Rollins Pond Campground

- 4523 State Route 30, Saranac Lake, NY 12983

Introduction / Overview

For New Yorkers craving an authentic Adirondack experience focused on water activities and natural beauty, Rollins Pond Campground in Saranac Lake is a premier destination. Located within the vast and protected Saranac Lakes Wild Forest, Rollins Pond offers a quieter, more secluded alternative to some of the region's larger parks. What sets this campground apart is its unique geography: approximately 80% of its nearly 287 campsites are directly on the shoreline of the 442-acre Rollins Pond or have water views from across the access road. This near-universal waterfront access makes it an absolute heaven for paddlers—canoes, kayaks, and rowboats—who can often launch right from their campsite.

Rollins Pond Campground is managed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and is known for providing a traditional, heavily wooded camping atmosphere. While it caters to all equipment types, from tents to RVs up to 40 feet, it maintains a focus on the natural environment. The campground is well-loved by long-time visitors, some of whom have been coming for over 40 years, for its beautiful scenery, abundant wildlife sightings—including the haunting calls of loons—and the overall serene setting that allows for a genuine escape from city life. It’s an essential spot for any New Yorker looking to immerse themselves in the deep woods and extensive waterways of the Adirondack Park.

Location and Accessibility

Rollins Pond Campground is situated deep within the Adirondack Park, offering an isolated feel that is still reasonably accessible from downstate New York. The official address is

4523 State Route 30, Saranac Lake, NY 12983, USA

Access to Rollins Pond is unique in that it is gained by driving through its sister campground, the popular Fish Creek Pond Campground. This means the final leg of the journey is a long drive back into the complex on a fairly rough road, which contributes to the campground’s secluded atmosphere. Campers should be prepared for this winding interior road, which, while paved and restricted to a slow 10 MPH, can be challenging for inexperienced drivers, with some steeper sections that may require caution, especially for larger rigs. This winding, narrow interior road, however, also serves as an excellent, low-traffic path for bicycles. Once inside, the central location on Route 30 places it conveniently near several key Adirondack attractions. The Olympic village of Lake Placid is about 25 miles to the southeast, while the Adirondack Park Visitors Interpretive Center at Paul Smiths is only 18 miles north, providing excellent day-trip opportunities for campers seeking culture, history, and further exploration.

Services Offered

The campground offers essential services to ensure a comfortable stay while maintaining a focus on a more rustic, unplugged experience compared to private RV parks.

• Campsites: 287 sites are available, accommodating everything from small tents to RVs up to 40 feet. Each site includes a picnic table and a fire ring with a grill.
• Water Access: Approximately 80% of all sites are located directly on the shoreline or offer water views, many allowing for boat launch right from the site. Boat-in sites are also available.
• Essential Facilities: The campground provides flush toilets in various comfort stations and a central building for showers. Note that a long-standing customer concern is the aging condition and inconsistent operation of the shower facilities.
• Waste Management: A trailer dumping station is available for RVs, and drinking water spigots are conveniently located throughout the campground loops.
• On-Site Supplies: Firewood and ice are available for purchase at the camp office/livery area.
• Recreational Rentals: Canoes, kayaks, and rowboats are available for rent at the boat launch livery site, making it easy to enjoy the water without transporting your own gear.
• Pet Policy: Pets are allowed on a leash no longer than six feet, provided campers show proof of a valid rabies vaccination.
• Boating Regulations: Motorboats are permitted but strictly limited to 25 horsepower or less, ensuring a quieter experience on Rollins Pond itself.

Features / Highlights

Rollins Pond's natural setting and extensive water access are its two most defining characteristics, offering unparalleled opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts.

• Paddling Paradise: The pond's long, narrow body is perfect for calm paddling. Adventurers can easily canoe the waterway that connects to the larger Fish Creek Pond, creating an extensive network of accessible lakes and ponds, including Whey Pond, which is stocked with trout.
• Exceptional Fishing: The waters are stocked and populated with major species including bass, northern pike, yellow perch, brown bullhead, and pan fish. Black and Whey Ponds, accessible nearby, offer brook and rainbow trout fishing.
• Otter Hollow Trail: A primary hiking and biking feature, this trail begins within the campground and connects directly to the larger Saranac Lakes Wild Forest trail system, as well as linking to the sister campground, Fish Creek Pond.
• Natural Seclusion: Unlike many campgrounds, Rollins Pond features a mostly undeveloped shoreline on its western side, offering a more wild, beautiful view and a chance to experience the sound of loons at night, a priceless Adirondack amenity.
• Variety of Sites: The campsites vary widely in elevation and privacy, with some offering small, private beach areas and others being more elevated. This variety allows campers to find a site that perfectly matches their needs, whether it's easy water access or deep privacy.
• Junior Naturalist Program: The campground offers an educational program for children aged 5-13 and their families, with games and activities to help them learn about the local environment and earn an embroidered patch.

Contact Information

For reservations, seasonal operating dates, or to inquire about specific site details, please use the contact information provided below. Reservations are highly recommended due to the campground's popularity.

Address:

Phone:

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

Rollins Pond Campground is exceptionally suitable for New York residents because it represents the quintessential Adirondack experience—secluded, nature-focused, and centered on low-impact water recreation. For those coming from the downstate and metropolitan areas, the drive immediately transports them from the hustle of urban life to the tranquility of the wilderness. It is an ideal spot for the local family seeking a traditional camping experience where the focus is on paddling, fishing, biking, and campfires, rather than pool slides or amplified entertainment.

Its primary suitability lies in the unparalleled access to water; having a campsite right on a large, quiet pond is a feature rarely found elsewhere. While the lack of utility hookups on sites and the aging infrastructure of the showers are honest considerations for campers, the trade-off is a deeply restorative experience amidst the Saranac Lakes Wild Forest. It encourages families to disconnect and engage directly with the environment, promoting a genuine appreciation for New York's vast natural resources. For the local New Yorker, Rollins Pond is more than just a place to pitch a tent or park an RV—it is a cherished annual tradition and a direct link to the quiet beauty of the great Adirondack Park.

Rollins Pond Campground

4523 State Route 30, Saranac Lake, NY 12983, USA