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Camping Adirondacks Ny State Parks

Moose River Plains Inlet Ny

T@G teardrop camping in the Adirondacks – Lewey Lake State Park, NY

GPS: 43.671379, -74.708237 100+ sites

Within 3500 acres you can find over 100 free, primitive campsites. The Limekiln Lake-Cedar River Road is a seasonal access road extending 23 miles through the Moose River Plains. The road stretched from the Limekiln Gate in the west, near the community of Inlet, to the Wakely Dam Gate at the end of the Cedar River Road in the east which lies near the community of Indian Lake.

This is an absolutely beautiful, remote spot with endless possibilities. The Moose River Plains region is arguable one of the most beautiful free Adirondack campsites you can find. There are approximately 130 miles of maintained trails as well as more than 65 ponds and lakes. Its an absolutely stunning spot to camp in summer and fall! It would be an equally beautiful place to camp in the winter if you had a snowmobile to access the sites.

Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park

Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park is perfect for a beautiful late spring day if you like flowers and are looking for a stroll, rather than a hike. Its an old estate with a Tudor-style mansion, Coe Hall, and over 400 acres of land to wander through. Its an arboretum so its an ideal visit if you have a green thumb. Maybe you kill most of your plants, like me, but you still like to look at flowers and greenery and hope that the next plant experience will finally be different.

The park also hosts events that you can find listed on their website. The greenhouse at the park has the largest camellia collection in the northeast United States and hosts a Camellia Festival in the late winter.

  • Entrance Fee: $8 USD per car during peak season and weekends during the shoulder seasons rest of the year is free
  • Hours: Coe Hall is open Wednesday from 10:00 am 2:00 pm and Thursday Sunday 9:00 am 5:00 pm. The greenhouses are open Wednesday Monday from 10:00 am 4:00 pm
  • Tours: A guided tour of Coe Hall is available for $10 USD

Don’t Move Firewood Regulations In Effect

Help PROTECT OUR PARKS and follow Firewood Regulation:

  • It is illegal to bring untreated firewood* into New York State.
  • It is illegal to transport untreated firewood more than 50 miles from its source or origin.
  • When transporting firewood, you must carry one of the following: 1) proof of source , 2) proof of origin , or 3) proof of or treatment . Failure to do so may result in you being ticketed and subject to a fine.
  • Please be aware of state and federal quarantines that further restrict the movement of firewood:Spotted lanternfly quarantine

NOTE: It is always best to use heat treated firewood or obtain local firewood at or near your destination. For more information on the availability of firewood please contact the park/campground directly.

For more information about firewood regulations visit or call toll free 1-866-640-0652. The interactive Firewood Source Map shows a 50-mile distance from which untreated firewood may be moved to NYS Parks and campgrounds. Additional firewood source maps are available at each campground’s website.

*To be considered treated, firewood must be heat-treated to a minimum core temperature of 71 degrees Celsius for 75 minutes, and must have a label that says “New York Approved Heat-Treated Firewood/Pest Free” along with the producer’s name and legal address. Firewood that meets these standards and is labeled as such can be moved into NY and around the state without restriction.

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Green Lakes State Park

One of the best cities to visit in Upstate New York is Syracuse. Its a small university city that boasts a great little downtown area and easy access to natural areas like Green Lakes State Park. Green Lakes State Park is just outside of Syracuse. It has two lakes, a golf course with a clubhouse and restaurant, a boathouse, and a forest with nature trails. In addition to a campground, there are cabins that can be rented.

During the summer, you can swim in the lakes and rent kayaks from the boathouse. In the winter, you can snowshoe or cross-country ski along the miles of trails located within the park. Its a perfect park in upstate New York for every season.

  • Entrance Fee: $10 USD per car year-round
  • Hours: Open sunrise to sunset all year
  • Deer and waterfowl hunting are allowed depending on the season. Read the website for more details.

Point Au Roche State Park

DEC: 20 Adirondack and Catskill campgrounds opening up on Friday ...

Point au Roche State Park is on the eastern side of New York. Its on the western shores of Lake Champlain and is an easy day trip from Plattsburgh or Burlington, Vermont if youre on a Vermont road trip. Its filled with forests and great trails for hiking, biking, and winter sports.

There is a Nature Center in the park and its a popular place for boating. In the winter, you can even go ice fishing on Lake Champlain. This park is pretty far north so it doesnt see as much tourism as many of the other parks on this list making it perfect if you want a nice beach and forest hike all to yourself for the day.

  • Entrance Fee: $7 USD per car during peak season in the beach area $6 USD per car during peak season in the non-beach area.
  • Hours: Open sunrise to sunset all year

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Coreys Road Sites Tupper Lake Ny

GPS: 44.19338, -73.95403 Approximately 6 sites

These sites can be found along the dirt road connecting the paved section of Coreys Road off of Route 30 to the Seward range parking lot. Its just a few minutes out of Tupper Lake and about 15 minutes from Saranac Lake. Six primitive camp sites are tucked away back behind Axon Landing in a pretty remote drive-in spot!

