1 campground with availability this weekend
Lake George Islands State Park provides the most distinctive tent camping experience near Queensbury, New York, featuring boat-access tent sites spread across several island groups. Long Island, Glen Island, and Narrow Island groups offer primitive tent camping with sites that require water transportation to reach. Sites typically include a tent platform, picnic table, and fire ring. The camping season generally runs from mid-May to early September for most islands, with some extending into October.
Most tent sites on Lake George islands have minimal amenities. Fire rings and picnic tables are standard, but potable water is not available on the islands. Campers must bring all necessary supplies, including drinking water. Sites are accessible only by watercraft, requiring either a personal boat or rental. A recent review noted, "You must have a power boat ride out there or be up for a long paddle. TAKE EVERYTHING you need including extra ice." Pit toilets are present but described by visitors as basic. Wildlife encounters, particularly with raccoons, are common at island campsites.
For mainland tent camping options, Cod Pond Dispersed Pull-Off provides roadside dispersed camping with more primitive conditions. These sites feature fire rings but lack facilities like toilets or water sources. According to one camper, "There is a fire pit at the site and plenty of space for multiple tents, ground may look flat but when sleeping-definitely is not." Sites are relatively secluded despite proximity to roads. Additionally, the Ushers Road State Forest area south of Queensbury offers dispersed tent camping at least 150 feet from trails. Murphy Lake Leanto provides another primitive tent camping option with a shelter, requiring a challenging hike or bike ride to access. Most dispersed tent sites in the region permit stays up to 14 days and adhere to Leave No Trace principles.
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $28 / night
"When camping on lake George, staying on an island to camp is a must-do. We rented kayaks and actually reserved a spot on our own private island. It was little, slightly wooded, and private."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $28 / night
"DEC has designated and constructed 12 camp sites in areas around Shelving Rock Road and Dacy Clearing Road."
"I have stayed on Nobles Island & Floating Battery Island in the Narrows of Lake George. You must have a power boat ride out there or be up for a long paddle."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $28 / night
from $189 / night
"This site is campsite 6 and very private (I believe there must be others located close by). The site has it’s own private road. A car is not reccomended."
"The Murphy Bennett Trails is a technical challenge to hike, or bike in on. And be prepared to go over downfalls. The area is maintained, but windhappens in the old growth forest."
ScoutIt was dark. I arrived after 7p. There were 3 rv camps already going on. All 3 had camp fires. Many fire rings for many groups. No hassles at all. It's off the beaten path but worth it. The first 4 camp sites were open. Made a fire. Ate some food. I got a good night sleep. Nothing ate me or attacked me so that's 5 star in my book.
GuideThere was a few sites 5-6 we didn’t get to the eastern loop. But the sites we saw were very secluded. All had fire pits ours had a picnic table. And was right next to the creek. Would highly recommend if you want to get away from city lights. All sites are not maintained. We had a small off road camper it was easy In and out some sites could be hard with larger pull behinds. Some sites might need 4wd to get in and out we had lots of mud after a lot of rain.
GuideNice campground near Killington, VT. Water and dump station. Not for big rigs we have a 21 ft TT. Things were tight but doable. One of the few Vermont state campgrounds that is still open. Most close from second Monday in October until Memorial Day.
TravelerLots of beautiful spots to pick from but be careful some are a bit muddy. We brought our school bus down the dirt road just fine and backed right in. They also have fireplaces which was nice!
GuideWonderful owners. A variety of sites to choose from in a relaxing setting. No waste hookups here, but they have a dump station. $51 per night with cash.
LegendThis is a quiet campground in a quiet part of the state. The terrain is mountainous, and all of the sites are private. There are two loops, one for tents/RVs and one for lean-tos. We stayed in the Willow lean-to, and while our site didn't have a view, it was one of the most private sites we've stayed in and just a short walk to the bathhouse.
The campground was created by the CCC in the 1930s, and from what I've heard, it hasn't changed much since that time. While we were here, we visited the Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site (very cool), Long Trail Brewing, and the town of Woodstock. Great trip!
GuideWent with a friend on an impromptu last minute camping trip up in the NF and hoped we could find a spot on a Friday night. Quite a few spots were taken but there were still some free ones. We stayed at one near the creek just over a little bridge. Cute little site, nice fire pit, clean, perfect rock to put a big water jug on. The sound of running water was soothing. In the morning, adorable little red squirrels with big personalities made themselves known and there were wildflowers blooming all over with hummingbirds going about their business. This is dispersed camping so there’s no rest rooms, running water, etc. The particular site we stayed at did have another site on the other side of the creek and we could hear the family during the day and see them as they walked past, so it wasn’t as isolated as some of the other sites. It was a cute spot and I’ll def be back.
