159 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds across the Lake Placid region provide varied options for outdoor accommodations within the Adirondack Mountains of New York. Established sites include the Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday with tent, RV, cabin, and glamping facilities, and Meadowbrook Campground between Lake Placid and Saranac Lake offering more primitive camping experiences. The Wilderness Campground at Heart Lake serves as a popular basecamp for hiking adventures into the High Peaks Wilderness area, while Draper's Acres provides year-round camping closer to town. The region features a mix of state-operated facilities and private campgrounds, with accommodations ranging from rustic tent sites to full-hookup RV spots.
Most developed campgrounds in the Lake Placid area operate seasonally from May through October, with only a few sites remaining accessible during winter months. The Adirondack region experiences significant seasonal variation, with summer high seasons bringing warmer temperatures and increased tourism activity. Several campgrounds require advance reservations, particularly during summer weekends and fall foliage season when visitation peaks. State-operated facilities like Fish Creek Pond Campground and Wilmington Notch offer well-maintained facilities but fill quickly during prime months. Weather conditions can change rapidly in the mountains, particularly at higher elevations. As one visitor noted, "The location to the high peaks couldn't be better. The staff was great! The only negative is that the sites are a little bit difficult to navigate and find, especially when arriving at dusk."
Proximity to hiking trails represents a significant draw for campers in the Lake Placid area. Several campgrounds provide direct access to popular trails, including the Scarface Mountain trail from Meadowbrook Campground and numerous High Peaks access points from Heart Lake. Many visitors use these campgrounds as basecamps for exploring the region's extensive outdoor recreation opportunities. Campers report variable experiences with amenities, with state campgrounds typically offering basic but clean facilities. Road noise affects some camping areas located near main thoroughfares. One camper shared: "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. We had a very pleasant stay here and personally found the weekdays to be best for 'camp days' given there were few people."
"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."
"Lots to do, hiking trails within walking distance. Just a short drive to white face mountain and the village of lake placid."
"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"Bike path, kayak rentals, close to Lake Placid Olympic center, Wild Center in Tupper Lake"
"A quiet campground just outside of Lake Placid"
from $22 - $40 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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. The bathhouses looked very "rustic" but we didn't use them."
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."
"free showers, close to Whiteface Mt & Lake Placid"
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"I didn’t spend any time inside the Loj by the lake because I was camping with my dog and intentionally stayed off the Wi-Fi the whole trip, but family made use of the connection option."
"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"There are great hiking and biking trails as well. The camp ground is very wooded and private and many sites are right on the water."
"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"
from $20 - $40 / night
Check Availability"This is a mostly dirt camper parking lot with full hook-ups next to the fire station. There is no shade for sites 1-13 and little shade for the rest."
from $40 - $55 / night
Check Availability"It’s perfectly secluded, but still not far from Lake Placid. You do have to travel a little ways (6-10 miles) for a grocery store, but the view is worth it. I highly recommend this beautiful place."
"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!"
from $20 - $40 / night
Check Availability
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.
GuideShadey lakeside campground with large sites, mine has easy lake access.
GuideLarge sites, shade, beautiful beach,
Lake Placid provides a range of camping opportunities throughout the Adirondack region of upstate New York. Established campgrounds like Meadowbrook Campground and Draper's Acres offer traditional tent and RV sites, while the Wilderness Campground at Heart Lake serves as a popular base for hiking the High Peaks. Accommodation options span from basic tent sites to full-service RV hookups, cabins, and glamping facilities. Several campgrounds, including Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday, provide more amenities like showers, electricity, and water hookups for those seeking a less rustic experience.
Camping season in the Lake Placid area generally runs from May through October, with most developed campgrounds closing during winter months. Fish Creek Pond Campground operates from April to late October, while a few facilities like Wilderness Campground at Heart Lake remain open year-round for winter camping enthusiasts. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer and fall peak periods, especially for weekends. Many campgrounds require advance booking through ReserveAmerica or directly with private operators. Sites with water access or views tend to fill fastest. One visitor noted, "Bathrooms are mostly clean and the showers are nice. The campground is ok, but needs a bit of a facelift. You can hear sounds of the city, so you're not truly in the woods."
Camping locations near water features receive consistently positive feedback from visitors. Saranac Lake Islands Campground offers boat-in tent sites that provide greater seclusion and direct lake access. Proximity to hiking trails ranks as another important feature for many campers, with trailheads to popular Adirondack peaks accessible from several campgrounds. A camper shared that Wilderness Campground at Heart Lake offers "gorgeous" views with access to multiple trails. Road noise affects some campgrounds closer to highways, while more remote options provide quieter environments. Bathhouse facilities vary widely across campgrounds, from basic to recently renovated. Sites with hookups typically command higher rates but offer convenience for RV travelers and those wanting more amenities during their Adirondack camping experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Lake Placid, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, Lake Placid, NY offers a wide range of camping options, with 159 campgrounds and RV parks near Lake Placid, NY and 15 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Lake Placid, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Lake Placid, 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 Lake Placid, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 15 free dispersed camping spots near Lake Placid, NY.
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