A
Amelia G.
Traveler
TravelerCamp Skyland
Beautiful
My favorite campsite we stayed at on my 2 week trip (despite the bugs lol). Great swimming hole and very well kept. Very beautiful and loved my stay.
Best Campgrounds near Lake Clear, NY
The camping areas near Lake Clear in New York give you good access to Adirondack wilderness without being too remote. Fish Creek Pond Campground sits about eight miles away, with sites right along the water that make it easy to drop in a canoe or fishing line whenever you want. If you're bringing horses, Frontier Town Campground has dedicated equestrian sites and connects to trail systems for riding. Most people can reach these campgrounds without trouble since the main roads are paved, though a few of the more secluded spots might need vehicles with better clearance after rain. From May through September is when most campers visit, avoiding both black fly season in early spring and the heavy snow that typically blocks access during winter months. Keep your food secured at night since deer, foxes, and bears all roam the area. Birdwatchers should bring binoculars as loons, eagles, and numerous songbirds are common sights. Stick to established fire rings and pack out all trash to help keep these camping areas in good shape. Lake Clear camping works well for both families wanting amenities and individuals looking for quieter forest sites.
Best Camping Sites Near Lake Clear, New York (134)
1. Fish Creek Pond Campground
33 ReviewsTupper Lake, NY8 milesWebsite+1 (518) 891-4560$22 - $40 / night
"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"
2. Rollins Pond Campground
20 ReviewsTupper Lake, NY10 milesWebsite+1 (518) 891-3239$20 - $40 / night
"As it isn't too far of a drive for us, it quickly became our go-to campgrounds for quite a while due to the mostly flat campground and who doesn't love hearing the slow trickle of water splashing close"
"It was generally quiet Memorial Day weekend, and we were able to snag a lakeside site with plenty of trees and space for our tent, SUV, and more."
3. Saranac Lake Islands Adirondack Preserve Campground
15 ReviewsSaranac Lake, NY6 milesWebsite+1 (518) 891-2841$22 - $40 / night
"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."
4. Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday
44 ReviewsWilmington, NY20 milesWebsite+1 (518) 946-7878"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."
5. Meadowbrook Campground
10 ReviewsRay Brook, NY9 milesWebsite+1 (518) 891-4351$18 - $40 / night
"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."
6. Buck Pond Campground
8 ReviewsOnchiota, NY11 milesWebsite+1 (518) 891-3449$20 - $40 / night
"Our site was tucked back into some trees and you couldn't see any other sites from it. To look around, it was as if we had all of the Adirondacks to ourselves!"
"wonderful place to get away from it all"
7. Jones Pond NYSDEC Primitive Campsites
3 ReviewsRainbow Lake, NY7 milesWebsite+1 (518) 897-1200"There is a hand launch for small boats/kayaks to access the pond near the entrance. Site #1 is near the entrance and near the road."
"It took me about two hours 45 minutes and well worth the drive, I first stopped at site four and fully set up my Truck tent and the rest of camp, awesome location."
8. Meacham Lake Campground
7 ReviewsRainbow Lake, NY15 milesWebsite+1 (518) 483-5116$20 - $40 / night
"We spent a week here and didn't have a lakeside site, but one of the small ones on the stream. Great place to visit. If you do score a lakeside site, your views will be spectacular!"
"One side of the lake is a bit crowded and can get rowdy. This side has flush toilets and showers. There are waterfront sites here."
9. Little Green Pond
1 ReviewLake Clear, NY4 miles"Some require driving down a bumpy access road that can be muddy after a rain. Sites are on the Pond. Pond has a small beach to swim. Tree covered sites."
10. Wilmington Notch Campground
11 ReviewsWilmington, NY18 milesWebsite+1 (518) 946-7172$18 / night
"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."
Recent Camping Photos near Lake Clear, NY
198 Photos of 134 Lake Clear Campgrounds
Erin H.
Saranac Lake Islands Adirondack Preserve Campground
Robert K.
Jones Pond NYSDEC Primitive Campsites
Jean C.
Donaldson's Campground
Kristen B.
Fish Creek Pond Campground
Jean C.
Meadowbrook Campground
Alyssa C.
