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Facilities

Established Camping

Wilmington Notch

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Wilmington Notch, near Lake Placid, New York, is a solid choice for campers looking to enjoy the beauty of the Adirondacks. This campground offers a mix of tent and RV sites, all conveniently located near essential amenities like clean bathrooms and hot showers.

The setting is beautifully wooded, with plenty of hemlocks providing shade and a peaceful atmosphere. Visitors have noted the proximity to outdoor activities, including hiking trails and fishing spots along the Ausable River. As one camper mentioned, “I can hear the falls from my bed,” highlighting the natural sounds that add to the experience.

While the sites are somewhat close together, making it feel a bit communal, many appreciate the friendly vibe and the chance to meet fellow campers. The campground is just a short drive from Lake Placid, where you can explore local attractions or grab a bite to eat. If you’re looking for a base to explore the High Peaks region, Wilmington Notch is a great spot to set up camp.

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Location

Wilmington Notch is located in New York

Detail location of campground

Directions

From the Northway (I-87) northbound: Take Exit 30, Route 73 North, to Lake Placid. Follow Route 86 through Lake Placid. The campground will be on the left, eight miles past Lake Placid. From the Northway (I-87) southbound: Take Exit 34, Route 9N South, to Jay. Follow Route 86 south to Wilmington; the campground will be on the right side of the road, four miles west of the village. From Tupper Lake: Take Route 3 East to Saranac Lake. Follow Route 86 through Lake Placid. The campground will be on the left, eight miles past Lake Placid.

Address

4953 NYS Route 86
Lake Placid, NY 12946

Coordinates

44.35000049 N
73.8610004 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Unknown
  • Verizon
    Good
  • AT&T
    Good
  • T-Mobile
    Good

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)

Features

For Campers

  • ADA Access
  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Showers
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Water Hookups
  • Pull-Through Sites

Reviews

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4.5

out of 5

11 Reviews

Reviewed Sep. 8, 2024

Amazing Campsite!

I didn’t expect too much from a campground but this site was super clean, spacious and very quiet. Even though some of the sites are close to each other, it feels like your a mile apart with the sounds. The bathrooms are impressively clean and even have extra toilet paper if need be. Will definitely stay here again in the future!

Site34
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Wilmington Notch by Monica S., September 8, 2024
  • Review photo of Wilmington Notch by Monica S., September 8, 2024
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  • (4) View All
Reviewed Jul. 17, 2022

Great Little Campground

Beautifully wooded with hemlocks right off of 86 (a bit too close). Sites are spaced out, but little privacy. Luckily I had a water bandit, as the water spigot does not have threads for a hose. Very clean facilities. Quick drive to all the stuff to do in Lake Placid.

Site44
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Wilmington Notch by Nathan S., July 17, 2022
  • Review photo of Wilmington Notch by Nathan S., July 17, 2022
  • Review photo of Wilmington Notch by Nathan S., July 17, 2022
Reviewed Sep. 30, 2021

Good stop over spot

We stayed at Wilmington Notch for a night prior to backpacking. It has a great location (beside Whiteface) and is open to both tent campers and RVs. Campsites are nice but not huge and all in a circle so you are definitely seeing your neighbors. This is a great spot for a car camping/ stop over but I would not consider it a destination. Not much going on besides fire pits and fellow car campers.

Definitely make reservations in advance during the summer!

Site35
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Wilmington Notch by Maggie F., September 30, 2021
  • Review photo of Wilmington Notch by Maggie F., September 30, 2021
Reviewed Jul. 30, 2021

Typical KOA

This is a typical KOA with lots of sites and people. Campsites are pretty close, especially near the front and all the activities. There is a huge range of sites from full hook-up campsites to rental cabins and cottages. And, in typical KOA fashion, the park busy with lots of activities. What we liked was the location of this campground. 

Loved how close it was to Lake Placid, Wilmington, and other great Adirondack towns. Especially, loved the proximity to the AuSable River which provided amazing fly fishing. If you like to fish, hike, and paddle this is definitely the place for you. 

