Larry B.
Scout
ScoutWeaver Acres
Great setting. We were there by ourselves, so very quiet place to view the sky. The hookups were 50A only, no 30A connection, so we just used a conversion to 20A.
Tent Camping near Winthrop, NY
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Tent campsites near Winthrop, New York provide access to the Adirondack region's pristine wilderness areas with several established options for primitive camping. Jones Pond NYSDEC Primitive Campsites offers five free tent sites along the northeastern shore, accessible by a rough dirt service road on a first-come basis. Middle Pond Campsite provides another primitive option along Floodwood Road with waterfront access. The highly-rated Saranac Lake Islands Adirondack Preserve Campground offers unique boat-access tent camping on secluded islands.
Most tent campgrounds in this region feature basic amenities with varying levels of access. Jones Pond sites are accessible by vehicle for sites #1, #2, #4, and #5, with site #3 requiring a walk-in approach. Fire rings are available at most locations, but drinking water is not provided, requiring campers to bring their own supplies. Most sites have pit toilets with varying maintenance conditions. The primitive sites at Jones Pond allow a maximum three-night stay without a permit. Saranac Lake Islands is boat-access only, with sites featuring picnic tables, fire rings, and outhouses, operating seasonally from May 19 to October 9.
The backcountry tent camping experience varies across these areas, with Saranac Lake Islands offering the most seclusion. The island sites provide remarkable privacy where neighboring campers are often not visible. According to one visitor, "The experience of camping on one of these islands is something special that will remain with you for years." Middle Pond Campsite is noted for its peaceful setting but becomes popular during summer months, with off-season visits recommended for greater solitude. Jones Pond sites provide varying levels of privacy, with site #4 accommodating larger groups with multiple tents and vehicles. Weather conditions can change rapidly in the Adirondacks, with temperature swings of 30 degrees possible within hours, requiring tent campers to prepare for a range of conditions.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Winthrop (7)
1. Saranac Lake Islands Adirondack Preserve Campground
"You'll need a boat or canoe (rentals available in Saranac Lake). Sites have tables, fire rings, and outhouses. You'll need a tent, bag, pad, cooking equipment, etc."
"All campsites have picnic tables, firepits/grills, and privies. Saranac Lake Marina has great rental boats. I even think the dogs look forward to these camping trips."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $22 - $40 / night
2. Jones Pond NYSDEC Primitive Campsites
"It was over the July 4th week, so very busy and found people would just walk through your campsite. Which of course would make our dogs bark at them."
"Jones Pond has five primitive campsites along its northeastern shore accessible by a two track service road. The sites are on a first come basis and are free to use."
3. Middle Pond Campsite
"This campsite is a first come first serve site located along Floodwood Road. The site sits on Middle Pond. Beautiful location but this campsite is popular during the summer months."
4. Ponderosa Campsite
5. Jones Pond
6. Camp Wildwood
7. Back Bay Campground
Check Availabilityfrom $49 - $59 / night
Drive Time
- 1 hr 42 min from Watertown, NY
- 2 hrs 35 min from Burlington, VT
- 2 hrs 44 min from Utica, NY
- 2 hrs 47 min from Glens Falls, NY
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Winthrop, NY
13 Photos of 7 Winthrop Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Tent Camping Reviews near Winthrop, NY
190 Reviews of 7 Winthrop Campgrounds
Dana M.
GuideRobert Moses State Park Campground
Pleasant Stay
Large campground. Sites are open, grassy and right on top of each other. We chose a site at the end of the road with no other campers so we had plenty of privacy. Had the park been full, it would not have been appealing to us. There were lots of RV’s on the water front side. Bathrooms were clean and the new main pavilion had newer bathrooms and showers. Worth the extra walk to use that shower.
- mmichel M.Scout
Weaver Acres
Hipcamp
This space is just off the road. It very flat water, power,sewer. Its Pack in pack out. 5 minutes walk from Tupper Lake. Bring your kayak they're hundreds of little lakes around this site.