Rollins Pond Campground
SHEILA D.
Adirondack Adventure Base
Trina W.
Buck Pond Campground
Alex R.
Ward Brook Campsite
Kristin G.
Meacham Lake Campground
Isabel D.
Copperas Pond
Monica S.
Wilmington Notch Campground
Recent Reviews near Lake Clear, NY
533 Reviews of 134 Lake Clear Campgrounds
- RRachel H.
ScoutDAR State Park Campground
Vermonts hidden gem campground
Pam met us outside as she said ‘dodging rain drops’ to stack wood. She was warm and friendly. You can tell she runs a tight ship immediately telling us when quite hours were, and letting us know the dogs needed to be on leash and under our control. We brought our 2 labs with us. Only 2 vehicles per site is allowed. You do need tokens to use the shower. 2 tokens was more than enough for me to shower and not feel rushed. The bathrooms are AMAZING! I am looking forward to coming back!
Rebekah F.ScoutBlue Haven Camp Ground
Very friendly,quite and nice
We camped on overflow 28 and riverside 32 from July 2025 to June 2026.Tim Mitchell is the best host and grounds keeper. We visited several camps in area before we decided to stay at Blue Heaven. Very family friendly park.
Krystal B.ScoutShady Oaks Camping Resort
Great NEW owner
Same name and google search, but new owner since 2024. We just wrapped up a stay at this campground and I can honestly say… we’ll be back.🙌 From the moment we arrived, you could feel the pride the owner has poured into this place. The new power and water hookups are a huge upgrade, and it’s exciting to see the vision for future expansion already coming to life. Everything about our stay felt easy, welcoming, and most importantly—safe. It’s the kind of spot where you can truly relax, enjoy your time, and feel right at home. Clean, well cared for, and clearly built with heart. Can’t wait to come back and see how it continues to grow.🌲✨
Sue B.
RangerCrane Pond Dispersed Site
Great waterfront site!
We loved camping at Crane Pond. It was a little over 3 miles to hike into the waterfront sites. There is an outhouse nearby, several campsites, fire pits, and we went for a swim in the pond. Overall great experience!
Janet R.
LegendSagamore Lake primitive camping, Adirondacks Blue Ridge wilderness
Beautiful backpack /paddle camping in the Adirondack Blue Ridge wilderness
This review is for primitive backpack or paddle in camping alogn the breathtakingly beautiful Sagamore Lake. On the southwest corner of the lake is located the historic Camp Sagamore, one of the so-called Great Camps of the Adirondacks and which is now a comfortable lodge and camping retreat which hosts lifelong learning workshops on crafts and history throughout the year. If interested in visiting it, see this link: https://www.sagamore.org/
However, beyond the grounds of the Camp is the vast Blue Ridge Wilderness of the Adirondack State Forest Park which completely surround the lake. Adhacent to camp Sagamore is a parking lot for campers and hikers, which includes an outhouse, picnic table, launch for canoes or kayaks, and trailhead for hiking and backpacking. The trail encircles Sagamore lake is is about 3.8 miles long. There is primitive and dispersed camping all along the trail and and along shore and beyond as long as you practice Leave No Trace principles. This basically means no campsite amenities other than the glorious woods and lake, but you will have your pick of remote spots to pitch a tent without having to backpack for hours. The trail does attract a fair number of day use hikers or paddlers, but few campers. The trail is reasonable to tackle for beginning dispersed campers, with the added safety of being able to hike out to the Camp within a couple miles in case of emergency. Highly recommended!
- Janet R.Legend
Brown Tract Pond Campground
Backwoods at Brown Tract Pond
This is a small rustic state forest off the beaten track, remote from but not too far from the village of Inlet in the Adirondacks. It is smaller than some of the other are forest campgrounds, and more quiet and peaceful. While in a rustic location at a distance from the main road, amenities do include picnic tables and firerings, flush toilets as well as privvies, and a trailer dump station 9but no hooksups) Sites are spacious and private and well shaded. You can paddle and fish right here, with lots of good hiking in the area. Fairly easy to get to from the Utica area, and with reasonably close access to a quaint Adirondack village, but still providing a remote expereince at the edge of the wilderness.
