Coolest Campsites in the Adirondacks

Best Campsites: Camping Lake George & the Adirondacks

Break Out the Tents, Head for the Mountains

It’s the time of year for a summer retreat where you can gather outside beneath a starlit sky and laze next to a cozy crackling fire, its bright yellow-orange glow flickering and fluttering. So get out that camping gear and head for the lush green mountains of the Adirondacks. With six million acres to explore, this preserved park features accommodations and recreation that are sure to enlighten everyone. The clean air will rejuvenate you and the spectacular vistas are certain to keep you coming back for more.

The Adirondacks, Lake George and Lake Champlain are exceptional for boating, canoeing, hiking, and white-water rafting this time of year. Throughout the area you’ll find numerous campsites; some are incredibly rustic, while others are packed with amenities…either way, they all provide access to the variety of outdoor activities waiting for you. Note that the campsites here are listed from N to S, so depending on where you’re looking to camp, for instance if you’re interested in mainly the Lake George area, you may want to scroll down.

Here’s a sampling of what you can find:

Ausable Chasm Campground, Clinton County

The Ausable Chasm Campground in Clinton County has extensive bike trails for the enthusiastic traveler. In operation since 1870, the natural environment of the canyon with its steep cliff walls inspires guests to stroll along its stone paths, raft down the deep abyss and probe the cave. Lantern tours are also offered during the evening followed with sweet treats. And if you’ve ever dreamed of an opportunity to sift for treasures, here is your chance. Daily and weekly camping rates are very reasonable and offer modern amenities. www.ausablechasm.com.

Fourpeaks, Jay

Fourpeaks, located in the hamlet of Jay on the East Branch of the AuSable River has seven charming cabins down in the lowlands and is surrounded by the Adirondack Mountains. Tucked away in an upper corner of NY State, with over a square-mile of remote forest for year-round sporting, the bubbly brooks, picturesque rivers, and exhilarating views make this the perfect spot for lovers to escape. Genuine and vintage furnishings and fireplaces make it a must for the nostalgic. Lounge on porches or cuddle in candlelight and pamper yourself with the passion and splendor of the backwoods. www.4peaks.com/home.htm

Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park, Paradise Pines, North Hudson

Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park at Paradise Pines in North Hudson is one of the top rated family campsites in the Adirondacks. With a store onsite, you don’t have to worry about what to bring or leaving anything behind…just load your picnic basket and go. Entertainment ranges from hayrides, bingo and karaoke to ceramics, sports competitions and toasting golden marshmallows. There are rides, play areas and exciting escapades for all, so you won’t have to time to be bored. Comfortable cabins, rustic lodges and campsites are available to satisfy your necessities, with numerous specials are offered throughout the season. And, of course, the kids will appreciate personal greetings from Yogi Bear and Boo-Boo. www.paradisepines.com

Whiteface Mountain KOA, Wilmington

Whiteface Mountain KOA in Wilmington offers seventy acres of primitive woodland and lies along the Ausable River nestled amongst waterfalls and canyons. There are plenty of opportunities to go fishing in the River as well as hiking up Mount Marcy and Whiteface. Bicycles, kayaks and tubes are available to rent if you can’t bring your own. The campground offers a series of facilities varying from tents, RV’s, kabins, kottages, log cabins, chalets and bungalows, or lean-tos’. www.koacampground.com

Adirondack Gateway Campground and Lodge, Cold Brook

The Adirondack Gateway Campground and Lodge is situated in Cold Brook, just outside the Adirondack Park, but is a widespread destination for visitors. With 166 acres of calm countryside, there are ample trails for hiking and ponds for fishing. If you seek wildlife, this is the place for you. The Lodge features a gift shop, library and rec hall right on the premises as well as swimming and golf amongst other activities. Around the holidays they host barbecues and motif weekends, in addition to planning special events and dinners. Sites are reasonably priced, so it’s perfect for a family vacation. www.adirondackgatewaycampground.net

