Larry B.
Scout
ScoutWeaver Acres
Great setting. We were there by ourselves, so very quiet place to view the sky. The hookups were 50A only, no 30A connection, so we just used a conversion to 20A.
Tent Camping near Potsdam, NY
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Tent campers visiting the Potsdam area have several established options within an hour's drive. Middle Pond Campsite and Jones Pond NYSDEC Primitive Campsites offer free tent camping in the nearby Adirondack region, while Saranac Lake Islands provides a unique boat-access camping experience approximately 45 minutes west of Potsdam. These primitive tent sites provide authentic Adirondack wilderness experiences with varying levels of accessibility.
Most primitive tent sites in the region operate on a first-come, first-served basis and typically lack amenities like drinking water or showers. Jones Pond features five primitive campsites accessible by a rough dirt service road, with varying proximity to the water. Only site #1 near the entrance accommodates larger vehicles, while sites #2, #4 and #5 require a car, SUV or truck and offer better water access. Fire rings are common at established sites, and basic pit toilets are provided at Jones Pond. Campers should pack in all necessary supplies including drinking water. A three-night maximum stay applies at Jones Pond without a permit.
Tent campers frequently praise the privacy and natural setting of these sites. "The views from site #4 of the pond were beautiful. We were the only campers during our stay on a weekday," noted one visitor to Jones Pond. Middle Pond Campsite offers a peaceful lakeside location that becomes particularly popular during summer months, making off-season visits better for finding availability. For those willing to boat to their campsite, Saranac Lake Islands provides exceptionally secluded tent camping on private islands. Water access camping requires proper planning as gear must be transported by boat or canoe, but rewards campers with unmatched privacy and direct water access. Campers report that sites are well-maintained with picnic tables and fire rings, though vault toilets may be primitive. The surrounding forest provides ample shade and protection from wind at most tent sites throughout the region.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Potsdam (8)
1. Saranac Lake Islands Adirondack Preserve Campground
"You'll need a boat or canoe (rentals available in Saranac Lake). Sites have tables, fire rings, and outhouses. You'll need a tent, bag, pad, cooking equipment, etc."
"All campsites have picnic tables, firepits/grills, and privies. Saranac Lake Marina has great rental boats. I even think the dogs look forward to these camping trips."
Check AvailabilityCampground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $22 - $40 / night
2. Jones Pond NYSDEC Primitive Campsites
"It was over the July 4th week, so very busy and found people would just walk through your campsite. Which of course would make our dogs bark at them."
"Jones Pond has five primitive campsites along its northeastern shore accessible by a two track service road. The sites are on a first come basis and are free to use."
3. Middle Pond Campsite
"This campsite is a first come first serve site located along Floodwood Road. The site sits on Middle Pond. Beautiful location but this campsite is popular during the summer months."
4. Cedar Island State Park Campground
Check AvailabilityCampground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $18 / night
5. Camp Wildwood
6. Back Bay Campground
Check Availabilityfrom $49 - $59 / night
7. Jones Pond
8. Ponderosa Campsite
Drive Time
- 1 hr 24 min from Watertown, NY
- 2 hrs 28 min from Utica, NY
- 2 hrs 39 min from Glens Falls, NY
- 2 hrs 40 min from Burlington, VT
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Potsdam, NY
13 Photos of 8 Potsdam Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Tent Camping Reviews near Potsdam, NY
191 Reviews of 8 Potsdam Campgrounds
Dana M.
GuideRobert Moses State Park Campground
Pleasant Stay
Large campground. Sites are open, grassy and right on top of each other. We chose a site at the end of the road with no other campers so we had plenty of privacy. Had the park been full, it would not have been appealing to us. There were lots of RV’s on the water front side. Bathrooms were clean and the new main pavilion had newer bathrooms and showers. Worth the extra walk to use that shower.
- mmichel M.Scout
Weaver Acres
Hipcamp
This space is just off the road. It very flat water, power,sewer. Its Pack in pack out. 5 minutes walk from Tupper Lake. Bring your kayak they're hundreds of little lakes around this site.
MJ W.GuideFish Creek Pond Campground
My new favorite place!
