Buck Pond Campground

Kris Jarrett (Kris Jarrett Photo)

2023-06

Very nice quiet park (at least early in the year, I have not been there during the high season) with nice sites, a beautiful lake for paddling, and a large sand beach. Nice long double track trail for gentle mountain biking.As with any park out in the woods of the Adirondacks, bring your bug spray and nets.No cell coverage to speak of, maybe enough for a text when near the pond or lake, but don't rely on it.

S

2023-05

This was my favorite stay of several DEC campgrounds during my vacation this summer. There are many sites to choose from. Many sites have decent privacy and access to one of the many lakes/ponds. Our site had a small trail that led to the pond and we were able to sit and enjoy the view in complete privacy. The pond was completely barren of any signs of human life and we were able to enjoy nature.At night we show a Barred Owl hunting a mouse from only a few feet away. It was a big highlight of the trip.

Amanda Crider

2022-05

We loved camping at Buck Pond. We were on site 18 which was a nice spacious site with trees for our hammocks. When we go again we are hoping to reserve one of the sites that have water access. The kayaking here is amazing! $20 for 24 hours. So peaceful and lots of places to explore. Definitely recommend Buck Pond.

Robert Coleburn

2022-05

I enjoyed my stay at the buck pond campground. I was only there for two nights but I feel like I got a fair amount of activities in. I had a reservation at campsite number 59 but when I arrived I noticed there was very little privacy to the next campsite. I jumped on my bike surveyed some of the neighboring campsites and asked the friendly staff if I could switch to campsite number 60, no problem. Most of the campsites seem quite large with ample privacy although quite a few sites are not flat. I would say 30% of the campsites were empty during my middle of the week stay at the end of June. I spent a lot of my time on my bike at buck pond. The campground is quite large and it was a pleasure to bike around. I don’t have kids but it looked to me like a safe place for them to be on bikes. On my one outing off the campground I took my hybrid bike on the hiking trail that went up to Kushaqua-Mud Pond rd, from there I took a right at the bridge and followed the rough dirt road for a few miles. Much of this road and trail skirts the Kushaqua Lake and Mud Pond. No time for lingering off the bike though, the deer flies were out in force. I turned around, crossed the bridge and followed the dirt road that eventually led back to the small town near the entrance to the campground. This route is only appropriate for mountain bikes and sturdy hybrid bikes with good tires. This would be a great trail and road to walk your well behaved dog off leash. In the afternoon I rented a kayak ($20 a day) and paddled around the pond. I got a nice view of an eagle and saw loons in the distance. All in all it was a great stay, I will return (and with any luck I will score one of those nice looking pond side campsites). FYI: I’m a Verizon customer and I was able to get one bar at the beach.

kelly heck

2023-05

Fantastic campground. Rustic but clean bathrooms and friendly staff. We stayed on a waterfront site and barely had any neighbors. First time camping in ADK and can't imagine a better experience.

JCR

2020-05

Stayed on site #65 in loop B. The site was private and very wooded, and our nearest neighbors were two sites away. On our second day at the park the loop was practically empty, and it was strange not having anyone around for our stay. Drove around the park, and all the loops appear to be the same, except for the water sites which looked closer together. Great opportunity for kayaking, bicycle riding, and hiking on a rail trail in the park. For supplies you can make a run to Saranac lake (food/Gas). Negatives for us was the location of the dump station, located by the boat launch, in the middle of the park and not closer to the exit, only one shower per bathroom facility (hot water was great) and our fire pit was damage. Something else to consider is the road leading to the park cuts through the center of Saranac lake, and you have to be very careful pulling a trailer. Overall we had a great time, and will definitely be coming back again.

Patti (Pattinys)

2020-05

Nice NYS campground. Camp sites are kinda close together but most are medium size and shaded. Public use area has nice private picnic areas and the beach was inviting and offered views of the mountains in the distance. Hiking and biking trails available. Remote location means no cell reception at least with aT&T.

Reena Ladak

2023-05

Camped here before heading over to the Adirondacks for some hiking. The staff was incredibly helpful, answering all our questions and leaving us a marked map as we were arriving very late. Sites were well maintained and spaced out well too. Decent facilities with everything you need. Folks were renting canoes too which seemed like fun.

Mrs F (Mom)

2022-05

Great place for an afternoon BBQ! Private picnic and beach area. Views of Big Haystack and Kate Mountain. Lots of Loon sounds and we saw a bald eagle.

Don DiMartini

2022-05

Amazing location. First rate NYS DEC managed campground. Great campsites, clean bathrooms, hot water and friendly campers. #adirondacks, #hornbeckcanoes

Adrien Vlach

2022-05

Pretty fantastic campground. Good paddling. We like to ride bikes there, out of season.

Rebeca Durham

2023-09

We spent 4 days here last week. Sadly it rained the entire time so we weren't able to truly experience all that Buck pond had to offer. That being said the sites are large and the views are beautiful. It is very quiet even on the weekends. The sites are far enough apart that it feels very secluded. The only down said is the bathrooms. The bathhouse only had 2 showers (1 per gender) and they were so dirty we refused to use them.

Darryl Scott

2023-08

This is my third time at Buck Pond. It's a beautiful campground with awesome views by the water. It also has a nice beach you can get a front seat of the beautiful stars at night. The only thing is I'm not crazy about their bathrooms. It can stand to be a little cleaner and attended to more often.. other than that it's a nice camping experience.

Stephen Raab

2019-05

Great little campground nestled in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains. Very friendly staff that were always helpful and willing to answer any question you could have. All the amenities you would need while tent camping. There's no electricity but we ran everything we needed power for out of our car. Absolutely beautiful sights and plenty of opportunities for water acrivities. Bring a boat or rent one there, they've got you covered either way.

