Tent campsites near Lake Clear, New York sit within the northwestern Adirondack Park region at approximately 1,600 feet elevation. The area's continental climate creates distinct seasonal camping conditions with typical summer daytime temperatures ranging 65-80°F and nighttime lows dropping to 45-55°F. The region's mixed hardwood forests create natural boundaries between many campsites while also serving as wildlife corridors.
What to do
Waterfront activities on Saranac Lake: Campers can paddle directly from island sites for fishing or swimming. "Loved this campground. Pretty much had an entire island to ourselves and got to enjoy the beautiful saranac lake," notes one visitor at Saranac Lake Islands Adirondack Preserve Campground.
Explore nearby High Peaks trails: Multiple hiking routes start near camping areas, with trails ranging from beginner to advanced. A camper at Wilderness Campground at Heart Lake mentions, "You can hike Algonquin, Iriquois, Wright Peak, and Mt. Jo all right from the campground."
Wildlife photography opportunities: Dawn and dusk offer prime viewing times around lake edges and clearings. "Lots of loons, toads and fish," reports a camper who stayed at site #15 on an island at Saranac Lake.
Winter camping options: Some areas remain accessible for cold-weather enthusiasts. "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," shares a visitor at Wilderness Campground at Heart Lake.
What campers like
Isolation from neighboring sites: The layout at many campgrounds provides natural buffers between campers. At Jones Pond NYSDEC Primitive Campsites, "The campsites are perfect for a short stay with a tent or suv camper... We were the only campers during our stay on a weekday."
Vehicle accessibility options: Different access points accommodate various transportation needs. "Site #1 is near the entrance and near the road. It is the only site that would be accessible for larger rigs such as an RV," notes a Jones Pond visitor describing the site layout.
Island camping experience: The unique opportunity to camp on small islands creates memorable stays. "I camped at Saranac Lake Islands for two summers in a row. The first time, my children and I had an island and the second time we had a spot on a little peninsula. It's such a gorgeous place! The campsites were well maintained and nicely isolated," shares one camper.
Natural swimming areas: Many sites offer direct water access for cooling off. A Saranac Lake visitor mentioned, "Great swimming from site. Found a great rock to jump from" when describing their experience at campsite #15.
What you should know
Limited facilities at primitive sites: Most backcountry locations have minimal amenities. At Marcy Dam Backcountry Campsites, "You can sleep in one of four lean-tos, or set up a tent at one of the other marked sites... But don't expect facilities - this is backcountry camping. No toilets or piped water."
Fire restrictions vary by location: Some areas prohibit open flames entirely. For Marcy Dam sites, "No firepits, and you cannot start fires here - bring your stove."
Bear precautions required: Proper food storage is mandatory throughout the region. A camper at Flowed Lands advises, "Use bear bins- and clean up your camp. You'll save the Bears lives and you'll be happier!"
Toilet facilities condition: Primitive facilities may be challenging for some campers. One visitor to Saranac Lake mentioned pit toilets where "I find leaving the door open to stare at the scenery is best to keep horrible smell from killing you and for aesthetic purposes."
Weather preparedness essential: Temperature swings can be significant even in summer. A Saranac Lake camper recommends, "Bring warm clothing for nights; temps can drop 30 degrees in hours."
Tips for camping with families
Choose boat-accessible sites for adventure: Kids enjoy the journey to island sites. "I camped at Saranac Lake Islands for two summers in a row. The first time, my children and I had an island... It's such a gorgeous place!" shares a family camper.
Plan for travel logistics: Getting gear to island sites requires planning. "Canoed into our campsite, #15. It took 3 trips to bring in all our gear," notes a Saranac Lake camper who adds, "Next time we would downsize our gear our use a motorized boat."
Consider campsite terrain: Some sites have challenging access points. A Saranac Lake visitor mentioned their island site had "Quite a climb up to the actual site" despite being beautiful overall.
Pet-friendly options available: Many locations welcome four-legged family members. A visitor to Middle Pond Campsite explains it's "a first come first serve site located along Floodwood Road. The site sits on Middle Pond. Beautiful location but this campsite is popular during the summer months."
Tips from RVers
Limited large rig options: Most tent campsites near Lake Clear accommodate smaller vehicles only. At Jones Pond, "Site #1 is near the entrance and near the road. It is the only site that would be accessible for larger rigs such as an RV. Site #2 is along the water and is accessible by car/suv/truck."
Road quality concerns: Access roads to primitive sites may be challenging. "The two track access road is rough and all dirt," reports a Jones Pond camper, while another adds "beware of the roads coming in. 40MPH is too fast for these torn up roads."
Site size considerations: Some areas can accommodate multiple vehicles despite being primitive. A visitor to Jones Pond mentioned, "Stayed here with a group of friends at site #4. Was a great spot and lots of room for our 4 tents/3vehicles."
