The best campgrounds near Old Forge, New York with horseback riding

Known as “Adirondack Base Camp,” the New York hamlet of Old Forge is the perfect place to set off on adventures around the Central Adirondack region and Adirondack Park. The town boasts easy access to outdoor activities, from skiing and stand-up paddleboarding to hiking to the summit of Bald Mountain and biking or skiing on McCauley Mountain. Those who want to set up camp will find plenty of nearby options.

99% (67)

Top-rated campgrounds

Known as “Adirondack Base Camp,” the New York hamlet of Old Forge is the perfect place to set off on adventures around the Central Adirondack region and Adirondack Park. The town boasts easy access to outdoor activities, from skiing and stand-up paddleboarding to hiking to the summit of Bald Mountain and biking or skiing on McCauley Mountain. Those who want to set up camp will find plenty of nearby options.

99% (67)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. The Pines Lakeside Canoe & Camping

100%

(29)

49mi from Old Forge · 1 site · Tent · Stony Creek, NY

Enjoy a secluded lakeside campsite with two points of water access. There are no other sites on this 13 acre property, so it's very private. Complimentary canoe and stand up paddle boards for your use. New York State hiking trails just one mile down the road, plus lots of other activities like rail biking and rafting a short drive away. The campsite is just 100 steps down a well-marked trail accessible from the parking spot. Pitch your tent on the elevated platform encircled in pine trees with a view of the lake. Next to the tent area you’ll find a solar shower, picnic table, Cleanwaste toilet in outhouse, fire pit and Adirondack chairs. The site comes equipped ample firewood, fire starters, and many kitchen items including plates, bowls, utensils, cups, frying pan, can opener, wine opener, salt and pepper, cooking tongs, dish wash basin, and dish soap. Please note, that during Mother's Day and Father's Day is black fly season in the Adirondacks. Difficult to predict, but good to be aware of.

2. Trailside Ranch Cabin Rentals

94%

(35)

11mi from Old Forge · 6 sites · Lodging · Glenfield, NY

YOUR CABIN IS WAITING FOR YOU! TRAILSIDERANCH IS OPEN YEAR-ROUND. This family friendly 10 acre off the grid ranch is located inside the Adirondack Park. We are at the end of Partridgeville Road and the beginning of Paradise in beautiful Brantingham NY Trailside Ranch is surrounded by the pristine 76,000-acre Independence River Wild Forest Preserve. It is linked to 65 miles of Horse trails, hundreds of miles of Snowmobile trails and to the nearly 600 miles of ATV trails. If you are looking for the full wilderness experience, you can hike right from your cabin! We also offer on-site snowmobile rentals in the winter and S x S rentals in the summer. You can hire our local guide to explore the area or if you are comfortable with a map and directions, we can give you details of some amazing scenery to see. Ask us about our rentals if you are interested in this adventure. Your time here will be something your entire family will remember for a lifetime.

3. Private Field camping in scenic NY

100%

(6)

41mi from Old Forge · 2 sites · Tents, RVs · Little Falls, NY

Experience the charm of history and nature at our campsite, once part of a Ford dairy farm in the 1800s and later an apple orchard. Nestled at the foot of the Adirondack Mountains and just minutes from the Herkimer Diamond Mines, this rustic retreat offers open field camping for RVs and tens. Enjoy 12 acres of land all to yourself, providing a serene and spacious setting to relax and unwind.

4. Adirondack State Park

95%

(144)

5193 sites · Long Lake, New York

The Adirondacks lounge across a million acres only a 4-hour drive from NYC.

Pets

Potable water

Toilets

5. Camp Adirondack

100%

(1)

8.9mi from Old Forge · 1 site · Lodging · Old Forge, NY

The perfect Adirondack getaway. This cabin is nestled in the forest only footsteps away from the shores of historic Big Moose Lake. The property is 10 acres - 4 on the shoreline of the lake and 6 in the forest across the street. The cabin is walking distance to the lake and two area restaurants and taverns. Big Moose Lake is 4 miles long and a mile wide at it's widest point. Enjoy canoeing, kayaking, hiking, water-skiing, and swimming in the warmer months, or snowmobiling, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing in the winter. There are trout and bass in the lake if fishing is something you'd like to do.

6. R & B Acres

100%

(14)

39mi from Old Forge · 4 sites · Tents, RVs · Newport, NY

Let Renee and Bill welcome you to the beautiful Mohawk Valley on 10+ acres surrounded by farms, with spectacular views of the Adirondack foothills. Camp open field, pine grove or secluded, private orchard setting. Only 1 1/2 miles from the Herkimer Diamond Mines. 9 miles to the amazing Erie Canal cruise. Secluded, but less than a mile to Stewart's shop for essentials, and 8 miles to major shopping. Close to state parks, biking and hiking trails. Dogs welcome with an additional $10 fee. Firewood sales, generator and tent rentals. Additionally, we have a deluxe equipped pop-up camper available for rent with electricity and running water in the pine grove. We are welcoming to LGBTQ+ campers, all ethnicities, religions, live acoustic music and 420 friendly in private sites. From inexperienced campers who might need assistance to experienced campers who just want seclusion, this is the place to be!

