Best Campgrounds near Old Forge, NY

The Adirondack region surrounding Old Forge, New York features a diverse range of camping environments within the larger Adirondack Park. Established campgrounds like Nicks Lake Campground and Old Forge Camping Resort provide amenities such as showers, electric hookups, and boat launches, while more remote options like Moose River Plains offer primitive camping with fewer facilities. Many sites sit along lakes and ponds, creating opportunities for water-based recreation. The area includes both state-operated facilities with standardized amenities and privately managed resorts with additional services. Camping styles range from tent-only areas accessible by boat or foot to full-service RV sites with 50-amp electrical connections and sewer hookups.

Reservations are essential during the peak season from late May through early October, with most state campgrounds operating on a May to September schedule. As one camper noted, "We typically book 1 year prior for the cottages" at Old Forge Camping Resort. Weather conditions can vary dramatically, with visitors reporting "beautiful 80 degree summer days in May, and snowfall also in May." Cell service remains spotty throughout the region, with stronger signals in towns like Inlet and Old Forge proper. Many campgrounds feature wooded sites that provide natural privacy, though lakefront locations fill quickly. Access roads to more remote areas like North Lake Reservoir require slow driving on dirt and gravel surfaces, sometimes necessitating high-clearance vehicles.

Lakefront camping represents a significant draw throughout the region. Campers consistently mention the value of securing waterfront sites for activities like kayaking, canoeing, and fishing. According to one visitor at Nicks Lake, the campground "provides a nice balance between the hustle and bustle of Main Street and the tranquility of the Adirondacks." Wildlife sightings, including deer and occasionally bears, enhance the camping experience. Site sizes vary considerably across campgrounds, with some locations like Golden Beach featuring "massive sites" where "we typically travel in a group with 2 or 3 30' trailers, and often it seems like we could all fit on one site with plenty of room to spare." Fall brings spectacular foliage, with early color changes appearing by early September, though temperatures drop significantly, especially in the mornings.

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Best Camping Sites Near Old Forge, New York (81)

    1. Nicks Lake Campground

    17 Reviews
    Thendara, NY
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (315) 369-3314

    $22 / night

    "Great campground with nice sites and access to other areas in the ADK ... easy hikes up Bald Mountain or Rocky Point."

    "some sites not very flat. amenities: firewood regulations. lake. nature trail. swimming. some loops with no showers. canoe rental. other attractions: Old Forge. I would go back again."

    2. Old Forge Camping Resort

    18 Reviews
    Old Forge, NY
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (315) 369-6011

    "My family and I have been visiting Old Forge Camping Resort for 20+ years."

    "We stayed at the Old Forge Camping resort during the Moosefest. The campground is close to a lot of paddling opportunities and even has a small lake in the campground."

    3. Limekiln Lake Campground

    12 Reviews
    Inlet, NY
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 357-4401

    $20 / night

    "We loved our stay at Limekiln Lake! We had site 270, which was close enough to walk down to the boat launch at night to look at the stars (and the Milky Way!)"

    "a small water passage off the lake leads you to a beautiful queit kayak trip through lily pads ans if you follow it leads to a beaver dam. My son loved it."

    4. HTR Adirondacks

    7 Reviews
    Old Forge, NY
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (315) 369-2700

    "Well maintained and has beach access to river."

    "The boys were never bored and loved walking around the camp site. We stayed for 2 nights .. if work would have allowed we would have stayed longer."

    5. Stillwater Reservoir

    9 Reviews
    Old Forge, NY
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 785-2239

    "Would recommend if you want to break away from technology because you get zero service out there"

    "It's first come first serve so best to find another place if you intend to drive up to your campsite. The drive up campsite had an outhouse though so that was nice"

    6. Eighth Lake Campground

    9 Reviews
    Raquette Lake, NY
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 354-4120

    $22 / night

    "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.)"

    "Large campground with access to 2 beautiful lakes"

    7. Moose River Plains

    9 Reviews
    Raquette Lake, NY
    15 miles
    Website

    "There’s a sign-in box at the entrance, for purposes of gauging usage and also for emergencies. 

    Each site is marked with a little yellow number placard."

    "Plenty of campsites available, ranging from exposed/near the road to secluded/tucked away. All seemed to include an outhouse."

    8. Alger Island Adirondack Preserve

    2 Reviews
    Eagle Bay, NY
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 369-3224

    $18 - $40 / night

    "other attractions: hiking. theme park near (off island). I would go back again."

    "It was a few days before 4th of July so it was a very busy time to be in 4th lake making the lake very choppy. A lot of our stuff got wet due to big waves from boats crashing into our kayaks."

    9. Brown Tract Pond Campground

    7 Reviews
    Raquette Lake, NY
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 354-4412

    $18 / night

    "Beautiful, peaceful large pond/small lake. Loons. Ducks and ducklings. Beaver. Canoes($20/day) and kayak rentals. Firewood for sale ($9?) or gather downed wood. Fishing."

    "There are no motorboats allowed on the lake, so the water is perfect for paddling. There is a small beach for if you don't get a waterfront campsite. They have canoes and kayaks for rent as well."

