If you are camping overnight: nearly all of the areas around our bases provide free campsites. The exceptions noted here are State or Private campgrounds. These campgrounds are popular bases from which to do day trips in the area or they are convenient stops on multi-day trips. For a complete list of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation campgrounds & camping rules and regulations, please visit their camping website page.
- Rollins Pond and Fish Creek Ponds Campgrounds
Both drive-in State campgrounds. Reservations are needed. - Saranac Lake Islands Campground
Includes Middle and Lower Saranac Lakes. This area, operated as a State campground, has a fee from mid-May thru Columbus Day. The only access to the campsites is by boat. - Donaldson's Campground
Private and has campsites on both Upper Saranac Lake and Fish Creek Pond. (518) 891-4070
Reservation number for State Campgrounds is: 1-800-456-Camp or on the web at www.reserveamerica.com click on NY state and the campground name.
About the Campsites:
The Adirondack park offers a range of campsites:
Roadside Public Campgrounds
Multiple campsites, drive-in convenience, fee charged, showers, usually some hook-ups and many have numerous lakefront sites. Examples: Fish Creek Pond, Rollins Pond, Buck Pond, Meacham Lake.
Wild Forest Campgrounds
Multiple campsites, may be drive in or boat access only, fee charged, some have amenities like an outhouse, picnic table or a fireplace with a grill. Examples: Saranac Lake Islands Campground. This campground covers both Lower and Middle Saranac Lakes. Designated backcountry campsites on Upper Saranac Lake are free and first come, first served.
Other examples of boat access NY State Campgrounds include: Tioga Point, Alger Island, Forked Lake, and Indian Lake.
Designated Campsites
No fee charged, few if any amenities. Open on a first come, first served basis and marked with a yellow DEC disc. You will usually find a flat spot for a tent, and a ring of stones for a firepit. Outhouses or picnic tables are very occasional. Occassionally, designated sites will have three sided log structures called Adirondack Lean-tos.
Established Campsites
No fee charged, occasionally an outhouse or picnic table, fireplace may be an informal ring of stones. These fire rings should be used for open fires. Please do not remove them.
