Cabins near Loon Lake, New York provide access to a variety of outdoor activities in the Adirondack Mountains. The region sits at elevations ranging from 1,500 to 2,500 feet, with summer temperatures averaging 75-80°F during the day and 55-60°F at night. The area experiences approximately 60 inches of precipitation annually, with seasonal streams feeding into the surrounding lakes and ponds.
What to do
Kayaking across connected ponds: Fish Creek Pond Campground offers extensive water access with shallow entry points perfect for paddlers. According to reviewer Oleńka S., "You can paddle for days and not get bored. So many of the ponds connect that you could paddle for days and not get bored."
Hiking from campgrounds: Wilderness Campground at Heart Lake serves as an ideal starting point for several trails. "You can hike Algonquin, Iriquois, Wright Peak, and Mt. Jo all right from the campground," notes Hannah O., who appreciated the direct trail access from her site.
Winter activities: Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday maintains year-round operations with access to winter sports. Nicole S. mentions, "Your 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."
Waterfront relaxation: Many cabin sites offer direct water access for swimming. At Fish Creek Pond, Cyndi B. reports, "We were at site #147 which was huge and had easy access to the lake with our kayaks, and had a water spigot between it and the next site."
What campers like
Private campsites: Draper's Acres features tent sites separate from RV areas. "This site has good tent sites that are separate from RV area and rental cabins. Very reasonable rates and friendly staff," writes Eric M., highlighting the separation between camping types.
Convenient proximity to trails: Meadowbrook Campground offers an accessible base for high peaks exploration. Sam L. notes the strategic location: "It has a really good location between Lake Placid and Saranac Lake... if you're doing things in Lake Placid and Saranac, the location is tough to beat."
Lean-to options: Wilderness Campground at Heart Lake provides protected structures for camping. "Lean to camping at it's best! The lean to I had was right on the lake and on the edge of the campground," explains cj J., who enjoyed the lakeside accommodations.
Swimming access: Many cabin locations feature swimming areas. At Fish Creek Pond, Oleńka S. describes, "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."
What you should know
Site leveling challenges: Some cabins and RV spots require leveling equipment. At AuSable Chasm Campground, Brian P. notes, "RV site 8 is so out of level that we couldn't get our Airstream level unless we put 10" of blocking under both axles."
Shower availability varies: Some campgrounds offer limited shower facilities. At Meadowbrook, Sam L. reported, "The hot water was broken the day we were there, but the attendant said we could go to nearby campgrounds to use theirs."
Seasonal operation: Most cabin locations close during winter months. Grand Isle State Park operates from "May 12 to October 16," while Fish Creek Pond Campground runs from "April 7 to October 22."
Reservation timing matters: For popular summer weekends, book well in advance. At Wilderness Campground, Alex & Lauren K. observed, "Weekends are PACKED and there were more than a couple of party sites. It did appear that you would be able to drive in without reservation on a weekday and find yourself a site!"
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Grand Isle State Park Campground offers family-friendly amenities. Jessica G. notes, "It was a quiet, family friendly campground with a cute little beach and nature center with youth programs."
Recreational activities: Campgrounds often provide organized events for children. At Pine Ridge Park Campsite, Kelly R. shares, "If your looking for a fun and friendly place to relax then Pine Ridge Park Campsite is the place to be."
Biking opportunities: Several campgrounds have safe biking areas. At Fish Creek Pond, Emma B. recommends, "Take a bike! Lots of kids biking and a nice trail behind the sites to walk or run."
Protected swimming areas: Shallow water access makes swimming safer for young children. Oleńka S. describes Fish Creek Pond: "Very site has water access, and the water is super shallow all along the shoreline. It's perfect for dogs, kids, and hanging out in the water."
Tips from RVers
Hookup locations: Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday offers two distinct camping sections. Nancy W. explains, "There are two distinct sections of this campground– the 'Resort' section and the '100-Acre Woods' section... The 100-Acre section has tall shad trees and much more space between sites than the resort area."
Access road conditions: Some access roads present challenges for larger vehicles. At AuSable Chasm Campground, Lee D. notes, "The road through the campground is dirt and rutted but the speed limit is 5 mph, so it wasn't that bad, but it would be a mess if it was raining."
Site selection for privacy: Certain campsites offer more seclusion than others. In Meadowbrook Campground, Sam L. advises, "The sites in the two loops closest to Rte 86 were much closer together, and some didn't have trees between sites. Even at our more 'isolated' site, we could still see our neighbors."
Dump station availability: Limited dump facilities may require planning. Cyndi B. explains at Fish Creek Pond: "No w/e/s hookups at any of the sites, but there is a three-lane dump station for your convenience if you are in an RV."
