156 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 / 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
GuideThis was one the the best camping experiences yet. The sites are great, right on the water with easy access to get Kayaks in. Loons on the lake wake you, so peaceful and beautiful. Plenty of room between neighbors. You can hang out in a floatie in front of you site, or kayak down the awesome creek. Bathrooms okay, showers clean with hot waters, but you do have to drive to them. Can’t wait to go back next year.
ScoutThis was our first trip away from home. The campgrounds are clean with beautiful views.
GuideOriginally we reserved mountain view. It waa getting ready to rain...alot for 1 - 1/2 days. The mountain views didn't have gravel, but hard dirt. However beautiful shady areas (we drove thru the another day to check it out) looked nice, but it's hard to imagine on the side of hills to level 🤷🏼‍♀️
We really like the riverside view..it's across the street & about 300' down the street.
But is a great location for places to go & things to see. A few Miles from Whiteface mtn & about 15 min to downtown Lake Placid.
ScoutSpent a night here. Sites are grass for most part and level. Plenty of room. We did the water and electric site.
TravelerJust stayed at Drapers Acres for the Iron Man in Lake Placid.  We stayed in a cabin and daughter and her husband stayed in their rig in an RV site.  They clearly state that they are not a camping resort, but a base camp for the area adventures.  Rest rooms were clean and had plenty of hot water. Staff was friendly and welcoming!  Great playground for the kids to play on and plenty of privacy. Cabin was basic - had fan, heat, mini-fridge and microwave. If visiting the area again, I would not hesitate to stay there again! The RV site was large with plenty of space for their 40 foot rig and jeep. Use AT&T towers and had the ability to use phone as a hotspot.
ScoutThis is my first year seasonal at Magic Pines and my fiance and I love it. It's quiet, everyone is friendly, it's pet friendly and has a beautiful nature vibe to it.
GuideThis 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. The The hook-ups were fine, although our sewer connection was slightly uphill. There are NO amenities. As this campground is run by volunteers, communication is SLOW. You must be patient. The location is excellent, just a mile from Main Street. The price is great for full hook-ups in the area. The other campers and the firefighters were friendly. It was quiet at night. We slept with windows open without a problem. The rail trail adjacent to and easy to access from the campground and there is a bike shop across the street.
ScoutWe have stayed here a few times. It’s always clean and quiet. Pool is nice but very family (kid) oriented. Love the trails to the water from both camp loops. Great place to stay with a kayak or paddle board!
ScoutWe are hiking the northville placid trail and left a car here for a resupply, spent a night, quiet campground, excellent showers that were super clean and appear to be new.
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 156 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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