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Adirondack/Rollins Pond
Overview
Rollins Pond Campground offers a quintessential Adirondack wilderness experience nestled within the Saranac Lake Forest Preserve. Unlike its busier neighbor, Fish Creek Pond, this destination is celebrated for its quiet atmosphere and scenic waterfront sites. Travelers will find a heavily wooded landscape that prioritizes privacy and direct access to the water, making it a premier choice for those seeking a tranquil retreat in the heart of the mountains. The park provides a serene backdrop where the natural sounds of the forest take center stage over the hum of modern life.
Location & Surroundings
Situated just outside the village of Saranac Lake, NY, the park is located deep within the Adirondack High Peaks region. The terrain is characterized by rolling hills and dense evergreen forests that create a secluded feel. Most campsites line the shores of the 442-acre pond, which is protected from high-speed motorboats. This geographical layout ensures that visitors are constantly surrounded by the calls of loons and the gentle rustle of birch and pine trees, offering a true backcountry environment with the convenience of vehicle access.
Amenities & Park Features
As a state-run facility, the focus here is on primitive camping rather than resort-style luxuries. While there are no water or electric hookups at individual sites, the park provides essential facilities to ensure a comfortable stay. Visitors have access to several key features:
- Centrally located hot showers and flush toilets for camper convenience.
- A boat rental facility offering canoes, kayaks, and rowboats for pond exploration.
- A dedicated boat launch designed specifically for non-motorized or low-horsepower vessels.
- Firewood and ice sales located at the park entrance to help stock your site.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
The area is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors can explore the Otter Hollow Loop for a day of hiking or paddle through the interconnected ponds of the St. Regis Canoe Area. For a cultural excursion, the nearby village of Saranac Lake offers local boutiques and dining, while The Wild Center in Tupper Lake provides an immersive look at the natural history of the Adirondacks through its elevated trail systems and world-class educational exhibits.
Who This Park Is Best For
This park is ideal for paddlers and nature photographers who value silence and scenery over modern amenities. Because there are no hookups, it is best suited for self-contained RVers or those comfortable with dry camping. Families who enjoy fishing, swimming, and gathering around a campfire without the distractions of digital life will find this location to be one of the most rewarding spots in New York. It is a perfect match for the traveler looking to unplug and reconnect with the outdoors.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
T-n-T E&W
Campsites are hit and miss. And it's a long, long drive back in to the campground on a fairly rough road. I had to use 4-wheel drive to get me up and out of site 192. Other sites were more level and easier to back into. But the pond (small lake) was great for kayaking. And the narrow road good for bikes.
Jake DeFord
Awesome campground. Spaced fairly far apart sites. Hard to book a site, but if you do it's great! Rollins Pond has some awesome fishing and doesn't allow for large boats. Perfect for kayaking and canoeing.
M “MCarb”
I love Rollins Pond Campground and Fish Creek Pond which is the Campground you enter from. I have been going there since I was a kid. I have been going there for over 42 years. The place is beautiful and the staff has always been nice. The only problem I've had with this camping trip is that the showers have aged a lot. Half of the shower stalls were not working and were in bad shape. I had to keep hopping from stall to stall to find one that worked. When I finally came across one that worked, it wasn't in good shape and the water was cold. They used to have hot water. The Campground isn't free. What are they doing with the money? They sure aren't using it to fix the showers. The showers haven't been updated since I have been going there for over 42 years. Please update the showers!
Free Heel
Almost every site has it's own beach! The water is beautiful and clean. Public beach with tables, grills, playground, hiking, wilderness kayaking. One of the best campgrounds in the state. Bring your motor boat, kayaks, bicycles and kids.
Peter Hill
The campground is accessed via another campground. The sites are rustic and varied. Most of the sites are lakeside and several have easy access to the water. This area is a kayakers dream. The boat ramp provides access to Rollins Pond for trailered boats and for those who do not have easy paddle craft access from there campsite. There is also access to Whey pond. Canoe and kayak rentals are available too. The campsite itself: mine had room for my small trailer camper. There is no hard pad which suites me - making it eassier to stake out my awning. The sites would have been big enough to set up a tent. There is no electric, sewer or water hookup. The stand pipes for drinking water are close to most sites. The water tastes good. There are two large shower blocks - clean but could use some maintenance. There are also restrooms with flush toilets scattered throughout the campground. My site was mostly shaded with some mid-day sun. Central dish washing stations are available at the garbage/recycling centres. Cell phone signal is sporadic. At my site I got one bar (Verizon) occasionally.