Hamilton County has several state campgrounds that give you direct access to swimming, hiking, paddling, and all-around exploration of the waters and woods of the Adirondacks. Some highlights of this area include waving hello to Northville-Placid Trail thru-hikers at Lake Durant Campground, boating out to the sites of Indian Lake Islands Campground, and unplugging at the remote Lewey Lake Campground.

The Adirondack Hub lives up to its name, particularly when it comes to camping. Campgrounds here put you in the middle of prime Adirondack wilderness activities. Camping at Putnam Pond can give you walking-distance access to the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness Area, and the sites at Frontier Town are great options for accessing the southern portions of the High Peaks Wilderness Area. Family-friendly campgrounds found here have wonderful amenities, especially when you choose one of the glamping options here.

As one of the only regions in the Adirondacks with a KOA, the Whiteface Region can offer affordable camping options. You can also find some smaller, more primitive campgrounds here, like the Taylor Pond Campground. This spot puts you in range of classic hikes like Silver Lake Mountain and Catamount. Wilmington Notch Campground could be your go-to pick if you are planning on doing some summer recreation at Whiteface Mountain. Whichever place you choose to camp in the Whiteface Region, fun is never far away.

Tupper Lake's camping options range from exceptional beach access at the Little Wolf Beach Campground to instant hiking and paddling access (for free) at Corey's Road first-come, first-served primitive roadside sites. You can choose to get away from it all, or stay close to dining, shopping, and in-town amenities in Tupper Lake.

Where do we even begin? Saranac Lake is a camper’s paradise. Some of New York State's most sought-after campgrounds are located here. From the family-friendly and ADA-compliant options at Rollins Pond and Fish Creek to the water-access-only sites of the Saranac Lake Islands Campground, visitors love going here for their camping fix year after year. This also means you should plan on booking a site early. Buck Pond and Meadowbrook State Campgrounds can be great options that don't always get booked out as early as the others.

Lake Placid, Keene, and Keene Valley are jumping-off points for the best backcountry camping in the Adirondacks. Access the High Peaks and stay in first-come, first-served lean-tos or designated primitive tent sites. There are quite literally hundreds of options; just be sure to study the maps, plan ahead, and practice Leave No Trace principles while you're out there. In addition to backcountry camping, you're never too far away from a state campground if you'd like to stay outdoors, but also enjoy Lake Placid's attractions and things to do.

Camping in the Lake Champlain Region can quite literally put you in the middle of history. Grab a site at Crown Point Campground and explore the fort ruins and historic monuments only a short walk away. The 35 sites at Lincoln Pond Campground offer easy off-the-highway access to a campground with that Adirondack backcountry feel. Access to the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness Area for backcountry camping can also be a great way to spend a weekend. You're never too far away from a CATS hiking trail, wherever you decide to camp.