The best waterside campgrounds near Tupper Lake, New York

Located in the heart of the Adirondack Park, you’re never far from nature in Tupper Lake, New York. Not only is the village an excellent jumping off point for exploring the Adirondacks, it’s also home to pristine waters that are ideal for swimming and paddling in, as well as secluded trails. You’ll also find the popular Wild Center, a natural history ecocenter, here, as well as the Adirondack Sky Center and Observatory. Add in some great breweries and restaurants and you have all the fixings for the perfect New York getaway.

97% (1.1K)

Top-rated campgrounds

Located in the heart of the Adirondack Park, you’re never far from nature in Tupper Lake, New York. Not only is the village an excellent jumping off point for exploring the Adirondacks, it’s also home to pristine waters that are ideal for swimming and paddling in, as well as secluded trails. You’ll also find the popular Wild Center, a natural history ecocenter, here, as well as the Adirondack Sky Center and Observatory. Add in some great breweries and restaurants and you have all the fixings for the perfect New York getaway.

97% (1.1K)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Adirondack Adventure Base

99%

(75)

22mi from Tupper Lake · 5 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Paul Smiths, NY

Overlook Lean-To, Treehouse, primitive campsites, and so much more! This is glamping at its finest. Our property was originally used as a seasonal hunting/fishing camp in the 1920's. Sheila and Bob bought it in the early 80s and have turned it into an amazing compound built for their family. They blinked their eyes and their children are gone, so this beautiful 50 acre diverse property and its private trail system are meant to be shared. Nestled in a mature, private pine forest, this well cared for property boasts abundant wildlife and a network of walking, skiing and mountain biking trails which take you past wetlands, cliffs and a variety of forest types. They have all kinds of lodging options from a beautiful vacation cabin they rent, to an Adk lean-to, to a Treehouse, and primitive campsites. You'll find a little bit for everyone at Adirondack Adventure Base.

2. Beaver Camp

100%

(12)

43mi from Tupper Lake · 7 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Lowville, NY

Nestled in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains in upstate New York, this 87-acre expanse of forest, streams, and lake is the perfect escape from the business of life. Located in the Adirondack State Park directly on Beaver Lake, we have access to the lake and Beaver River flow and the wide expanse of forests and trails of the park. With heated cabins, water and electric RV sites, and outdoor tenting areas, we provide a camping experience that can be tailored to fit the needs of small and large groups. Whether it's cozying up around the fire in one of our indoor lounging areas; pitching a tent at our outpost camp lean-to site in the middle of the woods; sipping complimentary hot chocolate, coffee, or tea as you watch the sunrise over the lake; or hiking through the woods (or across the lake when its frozen over) and watching the wildlife, Beaver Camp offers a great opportunity to unplug and soak in the peace and quiet of nature.

3. Kickin' Up Dust Farm

100%

(27)

50mi from Tupper Lake · 3 sites · Tents, Lodging · Schuyler Falls, NY

Welcome to Our Charming Working Farm Retreat Nestled among towering pines and teeming with wildlife, our property offers a peaceful and adventurous getaway. Bordering the scenic Macomb State Park and just a short stroll from Davis Lake, it's the perfect place to reconnect with nature. 🌿 Outdoor Fun for All Ages Expansive playground and thrilling zip-line Disc golf, horseshoes, and kayaking Miles of hiking trails through pristine forest 🐾 Meet Our Friendly Animals Come say hello to our beloved donkeys, horses, goats, alpacas, and a delightful variety of birds. They're always happy to greet visitors! 🌄 Rustic Charm Meets Adventure Whether you're here to relax or explore, our farm is full of character and surrounded by natural beauty. Trails galore await your next adventure.

Stories from the community

Bryan

November 2025

Tent

6 nights at Kickin' Up Dust Farm

Holly has a great setup boardering state park land with trails that connect. The area has a lot to offer with some great hikes. They have potable water available close to the camp site and a porta potty at the site. If you like animals, they have all sorts of farm friends for you to watch and visit with. It was a wonderful place to stay.

Lots of beautiful, quiet, privacy in the pines.

J

Jennifer

September 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Adirondack Adventure Base

Woodland Grove Camping at Adirondack Adventure Base is such a gem. The property is calm, pristine, and full of charm with cute little trails to wander right on-site. It feels like a perfect mix of peaceful and fun. Bob and Sheila are the kindest, most thoughtful hosts, and it was such a treat getting to spend time with them. Mim is just the coolest human being ever and made the stay even more special. We also got to try their maple syrup, which truly was the best we’ve ever had. The spot is also in an ideal location, just a short drive to Saranac Lake, Lake Placid, and some of the most beautiful hiking and sightseeing in the Adirondacks. We left already talking about when we’ll come back. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a relaxing and memorable Adirondack stay.

R

Robin

August 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Kickin' Up Dust Farm

We loved camping at Hee Haw Haven! My kids loved all of the different animals, play areas, zip line, and camping for the first time. Holly and her husband were so welcoming and generous. They want to return soon (in their minds all camping happens there) and wonder if they can build a portal to get there faster.

J

Jacob Wixted

July 2025

Tent

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Kickin' Up Dust Farm

Hee Haw Haven is an awesome camping spot! Flat, sandy ground, fire pit, and plenty of room for our two vehicles. Picnic table, outhouse and garbage can at the campsite. They supplied us with a water cooler too, and had fill spots around the property. They have additional picnic tables in the shade next to the donkey pastures. A 3-5 minute walk through the woods to showers and lake at a public campground. Holly gave us a tour of the property and introduced us to all of their farm animals. We opted for the donkey clinic, and it was so much fun! Brushing, cleaning, and leading the donkeys on a walk through the woods. The site and their farm is a short drive from Plattsburgh, other Lake Champlain beaches, and Adirondack hikes. Ultimately it was a fantastic camping spot, and I would recommend it to anyone!

E

Ella

June 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Beaver Camp

We loved staying at Beaver Lake Camp! The seclusion on chicken coop island was perfect and made for a perfect long weekend trip. Our favorite part was taking a sunset paddle around the lake and seeing beavers, turtles, and loons up close.

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

The best waterside camping near Tupper Lake guide

Where to go

Saranac Lake

Just a 25-minute drive away, Saranac Lake forms part of the Tri-Lakes Region along with Tupper Lake. Surrounded by high peaks, the town has a charming downtown lined with galleries and restaurants and the area has plenty of hiking trails and canoe routes. A few miles away, 87 boat-access campsites at Saranac Lake Islands span Middle Saranac Lake and Lower Saranac Lake.

Lake Placid

The third of the lakes that make up the Tri-Lakes Region is Lake Placid, a 40-minute drive from Tupper Lake. A two-time Winter Olympics host, the village is a hub for snowsports, including bobsledding and ski jumping. Nearby, the Adirondack Mountain Club's Wilderness Campground has tent sites, lean-tos, and canvas cabins.

Ausable Chasm

Known as the “Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks,” Ausable Chasm is a two-mile-long gorge that has been carved into the landscape by the Au Sable river. Visitors can hike along roaring rapids and across suspension bridges, or go rafting through the bottom of the canyon. Ausable Chasm is around an hour and a half’s drive from Tupper Lake.

When to go

Warm weather and long days make spring and summer ideal for enjoying the trails and water activities on offer, and are the most popular seasons to visit the Tri-Lakes Region and the Adirondacks generally. Fall offers fewer crowds and golden landscapes. For snowsports enthusiasts, winter is even more appealing with many visitors flocking to Lake Placid to enjoy everything from skiing and bobsledding to snowshoeing and dog sledding.