgrounds operate seasonally from May through October, with peak foliage season (late September to mid-October) being especially popular and requiring advance reservations.
Where are the best campgrounds in Keene Valley, NY?
Keene Valley offers excellent camping experiences in the heart of the Adirondacks. Wilderness Campground at Heart Lake stands out as a premier option, providing an authentic mountain experience with access to multiple hiking trails, including paths to High Peaks. For those seeking backcountry options, Marcy Dam Backcountry Campsites offer more secluded experiences for experienced hikers. These sites require preparation as they're hike-in only. The region also features several DEC-managed sites along Route 73, though these fill quickly during peak season (June-October). Most campgrounds in the area provide basic amenities like fire rings and picnic tables, with varying levels of access to water and restroom facilities.
Are there RV-friendly campgrounds near Keene Valley and Lake Placid?
Yes, several RV-friendly campgrounds serve the Keene Valley and Lake Placid region. Draper's Acres offers well-separated RV and tent camping areas with various RV space options, though some campers note the showers could use improvement. Meadowbrook Campground provides basic amenities with picnic tables and fire grills, plus sites on the outer ring that offer good privacy with trees and shrubs. For a more premium experience, Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday accommodates big rigs with full hookups. Most RV campgrounds in the area operate seasonally from May through October, with some closing earlier depending on weather conditions. Reservations are highly recommended, especially during summer months and fall foliage season when the area sees peak visitation.
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