How much does camping cost at Fish Creek Pond Campground?

Camping fees at Fish Creek Pond Campground range from $22-$35/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Fish Creek Pond Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Fish Creek Pond Campground accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

What is the best time to visit Fish Creek Pond Campground?

Fish Creek Pond Campground is open June through August.. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Fish Creek Pond Campground?

Yes, Fish Creek Pond Campground has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

Can I have a campfire at Fish Creek Pond Campground?

Fire policies at Fish Creek Pond Campground: Campfires restricted to fireplaces provided; only dead and down wood may be used for fuel.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

Is there cell service at Fish Creek Pond Campground?

Cell phone service at Fish Creek Pond Campground is generally available. Cell service is available. Coverage may vary by carrier and exact location within the campground.

How many campsites does Fish Creek Pond Campground have?

Fish Creek Pond Campground has 305 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Fish Creek Pond Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Fish Creek Pond Campground. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Fish Creek Pond Campground?

Fish Creek Pond Campground offers: Restrooms, Showers, Potable Water, Dump Station, Pets Allowed, Camp Store. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Fish Creek Pond Campground?

Popular activities at Fish Creek Pond Campground include Hiking, Fishing, Swimming, Biking, Boating, Wildlife Viewing, Beach Activities. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Fish Creek Pond Campground

4.61

410 reviews

4523 State Route 30, SARANAC LAKE, New York, 12983, United States

Summer Destination

Featured in:Beach Camping New York#1 Group Camping New York#1 Fishing Camping New York#1 +12 more

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

April 2026

Compare availability across multiple campgrounds

Quick Facts

1,624 ft

Price

$22 - $35/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

305 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV FriendlyShowers

Book on New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

April 2026

Compare availability across multiple campgrounds

Quick Facts

1,624 ft

Price

$22 - $35/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

305 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV FriendlyShowers

Book on New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Official Website

Get Directions

Fish Creek Pond Campground

$22.00 - $35.00 / night

Campsite Fees

The fee range is $22 to $35, depending on the type of campsite and season. Additional fees may apply for extra vehicles or for premium waterfront...

Standard Site Fee$0.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$35.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

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What Campers Say

4.61

Top-Rated

Based on 410 reviews

515 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewswaterlakefriendly

"User reviews for Fish Creek Pond Campground are overwhelmingly positive, praising the natural beauty, waterfront access, and variety of activities. However, issues such as outdated facilities, lack of privacy, and high traffic are commonly noted."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

4523 State Route 30, SARANAC LAKE, New York, 12983, United States

Fish Creek Pond Campground

4523 State Route 30, SARANAC LAKE, New York, 12983, United States

Nearby places

Lake Placid (25 miles), Tupper Lake (15 minutes), Saranac Lake (9 miles)

Nearby supplies

A general store outside the campground offers essentials, and groceries can be purchased at Tupper Lake (15 minutes) or Saranac Lake (25 minutes).

Driving directionsFrom the Northway (I-87) northbound: Take Exit 30, Route 9 North, to Rte. 73; go north to Lake Placid. Take Route 86 North through Saranac Lake to Rte. 186 West; then take Rte. 30 South 9 miles to Fish Creek Pond. From the Northway (I-87) southbound: Take Exit 38, Rte. 374 West, to Rte. 3 West, to Saranac Lake. From Saranac Lake, take Rte. 186 West; then take Rte. 30 South 9 miles to Fish Creek Pond. From I-81: Take Exit 48, Rte. 342 East, to Rte. 3 & 30; take Rte. 30 North to Fish Creek Pond.

Road access is generally good for major vehicles but traffic levels can be high during peak seasons, especially the main loop roads. The roads are not particularly large and may be challenging for RVs or trailers over 30 feet.

Best Time to Camp at Fish Creek Pond Campground

Summer delivers the warmest conditions for water activities. Daytime highs run mid-60s to upper-70s°F, with cool nights dropping to 45-60°F. The water is calm and clear for swimming, canoeing, and fishing. Beach time is comfortable throughout the day. Weekends get crowded, so book early. Autumn brings brilliant foliage and crisp air. Winter opens the campground to hardy cold-weather campers. Spring means wildflowers and rushing streams, but expect mud.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Peak season for swimming, boating and beaches; excellent activities but crowded with high boat traffic.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: June through August.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open year-round but peak camping is from June to August.

About Fish Creek Pond Campground

Fish Creek Pond Campground sits in the Adirondack Park near Saranac Lake, offering 305 sites spread across waterfront loops at 1,624 feet elevation. Most sites have direct water access and sandy beaches. Sites run $22-$35 per night. It's a busy, social campground with strong amenities but limited privacy between sites.

Fish Creek Pond Campground mainly offers traditional tent camping, RV camping without hookups, and a limited number of group camping options. Cabins and luxury accommodations are not available.

Historical Significance

For over seventy years, Fish Creek Pond has been the flagship DEC campground in New York, drawing families who return to the same sites season after season. Grandparents teach grandchildren to fish in the spots where they learned decades ago.

