3 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Several RV parks around Rainbow Lake provide varied options for motorhome travelers in the Adirondack region. Babbling Brook RV Park in Fort Covington offers full hookup sites with 50-amp electric service, water, and sewer connections, operating from May through September. Iron City RV Park features electric hookups and sanitary dump facilities with tent and RV accommodation types. "We had a full hookup, pull-through site surrounded by trees. There was some road noise during the day but it was nice and quiet at night," wrote one visitor about a nearby park. Spacious Skies Adirondack Peaks in North Hudson accommodates big rigs with both 30-amp and 50-amp connections, featuring fire rings and picnic tables at each site.
Most RV parks in the region require advance reservations during peak summer and fall foliage seasons. Road access varies significantly between facilities, with some parks presenting challenges for larger motorhomes. According to one review, "The roads are really tight for big rigs. Between the trees, rocks, and low hanging branches, you have to take it really slow." Cell service can be inconsistent throughout the mountainous terrain. Dump stations are available at several parks including Shady Oaks Camping Resort in Plattsburgh, which offers 100 sites open from May through September. Many facilities permit pets but have varying restrictions. Winter camping options are limited, with Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday being one of the few year-round operations in the vicinity.
"This was our first longer trip with our new fifth wheel and we were definitely nervous about taking it somewhere unfamiliar."
"Came here with our fifth wheel and had plenty of room for everything. Nice spot to use as a home base while exploring the Adirondacks."
"Located far out in nature, the views are breathtaking. Owner was really nice and helpful."
from $30 / night
"Electric, water and sewer available. Reasonable rates. Spacing okay."
"Located near river."
from $30 - $55 / night
"Very close to Burlington VT and Canada there are many different hiking and adventuring options. It did seem that many of the sites were seasonal. Clean, and well kept."
"Most of the sites seemed seasonal, I am unsure if there were any overnight sites. Great location right near lake Champlain, and only about a 20 minute drive from Canada."
from $30 - $56 / night
"Spacious sites close to great amenities! Super staff! Clean and updated facilities. Close to beautiful hiking, lake activities and rail bikes. We can’t wait to come back!"
"Felt safe and campground was quiet and clean. Will definitely be back!"
from $999 / night
"Nice campground near Plattsburgh. Sites somewhat small and tight but there are some larger sites."
"We whent her for our first stay in our class c motorhome and had a wonderful weekend they have a beautiful pond and its peaceful environment great for families and camp owners are helpful and polite"
"Mostly Seasonal area with some overnight spots. No tents allowed. But pet friendly. Small but clean areas with electric at each site."
"The new power and water hookups are a huge upgrade, and it’s exciting to see the vision for future expansion already coming to life."
from $50 - $60 / night
"Close to Lakes to Paddle, Store and Gas not far. Camp is quite more for Adults, no playgrounds or things for kids to do. Full hook ups and pull thru sites."
"Mostly seasonal nice and quiet. Basic sites with amenities. Very roomy and spacious."
from $30 - $40 / night
"Nestled in the trees by the Ausable River its a convenient place to explore the area. 20 minutes from downtown Lake Placid at the base of Whiteface mountain. 2 hours away is Montreal or Burlington VT."
from $39 / night
from $29 - $75 / night
ScoutFirst trip with our new RV and we were a little nervous about getting everything set up. Having full hookups made it way less complicated than we expected. Once we were settled, we just enjoyed the area and took a few day trips. Would definatly come back for another Adirondack trip.
ScoutWe came up for a quick Adirondack getaway and ended up spending most of our time outside. A little disc golf, some time by the pool, dinner at the site and plenty of walks with the dog. Pretty much everything we wanted out of the trip.
ScoutOne of the best parts for us was not having to pack up the RV every time we wanted to go somewhere. We stayed put and explored the Adirondacks from here. Lake Champlain, Ausable Chasm and a bunch of other spots were all easy to get to.
ScoutGreat 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.
ScoutHaving the river and Adirondacks nearby made for a really nice change of scenery. We spent our days exploring and came back to the campground for dinner and a fire.
ScoutWe were looking for somewhere to stay while checking out Ausable Chasm and this worked out really well. Easy drive over, then back to the camper in the afternoon. Made the whole trip alot easier.
ScoutWe only planned on staying a few nights but ended up adding another week. Once we got settled in, it was hard to leave.
GuideCar camped on Sunday of Columbus Day weekend in October. This was their closing weekend and lots of spaces were available. Stayed in tent circle loop and it was almost empty. Great access to lake shore and bike path. Walked back toward marina and town in the evening and ran in the morning the other direction going out to Rock Point. Didn’t use the shower facilities. The bathroom near our loop only had sinks and toilets and was fine.
