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Camping near Lake Placid, NY

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    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."

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    Best Campgrounds near Lake Placid (155)

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      1. Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday

      4.4(44)10mi from Lake PlacidRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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."

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      2. Saranac Lake Islands Adirondack Preserve Campground

      4.9(15)10mi from Lake Placid85 sitesTents

      "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

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      3. Fish Creek Pond Campground

      4.6(33)18mi from Lake Placid330 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "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

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      4. Wilmington Notch Campground

      4.3(11)8mi from Lake Placid52 sitesRVs, Tents

      "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

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      5. Draper’s Acres

      4.1(10)6mi from Lake PlacidRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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

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      6. Meadowbrook Campground

      3.7(10)5mi from Lake Placid59 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "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

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      7. Wilderness Campground at Heart Lake

      5.0(9)7mi from Lake PlacidTents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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

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      8. Rollins Pond Campground

      4.6(20)21mi from Lake Placid269 sitesRVs, Tents, Glamping

      "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

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      9. Buck Pond Campground

      4.8(8)17mi from Lake Placid112 sitesRVs, Tents, Glamping

      "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

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      10. Marcy Dam Backcountry Campsites

      5.0(2)9mi from Lake PlacidTents

      "This campground is conveniently located near the trails for Mt. Marcy, Mt. Colden, and Avalanche Pass. Everything is first come first serve."

      "The scenery was gorgeous and there were lots of nice hikes around."

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    Recent Camping Photos near Lake Placid, NY

    247 Photos of 155 Lake Placid Campgrounds

    Recent Reviews near Lake Placid, NY

    665 Reviews of 155 Lake Placid Campgrounds

    • Ryan A.
      Jun. 17, 2026

      Cranberry Lake Campground

      Family Friendly with Thoughtful Sites

      I've stayed here twice, once in 2024 and again in 2026, both on Memorial Day Weekend. In 2024 I woke to the sound of loons but did not hear them in 2026. 

      This is a large campground on the shores of Cranberry Lake with access to many hiking trails and other activities. Quite a few of the sites are lakefront but they seem to book up fast. Most of the sites are spaced out fairly well although a few are close and will result in you seeing & hearing everything your neighbors are doing. However, they are mostly designed well and blend into the environment. A few seem like afterthoughts and are right on the road, so you'll want to choose carefully.

      Dumpsters are in the center of the campground near the bathhouse, which has hot showers. There is a sandy beach area near the entrance of the campground and a volleyball area near the dumpsters/bathhouse. 

      It's a beautiful area and is mostly quiet. Other campers were respectful and didn't play loud music although a few talked loudly late into the night. There are lots of trailer camping sites, so you should expect to hear generators although most people were considerate and only ran them in the daytime.

      This is a great campground for exploring the Adirondack Mountains. The town of Cranberry Lake seems mostly dead so don't plan on eating in restaurants nearby.

    • A
      May. 25, 2026

      Camp 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.

    • R
      May. 25, 2026

      DAR 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.The Dyrt PRO User
      May. 20, 2026

      Blue 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.
      May. 4, 2026

      Shady 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.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jan. 12, 2026

      Crane 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.The Dyrt PRO User
      Dec. 31, 2025

      Sagamore 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.The Dyrt PRO User
      Dec. 31, 2025

      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.The Dyrt PRO User
      Dec. 31, 2025

      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

    Guide to Lake Placid

    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 155 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 44 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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