By:
Submission
Located in the Black River Wild Forest, this campground has 112 campsites, picnic area, a large beach with lifeguards and more than 5 miles of hiking trails. The park abuts a 205-acre shallow lake closed to motor boats, which makes this serene location great for canoeing, kayaking, or swimming. And don't forget that fish pole, because the fishing is great too. If paddling around at dusk trolling for that lunker bass or brown trout, listening to the sound of the loons, and watching the sun set sounds a little too relaxing for you then how about a modern ADA Accessible playground for the little ones, volleyball, horseshoes, basketball and more than 3 miles of paved roads for the biker or jogger. Whatever you choose to do with your time here, take time out to observe the abundant wildlife. Whitetail deer are everywhere and friendly.
Just minutes away you can enjoy a chairlift ride to the top of McCauley Mountain to view Fulton Chain of lakes or drive into Old Forge and visit the multitude of shops and fine restaurants along Main Street. And once you visit Old Forge, you will have to spend at least one day at the Enchanted Forest / Water Safari.
Whether your day is filled with one of the many activities available here or you chose to just sit back and enjoy the campfire, you can always start or end your day with a hot shower in one of our brand-new state of the art ADA Accessible restrooms.
Amenities
112 tent and trailer sites, picnic pavilion rental, picnic area with tables and fireplaces, flush toilets, hot showers, ball field, trailer dump station, recycling center, mobility impaired accessibility, sand beach, swimming area, bathhouse, playground, nature trail with 14 educational stations, hiking trails, fishing, bicycling, volleyball, basketball, and softball.
Featured Activities
Boating
two colorful kayaks in the water
No motor boats allowed. Rowboats and canoes allowed.
Fishing
Fish in the area include: brown trout, rainbow trout, brook trout, bass, white sucker, yellow perch, brown bullhead, common sunfish, golden shiner, blacknose dace, creek chub, and common shiner.
Hiking
The Nicks Lake Trailhead can be accessed within the campground. The Nicks Lake Trail provides access to the 122,000+ acre Black River Wild Forest and it's extensive trail system.
Swimming
Designated swimming areas are available at some DEC facilities. Based on staffing, some of these facilities may have limited swimming hours/days. For the safety of our customers, swimming will only be permitted when a lifeguard is on duty. Beach hours will be posted at facilities with swimming. To inquire, please contact the campground directly.
278 Bisby Road, Old Forge, NY 13420
From NYS Thruway, Exit 31 at Utica, Route 12 North to Alder Creek, Rte. 28 to Old Forge. Turn right at the Post Office, and follow the Nicks Lake Campground signs 1.5 miles to the campground entrance.
From Watertown take Rte. 12 South to Alder Creek, follow above directions.
From Blue Mountain Lake take Rte. 28 to Old Forge, turn left at the Post Office and follow the Nicks Lake Campground signs.
Campsites are spaced out from each other there are lots of trees between sites. (One tree fell in the night during a storm into the road and they were very prompt to clear it up) The lake is beautiful and very quiet. There are lots of chipmunks, red squirrels, we saw a bald eagle and loons. We saw a newt in the lake as well!
It is far enough from Old Forge that you can avoid the crowds but close enough to stop in for any of their attractions.
Showers are amazing (at least in loop D), you can adjust the heat, they were very clean, and had lots of space.
Great place to kayak, paint by the lake, hike, have smores, water was quite warm and so relaxing.
I've been to many state parks and Nick's tops them all! Very clean, well landscaped, and the staff goes above and beyond. I had a very quiet and relaxing time at site 112 by the lake.
Nicks lake is much larger in person that it seems on the map. A fantastic place to canoe or kayak no motors allowed on the lake too many rocks and shallow obstructions for motors. The camp sites are primitive but large and separated by woods i really like the loop layout it keeps the traffic down to a minimum so the kids can ride their bikes.
Nice campground close to everything the Adirondacks have to offer and cheaper sites than others nearby, good lake for some kayaking, fishing or swimming at the beach with a walking trail all the way around. Small playground and a basketball hoop for the kids (dogs not allowed in this area which was unfortunate, we had to walk back to camp and leave her there although she is very well behaved).
Bathroom and showers are clean, our site was right next to them and we saw workers come to do cleaning each day.
Very clean bathrooms. Dump station and sites. We stayed in a rooftop tent and the land was pretty leveled. Nice beach with great views of the stars at the boating dock after dark.
