Lake Placid cabins range from primitive to full-service rentals with varying amenities throughout the Adirondack region. Most cabin rentals sit at elevations between 1,500-2,000 feet, resulting in cooler temperatures than surrounding lowlands. Evening temperatures can drop 15-20 degrees lower than daytime highs even in summer months, making heating options important for off-season stays.
What to do
Hiking directly from camp: The Wilderness Campground at Heart Lake offers immediate trail access to several popular peaks. "There are only 32 sites so it never felt too crowded. You can hike Algonquin, Iriquois, Wright Peak, and Mt. Jo all right from the campground," notes a visitor to Wilderness Campground at Heart Lake.
Swimming in natural settings: Fish Creek Pond Campground features shallow water access perfect for families. "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," reports a camper. Many cabin sites include water access within steps of your door.
Local attractions: The Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday provides a central base for exploring the region. "You're at the bottom of whiteface mountain which is full of hikes and watering holes to swim in, lake placid downtown area is 20 mins away," explains one visitor to Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday.
What campers like
Cabin variety: Fish Creek Pond Campground offers waterfront cabins with direct pond access. "Our site was level and dry, as were the surrounding sites. There's not much brush on the sites and there are lots of old, tall trees, so I had tons of places to put up our dogs tie out, my hammock, and the clothes line," a camper reports.
Privacy levels: Some camping cabins near Lake Placid provide more seclusion than others. At Draper's Acres, "Great campground with secluded sites most with woods behind each site, especially the tent area. The RV and tent camping is well separated and there are different kinds of RV space available as well."
Location convenience: Meadowbrook Campground sits between major towns for easy access to supplies. "It's an average campground, but has a really good location between Lake Placid and Saranac Lake. On the plus side, there's ice cream and places to eat within walking distance. We also forgot lunch for our hike the next day and were able to walk to a convenience store to grab supplies."
What you should know
Cabin winterization varies: Not all cabins in the Lake Placid region operate year-round. "We braved the 12° nights and pitched a tent. There were a lot of campers, but the sites are spaced out and people were very respectful of noise/lights/other campers," notes a winter visitor to Wilderness Campground at Heart Lake.
Bathroom facilities: Facilities differ greatly between campgrounds. "Bathrooms are mostly clean and the showers are nice. There is a quality dishwashing sink by the bathrooms," reports a camper at Meadowbrook Campground, while another mentions "The bathroom was actually one of the nicest I've seen in a DEC campsite; it looked like it had recently been rebuilt."
Book early for prime sites: Lake-facing cabin rentals fill quickly, especially at Fish Creek Pond where "Most sites have shade and some have docks with them. Vendors of Wood, Ice Cream, Pansteries/baked goods, bait, and others come through the camp area once a day."
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites for kids' activities: Rogers Rock Campground offers numerous family-friendly options. "Rogers Rock is a great campground with many things to do like hiking, kayaking, swimming, biking and playing on a playground," notes a visitor.
Consider noise levels: Some campgrounds are quieter than others. At Fish Creek Pond, a camper observed, "It was a little crowded but surprisingly quiet for the number of people. Lots of kids biking and a nice trail behind the sites to walk or run."
Kid-friendly amenities: Cabin camping areas often include family-specific features. "The campground on the mountain side has a playground, huge store, gem mining, arcade (which needs some love), hiking trails and a common area with some games," explains a visitor to Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday.
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: At Ausable Chasm Campground, cabin locations vary significantly. "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," reports one visitor.
Access considerations: Roads within some campgrounds can be challenging. At Draper's Acres, one camper noted, "Tent sites are not very big. Although we comfortably fit with one vehicle." Always verify cabin and site dimensions before booking.
Seasonal availability: Many cabin facilities have limited operating seasons. Rogers Rock Campground operates from "May 19 to October 9," while Meadowbrook Campground runs from "May 19 to September 4," making advance planning essential for shoulder season visits.
