The Long Lake area in Adirondack Park sits at approximately 1,630 feet elevation with over 14 miles of navigable waterway connecting to the Raquette River. Summer temperatures typically range from 55-78°F, while autumn brings vibrant foliage and cooler nights in the 40s. Camping sites near Long Lake, New York offer varied terrain from lakeside spots to more secluded forest settings, with most campgrounds requiring advance reservations during peak season.
What to do
Paddle Bug Lake: Access this smaller, quieter lake via a hiking trail from Eighth Lake Campground. "The campground stretches between 2 lakes (Seventh and Eighth Lakes) and also has hiking trails with access to another lake (Bug Lake) and pond (Eagles Nest)," shares Megan P.
Fish for lake trout: Many campsites offer direct water access for fishing. At Lake Durant Campground, "Great campground with a top notch staff and great facilities... The lake is beautiful. There are 2 trail heads located in the campground that offer more trails as you go," notes Michael G.
Visit the ADK Experience museum: Located near Blue Mountain Lake, about 10 miles from Long Lake. "Also not far (Blue Mountain Lake) is a ADK Experience museum which is a great meseum," says one camper about the educational attraction that showcases Adirondack history.
Early morning kayaking: Launch directly from waterfront sites before crowds form. "We rented a canoe from Adirondack river rentals and could launch directly from our site," explains Amanda about her stay at Golden Beach Campground on Raquette Lake.
What campers like
Private lakefront sites: Many campgrounds offer sites with direct water access. At Lake Eaton Campground, "We really love this campground. The water sites are nice with a lot of them having lake access. Even the off water sites are spacious and the 1 we had off of the water stayed rather dry in the rain," notes Alyssa C.
Clean facilities: Campers frequently mention well-maintained bathrooms. "The shower facilities were brand new and always clean as were the bathrooms throughout the entire campground. The garbage and recycling facility is quite serious and is better than my town offers," reports Michael G. from Lake Durant.
Wildlife viewing: Dawn and dusk offer opportunities to spot local wildlife. At Lake Harris Campground, one camper enjoyed "Serene and quiet. We did some nice kayaking. Hung out with a pair of beautifully sounding Loons at sunset."
Star visibility: The remote location provides excellent night sky viewing. "As the sun sets and the stars come out, you'll look up and suddenly realize just how small you are as you stare at the heavens and see the Milky Way," describes John E. about his Brown Tract camping experience.
What you should know
Black fly season: Late May to early July can be challenging. "We went during peak black fly season and got eaten alive though and decided to pack it up early," explains Caitie S. about Forked Lake Campground.
Bear awareness: Several campgrounds report bear activity. "There was a bear den close to our site that was pretty cool," notes one camper at Forked Lake, while another mentions, "odd bear rules that basically make you pack up your site when not in use, unless you have a trailer or RV."
Limited connectivity: Cell service varies greatly between campgrounds. "No cell service or WiFi. No hookups," reports a Brown Tract camper, while others mention stronger signals in nearby towns.
Road conditions: Some campgrounds require navigating unpaved roads. At Moose River Plains, a camper advises, "The main road through is a little rough, take it slow and you should get through with any vehicle, but I would recommend only high clearance 8" plus vehicles."
Temperature fluctuations: Be prepared for significant day-to-night changes. "It got cold at night, around 30-40. It was fine though in just warm clothes, sleeping bags and an extra blanket," reports a Moose River Plains camper visiting in fall.
Tips for camping with families
Choose campgrounds with beaches: Sandy swimming areas are ideal for children. "Lake Eaton is arguably the cleanest lake in the Adirondacks. Super sandy bottom that stays shallow for a ways out," writes Kelly H., adding that "Staying at this campground is our family's favorite summer tradition."
Consider biking opportunities: Several campgrounds have child-friendly biking routes. "Tons of cute towns nearby and have always used this as a quick stop before heading further into the mountains," Eric mentions about Golden Beach Campground.
Pack activities for rainy days: Weather can change quickly in the mountains. "The week we spent here was very rainy, but it was still perfect," notes Anthony I. about his Lake Durant experience, suggesting weather shouldn't ruin a trip with proper preparation.
Look for ranger programs: Educational activities can entertain kids. "There was a really fun ranger activity they earned badges from. We all left very happy campers but sad to leave the mountains," shares Sandy T. about Lake Eaton.
Tips from RVers
Select level sites carefully: Not all sites accommodate larger RVs. "We are not kayakers ourselves, but this place is definitely great for those who love to paddle, and for hikers and people wanting some quiet. There are a lot of options here, there are over 200 sites, scattered around Lewey and Indian Lakes. Some are crude and just off the highway, and some are palatial and able to take pretty large RVs," explains Katherine P.
Prepare for limited hookups: Most campgrounds have minimal services. "No hookups. No onsite showers (can use another Golden Beach Campground showers a few miles away)," reports Monica F. about Brown Tract Pond camping.
Plan for dump station locations: Not all campgrounds have sanitary dumps. "There is wood and ice available at the main entrance... Dyrt says there are electric hookups available but you better call first because I didn't see any," advises a James O. about Lewey Lake Campground.
Reserve early for waterfront access: Premium RV sites book quickly. "We have a rather large rig (36 ft fifth wheel plus the truck) & while fish creek is notoriously a tent only/small rig campground we fit perfectly & our site has cell service! 10/10! Site 106! The water views/access is hard to beat as well," shares an RVer about Fish Creek Pond Campground.
