Best Campgrounds near Upper Jay, NY

Upper Jay, New York sits in the heart of the Adirondacks, offering varied camping experiences from established campgrounds to more remote options. Campgrounds like Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday and Wilmington Notch provide access to the region's natural beauty with amenities including tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals. The area between Lake Placid and Saranac Lake features several developed campgrounds that serve as convenient basebases for exploring the surrounding mountains, lakes, and trails. Mixed-use campgrounds accommodate different camping styles, with some sites offering more privacy than others.

Seasonal considerations dramatically affect camping availability in the Adirondack region. Most campgrounds operate from May through October, with a few remaining open year-round. "This is a very basic campground situated in a small village in the Adirondacks – situated between Saranac Lake and Lake Placid. The best part about this campground is that it is conveniently located between two awesome places and is relatively inexpensive," noted one visitor about Meadowbrook Campground. Winter conditions can be harsh with significant snowfall, while summer brings black flies and mosquitoes. Many sites require advance reservations, particularly during peak foliage season in autumn when the region attracts numerous visitors. Road access to some locations may require high-clearance vehicles, especially at more remote campground options.

The region's campground options vary in privacy levels and proximity to attractions. Sites along lakes receive consistently positive reviews, with water access being a key feature many campers seek. Several visitors mentioned the opportunity to watch sunrise or sunset over the water as a highlight of their stay. Campgrounds closer to main roads often provide convenient access to towns but may experience traffic noise. According to reviews on The Dyrt, sites with tree cover and natural screening tend to provide better privacy compared to more open camping areas. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound throughout the area, with bird watching particularly rewarding near water bodies. Campers appreciate the balance of natural surroundings and access to amenities that many of the developed campgrounds in the Upper Jay vicinity provide.

Best Camping Sites Near Upper Jay, New York (164)

    1. Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday

    44 Reviews
    Wilmington, NY
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 946-7878

    "Close to hiking trails, Whiteface Mt Parkway & Lake Placid. Nice, helpful staff. It is NOT wheelchair accessible. There are steep steps to the office, no grab bars in the bathrooms."

    "Very large and busy campground, close to Lake Placid and other cool activities to take in. Pros- hot showers, convenient laundromat, you are guided to your site by staff on golf carts."

    2. Wilmington Notch Campground

    11 Reviews
    Wilmington, NY
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 946-7172

    $18 / night

    "Only about a hour and a half from the border of Canada. This is a great home base for Lake Placid area and Whiteface Mountain. Great clean bathrooms with free hot showers."

    "Great location, very close to Lake Placid and many different trails. The sites are closer together and not as much privacy in some sections, be sure to reserve to get a prime spot."

    3. Draper’s Acres

    10 Reviews
    Lake Placid, NY
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 523-9322

    $30 - $40 / night

    "Some if the sites are rather close to each other, and the proximity to the road was noticeable but my white noise app dealt with that while I slept. Prices were more than fair for what was provided."

    "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. The bathhouses looked very "rustic" but we didn't use them."

    4. Wilderness Campground at Heart Lake

    9 Reviews
    Lake Placid, NY
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 523-3441

    $25 - $55 / night

    "Despite the lake being frozen over, the views just steps away from our lean to were gorgeous. The staff were really friendly and someone is available 24/7 in case you run into issues."

    "The lean to I had was right on the lake and on the edge of the campground. It's a bit of a trek to a bathroom but well worth it."

    5. Meadowbrook Campground

    10 Reviews
    Ray Brook, NY
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 891-4351

    $18 / night

    "This is a very basic campground situated in a small village in the Adirondacks – situated between Saranac Lake and Lake Placid. "

    "It's an average campground, but has a really good location between Lake Placid and Saranac Lake.  Our site had the standard DEC picnic table and fire pit."

    6. Saranac Lake Islands Adirondack Preserve Campground

    15 Reviews
    Saranac Lake, NY
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 891-2841

    $22 - $40 / night

    "Outhouse was a little rough around the edges, but doable. Town is close by for ice and things. Our island had 4 other campsites on it and we barely saw or heard our neighbors."

    "This lake is so peaceful and the remote islands that are only accessible by boat make this spot really special. It's a gorgeous place to get away from everything and to really connect to nature."

    7. Camp Whiteface Mountain

    1 Review
    Wilmington, NY
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 946-7705

    $39 / 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."

    8. Taylor Pond

    3 Reviews
    Wilmington, NY
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 647-5250

    $16 / night

    "Its definitely way out there, and the beauty is worth the drive! Very nice primitive style campground :)"

    "Long skinny lake can be windy and rough. Boat launch is rough"

    9. Copperas Pond

    1 Review
    Lake Placid, NY
    6 miles
    Website

    "The campground by Copperas Pond is up a trail in the Sentinel Range Wilderness Area. The hike up to the campground was pretty rocky and steep, but not that long."

    10. AuSable Chasm Campground

    12 Reviews
    Keeseville, NY
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 834-9990

    "Sites were a medium distance apart but still spacious enough to not be close to neighbors."

    "Pretty decent campground with lots of sites anod close by to some fun attractions."

