Pitch a Tent, Rent a Cabin, Hookup an RV - However You Camp, The Lake George Area Has Your Site
The word "camp" will likely bring up images of a tent pitched out in the woods, or a compound of cabins where children spend summer vacation paddling canoes and braiding plastic gimp key chains. You might think of a pop-up camper or a 38-foot motorhome. You probably won't picture a three-story mansion with wide piazzas, broad stone fireplaces, numerous outbuildings, and landscaped lawns that sweep down to a lake.
That is how the wealthy of the Gilded Age "camped" in the Adirondacks years ago. The history of the Adirondack Great Camps is fascinating, tied to names such as Rockefeller, Vanderbilt, and Durant. Visitors are often amused that the term "camp" is applied to these lavish estates, but camping means different things to different people. That "camp" can mean a wilderness lean-to, a lakefront estate, and everything in-between demonstrates how fundamental camping is to the Adirondack experience.
Visitors to the Lake George Area have multiple options when it comes to planning an Adirondack camping trip. So, what is your ideal way to camp? Whatever environment you are seeking, whatever shelter you desire, the Lake George Area has a site.
Public Campgrounds
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) operates six public campgrounds in the Lake George Area. Campers can reserve a site online at ReserveAmerica, or by phone at 1-800-456-CAMP (1-800-456-2267). Reservations may be made up to nine months in advance. Sites do go quickly, so if you have a favorite site in mind, make sure you book it ASAP. The DEC campgrounds all have tent and trailer sites, hot showers, flush toilets, and dumping stations for RVers. Pets are allowed, but make sure to bring proof of an up-to-date rabies vaccine.
Lake George Battleground State Campground
Location: 2224 State Route 9, Lake George, NY 12845
Season: May - October
Located just outside of Lake George Village, this campground allows you to pitch your tent close to the nearby waterfront dining, cruise ships, and beaches, while the tall pines provide a picturesque Adirondack setting. A trail at the back of the campground brings you to the historic Lake George Battlefield Park as well as a short walk to the splash-tastic Lake George Beach. The Festival Commons at Charles R. Wood Park is also close by, playing host to many concerts, shows, and festivals throughout the summer.
Meanwhile, a five-minute walk brings you to all the shopping, restaurants, and taverns on the village's main drag. The CDTA runs a regular trolley route right past the campground Memorial Day through Labor Day, with weekend service through Columbus Day, if you ever wish to explore the nearby communities of Glens Falls, Queensbury, or Bolton Landing.
*To learn more about this campground, check out our Lake George Battleground State Campground listing.
Hearthstone Point State Campground
Location: 3298 Lake Shore Drive, Lake George, NY 12845
Season: May - September
Hearthstone, located in Diamond Point on the western shore of Lake George, offers the best of both worlds when it comes to the Lake George Area camping experience. Nature lovers will relish the forested grounds and the nearby hiking trails. Hearthstone also boasts a large, sandy beach for a day of swimming, canoeing, and sunbathing.
For those seeking the hustle and bustle of Lake George Village, the shops, restaurants, pubs, video arcades, and miniature golf courses are only a two-mile drive away. During the summer, the CDTA trolley route makes regular runs from the Village to Bolton Landing, stopping to pick up Hearthstone campers along the way with an easy access point right in front of the campground.
*To learn more about this campground, check out our Hearthstone Point State Campground listing.
Rogers Rock State Campground
Location: 9894 Lake Shore Drive, Hague, NY 12836
Season: May - September
Rogers Rock Campground is on the northern end of Lake George in the town of Hague. In addition to regular tent and trailer sites, it has three camping areas for large groups (each one able to hold a maximum of 60 campers), making it a great choice for a family reunion or company retreat. Boat owners can launch their vessels from the campsite boat launch. Reservations for use of a mooring buoy can be made when reserving the campsite as well.
The campground shares the history of Captain Robert Rogers, with Rogers Rock (also known as Rogers Slide) being named after the 1758 Second Battle on Snowshoes.
*To learn more about this campground, check out our Rogers Rock State Campground listing.