Note: just 3.5 miles from the campground is the very nique and special Ferd's Bog reserve. There is a floating boardwalk into the trail, under the shadow of Cascade Mountain. Myriad unique boreal plants for view by botany fans, about a 1.2 hike in and back, and easy trail access from nearby Uncas Road, more info here: https://cnyhiking.com/FerdsBogTrail.htm
- Janet R.Legend
Cranberry Lake Campground
Camping at Cranberry Lake
This has been one of my favorite campgrounds and I have camped there many times over the last several decades. Always well maintained, but peaceful state forest campground with spacious sites, many right on the water. There is an official beach, but the water sites really have their own access for canoes and nice swimming. The water is crystal clear, sunsets magnificent, canoeing and hiking opportunities abound, and even on a "busy" summer weekend the campground is quiet and the fellow campers are low key and respectful. For a tent camper, this is an ideal location and I love it. Fire ring, even tenting spot, picnic tables, etc. There are numerous accessible campsites, a shower building, and regular restrooms as well as privvies. Small trailers can fit and their is an RV dumpstation, but this is not a campground for big rigs and hookups. The campground is a little off the beaten path and in the further reaches of the Adirondacks for most campers, and the vicinity is one of the largest and most pristine areas in the ADK wilderness. Come well supplied with groceries and camping needs as there isnt much nearby. The SUNY Forestry school maintains a Ranger school at nearby Wanakena on the west side of the lake, and a Field Biology station on the south side of the lake. Nice hiking in the area
- Janet R.Legend
Golden Beach Campground
Semi-remote along the South Bay
The Golden Beach campground has two sections: one is the main campground, with the usual state forest amenities including bathrooms, showers and beach, shared with a couple hundred campsites along the east side of Racquette Lake. However, the campground also manages a string of more remotely placed campsites located along the shor of the south bay of Racquette Lake, removed from the main campground and its amenities but with much more space between sites and direct access to the lake. They also are clustered in small spurs directly accessible to Rt 28, which has pluses and minuses. For me, these quieter more rustic sites are preferable, especially with the easy access for canoeing right on the lake. Picnic table, tent site, parking spot and fire ring are all provided, right along the beautiful lake. The smallest spur has only 2 campsites, which is perfect when you want a quiet spot! Big trees, peace and quiet, beautiful Adirondack experience, also not too far from the main campground and many hiking trails in the area
Guide to Lake Clear
Adirondack campgrounds near Lake Clear, New York sit at elevations between 1,600-1,800 feet, creating cooler summer temperatures than surrounding regions. The area features over 200 lakes and ponds within a 20-mile radius that provide abundant fishing and paddling opportunities. Winter access is limited by heavy snowfall, with most remote sites becoming inaccessible from November through April.
What to do
Paddling network exploration: At Rollins Pond Campground, kayakers can access multiple interconnected waterways. "Great kayak and canoe access to a whole network of lakes in the St. Regis/Saranac area," notes Jeffrey B. The campground offers direct water access for launching small watercraft.
Waterfall hiking: Behind Wilmington Notch Campground lies a steep trail leading to impressive cascades. "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," explains Zachary M. The trail takes approximately 25 minutes to complete.
Fly fishing spots: The AuSable River contains numerous public access points for anglers. "A mile down the road is flume falls trails, which leads to a great swimming hole and various height choice cliff jumping," adds Zachary. Local regulations permit catch-and-release fishing throughout most of the season.
What campers like
Island camping privacy: Saranac Lake Islands Adirondack Preserve Campground offers boat-access-only campsites. "Pretty much had an entire island to ourselves and got to enjoy the beautiful saranac lake," says Erin T. Most sites require a short paddle of 15-30 minutes from the mainland launch points.
Waterfront wake-ups: Many campers appreciate sites directly on the water. "We had a waterfront site and were absolutely delighted to be able to sit on the beach and watch the sunset, kayak at our leisure, and swim," explains Amie C. about her stay at Rollins Pond. Water access varies by site, with some having gradual sandy entries while others feature steeper rocky approaches.