ScoutCame here with our fifth wheel and had plenty of room for everything. Nice spot to use as a home base while exploring the Adirondacks.
The Adirondack Mountain region surrounding Rainbow Lake sits at approximately 1,500 feet elevation with temperatures typically 5-10 degrees cooler than nearby lowland areas. RV campgrounds near Rainbow Lake offer varying seasonal availability with most open from May through early October, coinciding with the region's peak tourism period. Winter camping options are limited due to harsh weather conditions and seasonal road closures.
Hiking access: At Davey Falls ADK, campers have private trails directly from their sites. "Amazing secluded creekside spot. Private waterfall, hiking trails," notes Keith D., highlighting the convenient location "to explore eastern Adk."
River activities: Several campgrounds provide water access for kayaking and swimming. "Walk to the back of the campground to the Ausable river, go down the path about 500 ft. There is an awesome swimming hole," reveals Laura T. about river exploration opportunities in the area.
Winter sports: While most Rainbow Lake RV parks close seasonally, Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday operates year-round. Its proximity to Whiteface Mountain makes it ideal for winter sports enthusiasts. "Behind the 100-Acre section are trails that lead to Whiteface Mountain so you don't have to get in the car to start a hike," explains Nancy W.
Privacy levels: Sites at Camp Whiteface Mountain offer woodland seclusion. "If you want a nice camping spot for exploring the Adirondacks this is it. Nestled in the trees by the Ausable River its a convenient place to explore the area," Christina W. notes about the camp's natural setting.
Location convenience: Campgrounds near Rainbow Lake serve as central bases for exploring the region. "You are about 12 miles north of Lake Placid so we didn't go there as much as we thought we would. One great find is the Adirondack Chocolate store about one mile up the road from the campground," shares Nancy W. about the local attractions.
Family amenities: Iroquois Campground & RV Park features a pond and family-friendly environment. "We whent her for our first stay in our class c motorhome and had a wonderful weekend they have a beautiful pond and its peaceful environment great for families," comments Shelly about her experience there.
Site variations: Rainbow Lake area RV parks offer diverse camping experiences. "There are two distinct sections of this campground– the 'Resort' section and the '100-Acre Woods' section... This section has tall shad trees and much more space between sites than the resort area," explains Nancy W. about campground layouts.
Seasonal timing: Most RV parks near Rainbow Lake have limited operating seasons. "Mostly seasonal nice and quiet. Basic sites with amenities. Very roomy and spacious," Paul G. observes about Thornbush Acres RV Park, which operates from mid-May through mid-October.
Water availability: Campsites with river or lake access are popular but limited. "On the river they have a small place to put in kayaks and wade in water," Nicole S. mentions regarding water access points at certain campgrounds.
Activity options: Rainbow Lake area campgrounds offer varying children's amenities. "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," details Nicole S. about family facilities.
Swimming considerations: Pool availability varies by campground. "Used the pool at the resort once (a little chilly)," Kristine B. notes, while others mention natural swimming options. "The area is awesome with beach access along the river with a huge playground," adds Nicole S.
Kid-friendly campgrounds: Not all RV parks cater equally to children. "Quiet, more for Adults, no playgrounds or things for kids to do," Debbie W. points out about one location, emphasizing the importance of researching family amenities before booking.
Site privacy: Rainbow Lake area campgrounds vary significantly in site spacing. "The mountain side in general is my ideal campground full of trees and nature... The river side is new and on the side of the river but has you baking in the sun there is no trees at all for shade. And there is no separation between you and the next person," explains Nicole S., highlighting the importance of selecting appropriate sites.
Navigation challenges: Some Rainbow Lake RV parks have tight access roads. "Maneuvering through the park was pretty tight for us and we had to take it really slow," Nancy W. cautions about navigating larger rigs through wooded campgrounds.
Visitor fees: Be aware of additional charges for guests. "One bad thing about this park is that you have to pay high fees for visitors. Day passes for adults are $12 and $6/kid. Overnight fees are crazy high at $15/adult, $8/kid and $7/car," advises Nancy W. about planning for extra costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular RV campsite near Rainbow Lake, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular RV campground near Rainbow Lake, NY is Ausable Pines RV Park & Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 15 reviews.
What is the best site to find RV camping near Rainbow Lake, NY?
TheDyrt.com has all 91 RV camping locations near Rainbow Lake, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
