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.
What to do
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."
What campers like
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."
What you should know
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."
Tips for camping with families
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.
Tips from RVers
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."