Luzerne State Campground
Location: 892 Lake Avenue, Lake Luzerne, NY 12846
Season: May - September
Yup, you can bring your horse to this campground. This site is nestled along the old Dude Ranch Trail in Lake Luzerne, the center of the Adirondack cowboy scene. Nearly two dozen of its 173 sites are equestrian-friendly, including stalls for your hoofed friend along with barns, corrals, and miles of riding trails. The campground partially surrounds Fourth Lake, a non-motorized body of water about 8 miles west of Lake George Village.
Nearby is the site of the oldest weekly rodeo in the country, the Painted Pony Championship Rodeo. Held every Wednesday through Saturday, from July until Labor Day Weekend, the rodeo at Painted Pony draws professional cowboys and cowgirls from across the country to compete for cash prizes.
*To learn more about this campground, check out our Luzerne State Campground listing.
Eagle Point State Campground
Location: 8448 State Route 9, Pottersville, NY 12860
Season: May - September
Located on the west shore of Schroon Lake, Eagle Point offers a multitude of recreational opportunities. Take your canoes, kayaks, and motorboats out on the lake using the available boat launch, do a spot of fishing, or even go hiking on the trails of the nearby Pharaoh Lake Wilderness.
The campground features over 70 sites and can accommodate a wide range of campers, from classic tents to 30' RVs. Pets are also welcome on many of the sites.
*To learn more about this campground, check out our Eagle Point State Campground listing.
Scaroon Manor State Campground
Location: 8728 State Route 9, Pottersville, NY 12860
Season: May - September
Also located alongside Schroon Lake, with 1200 feet of shoreline, Scaroon Manor makes for a great place to fish, motorboat, paddle, swim, and more. This campground was also designed to be fully accessible, with the majority of recreation features and campsites, along with all restrooms and shower buildings, meeting accessibility standards.
60 campsites are available (2 of them with tent platforms), along with boating docks, a picnic area, a fishing pier, and more for the perfect recreational vacation.
*To learn more about this campground, check out our Scaroon Manor State Campground listing.
Private Camping Resorts
The Lake George Area has more than two dozen private campgrounds to choose from. These campgrounds offer a range of amenities such as RV hookups, cable TV, swimming pools, and recreation programs for children. Several offer cabin rentals with kitchens. Campers going this route need only bring sheets, towels, and groceries.
Camping with Your Dog
If a vital member of your family is of the four-legged variety, you will want to check out Lake George RV Park. The popular Lake George Area campground features a two-acre, off-leash grass area that is perfect for canines of every type. Charlie's Bark Park is full of things that dogs love, such as shaded walking trails, a synthetic turf play area, agility events, a dog spray fountain, an indoor dog wash station, and a pet treat vending area. Your pooch isn't going to want to go home.
*For more pet-friendly lodging and activities, check out our "A Paw-some Day in the Lake George Area" blog.
Glamping
Think luxury and camping don't belong in the same sentence? Check out glamping (glamorous camping). It's a new camping concept that harkens back to the Adirondack Great Camp era. Back in those days, canvas tents set up on platforms provided guest housing on the summer estates of the wealthy.
In the 21st century, you can reserve the same type of shelter. No need to pack a sleeping bag; these come with real beds made up with linens. A concierge will ensure everything runs smoothly with your vacation. Glamping experiences are offered by options such as Adirondack Safari and Huttopia Adirondacks.
*For even more glamping selections, check out our "Happy Glamping in the Adirondacks" blog.
Island Camping
The 32-mile-long Lake George is dotted with more than 100 islands. The DEC maintains 387 campsites across 44 islands, offering the ultimate in island camping on Lake George. The islands are divided into three groups: the Narrows Island Group, the Glen Island Group, and the Long Island Group.
"Some of my favorite memories with my family and friends come from camping on the islands."
This sentiment comes from Shelby Jenkins of Queensbury, New York, whose family makes a tradition of renting a site directly on the lake each summer. "It's the most relaxing thing to sit lakeside and drink coffee in the morning," says Shelby. Her family stays up late into the night toasting marshmallows over the campfire, telling stories, and relaxing to the sound of lake waters lapping against the island's shore.