Old Forge Camping Resort, Old Forge

Located in Old Forge, the Old Forge Camping Resort has passages to miles upon miles of packed snowmobile trails and you don’t have to burden yourself with gas because they supply that too. With reasonable rates you can easily spend a night tenting, staying in your RV, or renting a log cabin, cottage or a complete house. The resort has its own private lake and offers a free shuttle bus to whisk you away to purchase souvenirs, dine out or even better …take you to the Enchanted Forest/Water Safari, the largest water park in New York State. Kayaking and skiing are also options, or just simply unwind with some R&R. www.oldforgecamping.com

Indian Lake Islands, Sabael

Just off of State Route 30 in the town of Sabael are the Indian Lake Islands, a group of wild forest islands that offers camping and recreational boating, hiking, fishing, and picnicking. Located on the southern shore of Indian Lake, the campgrounds have offered well forested privacy since 1960. Accessible only by boat, the opportunity to camp on an island makes it one of the most popular camping destinations in the Adirondacks. www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/24471.html. While you’re there, be sure to visit the Adirondack Museum (www.adkmuseum.org) where you can see extensive exhibits on transportation, the work industry, tourism, and community life of the Adirondacks. Definitely worth the trip.

Rogers Rock, Hague/Ticonderoga

Situated between the quaint town of Hague and the larger one of Ticonderoga is Rogers Rock, another popular family campsite. Offering close proximity to Adirondack (and American for that matter) history, with Fort Ticonderoga so close by, the campground offers 332 campsites, including Waltonian ones and two group camping areas. There’s also a boat launch and mooring buoys,  a sand beach and a guarded swimming area from late June to Labor Day. Incidentally, Rogers Rock has a little bit of history to it as well. The area is named after Robert Rogers, an English Colonial fighter of the French & Indian War. The legend goes that while fleeing from the Indians, Rogers ran to the top of what was then Mt. Pelee. From there, the only way to safety was down the steep slope; however that in itself was a death wish. One version claims Rogers superhumanly slid down the precipice to safety, another that he backtracked his path with his snowshoes on backwards, so that the Indians would think he made the leap. When the Indians saw him in the lake, they figured he did just that. They also decided to live through it, he must be a god and therefore feared to follow him. Mt. Pelee is now known as Rogers Rock, and its steep face, Rogers Slide. www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/24493.html

Lake George Islands, Lake George

Like Indian Lake above, the Lake George Islands are a true island camping experience. All islands are only accessible via boat and are grouped into three main sections peppered throughout the lake, each with its own headquarters: Glen Island, Long Island and Narrow Island. Which group you choose will dictate how close you are to Lake George Village, but you may find that you enjoy being in closer proximity to the other smaller quainter towns along the lake. Plus you came to camp right? Here, you can fish, hike, bird watch, boat and sail, all from your camping island getaway. www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/24474.html

Hearthstone Point, Lake George

Finally, we come to Hearthstone Point. Established in 1927, and 2 miles north of Lake George Village, this true rustic campground is (along with Rogers Rock above & the Lake George Islands) operated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and is situated on 98.6 acres of land. Hearthstone offers 251 tent and trailer sites with plenty of access to fishing, swimming, boating, canoeing, mountain climbing and hiking along numerous trails. www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/24470.html

Whether you like to rough it like a true pioneer and simply pitch a tent or prefer the affluence of home, there are many options out there. Exploring the wilderness from Lake George to the mountain range, the Adirondacks afford an adventure you’ll never forget.

Know about a cool campsite that we missed? Send us a note at info at thefreegeorge dot com!

–This article was co-written by Kelly Morrissette, Dave Bower and Monica Sirignano.

The Free George is the online magazine and visitors’ guide of Upstate NY, covering things from Albany to Lake Placid, including Saratoga, the Lake George region and the Adirondacks. Check out our new City Blogs section for our extended coverage areas as well. 

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