Scaroon Manor Campground

- Pottersville, NY 12860

Introduction / Overview

For New Yorkers seeking an escape from the relentless pace of city life, Scaroon Manor Campground offers a truly exceptional and restorative Adirondack experience. Located on the beautiful west shore of Schroon Lake, this New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) facility is a beloved destination for those who appreciate quiet, authentic camping amidst stunning natural beauty. The park occupies the historic grounds of the former lavish Scaroon Manor resort, providing a unique blend of natural recreation and historical intrigue. While the grand resort buildings were long since razed, the remnants of its past, such as the old amphitheater ruins, add a layer of distinctive charm to your modern camping adventure.

Scaroon Manor is celebrated by local users not as a 'glamping' destination, but as a place for "REAL camping." The atmosphere is geared towards those who love the tranquility of nature, appreciate quiet hours, and prefer to create their own outdoor adventure. The sites are known to be spacious and well-maintained, offering a peaceful retreat whether you prefer a tent platform nestled in the woods or an accessible site for your recreational vehicle. Its lakeside location and commitment to preservation make it a genuine hidden gem for the serious New York camper.

Location and Accessibility

Scaroon Manor Campground is perfectly situated within the Adirondack Park, offering New York locals a quintessential wilderness experience that is still reasonably accessible. The official address is listed as Pottersville, NY 12860, USA. More specifically, the campground is located on Taylor's Point, along the west shore of Schroon Lake, nestled near the border of Warren and Essex Counties.

Accessibility from major New York population centers, such as the Capital Region, is straightforward via Interstate 87 (The Adirondack Northway). The campground is conveniently located just a short distance from the I-87 Exit 27 access road, making the final leg of the journey quick and easy. This prime location allows New York residents to maximize their vacation time rather than spending it navigating winding back roads. Furthermore, the local area is supported by the charming, quaint small town of Schroon Lake, located a few miles north. This village offers essential services, unique small businesses, and a friendly, tight-knit community feel, providing a perfect balance of seclusion and convenience. For more extensive supply needs, a larger retailer like Dollar General is approximately 10 minutes down the road, ensuring you have access to camping essentials.

Services Offered

As a New York State DEC-operated campground, Scaroon Manor is equipped with essential modern facilities that enhance the camping experience without sacrificing the connection to nature. The campground focuses on providing clean, well-maintained foundational services for all visitors.

• Campground Utilities: The facility is equipped with a trailer dump station and a recycling center, promoting convenience and environmental responsibility for both tent and RV campers.
• Sanitary Facilities: Clean and modern facilities are provided, including hot showers and flush toilets, a welcome comfort after a day of hiking or swimming in the lake.
• Water Access: With 1,200 feet of shoreline on Schroon Lake, the campground features boat docks, a boat basin, and a modern boat ramp suitable for motorboats, rowboats, and canoes.
• Day-Use Amenities: A designated swimming beach and day-use picnic areas with a picnic pavilion are available, making it an excellent spot for non-campers to visit as well.
• Watercraft Rentals: Kayak and canoe rentals are available on-site, allowing visitors to easily explore the waters of Schroon Lake without bringing their own gear.
• Accessibility: Scaroon Manor was intentionally designed and constructed to be fully accessible, with most recreation features, all restrooms, and all 60 campsites meeting ADA standards with hardened, level surfaces.

Features / Highlights

Scaroon Manor Campground boasts a unique combination of natural features, recreational opportunities, and historical significance that sets it apart for New York campers.

• Historic Scaroon Manor Ruins: The grounds preserve the historical legacy of the grand resort, including the remains of the old amphitheater, providing a fascinating backdrop and a unique sightseeing opportunity within the park.
• Authentic Tent Camping: The facility caters to the true tent camper, specifically offering tent-only sites (such as #55 and #60) that often include a dedicated tent platform and are lauded for their quiet, secluded nature.
• Schroon Lake Recreation: Campers have direct access to a wide array of water-based activities on the 4,100-acre Schroon Lake, including fishing for lake trout, bass, and pike, as well as water-skiing and general boating.
• Quiet, Peaceful Atmosphere: The campground is highly praised for strictly enforcing quiet hours (10 p.m. to 7 a.m.) and for its overall tranquil environment, making it an ideal destination for New Yorkers seeking genuine peace and relaxation.
• Wooded and Spacious Sites: The campsites are generously sized and often nestled within the woods, providing a high degree of privacy and a more immersive natural setting than many other New York camping facilities.
• Hiking and Biking: The extensive grounds and surrounding Adirondack Forest Preserve offer numerous opportunities for hiking and biking, with paved roads within the campground being perfect for a leisurely ride.

Contact Information

For New York residents planning their Adirondack getaway, here is the essential contact information for Scaroon Manor Campground, which is managed by the NYS DEC.

Address: Pottersville, NY 12860, USA (The physical location is commonly referenced near 8728 State Route 9, Pottersville, NY)

Campground Phone: (518) 494-2631

Reservations for all NYS DEC campgrounds, including Scaroon Manor, are typically handled through the ReserveAmerica system, which is the recommended method for securing a site, especially during the peak summer season.

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

Scaroon Manor Campground is uniquely suitable for New York locals—particularly those from the downstate and Capital regions—because it provides an accessible entry point into the incomparable wilderness of the Adirondack Park while offering a deep connection to the region’s natural and historical heritage. For the New Yorker who values escape, tranquility, and genuine outdoor experience, this is the destination.

The campground’s authentic, low-key nature is ideal for the camper who seeks to "make their own adventure," preferring quiet moments by the fire and hours spent on the lake over organized recreational programming. The combination of its stunning Schroon Lake setting, commitment to modern accessibility standards, and proximity to charming small-town America—where "everyone is super friendly"—offers a complete and deeply satisfying vacation experience. It is a place where you can switch off, breathe in the Adirondack air, and enjoy the real beauty of Upstate New York, making it a highly recommended hidden gem for any local user looking for a peaceful and memorable outdoor retreat.

Scaroon Manor Campground

Pottersville, NY 12860, USA