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The Adirondack Mountain Club’s Wilderness Campground offers a variety of primitive camping opportunities. The seasonal washhouse is available during the spring, summer, and fall; this facility has men and women’s washrooms with showers, toilets, and sinks. During the winter months guests are able to use the facilities in the High Peaks Information Center. All food must be stored inside a vehicle to avoid attracting wildlife.
Campsites
There are 32 campsites located in the Wilderness Campground. Each campsite has a fire pit and picnic table. A limited number of sites are large enough to accommodate a pop-up camper or small trailer. A maximum of 6 people and a maximum of 3 tents are allowed per site. These sites are open year-round.
Lean-tos
The Wilderness Campground has 16 lean-tos, several are located adjacent to Heart Lake. Lean-tos are a traditional three-sided Adirondack shelter, they offer protection from weather but have the feel of sleeping out in the open. Each lean-to has a fire pit and picnic table. The lean-tos are open year-round.
Canvas Cabins
There are six canvas cabins in the Wilderness Campground, each sleeps six people in three bunk beds. The canvas cabins have mattresses but no pillows or linens are provided. Each canvas cabin has a fire pit and picnic table. They are open from the weekend prior to Memorial Day through Columbus Day.
FROM THE SOUTH: Take the Northway (Rt. 87) to Exit 30, Turn left on Rt. 73 toward Keene and Lake Placid. Continue on Rt. 73 for 26.5 miles. One mile before the Lake Placid ski jumps; turn left on Adirondak Loj Road (High Peaks Wilderness Trailhead Sign), five miles to the Loj to the end of the road.
FROM THE NORTH:
Take the Northway (Rt. 87) to Exit 34, Keeseville. Follow 9N to Jay and Rt. 86 to Lake Placid. Turn left on Rt. 73 before going through Lake Placid. In three miles, look for High Peaks Wilderness Trailhead Sign (one mile past the Lake Placid ski jumps) and turn right onto Adirondak Loj Road, five miles to the Loj
to the end of the road.
FROM THE WEST: Rt. 3 or 86 into Saranac Lake. Continue on Rt. 86 through Lake Placid. At the third traffic light, turn right onto Rt. 73 towards Keene. In three miles, look for High Peaks Wilderness Trailhead Sign (one mile past the Lake Placid ski jumps) and turn right onto Adirondak Loj Road, five miles to the Loj to the end of the road.
After passing the entrance station, take the first right and proceed to the Loj.
Campgrounds were perfect. With a firepit, picnic table, and plenty of space for tents, I couldn't have asked for more. The view of heart lake from the camp was very nice. The bathrooms were cleaner than most public bathrooms and included three showers which were also well cleaned.
Spent three days/two nights here hiking with my son. Don't miss Avalanche Lake! It's worth every mile to get there! Be sure to hike to the end. Beautiful!
One of the Premier gateways to the high peaks. So many amazing mountains accessible from this trailhead. Definitely fills up in the summertime, the secrets out. There are also campsites and cabins I'm lucky enough to live close enough I haven't had to Camp there. The information center is world class. If you forget any gear you can buy it there! They have rental safety equipment as well
The lake is stunning and the scenery and hiking in this area is magnificent. I haven't stayed in the Loj recently, but have many happy memories of past stays there and hope to stay there again soon. Here's an oil painting I did in October, 2023 of "Heart Lake & Algonquin Mountain." The colors were unbelievable!
