The Adirondacks area surrounding Upper Jay offers numerous camping options at elevations ranging from 1,200 to 2,000 feet. Winter temperatures can drop below 0°F while summer days typically reach 70-85°F. Campgrounds near Upper Jay provide access to extensive trail systems connecting to the High Peaks Wilderness, with many sites available from mid-May through early October.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: At Wilmington Notch Campground, trails lead directly to scenic water features. "There is an accessible trail from the back of the campground to an amazing waterfall on the west branch of the Ausable River and plenty of spots to trout fish/swim. A mile down the road is flume falls trails, which leads to a great swimming hole and various height choice cliff jumping," notes Zachary M.
Mountain biking and disc golf: Ausable Chasm Campground offers activities beyond just camping. "Large and nice-looking playground, pool, volleyball net, disc golf and mountain biking/hiking trails. It also looked like there were cross country ski trails," reports Lee D. This campground sits directly across from the Ausable Chasm attraction.
High Peaks access: Campers use certain locations as launching points for significant hikes. "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," notes Nancy W. about Lake Placid/Whiteface KOA Holiday. The area serves as a gateway to challenging trails throughout the region.
What campers like
Island isolation: Saranac Lake Islands Adirondack Preserve offers boat-access camping with significant privacy. "Huge sites, a lot of privacy (nearest campsite in most cases is not even visible). 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," writes Kelly H.
Onsite swimming spots: Many campers appreciate direct water access at their sites. "Our island had 4 other campsites on it and we barely saw or heard our neighbors. Great swimming from site. Found a great rock to jump from," reports Angela about her Saranac Lake Islands experience.
Convenient location: Some campgrounds offer strategic positioning for exploring multiple destinations. "It's nice to close to the river, also you can rent boats from the registration. There are lots of facilities you can use, also it's close to few hiking trails," writes Maggie H. about her stay at Lake Placid/Whiteface KOA Holiday.
What you should know
Varied bathroom conditions: Facilities differ significantly between campgrounds. "Bathrooms are a bit run down but great value for how much it costs! I took my own TP (you never know with some parks) and I am glad I did," advises Meag F. about Wilmington Notch Campground. At another location, "The bathhouse was actually one of the nicest I've seen in a DEC campsite; it looked like it had recently been rebuilt," notes Sam L.
Road noise considerations: Traffic sounds affect some camping areas. "The road through the campground is dirt and rutted but the speed limit is 5 mph, so it wasn't that bad, but it would be a mess if it was raining," observes Lee D. at Ausable Chasm. Another camper mentioned, "No noisy neighbors even on a Saturday night. Great cell reception with Verizon; what more do you need. Yes, there is road noise. Trade off for the closeness to ADK trailheads."
Site privacy varies: Even within the same campground, privacy levels differ considerably. "Sites are pretty small and close together but overall the campground is excellent. The camp host is spectacular and it is extremely well maintained for a primitive area," reports Steph about Taylor Pond. Some campgrounds have sites "lined with trees and shrubs" that provide natural screening.
Tips for camping with families
Separate camping areas: Some locations separate different camping styles. "There are two distinct sections of this campground– the "Resort" section and the "100-Acre Woods" section. We stayed in site #73 of the 100-Acre section and would highly recommend staying in this area as opposed to the other. This section has tall shad trees and much more space between sites than the resort area," explains Nancy W.
Playground access: Family-friendly amenities exist at several campgrounds. "The mountain side in general is my ideal campground full of trees and nature. The bathrooms were always clean and shower areas had great water pressure. 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," reports Nicole S. about Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday.
Educational opportunities: Wilderness Campground at Heart Lake offers unique learning experiences. "I was absolutely impressed with the restrooms, dishwashing station, and beach area. I didn't spend any time inside the Loj by the lake because I was camping with my dog and intentionally stayed off the Wi-Fi the whole trip, but family made use of the connection option," notes Tigan W.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: RV campers should research site conditions before arrival. "RV site 8 is so out of level that we couldn't get our Airstream level unless we put 10" of blocking under both axles," warns Brian P. about Ausable Chasm Campground.
Navigation concerns: Large rigs face specific obstacles at some locations. "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. Don't make a wrong turn or you will get stuck and down a road you can't turn around on," advises Nancy W.
Hookup availability: Some campgrounds advertise amenities that aren't actually available. "The amenities list is incorrect. There are no hookups, electric or water. There is wood for sale when the office is open, a dump station and it has showers," clarifies Garrett D. about Meadowbrook Campground, highlighting the importance of verifying features before booking.
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