Tent camping near Jay, New York provides access to the varied terrain of the Adirondack Mountains with elevations ranging from 1,200 to over 5,000 feet. Summer temperatures typically reach 70-80°F during days and can drop to 40-50°F at night, making layered clothing essential. Most backcountry sites require bear canisters rather than hanging food, with rentals available at outdoor shops in nearby Lake Placid and Keene Valley.
What to do
Hiking to alpine zones: From Wilderness Campground at Heart Lake, multiple summit trails start directly at the campground. "You can hike Algonquin, Iriquois, Wright Peak, and Mt. Jo all right from the campground," notes one camper who found the location "spacious and relatively private."
Water activities on secluded islands: Saranac Lake Islands offers boat-access camping for water enthusiasts. "We kayaked before, and found the biggest drawback was impossible to bring a lot of food and a cooler. Bought a small aluminum boat with a motor and now can bring a lot more gear," explains a camper at site 54.
Winter exploration: Unlike many Adirondack campgrounds, some sites remain open year-round. At Wilderness Campground at Heart Lake, one visitor noted they "braved the 12° nights and pitched a tent" while another mentioned visiting "in late March when there was still a decent amount of snow on the site."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: At Mount Philo State Park Campground, just across Lake Champlain in Vermont, campers appreciate the layout. "Sites 1, 6 and 8 are the best if you're only camping with those at your site as they're the most secluded and private. Sites 2 and 3 are more open, to both each other, and to those en route to the bathrooms."
Clean facilities: Campgrounds with facilities receive high marks for maintenance. At Mount Philo, "bathrooms were very clean. Coin-op shower with hot water is 50 cents for 5 minutes, 75 cents for 7:30." Similarly, Wilderness Campground at Heart Lake impressed with "restrooms, dishwashing station, and beach area."
Island camping solitude: Many campers value the isolation of water-access sites. At Saranac Lake Islands, "our island had 4 other campsites on it and we barely saw or heard our neighbors." Another notes it offers "huge sites, a lot of privacy (nearest campsite in most cases is not even visible)."
What you should know
Bear management requirements: In backcountry sites near Jay, bear canisters are mandatory. At Feldspar Lean-to, situated on the approach to Mt. Marcy, signs remind that "bear canisters required." Rangers check compliance, especially during peak season.
Water access limitations: For island camping, equipment transport requires planning. One Saranac Lake Islands camper explained, "We canoed into our campsite, #15. It took 3 trips to bring in all our gear. Beautiful site. Quite a climb up to the actual site."
Seasonal access challenges: Roads to remote sites deteriorate seasonally. Multiple reviews warn about road conditions, with one noting "Road going in is very rough use extreme caution on a motorcycle with street tires." Spring mud season (April-May) can make some roads impassable without 4WD.
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites with lake access: Waterfront locations provide built-in entertainment. At Bushnelle Falls Campsite, one camper noted its prime location "near the river and a huge falls too," offering natural features that engage children.
Consider weekday visits: At popular campgrounds, timing affects experience quality. One family staying at Wilderness Campground at Heart Lake for over a week found that "weekdays [are] best for 'camp days' given there were few people—weekends are PACKED and there were more than a couple of party sites."
Look for educational opportunities: Some campgrounds offer nature programs. Poke-O-Moonshine features "easy distance to Poko-moonshine mountain and several smaller mountains" with interpretive trails explaining local geology and forest ecology that children can explore.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup availability: Few campgrounds near Jay offer RV hookups. At Adirondack Acres Trail and Camps, access requires "a good 4x4 and some driving skills" to reach campsites, making it challenging for larger rigs.
Size restrictions apply: Most established campgrounds have length limitations. Mount Philo specifically notes that "because the road is steep and winding, it's not suitable for RVs," limiting options for larger vehicles.
Consider satellite camping options: For RVers wanting to explore the High Peaks region, staying at more accommodating campgrounds 20-30 miles away provides a base camp. Several commercial campgrounds in Lake Placid and Plattsburgh offer full hookups while allowing day trips to trailheads near Jay.