This was one the the best camping experiences yet. The sites are great, right on the water with easy access to get Kayaks in. Loons on the lake wake you, so peaceful and beautiful. Plenty of room between neighbors. You can hang out in a floatie in front of you site, or kayak down the awesome creek. Bathrooms okay, showers clean with hot waters, but you do have to drive to them. Can’t wait to go back next year.
- AAndy B.
RangerFish Creek Pond Campground
Site 266
The site we had was amazing, all sites are right on the water so they all may be just as nice. Ours was flat and easy to level a tent or camper.
The lake was beautiful, fun to swim in and fish in (caught perch, bass, white fish, bluegill, and crappie).
Beautiful trees and surrounding area has boat rentals.
The bathrooms were flush toilets which is a plus, but pretty gross otherwise.
Local store across the road has everything you’d need (fresh baked pizzas, ice, entire convenience store, wood, etc) and gives 4% discount for cash purchases.
Ryan A.GuideCranberry Lake Campground
Family Friendly with Thoughtful Sites
I've stayed here twice, once in 2024 and again in 2026, both on Memorial Day Weekend. In 2024 I woke to the sound of loons but did not hear them in 2026.
This is a large campground on the shores of Cranberry Lake with access to many hiking trails and other activities. Quite a few of the sites are lakefront but they seem to book up fast. Most of the sites are spaced out fairly well although a few are close and will result in you seeing & hearing everything your neighbors are doing. However, they are mostly designed well and blend into the environment. A few seem like afterthoughts and are right on the road, so you'll want to choose carefully.
Dumpsters are in the center of the campground near the bathhouse, which has hot showers. There is a sandy beach area near the entrance of the campground and a volleyball area near the dumpsters/bathhouse.
It's a beautiful area and is mostly quiet. Other campers were respectful and didn't play loud music although a few talked loudly late into the night. There are lots of trailer camping sites, so you should expect to hear generators although most people were considerate and only ran them in the daytime.
This is a great campground for exploring the Adirondack Mountains. The town of Cranberry Lake seems mostly dead so don't plan on eating in restaurants nearby.
Janet R.
LegendCranberry Lake Campground
Camping at Cranberry Lake
This has been one of my favorite campgrounds and I have camped there many times over the last several decades. Always well maintained, but peaceful state forest campground with spacious sites, many right on the water. There is an official beach, but the water sites really have their own access for canoes and nice swimming. The water is crystal clear, sunsets magnificent, canoeing and hiking opportunities abound, and even on a "busy" summer weekend the campground is quiet and the fellow campers are low key and respectful. For a tent camper, this is an ideal location and I love it. Fire ring, even tenting spot, picnic tables, etc. There are numerous accessible campsites, a shower building, and regular restrooms as well as privvies. Small trailers can fit and their is an RV dumpstation, but this is not a campground for big rigs and hookups. The campground is a little off the beaten path and in the further reaches of the Adirondacks for most campers, and the vicinity is one of the largest and most pristine areas in the ADK wilderness. Come well supplied with groceries and camping needs as there isnt much nearby. The SUNY Forestry school maintains a Ranger school at nearby Wanakena on the west side of the lake, and a Field Biology station on the south side of the lake. Nice hiking in the area
- David H.Scout
Eel Weir State Park Campground
Clean and vary nice area on river
I love how it has great fishing and nice camp sites even let's you bring a boat nice clean showers and bathroom can easily find firewood near by as well..
- Robert K.Guide
Jones Pond NYSDEC Primitive Campsites
awesome place
I came from the Albany area. It took me about two hours 45 minutes and well worth the drive, I first stopped at site four and fully set up my Truck tent and the rest of camp, awesome location. You can walk down to the water, which is only a small ledge and enough space to put a chair, me and my German Shepherd were walking around the trails and we found site five which was absolutely beautiful and right on the water, I mean right on the water. I went back to site for packed up a bunch of stuff into the truck and left the truck tent in there since it takes about 30 minutes to take up and down, I had walked the road a couple of times to see if I could get my truck down there, definitely need four-wheel-drive, but it is possible to get your truck down there and I did, set up camp there spent the rest of the day the night and all of the next day. Absolutely beautiful the dog loved the water being right there, I definitely love this place. This is my first campsite that I found using the app highly recommend.