    10. Golden Beach Campground

    13 Reviews
    Raquette Lake, NY
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 354-4230

    $20 / night

    "Tucked away in the foothills of the Adirondacks, its a very quick drive up from Syracuse, Utica or Rome areas. The sites are massive, seriously."

    "It’s the standard weird-ass New York thing where you have a site and you can park wherever the hell you want within it (so foreign to me), but you should spend some time with the map."

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Recent Reviews near Old Forge, NY

372 Reviews of 81 Old Forge Campgrounds


  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Horseshoe Lake

    NY Designated Camping

    Along Co 421, by Horseshoe Lake, there are 10-11 designated campsites. Most have fire pits.

    Road is rough but easily doable if you take it slow.

    As it’s a forest, the sites are pretty shaded, so solar and Starlink may present challenges. Slight AT&T at earlier sites.

  • T&J  F.
    Aug. 28, 2025

    West Canada Creek Campground

    Nice place, a little pricey

    Pros: clean campground, camp store, ice cream/pizza shack, shuttle to tubing, sites are pretty flat, pool is large and clean, quiet hours are enforced. Cons: $5 per dog "surprise" when we arrived. Even though we camped there 2 nights for 3 years in a row, $15 per person for the tubing shuttle seems steep; a discount or free would be nice for campers, as drop off points are just down the road. Sites are narrow.

  • X
    Aug. 23, 2025

    Carry Falls Recreation Area

    Quite, not high quality.

    Thai place is very cute, quiet, and not a lot of people frequent. The bathrooms are kind of “rundown” they are old and they use composing toilets with no showers and one sink located outside of the facility. It is NOT FREE they charge 16.00 a night. Located on an inlet of the man made lake. Water access, quiet, not busy, small, gives small town feel. Comes with picnic table and fireplace. We had site 6 and fit our 30 ft camper with 4 cars.

  • Greg D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 21, 2025

    Mayfair Campground NY

    Mostly for seasonals

    We called to make last minute reservations for a one night stopover enroute to Vermont. The person on the phone was friendly and accommodating to our needs. When we arrived after hours, the entrance was gated with a card reader access which we did not have a card for. We tried calling back several times but a recording said that the line was busy. Luckily, another camper let us in. There are no signs to direct you which way to go and the sites are poorly marked. With some help from friendly campers we were eventually able to find our site. The sites are have a poorly graveled parking spot and the ground is a little soft. Restrooms are basic and minimal, having a single toilet and sink, a tiny mirror and hand dryer, however it was fairly clean and functional. I was told that there are new owners and they are making improvements

  • Amandalynn P.
    Aug. 10, 2025

    Green Pond - Bonaparte State Forest

    Great little spot to get away

    This is our go to area close to town but still just want to get away from it all. DEC is nice and stop and talk to the campers. There is a doc down the road for boats and fishing!

  • The L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 4, 2025

    Powley Road in Ferris Wild Forest

    Site 4

    Site 4 is magical, it is road side, but the view, and access to the river is great. There is a path right from the site. Occasionally you will get the yahoo that speeds by and makes a dust cloud but otherwise it’s great. There is zero Verizon cell service in the whole area. So plan accordingly,

  • Alex
    Aug. 1, 2025

    Lake Harris Campground

    Perfect Campsite

    The campsite has clean bathrooms. The campsite itself is more secluded and there wasn’t a lot of people or noise. It was intimate and quiet, no loud people or families. Honestly the perfect getaway.

  • Ryan M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 15, 2025

    HTR Adirondacks

    Clean park

    Well maintained and has beach access to river.


Guide to Old Forge

Camping spots near Old Forge, New York range from lakefront state facilities to remote forest campsites across the 6 million acre Adirondack Park. The region sits at elevations between 1,800-2,200 feet, creating cooler microclimates compared to surrounding lowlands. Most campgrounds open from mid-May through early October, with some wilderness sites accessible year-round during winter snowmobile season.

What to Do

Paddling on quiet lakes: At Limekiln Lake Campground, the amber-colored water creates unique paddling opportunities. "The lake this time of year is beautiful and clear and a very nice temperature for dunking in. There's a lot to explore out on the kayaks," notes one camper who enjoyed multiple water activities from their site.

Wildlife viewing: The forests surrounding Stillwater Reservoir offer excellent wildlife observation. "We saw Bald Eagles and Loons, enjoyed swimming, canoing and paddleboarding with the family," shares a visitor. Many sites provide direct lake access for quiet observation of waterfowl.

Stargazing from campsites: Clear nights reveal spectacular night skies away from light pollution. A camper at Brown Tract Pond Campground describes: "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."

What Campers Like

Spacious sites for groups: Many campgrounds feature unusually large camping areas. A visitor to Golden Beach Campground mentioned their site was "spacious, with room for two cars, 4 kayaks, and two tents" and noted the park has "massive sites" where multiple camping units can fit comfortably.

Secluded camping options: For those seeking privacy, the forest roads of Moose River Plains lead to well-spaced primitive sites. "Well spread out sites. Privy, fire pit, and picnic table at most sites," reports one camper, with another noting "sites are numbered, flat, and contain a picnic table, fire ring, and privy."