The sites are quaint and very primitive. Some are larger and nicer than others the first site past Stony Creek is most definitely my favorite! No cell-service here and direct access to only a few trails, but a lot of peace, quiet, and natural beauty.

-GPS: 43.531267, -73.566105 6-15 sites

There are 12 campsites with fire rings and some with outhouses in this area. There are 5 sites on Shelving Rock Road which is a gravel road with easy car access. Additionally, 7 more primitive sites lie between the gate and the Sleeping Beauty trailhead. Dacy Clearing road requires a higher clearance vehicle for successful passage. This area is best for passenger vehicle and tent camping.

These sites are about a 25 minutes drive from Lake George and fill up quickly. If all seem to be occupied, you might be in luck with this pro tip. Drive all the way back to the Sleeping Beauty trailhead. When you enter the parking area, turn left. Park as close as you can to the end of the lot and walk the foot path. About 50 years down the path, look to your right. Theres a hidden campsite marked by a camping disc.

Entrance = Vehicle Fees

In New York, fees are charged by vehicle for the parks. Most of the parks are not accessible by public transportation which is why they dont charge per person. There is a handful, like Minnewaska State Park in the Hudson Valley, where you can walk the several miles from the nearby town of New Paltz thats accessible by public transport, to the park. You wont be charged if you just walk into the park without a vehicle.

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Northwood Club Road Minerva Ny

GPS: 43.818551, -74.060555 Approximately 8 sites

Northwood Club Road is open from Mid-May through December. The campsites can be found on a dirt road about 5 miles from pavement. There are a cluster of 4-5 sites right over the Boreas River, however, if you continue further down the road you will have additional sites to consider. If you go far enough, youll make your way to the Huntly Pond campsites as well.

This is a peaceful, quiet spot on the water. Most sites come equipped with a fire pit as always, please be mindful of your flames! There are local hiking trails nearby as well: Moxham Mountain, Vanderwhacker Fire Tower, and the Boreas Loop trail would be great day trip options!

Hope Falls Roadside Campsites Northville Ny

Crown Point Campground, Adirondack Park, New York

GPS: 43.30407, -74.175423 3-5 sites

Hope Falls road is a seasonal use road located between Northville and Wells. The maximum RV length is 15 feet, however, sites are intended for tent camping.

Theyre nothing fancy, however, they have everything you need. Sites are off the road a bit with a fire pit and access to Stoney Creek. All sites are designated by their yellow camp here discs.

GPS: 44.129496, -74.627604 11 sites

Off of route 30 just before South Bay of Tupper Lake lies route 421. About 6 miles from route 30 youll find a dirt road where 6 lake-side campsites can be found. Five additional sites are littered throughout Otter Brook road. This spot is away from traffic and in the beautiful Horseshoe Lake Wildforest area.

There are a few waterfront sites. These sandy beaches are perfect for water lovers. Horseshoe lake is perfect for fishing and paddling if youre looking to hike there are also a few trail heads within 15 minutes of these sites. Check out the Tupper Lake Triad for these hikes.

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Wellesley Island State Park

Saint Lawrence River in Wellesley Island State Park, New York by Nicolas Raymond

The Thousand Islands is an archipelago of 1,864 islands in the Saint Lawrence River that lie on the Canadian-United States border. There are several New York State Parks in this area. Wellesley Island State Park is the perfect place to stay in Upstate New York if you want to stay in the region for a while because it has the largest camping complex in the Thousand Islands.

Wellesley Island State Park also has an educational Nature Center with a seasonal butterfly house. There is a small gold course on the island, but the real selling point for Wellesley is the fishing and the beaches. There are several miles of trails to walk or bike, and most are along the picturesque shoreline.

  • Entrance Fee: $7 USD per car during peak season.
  • Hours: Open sunrise to sunset all year
  • The Minna Anthony Common Nature Center is open Wednesday Sunday from 9:00 am 3:00 pm year-round, except some holidays.
  • Hunting: Archery hunting is allowed depending on the season.

Where To Go Camping In The Adirondacks

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Covering 6.1 million acres of high peaks, tranquil lakes, and pristine forest, the Adirondack Park has long been a refuge for reconnecting with nature. Trading in some creature comforts for a tent and sleeping bag allows visitors to further immerse themselves in this regions striking scenery. Whether youre looking for a backcountry hideaway or a picturesque lake to park your RV, one of these 10 places to camp in Adirondacks will do the trick.