The park has lots of mature trees which provide nice shade but doesn’t allow for much grass to grow so sites are gravel and can be dusty. All roads are gravel. While we were there, the area was devoid of rain and the roads were extremely dusty, especially with all the speed demons in the campground. Since the park was so big, people tended to speed around trying to get back to their site. Some of the facilities were old and tired. Especially the bathhouse near us. It was dirty and overused but that could have been since we were there on a busy weekend and the park was full. The tennis courts were old and did not have a net and it looks like they were converted to a basketball court. Near the front of the campground is a game room that is really nice and opens to a community fire pit, playground and the pool area. 

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. Some of the things we liked about this park was that it was well-marked from the main road and easy to find. The lodge and store were really cool and well-stocked. There is a restaurant on-site so you can get a quick bite to eat without leaving the property.

Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Wilmington Notch by Nancy W., July 30, 2021
  • Review photo of Wilmington Notch by Nancy W., July 30, 2021
  • Review photo of Wilmington Notch by Nancy W., July 30, 2021
  • (10) View All
Reviewed Jul. 11, 2021

In the heart of the High Peaks

Wilmington Notch Campground is owned and operated by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. There are approximately 50 sites available, all on level campground and within access of Both bathrooms and shower facilities. Fire pits and picnic tables available. About a mile down the road from the high falls gorge tourist destination and a quarter mile from the base of whiteface lodge ski resort. 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. This is a very clean and quiet campground, one of the best in the high peaks region for primitive camping

Site17
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Wilmington Notch by Zachary M., July 11, 2021
  • Review photo of Wilmington Notch by Zachary M., July 11, 2021
Reviewed Apr. 10, 2019

Peace and quiet

Nice level sites and plenty of room , good for rv or tents. Only issue is bathrooms and showers need up dating, while usable not in good shape, was told that they will to getting redone soon,when finished it will be a first class campground with hiking fishing and site seeing all around.

  • Review photo of Wilmington Notch by John T., April 10, 2019
Reviewed Aug. 14, 2018

Small but quaint

free showers, close to Whiteface Mt & Lake Placid

Site33
Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed Sep. 7, 2016

Too open

Close to alot of activities but too open for my tastes. No privacy between sites. The waterfall behind it somewhat makes up for it.

Reviewed Aug. 1, 2016

Wilmington Notch

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. I took my own TP ( you never know with some parks) and I am glad I did. Bathrooms are a bit run down but great value for how much it costs!

  • Review photo of Wilmington Notch by Meag F., August 1, 2016
  • Review photo of Wilmington Notch by Meag F., August 1, 2016
Reviewed Jul. 31, 2016

Clean and Serene in the Adirondacks!

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. Clean and quiet campground. 15 minutes to downtown lake placid. The whiteface mountain gondola ride to the top of the mountain is a must do.

  • Review photo of Wilmington Notch by Megan B., July 31, 2016
  • Review photo of Wilmington Notch by Megan B., July 31, 2016
  • Review photo of Wilmington Notch by Megan B., July 31, 2016
  • (10) View All
Reviewed Jul. 10, 2016

Longtime Annual Visitor to Campground

I have camped at this campground with a large group of friends and family for the past 15 years. Campsites are generally spacious, with different options for shade/sun and ground cover (grass or pine needles). Bathroom conditions vary at the campground depending on who the staff is from year to year, but all your basic amenities are provided (clean water, showers, bathrooms) and the campground itself is usually clean and well-kept. There is one shower building with two stalls for each gender, and showers are free. The campsite is just down the road from Whiteface Mountain, a few fly shops, and many fishing access sites and hiking trails, and is about 15 minutes from Lake Placd. When you're not hanging out around the campsite, there is a steep trail at the back of the campground that leads down to the falls in Wilmington Notch and an easier trail along the Ausable river.

  • Review photo of Wilmington Notch by Rachael W., July 10, 2016

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Does Wilmington Notch have RV hookups?

    According to TheDyrt.com, Wilmington Notch has water hookups.

  • What is the max vehicle length at Wilmington Notch?

    Wilmington Notch allows vehicles up to 35 feet.

  • Are fires allowed at Wilmington Notch?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Wilmington Notch, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

  • Does Wilmington Notch have wifi?

    No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Wilmington Notch does not have wifi.

  • Is there cell phone reception at Wilmington Notch?

    According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is good, AT&T is good, and T-Mobile is good.