The Adirondack Park in northern New York encompasses 6 million acres with Wanakena situated in the western section at approximately 1,660 feet elevation. Summer temperatures typically range from 55°F to 80°F, while spring and fall can see overnight temperatures drop into the 30s. The region receives approximately 40 inches of annual precipitation, creating lush forest conditions and numerous water features ideal for campers.
What to do
Kayaking on Francis Lake: Launch from multiple water access points with natural shorelines and minimal boat traffic. At Francis Lake, visitors enjoy "great for swimming, kayaking, and a gorgeous place to wake up next to the water."
High ropes course adventures: Try aerial obstacles at Adirondack Mennonite Camping Associates Inc where they offer "day use access to the beach and high ropes course." The facility provides both group programming and individual activities.
Island exploration: Travel by boat to experience secluded campsites on lakes throughout the region. At Tioga Point Campground, "you can only reach this campground by boat. The campground is very secluded and there are lean-to style campsites."
Winter camping options: Several locations remain open year-round despite harsh conditions. Wilderness Campground at Heart Lake offers winter access where "we visited in late March when there was still a decent amount of snow on the site. Despite the lake being frozen over, the views just steps away from our lean to were gorgeous."
What campers like
Isolation and privacy: Most tent camping sites provide natural buffers between neighbors. At Saranac Lake Islands, "our island had 4 other campsites on it and we barely saw or heard our neighbors."
Swimming opportunities: Natural water features offer clean, accessible swimming areas. Middle Pond Campsite sits directly on the water with "beautiful location but this campsite is popular during the summer months. Off season is generally when you will find this campsite available."
Wildlife viewing: The region supports diverse animal species including loons, toads, fish, and occasionally moose. Saranac Lake Islands campers report seeing "lots of loons, toads and fish" while others have spotted moose tracks on nearby hiking trails.
No-reservation options: Some of the best tent camping near Wanakena, New York can be accessed without planning months ahead. At Seventh Lake Primitive Camping, "we happened upon it on our way to the seventh lake campground and ended up staying for two nights."
What you should know
Pack-in/pack-out requirements: Most sites have minimal waste facilities. At Alger Island, sites are "boat only access. bring water. pack in/ pack out. lean to at sites. secluded."
Lean-to availability: Many locations offer wooden shelters reducing tent needs. Tioga Point notes "you don't have to bring a tent unless you want to. This definitely saves some space in your boat."
Off-season advantages: Weekdays and shoulder seasons provide better site availability and solitude. At Cedar River Entrance Camping, campers recommend "traveling further in if you are looking for more sites" when main areas fill up.
Water access challenges: Some of the most private sites require boat transportation. At Alger Island, one camper noted "to get to the campground, you must paddle. The state park allows only car top boats. We kayaked all of our gear out to the island."
Tips for camping with families
Solar-powered options: For families wanting minimal conveniences, look for sites with basic power. Della Terra offers "solar power to provide you with your electrical needs" while maintaining a natural setting.
Beach day options: Several sites feature sand areas perfect for children. Seventh Lake Primitive Camping has "a large sand bar within a very short walk which was a great place to hang out."
Program-based camping: Structured activities benefit families with younger children. Adirondack Mennonite Camping Associates offers "weekend and week long programming for youth and families, or site rental of cabins and platform tents."
Dog-friendly locations: Many sites welcome pets for family camping. Tioga Point Campground is "a great place to bring your dog for a long range game of frisbee or a good day of swimming."
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup options: Traditional RV services are scarce near Wanakena. Most tent camping areas cannot accommodate larger vehicles and lack sewer, water, or electrical connections.
Access road conditions: Unpaved routes challenge larger vehicles. Roads to Wilderness Campground feature "very rough use extreme caution on a motorcycle with street tires" requiring even more care with RVs.
Seasonal considerations: Spring mud seasons create difficult driving conditions on unpaved access roads, while winter closures affect many locations from November through April.
