Primitive and developed camping options surround Loon Lake in northern New York, spanning from tent-only sites to modern glamping accommodations. The Adirondack region sits at elevations between 1,000-4,000 feet with summer temperatures averaging 70-80°F during peak camping season. Roads to remote yurt camping sites near Loon Lake often require caution, especially after seasonal rains when unpaved access roads can become rutted.
What to do
Mountain biking trails: The Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday offers mountain biking paths directly from the campground. "We stayed in the '100-Acre' section and would highly recommend staying in this area as opposed to the other. This section has tall shad trees and much more space between sites than the resort area," explains camper Nancy W., who appreciated the network of trails behind the woodland area.
Swimming holes exploration: Look beyond developed beaches to find secluded water spots. "Walk to the back of the campground to the Ausable river, go down the path about 500 ft. There is an awesome swimming hole," reveals Laura T. about Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday.
Winter camping options: Unlike seasonal campgrounds, Wilderness Campground at Heart Lake maintains year-round availability with winter accommodations. "My boyfriend and I visited in late March when there was still a decent amount of snow on the site. Despite the lake being frozen over, the views just steps away from our lean to were gorgeous," reports Kayla M., who found the cold-season camping experience manageable with properly heated facilities.
What campers like
Secluded tent platforms: At Meacham Lake Campground, primitive camping areas offer a different experience from RV sections. "The West side of the campground is reserved for primitive tent campers with a few choice sites right on the water. These sites generally have tent platforms which is a good thing," notes camper Kristin G., who appreciated this feature during wet weather when the ground was saturated.
Site privacy levels: Many yurt camping sites near Loon Lake provide natural separation. "The sites are not especially private, but they come in all sizes," writes Kristin G. about Meacham Lake, while at Rollins Pond Campground, camper Amie C. found "all of the neighbors are so quiet it was like being alone when sitting by the fire."
Dedicated campground sections: Some properties maintain distinct areas for different camping styles. "This campground is like having 2 campgrounds in one. One side of the lake is a bit crowded and can get rowdy... The other side of the campground is completely different, and a bit hidden," explains Angela about Meacham Lake, noting the west section requires parking and hiking in but rewards with superior views and more space between sites.
What you should know
Road conditions: Many campgrounds feature unpaved access roads requiring careful driving. "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," reports Lee D. about AuSable Chasm Campground.
Cell service variability: Connectivity varies dramatically between properties. At Draper's Acres near Lake Placid, Mara S. reports "great cell reception with Verizon," while at Meacham Lake Campground, Debbie T. notes "There is no cell or internet there."
Bathroom facilities: Campgrounds offer varying bathroom amenities. At AuSable Chasm, "Bathrooms and shower rooms are individual rooms, but the doors are not labeled so it's a game of 'what's behind door number 1?'" explains Lee D. Primitive sites at Meacham Lake feature outhouses at individual sites rather than central facilities.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: For families with children, Draper's Acres offers "a field, swings and small playground for kids," according to Jennifer O., making it a convenient option despite being located near a road.
Ice cream proximity: Local treats provide family-friendly excursions from camp. "There is an ice cream place not far away, with a long line, and it was the best ice cream we had all summer!" shares Trina W. about her family's experience camping with children at Buck Pond Campground.
Kid-friendly yurt options: Yurt camping near Loon Lake offers weather protection for families. "We tented here with our 3 youngest children. They had a wonderful time exploring, and it was as peaceful as any spot I've been!" reports Trina W., who found Buck Pond Campground ideal for family exploration with children.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: RVers should research specific sites before booking. At AuSable Chasm, Brian P. warns "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."
Tree clearance concerns: Larger RVs may face challenges with low-hanging branches. At Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA, Nancy W. observed "lots of tree limbs that needed to be trimmed. Maneuvering through the park was pretty tight for us and we had to take it really slow."
Off-grid considerations: Not all campgrounds offer full hookups. Danielle S. shares about Buck Pond Campground: "We didn't see any sites with electricity and there is one outlet in the bathroom area. I plugged my coffee percolator into this outlet every morning," suggesting RVers prepare for limited electrical access.