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Recent Reviews near Upper Jay, NY

672 Reviews of 164 Upper Jay Campgrounds


  • Marc D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 15, 2025

    Shelburne Camping Area

    Nice Campground

    This is a nice little private campground in Shelburne, just outside of Burlington. Close to Lake Champlain. Good place to spend the night and good access to activities. Sides are somewhat small close together. Bathrooms spotlessly clean. Older couple is the staff, very friendly and unhelpful.

  • Jenna L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 10, 2025

    Crown Point Campground

    Nice with a view

    Pretty nice campground all things considered, bathrooms are definitely rustic but kept clean. Some of the campsites are very close together, and others have a decent amount of space between them, not necessarily a lot of trees in between campsites for privacy. Beautiful views of the water, and surrounding mountains. Staff was extremely friendly!

  • R
    Oct. 10, 2025

    AuSable Chasm Campground

    Beautiful/Fun Campground

    I wish I had my bike!!! I didn’t know that this was a biking campground and there were SO MANY trails. Made the most of them with running, but overall, a fantastic campground. Showers were clean, staff was very friendly. Sites and attractions within walking distance (but busy roads to cross).

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 8, 2025

    Austin Brook

    Site is mislabeled as FR 25

    There are a handful of sites down Austin Brook road, I had trouble finding a level spot. Minimal ATT reception but overall pretty area

  • Chelsea B.
    Oct. 5, 2025

    Frontier Town Campground

    So clean!

    We stayed in site 33 which is in the equestrian camping area. It’s really open with little tree cover which is perfect for those who work remote using Starlink. We had fantastic connection. The sites in the equestrian camping area are huge and so clean. The bathrooms are the cleanest I’ve seen so far and we do this full time. The only disappointment was that the hot water doesn’t get very hot in the shower so you better do some jumping jacks to get pumped before showering during colder temps! The trails are well marked and well maintained. Overall, this is a fantastic campsite. There’s even a brewery a ten minute walk down the road. We didn’t go but looks nice. Get your supplies before you arrive! Not many places around to quickly grab charcoal if you need it.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 4, 2025

    Kampersville

    Nice

    The campsites are all in the trees with some sites not clearly defined. The sites seem good sized with new bathroom and showers, with individual showers with a toilet. There are a lot of monthly staying here. Overall a nice park

  • Mindie C.
    Sep. 14, 2025

    North Beach Campground

    Ok for the night

    It’s basically a public park with beach access. The views on the beach are absolutely beautiful. No frills sites.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Horseshoe Lake

    NY Designated Camping

    Along Co 421, by Horseshoe Lake, there are 10-11 designated campsites. Most have fire pits.

    Road is rough but easily doable if you take it slow.

    As it’s a forest, the sites are pretty shaded, so solar and Starlink may present challenges. Slight AT&T at earlier sites.

  • Laura W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 25, 2025

    Rogers Rock Campground

    Roger's Rock

    It was a pretty good park. Wooded nicely. Big lots where we were. Down near the water the sites were pretty crammed together Not parked in a row like an RV park.


Guide to Upper Jay

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best hiking trails near Upper Jay in the Adirondacks?

Upper Jay offers excellent access to Adirondack hiking trails for all skill levels. Near Flowed Lands, you'll find stunning lakeside trails with views of the surrounding mountains. The area around Calamity Lean-to provides both quick walks to the lake edge and more challenging hikes. For early fall hiking with beautiful foliage, trails near Lake Durant Campground showcase the Adirondacks' famous color changes. Many trails in the region connect to the extensive High Peaks Wilderness network, offering everything from family-friendly paths to challenging mountain ascents. For waterfall views, the paths near Ausable Chasm allow you to walk alongside impressive water features and enjoy sunset views over the surrounding landscape.

Where can I find campgrounds with amenities in Upper Jay, NY?

Meadowbrook Campground offers basic but practical amenities, with each site featuring a picnic table and open fire grill. The outer ring sites provide excellent privacy thanks to trees and shrubs as natural barriers. Showers are available, though hot water availability may vary. For more extensive facilities, Lone Pine Campsites provides spacious sites, a large playground perfect for families, and easy highway access. For those seeking additional options, Draper's Acres near Lake Placid features water, toilets, and is big-rig friendly. Most public campgrounds in the area maintain the rustic Adirondack feel while still offering essential amenities like restrooms, picnic areas, and access to recreational activities.

What is the best time of year to camp in Upper Jay?

Late spring through early fall offers the best camping weather in Upper Jay. Early September brings spectacular foliage displays, as noted at Lake Durant Campground where trees begin showing beautiful color changes. Summer provides warm days ideal for water activities, particularly at Ausable Point Campground which offers excellent lakeshore camping with sunrise and sunset views. Fall camping is especially rewarding with fewer crowds, comfortable temperatures, and vibrant autumn colors throughout the region. Memorial Day weekend marks the beginning of the reliable camping season, though facilities like showers might experience occasional maintenance issues early in the season. Winter camping is possible for experienced cold-weather campers, but most campgrounds close for the season.