Ray Brook sits at 1,720 feet elevation in the central Adirondacks, experiencing typical mountain climate patterns with temperature swings of 30+ degrees between day and night, even in summer. Campgrounds in this area range from developed facilities with full amenities to remote island sites accessible only by watercraft, offering varied terrain from sandy lakeshores to densely wooded settings.
What to do
Swimming and water activities: Saranac Lake Islands Adirondack Preserve Campground offers excellent water access with multiple swimming spots. "We kayaked into our campsite, #15. It took 3 trips to bring in all our gear. Beautiful site. Quite a climb up to the actual site. Great swimming from site. Found a great rock to jump from. Lots of loons, toads and fish," notes Angela.
Hiking local trails: Trails range from easy to challenging within 5-15 miles of Ray Brook. Wilderness Campground at Heart Lake provides direct access to multiple trailheads. As one camper explains, "You can hike Algonquin, Iriquois, Wright Peak, and Mt. Jo all right from the campground."
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings offer prime opportunities for spotting native wildlife. "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!" shares Kristina L. about her experiences at Rollins Pond Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Several waterways near Ray Brook provide fishing access for various species. "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," notes Kelly H. about fishing at Saranac Lake Islands.
What campers like
Waterfront sites: Direct water access consistently ranks as a top feature for campers near Ray Brook. "We had a waterfront site and were absolutely delighted to be able to sit on the beach and watch the sunset, kayak at our leisure, and swim," reports Amie C. about her stay at Rollins Pond Campground.
Remote camping options: Many visitors prefer the seclusion available at certain campgrounds. "Loved this campground. Pretty much had an entire island to ourselves and got to enjoy the beautiful saranac lake," writes Erin T. about Saranac Lake Islands.
Clean facilities: Campgrounds with well-maintained amenities receive positive feedback. "The bathrooms were always clean and shower areas had great water pressure," notes Nicole S. after staying at Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday.
Accessibility to towns: The convenience of nearby services appeals to many campers. "We have a rather large rig (36 ft fifth wheel plus the truck) & while fish creek is notoriously a tent only/small rig campground we fit perfectly & our site has cell service! 10/10!" reports Bella S. about her stay at Fish Creek Pond Campground.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Most campgrounds near Ray Brook fill quickly during peak seasons. "We stayed at Wilmington Notch for a night prior to backpacking. It has a great location (beside Whiteface) and is open to both tent campers and RVs... Definitely make reservations in advance during the summer!" advises Maggie F.
Temperature variations: Be prepared for significant temperature drops at night. "Bring warm clothing for nights; temps can drop 30 degrees in hours," warns Jerry M. about camping at Saranac Lake Islands.
Cell service reality: Draper's Acres offers "Great cell reception with Verizon; what more do you need," according to Mara S., but service varies dramatically throughout the region depending on terrain and proximity to towns.
Site selection considerations: Some sites offer more seclusion than others, even within the same campground. "The campsites are close, so if you're looking for more separation, nearby Rollins is a better option," suggests Evan W. about Fish Creek Pond Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Biking-friendly locations: Fish Creek Pond Campground offers excellent biking opportunities. "This is a clean, well maintained campground. It was a little crowded but surprisingly quiet for the number of people. Lots of kids biking and a nice trail behind the sites to walk or run," reports Emma B.
Kid-friendly swimming areas: Shallow water access makes some sites particularly suitable for children. "The water is super shallow all along the shoreline. It's perfect for dogs, kids, and hanging out in the water. The bottom is sandy with some rocks, good to have water shoes but not essential," explains Oleńka S. about Fish Creek Pond.
Entertainment options: Some campgrounds offer organized activities for children. "They have cabins, tent site areas, and huge wooded camper sites. The mountain side in general is my ideal campground full of trees and nature... They have a jumping pad on that side also. Both sides have the tractor driving around, pulling the kids around," details Nicole S. about the Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday.
Island camping adventure: Older children enjoy the novelty of boat-access sites. "Love this place! There's something novelty about getting in a boat and paddling to your island for the week! We went off season so camping was free! Brought our dog and he had a blast exploring the island at his own whim," shares Molly G.
Tips from RVers
Site access considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads. "The roads are really tight for big rigs. Between the trees, rocks, and low hanging branches, you have to take it really slow. I recommend unhooking your tow car at check-in so you are free to back up," warns Nancy W. about Wilmington Notch Campground.
Hookup availability: Only certain campgrounds offer full services for RVs. "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," reports Jennifer O. about Draper's Acres.
Dump station locations: Know where dump stations are located if staying at primitive sites. "We didn't see any sites with electricity and there is one outlet in the bathroom area (I plugged my coffee percolator into this outlet every morning)," shares Danielle S. about Buck Pond Campground.
Size restrictions: Many campgrounds near Ray Brook have limitations for larger rigs. "We had a water/electric for a trailer at $35 a night in perfect location between Keene Valley and Lake Placid. Sites were clean and the fire pits were beautiful!" notes Natalie N. about her experience at Draper's Acres.
