Camping in Wilmington, NY sits at the base of Whiteface Mountain with elevations ranging from 1,200 to 4,867 feet across the region. Summer temperatures average 75°F during daytime but can drop below 50°F at night even in July and August. Many sites feature Adirondack-style lean-tos as alternatives to tent camping, with several campgrounds offering direct access to hiking trails and waterways.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: Access multiple waterfall trails directly from campgrounds. At Wilmington Notch Campground, "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," notes Zachary M. A mile away, "flume falls trails leads to a great swimming hole and various height choice cliff jumping."
River fishing: Cast for trout in the Ausable River, which runs adjacent to several campgrounds. At Camp Whiteface Mountain, campers appreciate being "nestled in the trees by the Ausable River" as "a convenient place to explore the area," according to Christina W. The river provides excellent fly fishing opportunities throughout the summer season.
Winter camping: Some Adirondack campgrounds operate year-round. Wilderness Campground at Heart Lake maintains winter operations, with one visitor noting, "My boyfriend and I 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. The bathrooms are really nice and warm, especially during the cold off season."
What campers like
Private island camping: For complete seclusion, boat-access sites offer unique experiences. At Saranac Lake Islands, "Pretty much had an entire island to ourselves and got to enjoy the beautiful Saranac lake," reports Erin T. Another camper shared, "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."
Campground amenities: Facilities vary widely from primitive to full-service. Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday has "two distinct sections – the 'Resort' section and the '100-Acre Woods' section," with one camper recommending "staying in the 100-Acre section as opposed to the other. This section has tall shad trees and much more space between sites than the resort area." The resort area features "a playground, huge store, gem mining, arcade, hiking trails and a common area with some games."
Different camping styles: Accommodation options include tent sites, RV hookups, lean-tos, and cabins. At Draper's Acres, "This site has good tent sites that are separate from RV area and rental cabins. Very reasonable rates and friendly staff, also showers on site tho they're a bit rustic." Similarly, Wilderness Campground at Heart Lake offers "yurts, lean-to's, and a handful of cabins available" alongside tent sites.
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds operate from May through October, with limited winter options. Buck Pond Campground runs from May 19 to September 4, with one visitor noting it gives "a very remote feeling in the heart of the ADK's. From this 'base camp' you have a lot of options to explore other parts of the ADK's."
Site privacy varies: Open field layouts contrast with wooded sites. At Draper's Acres, "if you tent, try to grab a spot on the outer ring for a quieter time, larger space and better views." Similarly, at Wilmington Notch, "sites are closer together and not as much privacy in some sections, be sure to reserve to get a prime spot."
Road noise impacts: Several campgrounds are situated near highways. One camper observed Draper's Acres "was right off the highway and there was a lot of road noise. Also, the campground is literally in the middle of a neighborhood." Another noted that at Meadowbrook Campground, "you can hear the sounds of the city (cars, leaf blowers, and other things that remind you that you are not truly in the woods)."
Tips for camping with families
Child-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated recreation areas. The Lake Placid KOA offers a "jumping pad," playground facilities, and seasonal activities like "the tractor driving around, pulling the kids around." As one visitor shared, it's "always a great KOA for a family trip."
Supply access: Consider proximity to stores when planning family trips. Meadowbrook Campground's location means "there's ice cream and places to eat within walking distance. We also forgot lunch for our hike the next day and were able to walk to a convenience store to grab supplies."
Temperature preparation: Nighttime temperatures drop significantly even in summer. A Saranac Lake Islands camper advises, "Bring warm clothing for nights; temps can drop 30 degrees in hours." This is especially important when camping with children who may be more sensitive to temperature changes.
Tips from RVers
Site selection guidance: For larger rigs, research specific campgrounds and sites. At Meadowbrook Campground, "The sites in the center of the loop are more open; if I had a larger rig, I'd stick to that area. Some areas get a little tight and the website doesn't provide vehicle length information."
Navigation challenges: Roads within campgrounds can be difficult for large vehicles. At Lake Placid KOA, "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."
Hookup availability: Electric and water service varies between campgrounds and sites. One RVer at Buck Pond Campground notes, "We didn't see any sites with electricity and there is one outlet in the bathroom area (I plugged my coffee percolator into this outlet every morning)." Check with specific campgrounds about amperage options and reservation requirements.
