The Adirondacks and Catskills have fifty DEC campgrounds, most on a lake, many with a beach and a boat launch. This is the version of an Adirondack trip that becomes a childhood memory rather than a vacation — and it’s a fraction of the cost of lodging.
All fifty book through ReserveAmerica.
Closest to Albany — Lake George area
Seven DEC campgrounds within about an hour.
| Campground | County | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lake George Battleground | Warren | Walk to the village and Million Dollar Beach |
| Hearthstone Point | Warren | On the lake, north of the village |
| Rogers Rock | Warren | North end, quieter |
| Lake George Islands | Warren | Island camping — boat access only |
| Luzerne | Warren | On Fourth Lake, small |
| Eagle Point | Warren | Schroon Lake |
| Scaroon Manor | Warren | Schroon Lake, day-use beach |
Lake George Islands is the one to know about. You camp on an island in the lake, reachable only by boat. For a family with children over about eight it’s the most memorable option in the region — and it needs planning.
Nearest Lake Placid and the High Peaks
| Campground | County | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wilmington Notch | Essex | Closest to Whiteface and High Falls Gorge |
| Meadowbrook | Essex | Closest to Lake Placid village |
| Lake Harris | Essex | Newcomb, quiet |
| Sharp Bridge · Lincoln Pond · Paradox Lake · Putnam Pond | Essex | Smaller, less crowded |
| Crown Point | Essex | Lake Champlain, next to the historic site |
Can You Drive Up Whiteface Mountain? Road, Toll, Hours High Falls Gorge
The Saranac chain — best for canoeing
| Campground | County |
|---|---|
| Fish Creek Pond | Franklin — the most popular in the park; books out first |
| Rollins Pond | Franklin — quieter neighbour to Fish Creek |
| Saranac Lake Islands | Franklin — island camping |
| Buck Pond · Meacham Lake | Franklin |
Fish Creek Pond fills within minutes of the booking window opening for July and August.
Catskills — closest to the Hudson Valley
| Campground | County | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| North/South Lake | Greene | The best family campground in the Catskills — beach, escarpment trails, Kaaterskill nearby |
| Devil’s Tombstone | Greene | Small, in the Clove |
| Kenneth L. Wilson | Ulster | Beach, near Woodstock |
| Woodland Valley | Ulster | Trailhead access |
| Little Pond · Bear Spring Mountain | Delaware | — |
| Beaverkill · Mongaup Pond | Sullivan | Mongaup is the largest lake without road access in the Catskills |
Things to Do in the Catskills With Kids
Closest of all — Fulton County
Caroga Lake and Northampton Beach, both about an hour from Albany on the southern edge of the park. Good for a first camping trip with young kids because bailing out is easy.
Which to pick with kids
First time camping — Caroga Lake or Northampton Beach. Close enough to leave. Under 6 — a campground with a guarded beach and flush toilets. 6 to 10 — North/South Lake or Fish Creek Pond. 10 and up — Lake George Islands or Saranac Lake Islands. Island camping is the thing they’ll remember.
Practical
- Blackflies in late May and June are a genuine factor across the park. Plan around them or bring serious repellent.
- Bears. Bear canisters are required in parts of the High Peaks.
- Cell service is poor across most of the park.
- Firewood must be local — DEC restricts transporting it.
Not camping?
Site booked. What fills the days?
Every DEC campground, sorted by how far you’ll drive
All fifty state campgrounds inside the Adirondack and Catskill forest preserves. Each one is matched against the nearest state park with a playground, because the thing you want to know on a wet afternoon is whether there is somewhere to take the kids within half an hour. Thirty-seven of the fifty have nothing within twenty-five miles — the filter will show you which.