Weather and SeasonsSummer delivers the warmest conditions for water activities. Daytime highs run mid-60s to upper-70s°F, with cool nights dropping to 45-60°F. The water is calm and clear for swimming, canoeing, and fishing. Beach time is comfortable throughout the day. Weekends get crowded, so book early. Autumn brings brilliant foliage and crisp air. Winter opens the campground to hardy cold-weather campers. Spring means wildflowers and rushing streams, but expect mud.

ElevationSet within the gentle rolling terrain of the central Adirondacks, the campground offers an accessible wilderness experience without extreme elevation challenges.

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground wraps around interconnected ponds and streams carved by glaciers through billion-year-old Adirondack bedrock. Natural sandy beaches line the shore, a rarity in this region. White pines and mixed hardwoods cover gentle slopes, though many waterfront sites lack tree cover between them. The water is clear and clean, fed by streams that create a network ideal for paddling. Loons call across the ponds at dusk. Great blue herons fish the shallows in the morning.

Geological RegionFish Creek Pond rests in the ancient heart of Adirondack Park, where billion-year-old mountains have been sculpted by time into a paradise of interconnected waterways and forests. This geological masterpiece showcases the classic Adirondack landscape – crystalline lakes carved by glaciers, dense pine and hardwood forests climbing gentle slopes, and a network of streams and ponds that create a paddler's dream. The region's unique geology has gifted the campground with its signature sandy shores and the clear, clean waters that define the Adirondack experience.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

From 2 PM until 9 PM.

Check-out

10 AM.

Stay Limit

Amaximum stay of 14 nights is allowed during peak seasons.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Limited to 6 individuals per campsite.

Groups

Group sites accommodate up to 6 people and allow up to 2 tents or 1 RV and a tent.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Site layoutSites are arranged in loops around the ponds. Most are waterfront but close together with little vegetation between them. Sites accommodate two tents or one RV up to 40 feet and a tent, though maximum lengths vary by site.

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made through the campground's official website or via phone.

Walk-in AvailabilityWalk-up availability is limited and varies during peak season due to the campground's popularity.

Cancellation PolicyCancellations are subject to forfeiture of fees, especially if the cancellation occurs within the first night of a reservation.

AccessibilityThere are accessible sites, but at least one person in the party must be mobility impaired to use them. Accessibility reviews are mixed, with some facilities noted as outdated.

Site SizeSites are large enough to accommodate two tents or one hard-wheeled camping unit and a tent. Maximum equipment length varies, with some sites accommodating up to 40 feet.

PrivacySites offer limited privacy, with many being close together and lacking tree cover. Some campers noted that creek-side sites are more secluded.

Total Campsites305 campsites

Recommended SitesSites above 130 offer better privacy and size while creekside sites like C12, C13 are suitable for smaller groups seeking quiet.

Need help booking Fish Creek Pond Campground?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

ReserveAmerica Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Showers

Potable water

Flush toilets

Dump station

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Activities you can enjoy

Recreational activities at Fish Creek Pond Campground are plentiful, with options for both land and water-based fun. Popular activities include fishing, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, swimming, and biking. Wildlife viewing and beach activities are also highlighted.

Hiking

Fishing

Swimming

Biking

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsMotorized boat traffic can create noise and waves; occasional bear sightings due to food left unattended.

Fire PolicyCampfires restricted to fireplaces provided; only dead and down wood may be used for fuel.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are 10 PM to 7 AM.

Emergency ServicesHospital and emergency services available within 10 miles in Saranac Lake.

Trash & RecyclingCentralized recycling and garbage facilities require campers to dispose of waste in clear plastic bags. There are limited dumpster options, causing inconvenience for some campers.

Water FeaturesAlmost all sites are waterfront, offering direct access to Fish Creek Pond, Square Pond, and connected water bodies.

Camp HostFriendly and helpful rangers frequently mentioned in reviews.

Weather at Fish Creek Pond Campground

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Reviews

From Booking Sources

4.6

410 reviews

Top-Rated

Fish Creek Pond Campground is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews for Fish Creek Pond Campground are overwhelmingly positive, praising the natural beauty, waterfront access, and variety of activities. However, issues such as outdated facilities, lack of privacy, and high traffic are commonly noted.

Review Summaries

Based on 410 reviews

What Campers Love

Most campsites are waterfront, offering beautiful views and direct access to the lake. Campers appreciate the variety of activities and the friendly atmosphere.

Based on 410 reviews

Common Concerns

Outdated restroom and shower facilities are a recurring complaint. Limited privacy and crowded conditions during peak season are also noted.

Based on 410 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Campers recommend bringing bikes to explore the campground and being prepared for possible noise. Some suggest booking sites 134 and up for better privacy.

Based on 410 reviews

Seasonal Insights

The campground is busy during the summer, with crowded conditions and high boat traffic. Fall offers a quieter experience. Winter camping is possible but less popular.

Based on 410 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Virtually all sites are waterfront, hence its huge popularity." - Wayne Clark. "The campground is busy and wraps all the way around the lake." - Mark Woolley. "Just love it, been going since 1960."...

Based on 410 reviews