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Adirondack/Nicks Lake
Overview
Nicks Lake Campground offers a quintessential Adirondack experience within the southwestern region of the Adirondack Park. Managed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, this facility provides a serene escape into the wilderness while remaining accessible to local conveniences. With over 112 spacious wooded campsites, it serves as a premier destination for travelers who appreciate a quiet, natural setting over a busy commercial resort environment.
Location & Surroundings
Situated just outside the charming village of Old Forge, the park is defined by the tranquil waters of Nicks Lake. Unlike many other bodies of water in the region, this lake is restricted to non-motorized boats, ensuring a peaceful atmosphere free from the noise of engines. The surrounding landscape consists of dense hardwood forests and rolling hills, providing a beautiful, shaded backdrop for your RV stay during the warmer months.
Amenities & Park Features
This is a classic dry camping destination, which means there are no electric, water, or sewer hookups at the individual sites. However, the park is well-equipped for RVers with a convenient central dump station and multiple water fill-up points located throughout the loops. On-site facilities include modern restrooms with hot showers, a sandy swimming beach with a designated picnic area, and several playgrounds for children to enjoy.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Visitors are perfectly positioned to explore the diverse attractions of the Old Forge area. Families often spend a day at Enchanted Forest Water Safari, New York’s largest water park, located just a short drive away. For outdoor enthusiasts, the Nicks Lake Loop trail offers five miles of scenic hiking right from the campground, while nearby McCauley Mountain provides chairlift rides with panoramic views of the Fulton Chain of Lakes.
Who This Park Is Best For
This park is ideal for travelers who enjoy dry camping and want to disconnect from the digital world to reconnect with nature. It is a favorite for families looking for a traditional outdoor experience and paddlers seeking calm, glassy waters. If you value privacy and a quiet atmosphere over luxury amenities like Wi-Fi or cable, Nicks Lake provides a genuine Adirondack retreat that is hard to beat.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Aaron Smith
Nicks Lake Campground – Adirondack Perfection We had a great three-night stay at Nicks Lake Campground. Our site was perfectly situated, with just the right amount of space between neighbors for a peaceful, private feel. The lake itself is gorgeous—calm, scenic, and perfect for a quiet paddle or just soaking in the view. One of the best parts is the location: just a quick hop into Old Forge for supplies or a meal, and right around the corner from McCauley Mountain. The bathrooms were impressively clean and well-maintained, making the stay even more comfortable. I can’t wait to come back with the mountain bike and hit the trails in the area.
M3RRY M
Nicks Lake is a nice, clean, wooded campground. My family has camped here a few times over the years and it's always a nice experience. I haven't seen much of the campground overall, other than on our drive in and out, the walk to and from the restroom, and our site. There is alway some bear activity when we stay. Obviously, I know it's to be expected, after all, we are in the Adirondacks. On our last stay from August 1st to the 3rd, there were 5 bears we were warned about upon check in. We did see one bear late one night, on our way to the restroom. It was about 20 to 30 feet away, searching close to the back of a vehicle.
paul owen
We had a great experience this week at nicks lake! Beach is amazing and clean! Along with the playground. Hiking trails are abundant in the area. Only downsides would be no camp store, lack of events at the Campgrounds and allowing open faced generators is annoying.
Whitley Slocum
We enjoyed our time at Nicks Lake and camping here. The ADK’s are a magical destination that we love to visit at least once a year. The campground itself was really clean and there was plenty of space between the camping lots. We had a pretty large amount of people camping together when we visited both with tents and campers so there was a lot of space .
Sierra Dawn Aumell
Such a wonderful place to camp!! Me and my family got a few sites and enjoyed a few days here and loved every minute! The staff is so welcoming and helpful and it’s just beautiful! The facilities were nice as well!