The Jenkins family likes camping on Long Island for its proximity to the public docks on Beach Road in Lake George Village. After a day of swimming, fishing, and waterskiing, they can, if the mood strikes, pile into the boat and cruise to the village for a night on the town.
As you may have guessed, these campsites are only accessible by boat. You may put your own boat in at a public launch site, or rent a boat for the duration of your camping trip. Each DEC site has a picnic table, fireplace, outhouse, and a dock with room for at least one vessel. The sites go quickly, so make sure you reserve yours as soon as possible. You can reserve yours up to nine months in advance at ReserveAmerica.
*To learn more, check out our Lake George Islands Campsites listing.
Wilderness Camping
Imagine emerging from your tent at dawn to inhale fresh, pine-scented air. Replace the din of traffic with the sounds of bird chatter, the splashing of rainbow trout in a tranquil pond, and the lonely call of a loon at dusk. The Adirondack Forest Preserve has 1,800 miles of marked trails covering 2.6 million acres of land. Most of these lands are open for camping. If shedding civilization is your aim, the Lake George Area is the place to go.
Wilderness, or 'primitive,' camping does require some specialized skills and physical abilities. You will need to carry all your gear on your back, and you may be hiking over rugged terrain that brings you to steep rock faces requiring rock climbing know-how. It's imperative you select a route that matches your abilities. The weather can change quickly. A warm August day may turn into a frosty evening at sunset. Be prepared. If you are an inexperienced backpacker, your best bet is to hire a local guide.
In the Lake George Area, backcountry campers will find primitive campsites in the Lake George Wild Forest, the Siamese Ponds Wilderness, and the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness. These areas are in DEC Region 5. You may contact the regional offices for more information about wilderness camping.
Important Camping Information
Before going camping to any of the available campgrounds or sites in the area, here are a few important tips and guidelines to help you make the most of your experience.
Firewood Regulations
In an effort to protect New York State forests from invasive species (such as the Asian Longhorned Beetle) and other tree-killing insects, untreated wood (wood that has not been heat-processed to kill bugs) may not be brought into the state. Untreated wood may be moved within the state a maximum of 50 miles from its source.
What does this mean for campers and their campfires? You will need to purchase treated firewood that is labeled as "New York Approved Heat-Treated Firewood/Pest-Free," or purchase firewood from producers within 50 miles of where you plan to camp. You can purchase treated firewood at camp stores, convenience stores, and supermarkets in the Lake George Area. Many local residents also sell firewood at roadside stands. Be sure to get a bill of sale that includes the address of the wood's source.
*For more information, check out the NYS DEC's "Firewood and Invasive Pests" page.
Bringing Your Own Boat
Lake George is regarded as one of the clearest lakes in the world, and as such, it is imperative to protect and preserve the water quality for all to enjoy. One of the biggest threats to the lake, however, is aquatic invasive species that come from imported boats.
Boats brought by trailer must be inspected for invasive species before being launched into Lake George. To help carry out this policy, the Lake George Park Commission provides several FREE Lake George boat inspection stations around the lake. Once inspected and/or cleaned, you'll be ready to launch at any of the available Lake George Area Boat Launches.
*For more information, check out the Lake George Park Commission's Boat Inspections page.
Fishing License Requirements
With some of the finest freshwater angling around, fishing has become quite the pastime in the Lake George Area. Of course, if you're age 16 or older, you must have a license to fish in New York. Licenses can be purchased online or from a licensing agent, and can be in effect for an entire year, seven days, or even just one day.
Once you've got your license, feel free to cast in any of the many available spots that can be found near your campsite or anywhere around the area. With plentiful lakes, streams, and rivers, there are many places to cast.
*For more information about fishing licenses, check out the NYS DEC's Fishing Licenses page.
**Check out options for fishing locations by going to our Fishing page.
*Originally published on Mar. 15, 2017. Last updated by Kyle Frenette on Apr. 22, 2025.