Motor-free lakes: Several ponds restrict motorized vessels, creating peaceful environments for paddlers. According to a visitor at Brown Tract Pond, "There are no motorboats allowed on the lake, so the water is perfect for paddling." Another camper adds that "when it's quiet hours, the only thing you hear is nature and the occasional crackle of someone's fire."

What You Should Know

Bear safety requirements: Bears frequent many campgrounds in the region. "Heed the warnings regarding keeping cars and camper locked keep food and cooler secure," advises one camper at Old Forge Camping Resort. Another mentions that "we had one or two in and around our camp site almost every night."

Remote access considerations: Some sites require difficult approaches. Moose River Plains features "a 23 mile access Moose River Plains road" and another camper notes you should "take it slow and you should get through with any vehicle, but I would recommend only high clearance 8" plus vehicles."

Limited services: Cell coverage varies significantly. One camper notes "No cell service or WiFi" at Brown Tract Pond while another at Limekiln Lake mentions "the campground has pay phones where all in-state numbers are free to call."

Seasonal pest challenges: Black flies can be problematic in late spring. A camper at Limekiln Lake warned "Black flies are brutal in end of May beginning of June" while another at Moose River Plains found "Terrible bug season at the moment (6/12-6/15) with the black flies."

Tips for Camping with Families

Easy-access water activities: Kid-friendly water options abound at several campgrounds. One visitor to HTR Adirondacks described how teens "spent almost every waking moment in the water" and "were having so much fun swimming and riding their inner tubes down the creek with little rapids."

Playground facilities: Some campgrounds offer additional recreation areas. "It has a pretty little pond for swimming and paddle boats, a short hiking trail around the pond," notes a camper at Old Forge Camping Resort, which also features "a volleyball court, playground and even a lake to fish or rent paddle boards."

Campground transportation: At busier times, transportation services help families avoid parking hassles. "There is a bus from the campground that takes you to enchanted forest safari, which is a great way to avoid parking," reports a camper at Old Forge Camping Resort.

Advance reservations essential: Popular family sites fill quickly, especially waterfront locations. "Book early and get a site right on the water!" advises a camper about Limekiln Lake, while another at Golden Beach notes "Book early cause they fill up fast."

Tips from RVers

Electric reliability varies: Power infrastructure at some campgrounds struggles with high demand. At HTR Adirondacks, one RVer reported "our power kept kicking off" because "they do not have enough power for all of the campsites they have."

Size restrictions matter: Large motorhomes face access challenges on forest roads. "This is NOT a place for big rigs," warns an RVer about HTR Adirondacks, explaining "The roads and turns are not wide enough for a 45' rig even with the tow disconnected."

Campsite surface conditions: Weather impacts site quality, especially for heavier RVs. An RVer noted HTR Adirondacks has "lots [that] are also not gravel and not level. Ours was dirt and mostly mud and even with our leveling jacks down, we could not level due to the mud and lack of a gravel base."

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of camping accommodations are available at Old Forge Camping Resort?

Old Forge Camping Resort offers a variety of accommodation options to suit different camping preferences. The resort provides traditional camping sites for tents and RVs, with amenities that make it a perfect weekend getaway for families. There are also cabin options available for those seeking more comfortable accommodations. The resort features a welcome center stocked with essentials like firewood and other supplies. The property includes a small lake for paddling and water activities. This diverse range of options makes it suitable for both rugged campers and those looking for more comfortable facilities in the Adirondacks.

Is RV and tent camping available in Old Forge?

Yes, both RV and tent camping options are widely available in the Old Forge area. Eighth Lake Campground in nearby Inlet accommodates both RVs and tents, offering affordable state park rates compared to private facilities. The campground includes amenities like showers, bathrooms, and a dump station for RVs. Delta Lake State Park Campground is another option at the Adirondack foothills that welcomes both RVs and tents while keeping you within reach of civilization. Most campgrounds in the region cater to both camping styles, with varying levels of hookups and amenities depending on the specific location.

Are there waterfront camping options in Old Forge?

Yes, the Old Forge area offers several excellent waterfront camping options. Golden Beach Campground features massive sites in the Adirondack foothills with beautiful waterfront access. For a more intimate waterfront experience, Birch's Lakeside Campground and Marina offers lakeside sites with convenient amenities including a general store, laundry, and marina facilities. The area also offers additional water-adjacent options like Alger Island Adirondack Preserve, which is accessible by boat and provides a more secluded waterfront camping experience.

What are the best campgrounds near Old Forge, NY?

The Old Forge area offers several excellent camping options. Nicks Lake Campground is highly rated for its wooded sites with good privacy, proximity to Old Forge, and balance of convenience and tranquility. Many sites are right on the lake, making it perfect for families. Old Forge Camping Resort is another top choice, known for being extremely family-friendly with a visitor center offering supplies and a small lake within the campground. Both provide easy access to local attractions, including hiking trails, paddling opportunities, and the charming town of Old Forge, which maintains its authentic Adirondack character without excessive development.