Luzerne Campground features specialized horse camping in the southern Adirondacks region of New York. Located between Lake George and the Adirondack Mountains, this distinctive facility operates from May through early September and serves as the primary equestrian camping destination within the state park system. Campsites accommodate horses with dedicated stalls in a wooded setting near recreational trails.
What to do
Trail riding access: Riders can access nearby trails directly from Luzerne Campground, making it convenient for daily excursions. "GREAT LOCATION! Small state run campground in the SE Adirondacks- plenty to do: tubing and white water rafting (spring) great hikes, horseback riding, canoe/kayaking, zip lines, great local food and breweries in the area," notes Troy H.
Fishing opportunities: The lake provides productive fishing spots accessible from shoreline or watercraft. Robert L. mentions, "Older camp facilities but well maintained, nice swim at your own risk beach (no guards), boat rentals, good fishing."
Lake activities: Beyond equestrian pursuits, the lake supports various water recreation. "My overall favorite place. Lover being on the far side of the lake with the private beach and no motorboats allowed. Tons of bike riding options. Great little lake for kayaking and fishing," writes Dan H. about Luzerne.
Hiking trails: Moreau Lake State Park Campground offers extensive trail networks. "Over 20 miles in hiking trails, this is one of the nicest parks, I've visited," states Michi P., while another visitor mentions, "Hiking trails become nice XC skiing trails."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the wooded separation between camping areas. At Moreau Lake, "The sites are shady and close together, but still feel fairly private," according to Harry H.
Clean facilities: Murphy Lake Leanto offers more primitive accommodations, but established campgrounds maintain good standards. At Luzerne, Antoinette W. notes, "The showers are so nice and private and clean. Love that we can rent boats too."
Country store access: Local supplies remain available without leaving the camping area. Emily B. comments about Luzerne Campground, "It was nice to have a little country store right across the street from the entrance of the campground. They had anything and everything you might need or had forgotten!"
Natural surroundings: The forested setting creates an immersive outdoor experience. "We loved being deep in the woods!" shares Emily B. about her experience at Luzerne Campground.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: The camping season runs from mid-May through early September at most horse campgrounds near Saratoga Springs, New York. Facilities like Arcadian Pastures Equine may have limited seasonal availability.
Water access: Swimming areas typically operate without lifeguards. Robert L. mentions Luzerne has a "nice swim at your own risk beach (no guards)."
Reservation requirements: Book horse camping sites well in advance, especially during summer weekends and holidays when availability becomes limited.
Trail difficulty varies: Some trails require preparation. Tony F. writes about Murphy Lake, "The Murphy Bennett Trails is a technical challenge to hike, or bike in on. And be prepared to go over downfalls."
Tips for camping with families
Beach activities: Family-friendly swimming areas provide recreation for children. Amy M. shares about Luzerne Campground, "My best friend and I took the kids to this campground and we loved it! Beautiful beaches, lots of places to hike and lots of places to take a bicycle and go exploring!"
Playground access: Some campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children. At Moreau Lake, Matthew L. notes it has a "Nice playground and beach, volleyball."
Proximity to attractions: Consider locations with nearby entertainment options. "Very close to great escape. Hiking available too," mentions Antoinette W. about Luzerne.
Site selection: Choose sites near beaches for families with children. "We get our site close to the lake so we can walk down and swim and my husband fishes," recommends Antoinette W.
Tips from RVers
Maneuvering challenges: Larger rigs face limitations at some campgrounds. Nancy W. writes about Moreau Lake, "The road to our campsite was paved and in good shape but there were a few tight spots because of the trees that make it tricky for a big rig (Loop A seems to be the best for big-rigs)."
Hookup availability: Confirm utility connections when booking horse campgrounds near Saratoga Springs. Most offer electric and water hookups with dump stations.
Generator policies: Noise restrictions apply at most campgrounds. Nancy W. observes at Moreau Lake, "Generators are allowed but not too many people were using them. The few other campers around that used them were mindful of quiet hours."
Campsite spacing: RV sites vary in size and separation. "Campsites are spacious, shady, and had good separation between the neighboring sites which we enjoyed," notes Nancy W. about Moreau Lake.
