Tent campsites around Silver Bay, New York offer a mix of island-based and mainland camping experiences in the Adirondack region. Lake George Islands provides several tent-friendly options including Narrow Island Group, Glen Island Group, and Long Island Group, all accessible primarily by boat. Rogers Rock Campground, located along Lake Shore Drive in Hague, features multiple tent camping areas including Temple Knoll Island and Waltonian Island campsites within a short distance of Silver Bay.
Most tent sites in the Lake George area require advance planning, especially during the peak season from May through September. Fire rings and picnic tables are standard at established campgrounds, while backcountry sites follow stricter regulations. Many island campsites require boat transportation and lack basic amenities such as drinking water, showers, or flush toilets. Campers should prepare for primitive conditions, particularly at the island sites where all supplies must be packed in. Sites at Rogers Rock Campground offer more amenities including showers and sanitary dump stations, though these facilities may be located away from the actual tent sites.
The tent camping experience near Silver Bay provides unique water-based perspectives not available to other accommodation types. Island campsites offer greater privacy and separation from neighboring campers, though boat traffic can create noise during peak summer weekends. A visitor commented, "You must have a power boat ride out there or be up for a long paddle. Take everything you need including extra ice. Once there, settle in and relax, you aren't going anywhere." Lake views are particularly impressive from many of the tent sites, with opportunities for fishing, kayaking and swimming directly from camp. Weather conditions can change quickly on the lake, making it important for tent campers to secure their equipment properly and check forecasts before setting up on exposed sites.
$28 / night
"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."
$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."
$28 / night
$42 - $135 / night
"Prfect location to explore eastern Adk"
$22 / night
$22 / night
$22 / night
$180 / night
GuideStayed at site number 5, I think. It was by the water in the woods just a little bit. Picnic table, fire ring and several outhouses nearby. Beautiful surroundings. There is a small landing to launch kayaks or canoes. A dam with some additional sites on the other side. Town is about 20-30 minutes away. Several trails nearby. Would recommend.
Also would recommend traveling further in if you are looking for more sites.
LegendNote: This is a hike in back country shelter with unreliable water and a pit bathroom.
I tented here on a section hike of the AT. The shelter was a fairly basic 8ish person shelter, but this stop stood out because of a brand new privvy, large tenting areas, and a swimming hole and consistent water just a bit further down the trail (when heading northbound).
For camping, there were a few large tent areas where multiple tents could fit and which looked quite level.
The privvy looked brand new and was more spacious than most on the trail.
There was no water on the shelter, but there was plenty of water at Stony Brook / Mink Brook a bit further northbound. I only explored a bit offtrail down the brook but found a decent swimming hole (could just barely submerge myself) to clean off a bit.
There was also a bear box here, which I hadn't seen at other shelters along the AT in Vermont (heading southbound).
Although the shelter was fairly basic, I would keep this on my list as a go-to place to stop if I was planning to hike in the area.
LegendI tent camped here before doing a section hike of the Appalachian Trail and it was one of the best campgrounds I’ve stayed at before.
The sites have some privacy and woods in between, though the tent sites vs. shelters and cabins were mostly closer to the access road. All sites were super clean and had a picnic table and fire ring. Most sites had a built in cooking fire structure (vs. a fire ring) they looked great for camp cooking, though my site (T01) seemed to be the only without it.
The facilities were well-maintained, there were water spigots everywhere, and though I didn’t get a chance to enjoy, there were lots of activities right there (volleyball lawn, the AT running right through the campground, mountain bike trails).
I didn’t stay in them, but the cabins and lean-tos looked great for group or family options.
Kent Pond was also just across the road for water activities, and I saw at least one fly fisher out.
Killington was also right nearby for restaurants and other needs.
I will definitely be coming back to explore more!
GuideWe got rained out!! Our site did have good drainage and ample tree cover so that helped. Easy access to buy firewood on the road into the campground.
