Nicks Lake Campground

Closed — Closed for the season. Opens May 15, 2026 and operates through October 12. Reservations available through ReserveAmerica starting in spring.

About

Nicks Lake Campground sits within the Black River Wild Forest in the western Adirondacks, providing a peaceful camping experience on the shores of a 205-acre shallow lake closed to motorboats. With 112 tent and trailer sites spread across multiple loops, the campground offers modern amenities including flush toilets, hot showers in new accessible restrooms, a dump station, and ice sales. Six sites are wheelchair accessible. The lake's motor-free waters make it perfect for canoeing, kayaking, and fishing. Anglers can expect brown trout, rainbow trout, brook trout, largemouth and smallmouth bass, yellow perch, and panfish. The sandy beach provides excellent swimming opportunities. On land, visitors enjoy over 5 miles of hiking trails, including the Nicks Lake Trail that accesses the 122,000-acre Black River Wild Forest. The campground features over 3 miles of paved roads for biking and jogging, plus a modern playground, volleyball, basketball, horseshoes, and a ball field. Located just 1.5 miles from Old Forge, campers have easy access to shops, restaurants, McCauley Mountain chairlift rides, and the Enchanted Forest Water Safari theme park. Wildlife viewing is excellent, with white-tailed deer commonly seen throughout the campground. The facility offers a Junior Naturalist Program for children ages 5-13 and hosts a picnic pavilion available for rental.

Directions

From NYS Thruway Exit 31 at Utica, take Route 12 North to Alder Creek, then Route 28 to Old Forge. Turn right at the Post Office and follow Nicks Lake Campground signs 1.5 miles to the entrance.

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