Best Tent Camping near Wanakena, NY

Tent Camping Reviews near Wanakena, NY

384 Reviews of 23 Wanakena Campgrounds

• 

  Rachel P.

  Ranger

  Sep. 8, 2018

  North Lake Resevoir

  North Lake Reservoir

  Not that they would do this place any justice, but I sincerely wish I had pictures. Unfortunately my last visit here was before smart phones were so commonplace. North Lake Reservoir is one of the Adirondack Park’s best kept secrets. Extremely primitive, you must get off Rte 28, heading toward the old Buffalo Head restaurant and passed there, keep going another 30-40 minutes along a dirt/gravel road until you reach N Lake Rd.

  The DEC-run facility offers about 25 primitive sites along North Lake. There is a campers log where you can sign in at the entrance and the sites are dispersed along a long dirt road. A few are drive-in, while many you must park and walk-in. These sites are primitive-no tables, no facilities or running water. Best of all, no generators or electrical hookups for those of us in it to truly be in nature.

  I don’t recall the site number, but we had about a 1/2-3/4 mile hike along a narrow path to the site. It was completely worth it- the site was large and right on the water, completely surrounded by trees and shade. The only sounds came from the occasional boat across the lake and loon calls in the morning.

  Coming here has absolutely been one of my favorite experiences. If you’re adventurous and up for the challenge and seclusion, I highly recommend checking out North Lake Reservoir!

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• 

  John E.

  Guide

  Jun. 19, 2018

  Brown Tract Pond Campground

  I fell in love with this place

  As I sat having by my coffee, watching steam rise from the pond, I listened to the distant calls of Loons.

  I’d describe this campground as a hidden gem, but it’s not for everyone. To get here you leave the paved road and take a gravel road a little ways. On our way we spotted a group of Turkeys wandering about. This campground is for the adventurous. No electric or water hook ups (for RVs) and no shower facilities, but there are restrooms.

  Staff was friendly and helpful. Helped me pick out a site and made sure I was good once I set up. Bring or rent a Canoe and you can travel out to an island in the middle of the pond from which families jump from a large rock into the lake.

  As the sun sets and the stars come out, you’ll look up and suddenly realize just how small you are as you stare at the heavens and see the Milky Way.

  Nothing but peace and quiet. When it’s quiet hours, the only thing you here is nature and the occasional crackle of someone’s fire.

  Would I go here again? Brown Tract is one of those places that after you go once, you find yourself going again and again. Our tripped was booked as soon as we could.

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• 

  Matthew D.

  Guide

  Oct. 10, 2018

  Cedar River Entrance Camping

  Cedar River Campground

  Stayed 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.

• 

  Carol B.

  Guide

  Jun. 27, 2025

  Kring Point State Park Campground

  Waterfront sites with amenities

  I am tent camping and found my site (105) to have a couple of relatively level areas to choose to set up my tent on. This site is on Goose Bay, but the sites across the road are on the St Lawrence River just a few hundred feet away. Water nearby, brand new bathrooms with showers and two kitchen clean up stations are a short walk away. Every site has a fire ring with a grill and picnic table. Loons are calling, a mink scampered by on the flat rock shore 15’ away with a fish in its mouth. This place is quiet and peaceful. I will 100% return!

• 

  Elizabeth B.

  Ranger

  Sep. 29, 2020

  Soft Maple Campground

  Small and completely gorgeous! Beach, wooded sites, great for everyone.

  Soft Maple is a truly gorgeous small campground. Only about a dozen sites or so, first come first serve. Level sites for RVs or tent or hammock camping. Each site has a nice space with fire ring and picnic table. The beach is lovely and clean. There’s boat access for canoes and kayaks as this is part of the Beaver River route. 

  The entire campground is accessible, with gravel pack paths, and level sites.  

  Charlie is the caretaker here and everyone says he is the nicest person you’ll meet.  You can’t beat site number 11 for the perfect mix of treelined and water view!

  There is space for RVs and a dump station but the sites do not have power or hookups. 

  If you come in to the campground from “number 4 road” (aka state rt. 26) it’s exactly five miles from the Left turn on to Soft Maple rd. If you have time, stop halfway- the 2.5 mile mark will bring you to the entrance for Eagle falls, a short hike with a fantastic reveal.

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• 

  Rachel P.

  Ranger

  Oct. 26, 2018

  Nicks Lake Campground

  Nicks Lake Campground

  Though just moments away from the heart of Old Forge, Nicks Lake provides a nice balance between the hustle and bustle of Main Street and the tranquility of the Adirondacks.

  The grounds are a wonderful option for families, not only hosting a number of amenities (i.e. campers beach, hiking trails), but providing opportunities to observe the local wildlife. You can catch sight of deer or a bear at any moment. (Just keep in mind to maintain a safe distance and respect their space!)

  The sites were fairly sized and shaded- my family and I reserved sites 38 and 36 for our brief visit. We enjoyed our stay and are likely to return!

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• 

  Maribeth W.

  Guide

  Aug. 30, 2016

  Lake Harris Campground

  Wet but beautiful!

  We 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.

• 

  Geoff W.

  Guide

  Aug. 16, 2017

  Stillwater Reservoir

  Another great trip

  This was my 3rd trip to Stillwater in 3 yrs and it gets better each time!

  Our first trip was an overnight to test some backpacking gear, it was September and the weather was perfect! We hiked into our site, not easy because almost everything is meant to be accessed by boat so we were guessing our course! Cooler weather meant no bugs to contend with

  Next year we took a canoe to our site, it was July, warm weather, warm water and the bugs were not terrible, we were at Site 1, secluded in a cove, not a lot of traffic but there is a hiking trailhead near the site so there is potential for visitors.

  Our latest trip was to site 10, an island site with a large sandy beachfront, we borrowed a motor boat to get there this year and brought plenty of gear for 4 days. Weather was great again, some rain each day but we had time to get setup and get shelters to keep dry.

  Camping if free here but it is first come first serve but with 40+ sites you can almost always get something. There is a small store at the boat launch to get provisions if you need, public restrooms and wifi. Very limited cell service.

  You should bring water or something to filter it from the reservoir. I believe all the site have privy boxes on them.

  There are opportunities for fishing, a few local attractions, a nice restaurant at the launch.

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• 

  Kaylee C.

  Scout

  Oct. 6, 2021

  Moose River Plains

  Amazing in the Fall!

  Stayed at site 51. It's elevated, clear, has a newer outhouse with toilet seat. The old outhouse was left to the side and we used it to store our firewood (to keep dry). We hammered a nail on the inside of the outhouse to hang the shower bladder. It got cold at night, around 30-40. It was fine though in just warm clothes, sleeping bags and an extra blanket. There a path to the river straight across the lane from the site, for water or swimming. We always use the limekiln entrance which is a bit rocky. I have a Chevy spark though and as long as we go super slow, it's passable. The other entrance (which is super long) does have a smoother pass though. While on this trip, we hiked the lost ponds trail, just down a ways from our site. It's worth the time and effort, full of amazing views! Of you have a lightweight or inflatable kayak, take it because the pond is quite large and there's lots to explore. Just a note if you've never been, be sure to stop at an entrance to sign in - the rangers aren't always around but you're so far in that if anything were to ever happen, you'd want them to have your information. This is a pretty remote area to camp and explore.

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