Aaron Kaiser

2023-05

Can’t wait to go back what more can you say awesome private sites quiet and great scenery

Laurette Garrand

2022-05

Love visiting this place. No cell service. Quiet, hot showers, and a warm place to wash your dishes with hot water.

Mateo Williamson

2023-08

Great campground. The bathrooms were incredibly clean and the views are gorgeous. My wife and I looked at many different sites and they were all very spacious. Next time I am back in ADK, I will be booking a campsite here!

LC SHARKER gaming

2020-05

Great, quiet campground with great staff. Wonderful place to canoe. Covered in wild blueberries.

Dawn Marie Fountain

2023-05

Stayed at Buck Pond for 4 nights, went based on location and proximity to activities we were interested in up north. Had high expectations after reading multiple reviews, and sadly our experience fell a tad short. Sites itself were great and spacious, and well cleared for tents. We fit our 2 large tents, 15×15 screen tent, and a canopy with no issues. Our site was extremely close to another site on the one side which was challenging at night time but otherwise super quiet with some privacy. Fireplace was falling apart badly on our site, noticed others were newly replaced however. Grounds itself were clean but the facilities were atrocious. Bathrooms didn't have basic necessities like soap or toilet paper multiple days. Not well maintained, showers inoperable in several locations. Rustic is perhaps saying it politely and we've almost exclusively camped at NYS sites. Beach was not well maintained either, needed clean up along with the bathhouse, and note no showers there either. However, great trails to hike and bike ride along the lake and pond. Rental opportunities for water activities was super convenient. Staff were very friendly and helpful. FYI cell coverage is extremely limited on the grounds which was fine with us looking to unplug, but make sure you GPS ahead of time as you can easily be turned around in a long stretch of dead zone. All and all, 3/5 definitely seems as though they don't have adequate funding or perhaps staffing to keep up the grounds which is incredibly sad. Has excellent potential, great location and beautiful sights otherwise.

Linda Baraniak

2023-08

Way better than the past few years. Staff is Amazing very helpful and nice. Bathrooms are so much cleaner. Very happy a unenjoyable place to go. We will be back.

June Queor

2018-05

Very quiet and beautiful scenery..and not on top of your neighbors

Daryl Marietta

2022-05

Primitive campground, which means sites are a clearing in the woods with no electric, water or any other amenities on site. But this is what I prefer to what I call "family style" campgrounds, so I liked it. They do have comfort stations with running water and flush toilets. While it was very well maintained and clean, it is very old and could stand a bit of a refresh. Otherwise this is great for those here to enjoy nature as opposed to partying at a campsite. For the latter, you would be better off at a different campground where that is welcomed or common.

Elizabeth S

2021-05

What a gem of a place! Quiet and well kept. Stunning views on the water and a true sense of seclusion. The sites are spacious and far apart. Everyone was overwhelmingly friendly and helpful. The bathrooms, though a little outdated, were clean and smelled good. The shower was clean with plenty of hot water. Will definitely be returning.

Susan Waters

2022-05

Great campground for day visits. Nice little beach, safe biking.

Christopher Lennon

2022-05

We stayed here the week before labor day. It was very quiet. Coolish temperatures but very few bugs.Each bathroom building had a shower AND a dish washing station.Nice beach area and a good boat launch.

Thomas ONeil

2023-05

This is one State Park I hesitate to review, because it is a rare and beautiful spot. The sites are a mix of trees and underbrush and you never feel exposed to your neighbor. Everyone is quiet and respectful of fellow campers. While the bathrooms are really old and dated, the Park staff are diligent in cleaning. Beautiful pond and a Lake across the street. Before Covid-19 you could rent kayaks and canoes, but now it's bring your own. Nice quiet beach on the pond. No playgrounds for kids or kid amenities. Hiking close by and Lake Placid is about 20 miles. Very near Paul Smith College and they have a wonderful trail system snd weekly guided outings.

Joe Marsh

2020-05

We enjoyed our week long stay here. Very reasonable rates for kayak rentals. The staff was always courteous and helpful. One star was lost though due to the condition of some of the fireplaces and the bathroom. For the men's room, the urinal has a window so you can wave to people walking up to the bathroom while doing your business and the windows in the shower changing area are clear instead of privacy glass (at least in the bathroom closest to our site).

Adam Pizer

2018-05

Great place to camp with the family. Sites were large and private. Staff was friendly and helpful. Lake was great, with easy canoe and kayak rentals (kept them overnight at our site on the lake). Bathroom was clean, although a garbage can and locks on the stalls would have been preferable. Fun but really steep (and probably a little dangerous) hike up the hill behind the lake via a side trail that's off of their main walking trail. Awesome views from the rock at the top.

DJ Wright

2023-05

Cellular phone service dead zone. No wifi. Truly a get away. Water faucets say no washing but then there is no place to wash Camping cook gear on top of that couldn't find a trash can dumpster or any place fir yrash disposal. Wouldn't stay here again.

kelly marsh

2020-05

The grounds were beautiful and the sites were nice, however the bathrooms needed upgrading, the fireplaces were crumbling and the rules were never enforced. One site in our loop had 3 trailers and tent in one site then they parked their cars at other sites, that same group ran their generator well pass midnight on our last camping as well. Several people also had their dogs on the beach, which is not allowed, and when another camper told them dogs were not allowed on the beach, that woman was nasty with her. So lovely grounds, bathrooms need an upgrade, and apparently anything goes...