The best bell tents in Adirondacks

The Adirondack Mountains in New York State cover roughly 6 million acres, about half of which is forest preserve. That's larger than the Everglades, Yellowstone, Glacier and Grand Canyon National Park combined.

Forever Wild is the motto here--and it makes camping all the more magical. Pristine forests cover the gentle mountains, with rivers and lakes to explore. Over a dozen state campgrounds dot the region, from family-friendly sites to primitive lean-tos. You can also find private campgrounds and camping resorts with Adirondack cottages and log cabins.

Cranberry Lake offers classic Adirondack camping with a sandy beach and fishing pier to cast off. Rollins Pond near Saranac Lake has boat rentals for a variety of small crafts, making it great for boaters. Or bring your own boat to Forked Lake campground for plenty of privacy. Many of the tent sites have private docks and are accessible only on by boat or on foot. Most of the state grounds have trailer sites for RVs. But if you want electrical and sewage hook-ups, you'll need to stay at one of the nearby private RV parks.

Camping is bare-bones but beautiful in the Moose River Plains Preserve. This wilderness area offers private sites and quiet nights, with both rustic campgrounds and primitive sites. Hiking trails crisscross the small lakes in this forest, making it ideal for backpackers.

To really leave civilization, pitch camp at the many lean-tos scattered across the forests. These shelters provide true wilderness immersion. But you'll need to trade basics like bathrooms and water. The Uphill and Beaver Point lean-tos are well-situated if you're climbing high peaks like Mount Colden.

Anglers can find campgrounds close to some of the region's best fishing. The Meadowbrook campground is about 5 miles from Lake Placid for trout fishing. The Wilmington Notch campground on the Ausable River has some of the best fly-fishing in the country.