Public campgrounds near Old Forge

100%

(4)

Nicks Lake Campground

1.6mi from Old Forge · 104 sites · Tents, RVs · in Adirondack State Park

Canoeing through the Fulton Chain of Lakes

100%

(3)

Alger Island Campground

5.4mi from Old Forge · 15 sites · Tents, RVs · in Adirondack State Park

100%

(4)

Limekiln Lake Campground

8.3mi from Old Forge · 260 sites · Tents, RVs · in Adirondack State Park

Eighth Lake Campground entrance at Seventh Lake.

100%

(2)

Eighth Lake Campground

14mi from Old Forge · 116 sites · Tents, RVs · in Adirondack State Park

100%

(3)

Brown Tract Pond Campground

15mi from Old Forge · 84 sites · Tents, RVs · in Adirondack State Park

100%

(9)

Tioga Point Campground

19mi from Old Forge · 23 sites · Tents, RVs · in Adirondack State Park

100%

(3)

Golden Beach Campground

20mi from Old Forge · 195 sites · Tents, RVs · in Adirondack State Park

100%

(8)

Forked Lake Campground

26mi from Old Forge · 77 sites · Tents, RVs · in Adirondack State Park

Poplar Point Campground

29mi from Old Forge · 19 sites · Tents, RVs · in Adirondack State Park

Point Comfort Campground

29mi from Old Forge · 63 sites · Tents, RVs · in Adirondack State Park

100%

(1)

Little Sand Point Campground

29mi from Old Forge · 74 sites · Tents, RVs · in Adirondack State Park

100%

(4)

Indian Lake Islands Campground

29mi from Old Forge · 50 sites · Tents, RVs · in Adirondack State Park

Stories from the community

P

PATRICIA

October 2025

18 ft campervan

With pets

Weekend Trip to Private Field camping in scenic NY

I loved camping on Robert’s land! It was scenic and beautiful with sunrises, sunsets and a sky full of stars. The site was just as described with water, the nicest outhouse and an easy road for our camper van. There were lots of great little touches like a light by the outhouse and the site was mowed. Robert provided easy directions and was very communicative. The whole experience was super easy and I would highly recommend staying here!

B

Bridget

October 2025

17 ft campervan

Weekend Trip to R & B Acres

Loved staying at this property. Beautiful views, great host!

O

Olivia

September 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to R & B Acres

The site was great! Renee was very kind and accommodating. We camped in her beautiful backyard a long side her adorable farm animals. It still felt very private. Great experience.

Martha A.

September 2025

20 ft campervan

7 nights at Private Field camping in scenic NY

One of my favorite Hip Camps. It’s a great place to practice retriever training with my Goldens.

A

Amma

August 2025

Tent

2 nights at The Pines Lakeside Canoe & Camping

Nothing but a wonderful experience. The camp site was beautiful with so many thoughtful components and little touches; they even had drinking water. It’s better than a hotel for someone who likes camping. You really only need to bring your tent and food. Site was Equipped with fire wood, wooden platform to set up your tent, and the picnic table area was also covered. The outhouse was very clean. At the lakeside the fire pit area was perfect. Many seats to choose from. You can sit down by the lake or at the fire pit and see the beautiful mountain across the lake or just adore the lake itself. We also used the canoe to paddle around the lake. I swam twice at the beach area. Water was clean and warm. The owners were very kind and all the instructions were thought of. I would give 11/10. Recommend wholeheartedly.

K

Kirsten

August 2025

Tent

With pets

4 nights at The Pines Lakeside Canoe & Camping

We loved camping here at our little whimsical oasis! The pups had a great time exploring the property and we loved that there were different sections (sleep section, camp fire section, beach section and our palm little trail). We would definitely stay here again if looking to camp in the area.

C

Christopher

August 2025

Tent

6 nights at The Pines Lakeside Canoe & Camping

Exceptional experience! Everything has been thought of to make your stay easy and wonderful! This is an exceptionally private and very serene location. I couldn’t have been more pleased!

John

July 2025

17 ft pop-up camper

5 nights at R & B Acres

Very kind and considerate hosts - renee & Bill were great. Renee gave us rides to Utica and the Erie Canal. Bill recorded me singing and playing my guitar and also accompanied me on his expert drums in his recording studio. Thank you very much, Bill.