MJ W.GuideFish Creek Pond Campground
My new favorite place!
This was one the the best camping experiences yet. The sites are great, right on the water with easy access to get Kayaks in. Loons on the lake wake you, so peaceful and beautiful. Plenty of room between neighbors. You can hang out in a floatie in front of you site, or kayak down the awesome creek. Bathrooms okay, showers clean with hot waters, but you do have to drive to them. Can’t wait to go back next year.
- AAndy B.
RangerFish Creek Pond Campground
Site 266
The site we had was amazing, all sites are right on the water so they all may be just as nice. Ours was flat and easy to level a tent or camper.
The lake was beautiful, fun to swim in and fish in (caught perch, bass, white fish, bluegill, and crappie).
Beautiful trees and surrounding area has boat rentals.
The bathrooms were flush toilets which is a plus, but pretty gross otherwise.
Local store across the road has everything you’d need (fresh baked pizzas, ice, entire convenience store, wood, etc) and gives 4% discount for cash purchases.
Ryan A.GuideCranberry Lake Campground
Family Friendly with Thoughtful Sites
I've stayed here twice, once in 2024 and again in 2026, both on Memorial Day Weekend. In 2024 I woke to the sound of loons but did not hear them in 2026.
This is a large campground on the shores of Cranberry Lake with access to many hiking trails and other activities. Quite a few of the sites are lakefront but they seem to book up fast. Most of the sites are spaced out fairly well although a few are close and will result in you seeing & hearing everything your neighbors are doing. However, they are mostly designed well and blend into the environment. A few seem like afterthoughts and are right on the road, so you'll want to choose carefully.
Dumpsters are in the center of the campground near the bathhouse, which has hot showers. There is a sandy beach area near the entrance of the campground and a volleyball area near the dumpsters/bathhouse.
It's a beautiful area and is mostly quiet. Other campers were respectful and didn't play loud music although a few talked loudly late into the night. There are lots of trailer camping sites, so you should expect to hear generators although most people were considerate and only ran them in the daytime.
This is a great campground for exploring the Adirondack Mountains. The town of Cranberry Lake seems mostly dead so don't plan on eating in restaurants nearby.
- Rebekah F.Scout
Blue Haven Camp Ground
Very friendly,quite and nice
We camped on overflow 28 and riverside 32 from July 2025 to June 2026.Tim Mitchell is the best host and grounds keeper. We visited several camps in area before we decided to stay at Blue Heaven. Very family friendly park.
Janet R.
LegendCranberry Lake Campground
Camping at Cranberry Lake
This has been one of my favorite campgrounds and I have camped there many times over the last several decades. Always well maintained, but peaceful state forest campground with spacious sites, many right on the water. There is an official beach, but the water sites really have their own access for canoes and nice swimming. The water is crystal clear, sunsets magnificent, canoeing and hiking opportunities abound, and even on a "busy" summer weekend the campground is quiet and the fellow campers are low key and respectful. For a tent camper, this is an ideal location and I love it. Fire ring, even tenting spot, picnic tables, etc. There are numerous accessible campsites, a shower building, and regular restrooms as well as privvies. Small trailers can fit and their is an RV dumpstation, but this is not a campground for big rigs and hookups. The campground is a little off the beaten path and in the further reaches of the Adirondacks for most campers, and the vicinity is one of the largest and most pristine areas in the ADK wilderness. Come well supplied with groceries and camping needs as there isnt much nearby. The SUNY Forestry school maintains a Ranger school at nearby Wanakena on the west side of the lake, and a Field Biology station on the south side of the lake. Nice hiking in the area
- David H.Scout
Eel Weir State Park Campground
Clean and vary nice area on river
I love how it has great fishing and nice camp sites even let's you bring a boat nice clean showers and bathroom can easily find firewood near by as well..
Guide to Winthrop
Tent camping near Winthrop, New York provides access to the northern Adirondack region where elevation ranges from 1,500 to 2,000 feet above sea level. Weather patterns in this area can be unpredictable, with summer daytime temperatures typically between 65-80°F and nighttime temperatures dropping into the 40s. Many sites require visitors to navigate rough dirt access roads that become challenging during or after rain events.