Guide to Potsdam
Primitive tent sites near Potsdam provide rustic camping experiences in the Adirondack region. These sites typically lack amenities such as running water, electricity, and modern restrooms. Most locations require visitors to bring their own drinking water and pack out all trash. Campers should prepare for variable weather conditions, particularly in spring and fall when temperatures can fluctuate significantly.
What to do
Water activities: explore by canoe or kayak: At Saranac Lake Islands Adirondack Preserve Campground, campers can access secluded island sites only by watercraft. "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," reports Kelly H.
Fishing opportunities: catch multiple species: Multiple species of fish inhabit the waters around primitive campsites. "Surrounded by nature- water, woods, birds and fishing for pike, bass and sunfish!" writes Sambath T. about their experience at Saranac Lake Islands. Fish are typically most active during early morning and evening hours.
Wildlife observation: listen for local birds: Dawn and dusk provide optimal wildlife viewing times. Loons are frequently spotted on the lakes. One camper at Saranac Lake Islands mentioned, "Lots of loons, toads and fish," during their stay. Bring binoculars for better viewing opportunities.
What campers like
Private island camping: exclusive waterfront sites: Cedar Island State Park Campground offers boat-access sites with individual docks. "You need a boat to get here, making it one of our favorite places to camp in NY. There are quite a few sites here, all pretty private, but still make reservations," advises Justin S.
Natural seclusion: minimal neighbor interaction: Many sites offer significant privacy from other campers. "Our island had 4 other campsites on it and we barely saw or heard our neighbors," notes Angela about her experience at Saranac Lake Islands. Sites separated by natural barriers provide better sound insulation.
Waterfront views: direct lake access: Waterfront sites allow for immediate water activities without transportation. "The views from site #4 of the pond were beautiful," shares Dylan J. about Jones Pond NYSDEC Primitive Campsites. Site selection can significantly impact water visibility and access points.
What you should know
Site accessibility varies: vehicle limitations apply: Access roads to primitive sites often require appropriate vehicles. At Jones Pond, "Site #1 is near the entrance and near the road. It is the only site that would be accessible for larger rigs such as an RV," explains Dylan J. Four-wheel drive vehicles may be necessary for certain routes, particularly after rainfall.
Camping permits and regulations: observe stay limits: Without permits, campers face restrictions on consecutive nights at some locations. "You can stay a maximum of three nights without a permit," notes a reviewer about Jones Pond. Contact the Department of Environmental Conservation for extended stay permissions.
Seasonal availability: plan for off-peak visits: Middle Pond Campsite experiences heavy use during peak months. "Beautiful location but this campsite is popular during the summer months. Off season is generally when you will find this campsite available," advises Kurt V. Weekdays typically offer better site availability than weekends.
Tips for camping with families
Gear transport planning: multiple trips for equipment: When camping on islands, logistics become crucial. "Canoed into our campsite, #15. It took 3 trips to bring in all our gear," shares Angela about Saranac Lake Islands. Families should prioritize essential items and consider how equipment will be transported to remote sites.
Pet considerations: leash requirements and space: Dogs may enjoy the freedom of remote sites, but regulations still apply. "A lot of people have their dogs off leash as well," notes Tyler C. about Jones Pond. Families camping with pets should bring tie-outs and maintain control of animals when rangers visit.
Swimming access: evaluate water entry points: Water access varies significantly between sites. At Back Bay Campground, boat-in sites provide direct water access, while walk-in sites may require a short hike to swimming areas. Families should research water conditions before allowing children to swim.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger vehicles: limited options available: Most primitive sites cannot accommodate large RVs. "Site #2 is along the water and is accessible by car/suv/truck," explains a reviewer about Jones Pond, indicating the limitations for larger rigs. Research vehicle length restrictions before attempting access roads with RVs.
Service road conditions: prepare for rough terrain: Access roads to primitive campsites often present challenges. "The two track access road is rough and all dirt," reports Dylan J. about Jones Pond. RVers should call ahead to confirm current road conditions and accessibility for their specific vehicle size.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent
campsite near Potsdam, NY?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Potsdam, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Potsdam, NY is Saranac Lake Islands Adirondack Preserve Campground with a 4.9-star rating from 15 reviews.
What is the best site to find
tent camping near
Potsdam, NY?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Potsdam, NY?
TheDyrt.com has all 8 tent camping locations near Potsdam, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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