Wildlife encounters: The quiet surroundings attract various animal visitors. "We always have wildlife at our site. This past trip we had chipmunks, squirrels, ducks, and a crane. The time before, we had a family of loons!" shares Kristina L. Early mornings and dusk offer the best viewing opportunities.
What you should know
Limited connectivity: Cell service varies drastically throughout the region. At Meacham Lake Campground, "There is no cell or internet there," reports Debbie T. Visitors should download maps and important information before arriving.
Terrain challenges: Some campgrounds feature challenging terrain. "The West side of the campground is reserved for primitive tent campers with a few choice sites right on the water. These sites generally have tent platforms which is a good thing. On my recent trip there the ground was saturated and boggy," explains Kristin G. about Meacham Lake. Weather can dramatically affect ground conditions.
Shower availability: Bathroom and shower facilities vary widely between locations. "Bathrooms are a bit run down but great value for how much it costs!" notes Meag F. about Wilmington Notch. Many primitive sites have only pit toilets or outhouses.
Tips for camping with families
Bike-friendly areas: Fish Creek Pond Campground provides excellent cycling opportunities for children. "Lots of kids biking and a nice trail behind the sites to walk or run," reports Emma B. The relatively flat terrain makes it suitable for younger riders.
Beach access considerations: Some campgrounds feature swimming areas with gradual entry points. "The water is super shallow all along the shoreline. It's perfect for dogs, kids, and hanging out in the water. The bottom is sandy with some rocks, good to have water shoes but not essential," explains Oleńka S. about Fish Creek Pond.
Evening entertainment options: Several campgrounds offer evening activities. "We loved riding bikes, ice cream truck every night. Ice and firewood available," notes one reviewer about Rollins Pond. Most ice cream vendors operate between 6-8 PM during peak season.
Tips from RVers
Site selection advice: When bringing larger rigs to Buck Pond Campground, choose carefully. "Some sites do have an uphill driveway lined with trees. If you have an RV, looking at the site on ReserveAmerica.com might be the way to go," advises Danielle S. Most sites have sand or gravel surfaces rather than paved pads.
Utility limitations: RVers should note power and water restrictions. "We didn't see any sites with electricity and there is one outlet in the bathroom area (I plugged my coffee percolator into this outlet every morning)," continues Danielle about Buck Pond. Many campgrounds require self-contained units.
Navigation challenges: Roads within some campgrounds can be difficult for larger vehicles. "The roads are really tight for big rigs. Between the trees, rocks, and low hanging branches, you have to take it really slow. I recommend unhooking your tow car at check-in so you are free to back up," warns Nancy W. Arrival during daylight hours is strongly recommended.
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities are available at Lake Clear camp?
What amenities are available at Lake Clear camp?
The Lake Clear area offers various camping options with excellent amenities. Birch's Lakeside Campground and Marina provides comprehensive amenities including a general store, laundry facilities, and propane on-site. For a more budget-friendly option, Eighth Lake Campground offers showers, bathrooms, and a dump station. Most campgrounds in the region provide picnic tables and fire grills at each site. Many also feature boat launches, swimming areas, hiking trails, and fishing opportunities, allowing visitors to fully enjoy the natural beauty of the Adirondacks.
Where is Lake Clear campground located?
Where is Lake Clear campground located?
Lake Clear is located in the Adirondack region of upstate New York. While there isn't a specific campground called "Lake Clear Campground," the area is surrounded by several excellent camping options. Meadowbrook Campground is situated in a small village in the Adirondacks between Saranac Lake and Lake Placid, making it conveniently close to Lake Clear. Visitors to the Lake Clear area can also explore nearby Lake Durant Campground, which offers beautiful views of the surrounding Adirondack Mountains and early fall foliage beginning in September.
Can you camp on the island at Lake Clear?
Can you camp on the island at Lake Clear?
While Lake Clear itself doesn't have designated island camping, the nearby Saranac Lake Islands Adirondack Preserve Campground offers spectacular island camping opportunities just a short distance away. For island camping in the Adirondacks region, many sites are boat-access only and typically require reservations. Golden Beach Campground offers waterfront sites with beautiful sunset views that provide a similar experience to island camping. Always check current regulations before planning island camping trips, as permits may be required and specific rules about fires and waste disposal often apply.
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