Camping

Get out there and live in it

There are so many joys in camping. The star-filled sky! The roaring fire! The roasted marshmallows! And the best part is, camping is a great way to extend a vacation budget and make the one-of-a-kind family memories that can only be made camping on a lake in the Adirondacks.

Unrivaled camping options

Would you like your own island that can only be reached by boat? We can do that! Look for Saranac Lake Islands campsites on Lower and Middle Saranac for a camping trip unlike any other.

Would you like a site that also has showers, canoe rentals, and children’s activities? We can do that too! Visit the state-operated campgrounds which include nearby Fish Creek, Rollins Pond, Buck Pond, and Meadowbrook.

Your base camp

Outdoor recreation is a big part of an Adirondack camping experience. When you're here it's easy to find a place to swim, canoe, boat, hike, and bike. Not only does Saranac Lake offer the best camping in the Adirondacks, but there are also countless fun attractions nearby if you want to escape the wilderness for a bit. Whether you want to pack the camper for a weekend trip away with your family or reconnect with nature during a canoe camping trip, start by booking your campsite reservation in Saranac Lake today.

Leave No Trace and Love Your ADK Pledge

The magic of the Adirondacks is the result of previous generations taking a long view and protecting the mountains, lakes, and rivers within the Blue Line. That tradition continues today as we support and encourage everyone to practice Leave No Trace ethics, which help protect the lands and waters of the Adirondacks.

Seven Principles of Leave No Trace

Meadowbrook State Campground

1174 NYS Route 86

Ray Brook, NY 12977

Meadowbrook is the best bargain in town for those visiting the Lake Placid Olympic training venues or the outdoor recreation activities in the Saranac Lake area.

Meadowbrook Campground between Lake Placid and Saranac Lake.

Fish Creek Pond State Campground

4523 State Route 30

Saranac Lake, NY 12983

Fish Creek Pond Campground is highly regarded as one of the best Adirondack state campgrounds. There is a natural sand shoreline and water access for most campsites, and is accessible to both motorized and non-motorized boats. Enjoy an Interpreter...

Buck Pond State Campground

1339 County Route 60

Saranac Lake, NY 12983

Buck Pond has seclusion, water, and a lifeguarded swimming beach with bathhouse. Enjoy the 130-acre Buck Pond, along with Lake Kushaqua and the Kushaqua Narrows. There's a miles-long walking path along an abandoned railroad bed, and then there's the...

Buck Pond is a popular campground, so book early!

Saranac Lake Islands State Campground

4468 State Route 3

Saranac Lake, NY 12983

If you've ever dreamed of your own island, we can make it come true. All you need is a tent, a boat, and a reservation. These 87 campsites are water access only.

Two paddlers passing one of the smaller Saranac islands in a canoe.

Rollins Pond State Campground

4523 State Route 30

Saranac Lake, NY 12983

Rollins Pond is an incredible camping and recreation complex, for all who love boating, paddling, biking and hiking, yet would appreciate hot showers and indoor plumbing.

Use the boat launch, and more, for a small day use fee.

St. Regis Falls Scenic Campsite

(518) 856-9820

19 Water Street

St. Regis Falls, NY 12980

Woodland Grove Camping - Adirondack Adventure Base

(518) 327-5030

9306 State Route 30

Paul Smiths, NY 12970

Donaldson's Campsite

(518) 891-4070

4426 State Route 30

Lake Clear, NY 12945

Charlie's Inn & Junction Campground

(518) 891-9858

44 Junction Road

Lake Clear, NY 12945

Leave No Trace 7 Principles

The Adirondack Park provides a haven of pristine wilderness in New York state’s northernmost reaches. It also offers an abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities for explorers of all ages and experience levels! While you enjoy your visit, please keep the Seven Principles of Leave No Trace in mind. Set forth by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, and championed by many partners within the Adirondack Park, these principles will not only improve your own nature experience, but they help preserve this unparalleled natural wonder for generations to come.

1

Know before you go

Be prepared! Remember food, water, and clothes to protect you from cold, heat, and rain.
Use maps to plan where you’re going. Check them along the way so you’ll stay on course and avoid getting lost. Learn about the areas you plan to visit.

2

Stick to trails and camp overnight right

Walk and ride on designated trails to protect trailside plants. Camp only on existing or designated campsites to avoid damaging vegetation.

3

Trash your trash and pick up poop

Pack it in, pack it out. Put litter—even crumbs, peels and cores—in garbage bags and carry it home. Use bathrooms or outhouses when available. If they're not available, bury human waste in a small hole 6-8 inches deep and 200 feet or 70 big steps from water and the trail.

4

Leave it as you find it

Leave plants, rocks, and historical items as you find them so others can enjoy them. Treat living plants with respect. Carving, hacking, or peeling plants may kill them.

5

Be careful with fire

Use a camp stove for cooking. Stoves are easier to cook on and create less impact than a fire. If you want to have a campfire, be sure it’s permitted and safe to build a fire in the area you’re visiting. Use only existing fire rings to protect the ground from heat. Keep your fire small.

6

Keep wildlife wild

Observe wildlife from a distance and never approach, feed or follow them. Human food is unhealthy for all wildlife and feeding them starts bad habits. Protect wildlife and your food by securely storing your meals and trash.

7

Share our trails and manage your pet

Be considerate when passing others on the trail. Keep your pet under control to protect it, other visitors, and wildlife. Be sure the fun you have outdoors does not bother anyone else. Remember, other visitors are there to enjoy the outdoors too.

Camping