Saranac Lake offers quintessential Adirondack high peaks, gorgeous lakes, and a charming downtown lined with galleries, innovative eateries, and bars. A few miles outside downtown, a total of 87 boat-access campsites, known as Saranac Lake Islands, span Middle Saranac Lake and Lower Saranac Lake. All campsites afford privacy and are oriented towards the lake, including a handful of private island sites. Campers can reach their site by boat, canoe, or kayak from the launching area on Lower Saranac Lake. Traveling on to Middle Saranac Lake entails the added adventure of passing through a manually operated lock. Campsites are primitive, but include outhouses and fire pits, while sites 63, 81, and 87 have lean-to shelters.

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Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve

Mike Durkin

Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve is located on a peninsula along the northern coast of Long Island. If you want to stick close to New York City and not travel all the way to Montauk or Orient Point, but still visit a state park in Long Island, then Caumsett is the perfect place. The manor house on the grounds was built in the eighteenth century and is surrounded by miles of paths and trails.

This preserve has a lot of things to do on offer. You can scuba dive, go horseback riding, fish, cross-country ski, and more here depending on the season. The salt marsh and remaining meadowlands are beautiful so they should be a must-see on your list of Long Island hiking trails.

  • Entrance Fee: $8 USD per car during peak season and weekends during the rest of the year
  • Hours: Open sunrise to sunset all year
  • Cross-country skiing is allowed from 8:00 am 4:30 pm during the winter scuba diving is allowed Apri 1 December 31 and you have to get a permit at Babylon Headquarters

Bear Mountain State Park

State Campgrounds in Adirondack Park

Bear Mountain State Park is where you go to get the money shot of Bear Mountain Bridge and the Hudson River. The park has dozens of trails and different levels of difficulty. If youre not a hiker, but you want to see that killer view, or youre looking for accessible vistas, you can drive to the top of the mountain.

A beautiful merry-go-round is open during the peak season in the park. In addition to hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing, there is a swimming pool thats open in the summer months. You can stay at the Bear Mountain Inn if you want to finish out the day with a hot shower in a rustic cabin setting atmosphere.

  • Entrance Fee: $10 USD per car during peak season and weekends all year round.
  • Hours: Open sunrise to sunset all year

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Free Adirondack Campsites In The Backcountry

There are free, primitive sites throughout the Adirondack Park. Many of them require a paddle or hike to get too Its important that youre prepared to spend a night in the wilderness when planning on staying at one of these sites. Also, keep in mind that you could hike 3-8 miles in to a site to find it occupied. Its always important to have a back up plan.

Free Campsites In The Adirondacks

Here we have a list of 15 drive up, primitive campsites in the Adirondack Park that wont cost you any money. Many of these sites will allow you to stay for up to 3 nights on state lands free of charge. Anything between 3 and 14 days requires a permit. Often, permits are free. Theyre simply required for a long-term stay. Please take care of these sites and be willing to share with others if there is enough room!

Hit Ctrl + F Key to search specific towns or areas!

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Welcome To New York State Campsite Photos

The most comprehensive photo guide to camping at State campgrounds across New York covering the Adirondack Park, the Thousand Islands, Central New York, Western New York and the Catskills / Taconic regions. This guide currently covers 92 campgrounds, 12,615 individual campsites and 92,764 campsite photos for you to peruse, along with many different tools to help you select the perfect campground and campsite that meets your needs.

Disclaimer: This site is managed and maintained by Dave McGrath for campers and is in no way affiliated with New York State, the Department of Environmental Conservation nor Aspire .

Take An Adirondack Camping Trip

Paradox Lake Campground, Adirondack Park, New York

Oh, to sleep under the starry skies! To roast marshmallows around the campfire! To connect with nature around the clock! Don’t keep dreaming about it…go camping!

Camping options in and around Tupper Lake vary as wide as the topography. Enjoy everything from remote wilderness campsites and boat access only sites, to full amenity, waterfront campgrounds and handicap accessible lean-tos. If camping is your dream, Tupper Lake is the place where dreams come true!

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Robert G Wehle State Park

Robert G. Wehle State Park is on the shores of Lake Ontario and is the newest park in the Thousand Islands region. There are over ten miles of paths for hiking, biking, and winter activities along the cliffs. The park also has a tennis court for use.

The park used to be a private estate so there is a residential compound with a main house, guest quarters, and more that can be rented and accommodates up to 8 people. Its a beautiful homestead. Rental accommodations can be booked through Reserve America.

  • Entrance Fee: $7 USD per car during peak season.
  • Hours: Open sunrise to sunset all year
  • Hunting: Be careful some hunting is allowed depending on the season, but its unclear what kind. Read the website for more details.

Easement Access To Private Lands

New York State also owns “conservation easement” rights in nearly a million acres of private land, mostly in the Adirondacks, according to the DEC. Each conservation easement is unique. Most, but not all, of the State’s easements guarantee some kind of public access. A list of conservation easement lands can be found on the DEC website here. As with Forest Preserve areas, clicking on any of the easement land links takes you to a dedicated webpage with a map and a management plan with lists of permitted activities.

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