GuideGot a super site almost level with the water. Went for a swim. Oddly, the lake has no plant life, but a sand bottom. Lots of ducks. Many people enjoying the shallow warm water on kayaks and such. Most sites level. The bathrooms did not offer hot water, or any way to dry your hands .They were clean, and enough to go around. The showers on the other hand were quite distant. A 5 minute walk . But clean, and plentiful. I guess better that than dirty and close by? No hiking trails is a letdown, but here its all about the lake.
TravelerThis is a good spot if you don’t mind being social. The main camping area is a large grassy opening where multiple people park and camp together, and there is a bathroom, but there isn’t much privacy between sites. If you continue farther down the forest road, there are several smaller pull-offs with much more private dispersed camping spots. I’d recommend checking those out if you’re looking for a quieter experience.
Island camping dominates the tent camping scene near Queensbury, New York, with most sites requiring water access and offering varying levels of seclusion. The region sits within the Adirondack foothills, creating a landscape of wooded shorelines and clear lake waters. Seasonal operation typically runs from mid-May through September, with overnight temperatures often dropping into the 40s even during summer months.
Fishing from shoreline campsites: Little Rock Pond Group Camp offers excellent fishing opportunities directly from your campsite. One camper noted that "the pond is surprisingly warm for its altitude and it's home to two Common Loons," making it ideal for both fishing and swimming during summer months.
Rock jumping and swimming: At Little Rock Pond Group Camp & Shelters, visitors can enjoy a unique swimming spot. According to a reviewer, "There's a huge jumping rock on the far side of the pond" that provides entertainment for more adventurous campers looking to cool off.
Biking technical trails: The Murphy Lake Leanto area offers challenging biking opportunities for those willing to work for their camping spot. A visitor described it as "A two hour bike ride with a couple of breaks. The Murphy Bennett Trails is a technical challenge to hike, or bike in on. And be prepared to go over downfalls."
Private island experiences: Some Lake George islands offer complete solitude. As one camper at Narrow Island Group described, "I have stayed on Nobles Island & Floating Battery Island in the Narrows of Lake George... Once there, settle in & relax, you aren't going anywhere. Nice for forced relaxation if you want to read, sleep, have limited interaction."
Holiday celebrations: Island camping provides unique holiday viewing opportunities. One visitor to Glen Island Group shared, "We went for July 4th and got front row seats for their fireworks over the lake from our private shore. It was beautiful."
Wildlife encounters: Camping sites often feature wildlife viewing opportunities. A camper at the Long Island Group observed, "So much to do at LG. Great island camping with amazing views," while noting the abundance of native wildlife visible from shoreline campsites.
Weather planning is essential: Island campsites can experience significant weather changes. A Narrow Island camper advised: "Check the weather before your stay- you may be able to swap for a site on the opposite side of the island if you get an idea of where the winds will be coming from. Don't under estimate this tip."
Boat requirements: Most island camping requires watercraft. One Cod Pond Dispersed Pull-Off visitor noted their site was "down a dirt road which is well hidden from the main road if you aren't paying close attention. There is no service at all... A car is not recommended. Possible to turn around but you definitely need a smaller suv."
Tent platform limitations: Many island sites have restrictions on tent placement. A reviewer stated, "We had a great spot on Long Island! Beautiful view, chill atmosphere, easy boat parking on the slip." However, they also mentioned the limited flat ground for additional tents beyond the provided platforms.
Consider noise levels: Island camping can be surprisingly noisy during peak season. A reviewer warned that there's "lots of boat motor noise esp on summer weekends which sadly dilutes the otherwise 'cut off' feeling."
Pack extra supplies: Island camping requires thorough preparation. One experienced camper at Narrow Island Group stressed the importance of bringing "EVERYTHING you need including extra ice. Once there, settle in & relax, you aren't going anywhere."
Check ground conditions: At Ushers Road State Forest, a camper reported finding "a previously used campsite, approximately 200 feet from the main trail. The site includes a stone fire ring, indicating prior use." However, they cautioned that after rain, "the terrain eventually transitions into a low-lying, swampy area."
Limited RV access to island sites: While some islands technically permit RVs, practical limitations exist. A visitor to Stony Creek Family Campground described it as "a nice family ran campground" that accommodates RVs but noted that most surrounding areas require boat access only.
Plan for terrain challenges: Even mainland sites present difficulties for larger vehicles. One camper explained, "The site has its own private road...There is a firepit at the site and plenty of space for multiple tents, ground may look flat but when sleeping-definitely is not."
Consider amenities: Full-hookup options are limited in the region. A visitor mentioned, "Definitely no amenities other than an outhouse but spectacular views and pristine waters," highlighting the trade-off between services and natural settings when tent camping near Queensbury, New York.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Queensbury, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Queensbury, NY is Long Island Group — Lake George Islands with a 4.5-star rating from 4 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Queensbury, NY?
TheDyrt.com has all 33 tent camping locations near Queensbury, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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