What to do
Water activities at Saranac Lake Islands: Paddling and fishing opportunities abound in the interconnected waterways. According to Sambath T., "We rented a motorboat to get to our own private little peninsula on the middle saranac. One of the coolest experiences I've ever had in my life- surrounded by nature- water, woods, birds and fishing for pike, bass and sunfish!"
Wildlife viewing on secluded islands: The remote nature of island camping provides excellent opportunities for spotting local wildlife. Molly G. shared her experience at Saranac Lake Islands Adirondack Preserve Campground: "Brought our dog and he had a blast exploring the island at his own whim. We jumped from the rocks and swam and played games."
Swimming from waterfront sites: Many campsites provide direct water access for swimming. One camper at Jones Pond noted, "You can walk down to the water, which is only a small ledge and enough space to put a chair," while another camper added, "Site #5 was absolutely beautiful and right on the water, I mean right on the water."
What campers like
Island privacy and seclusion: Camping on islands creates a unique sense of isolation. Kelly H. shared about her stay at Saranac Lake Islands Adirondack Preserve Campground: "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."
Waterfront accessibility: Direct lake access ranks among the most appreciated features. Angela describes her experience: "Canoed into our campsite, #15. It took 3 trips to bring in all our gear. Beautiful site. Quite a climb up to the actual site. Great swimming from site. Found a great rock to jump from."
Off-season tranquility: Visiting during shoulder seasons increases chances for solitude. At Middle Pond Campsite, Kurt V. notes: "Beautiful location but this campsite is popular during the summer months. Off season is generally when you will find this campsite available."
What you should know
Primitive facilities: Most sites offer minimal amenities. Dylan J. describes Jones Pond NYSDEC Primitive Campsites: "There are two pit toilets, both primitive, one of which did not have a door when we visited. The views from site #4 of the pond were beautiful."
Access challenges: Vehicle accessibility varies widely by site. At Jones Pond, "The two track access road is rough and all dirt. Site #3 sits away from the water and on a hill. It is not accessible by vehicle and you would need to park at the bottom of the hill near site #4 to access it."
Storage considerations: Limited space means careful packing, especially for boat-in sites. One camper advises: "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."
Tips for camping with families
Multiple-vehicle sites: Some campsites accommodate larger family groups. Tyler C. shares about Jones Pond NYSDEC Primitive Campsites: "Stayed here with a group of friends at site #4. Was a great spot and lots of room for our 4 tents/3vehicles."
Child-friendly water activities: Many sites offer safe water access for children. Joanna H. reports: "I camped at Saranac Lake Islands for two summers in a row. The first time, my children and I had an island and the second time we had a spot on a little peninsula. It's such a gorgeous place!"
Seasonal timing considerations: School breaks coincide with peak crowds. "It was over the July 4th week, so very busy and found people would just walk through your campsite. Which of course would make our dogs bark at them."
Tips from RVers
Site size limitations: Most primitive sites accommodate smaller rigs only. Dylan J. notes about Jones Pond: "Site #1 is near the entrance and near the road. It is the only site that would be accessible for larger rigs such as an RV. The campsites are perfect for a short stay with a tent or SUV camper."
Rough road conditions: Access roads require appropriate vehicles. Robert K. advises: "I went back to site five... I had walked the road a couple of times to see if I could get my truck down there, definitely need four-wheel-drive, but it is possible to get your truck down there."
Stay limits: Free sites have occupancy restrictions. "You can stay a maximum of three nights without a permit. The sites are on a first come basis and are free to use."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent
campsite near Winthrop, NY?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Winthrop, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Winthrop, NY is Saranac Lake Islands Adirondack Preserve Campground with a 4.9-star rating from 15 reviews.
What is the best site to find
tent camping near
Winthrop, NY?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Winthrop, NY?
TheDyrt.com has all 7 tent camping locations near Winthrop, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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