A

Amanda

July 2025

Tent

3 nights at The Pines Lakeside Canoe & Camping

Excellent campsite! If you like to be in the middle of nowhere with no camping neighbors, this spot is for you. Its queit and peaceful. The water is really warm to swim in, and the paddleboards and canoe are lots of fun. There isn't a lick of garbage anywhere! Very clean place. The outhouse is also realy clean and nice. This spot is perfect for your off leash dog to trounse about freely. There are a lot of camping supplies here. We didn't need to bring any chairs or our canopy as there is a canopy covered picnic table on site, and plenty of seating all throughout the site. There are plenty of other things too, like pots and pans, playing cards, etc. I highly recommend this campsite!

A

Annastassia

July 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to R & B Acres

Great place to stay! Very welcoming hosts. Nice outdoor shower with quick warm water.

A

Ariana

July 2025

Tent

Group trip

Weekend Trip to The Pines Lakeside Canoe & Camping

We enjoyed our visit!!! Great site that was private, clean, and well maintained. Beautiful views and lots of fun in the lake! Would definitely recommend.

C

Carlos

July 2025

Tent

With pets

4 nights at The Pines Lakeside Canoe & Camping

For those who are looking to introduce themselves or their family to camping off the grid, this is the perfect spot. This property gives enthusiasts the chance to enjoy camping privately, with beautiful scenery, and added activities for fun. But just in case, the owners still give you some “minor” amenities just incase you’re not ready for “real” camping. Also the owners are great wonderful people, who keep this area well maintained, and are very informative to help you enjoy your stay and / or care to explore the surroundings. This property should not be overlooked, I personally got a chance to test and show my rugged camping skills to my young children, but also had a peace of mind , the owners provided us with stuff just incase. This trip definitely made it to our family memories. Thank you!

T

Tim

June 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to The Pines Lakeside Canoe & Camping

Wonderful place! Isolated and quiet. Great views. The beach with a canoe and paddle boards was fantastic. Setting up camp was hard work, but easy once settled. Great fire pit, large deck for the tent. The mess tent with netting saved us from the black flies. Even the out house had space age technology. The bladder shower needs a little more sunlight 😎. Our dogs Cane (Lab) and Whip (English C.S.) had the time of their life. Rough camping with a glimmer! Thank you Denise.

J

Jamie

June 2025

Tent

2 nights at The Pines Lakeside Canoe & Camping

We loved our stay here! The site is super private and big. It feels really magical walking through the forest to the site. It was nice being able to use the mini fridge in the barn and have a WiFi spot there as well. The covered picnic table is also nice to have if there’s rain. We will definitely come back again!

Martha A.

May 2025

20 ft campervan

With pets

7 nights at Private Field camping in scenic NY

A nice property - but in wet weather it is not doable because of the wet ground and the hill. This spring was unordinarily wet however. It is also great for training my retrievers on marks and blind retrieves.

J

Jacob

May 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to R & B Acres

I had a great time! The sun covered the campsite all day so I had no problem drying out some of my gear that I let get wet. I chose some poor weather to arrive on but it wasn’t a problem, I was given the perfect amount of firewood for all my meals it was dry and sparked right up! Thank you Renee and Bill for a great weekend!

Nearby parks

Explore the area’s public lands.

95%

(144)

Adirondack State Park

Long Lake, New York

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

The best camping near Old Forge with horseback riding guide

Where to go

Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness

Just west of Old Forge, the Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness is perfect for those seeking solitude in a beautiful, wild setting. The area has 35 miles of marked trails as well as five lakes and 16 ponds for fishing. It’s also home to wildlife including moose, black bears, and bald eagles. Just 10 minutes south of Old Forge, Nicks Lake Campground has 112 sites for campers and tents.

Black River Wild Forest

The sprawling Black River Wild Forest offers an array of recreational activities, from hiking some of its 90 miles of trails to paddling, fishing, and snowmobiling on its lakes. Nicks Lake Campground is at the northern end of the forest.

Long Lake

Appropriately named for the expansive lake that flows through it, Long Lake is a quiet and pristine corner of the Adirondacks. Naturally, boating and fishing are top activities but in the winter you can also go snowmobiling and both downhill and cross-country skiing. Around 15 minutes southwest of town, Forked Lake Campground has 80 sites.

West Canada Lake Wilderness

Around 70 miles southeast of Old Forge, West Canada Lake Wilderness is the second largest wilderness area in the Adirondack Forest Preserve. Hiking trails vary in levels of difficulty and maintenance and lead through some of the more remote areas in the Adirondack Park. Backcountry camping is allowed and there are 16 lean-tos and 28 primitive tent sites located along the Northville-Placid Trail and connecting trails.

When to go

The long, sunny days of spring and summer are ideal for enjoying the trails and water activities on offer, making these the most popular seasons to visit Old Forge and the Adirondacks generally. However, the peak summer season can bring crowds and booked-up campsites, so try to make reservations far in advance. September and October can also get busy with visitors arriving to see the vibrant colors of fall foliage while winters are relatively crowd-free and offer skiing and snowshoeing.