The Adirondack Park region near Onchiota, New York sits at elevations ranging from 1,500 to 2,000 feet with dense forest coverage and numerous waterways. Camping options span from primitive tent sites to full-service RV facilities across the varied terrain. During summer months, temperatures typically range from 50°F to 80°F with cooler nights that often require extra layers even in July.
What to do
Paddle the interconnected lakes: Rollins Pond Campground offers direct access to a network of waterways. One visitor noted, "Great kayak access to a whole network of lakes in the St. Regis/Saranac area." Rentals are available seasonally at multiple locations.
Explore hiking trails: Wilderness Campground at Heart Lake provides immediate access to multiple mountain trails without driving. A camper shared, "You can hike Algonquin, Iriquois, Wright Peak, and Mt. Jo all right from the campground."
Winter recreation: Unlike many Adirondack facilities that close after leaf season, several campgrounds maintain year-round operations. According to one winter visitor at Heart Lake, "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."
What campers like
Natural separation between sites: Buck Pond Campground features spacious camping areas with natural buffers. A reviewer mentioned, "Our site was tucked back into some trees and you couldn't see any other sites from it. To look around, it was as if we had all of the Adirondacks to ourselves!"
Elevated camping platforms: Meacham Lake Campground offers raised tent platforms at certain sites that help manage wet ground conditions. One camper observed, "The campground had put down sheets of plywood to help, but still the ground was so soggy that the plywood had eventually 'soaked away.'"
Proximity to amenities: Despite the wilderness setting, several campgrounds provide convenient access to necessities. A visitor to Buck Pond noted, "There is a canoe/kayak rental at the campground as well as a beach. A place to buy wood on the honor system is a 5-minute drive from the campground, and there is a Walmart about 35 minutes away."
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Many campgrounds have spotty or nonexistent connectivity. One Meacham Lake visitor plainly stated, "There is no cell or internet there."
Seasonal bathhouse closures: At Rollins Pond Campground, certain facilities operate on different schedules. Visitors should note that "the campground's boathouse doesn't open until June/July, which was not mentioned on the website, so we weren't able to rent kayaks to use on the pond."
Weather variability: The Adirondack region experiences significant temperature fluctuations, even in summer. A camper at Rollins Pond cautioned, "I would caution going prior to June unless you are prepared for varying weather. I have been up there pitching the tent in a t-shirt one day only to need to throw on a jacket the next day due to rain and even snow."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday offers child-friendly infrastructure. A family noted, "The campground on the mountain side has a playground, huge store, gem mining, arcade (which needs some love), hiking trails and a common area with some games."
Swimming options: Several campgrounds feature designated swimming areas. At Rollins Pond, one family shared, "We loved riding bikes, ice cream truck every night. Ice and firewood available. Close store for goods. Kayaking was wonderful. Site 247 was our spot. Loved it and had water access."
Family-friendly wildlife viewing: Many sites offer opportunities to observe local fauna. One Rollins Pond visitor mentioned, "We always have wildlife at our site. This past trip we had chipmunks, squirrels, ducks, and a crane. The time before, we had a family of loons!"
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: At Draper's Acres, RV accommodations vary significantly. A camper explained, "The RV and tent camping is well separated and there are different kinds of RV space available as well. We had water/electric for a trailer at $35 a night in perfect location between Keene Valley and Lake Placid."
Electrical limitations: Some campgrounds have inconsistent power delivery. At the KOA, one RVer noted, "We stayed in a full hook-up site that was plenty long enough for our 45' RV and tow car. The water spigot at our site broke when I was hooking up the water which was then gushing everywhere. Staff were really prompt at coming out and shutting off the water and getting it fixed."
Access limitations: Several campgrounds have challenging entry roads. A visitor to Heart Lake warned, "Road going in is very rough use extreme caution on a motorcycle with street tires."
