My wife and I were planning to go camping in the Adirondack High Peaks region. I looked for campgrounds near Lake Placid and Saranac Lake. I found a KOA but it was up around Wilmington, and I wanted to find something with a shorter drive from Rochester, NY. I found another campground with all kinds of amenities, but as I tried to book, I found it required a 3 day minimum stay. Darn it. I found another campground, but found that the tent sites were located on islands and you needed a boat to reach them (good thing I read more before booking one). Then I tried Rollins Pond Campground. It is a state campground. I went ahead a booked a site.
There are two campgrounds here: Fish Creek Pond Campground & Rollins Pond Campground. Fish Creek Pond Campground is more family oriented, and has it’s site located directly on the pond, and are all squished close together. Rollins Pond Campground offers more quiet, and has buffers between the sites.
As we arrived in the area, we found that we had to drive through Fish Creek Pond Campground, to reach the entrance of Rollins Pond Campground. There were about half a dozen cars in front of us at the check in. The check in process was agonizingly slow, and took us about us between 20 minutes and half an hour to get in.
We drove to our camp site. 80% of the campsites are located on the water, and the rest are across the road. Our site was not one of the 80% on the water. Reserve America listed our site as Drive Tent Prime. I am still trying to figure out what “Prime” is. The best thing about our site is it was near the bathrooms. The only things found on our site were a picnic table and a cement block firepit that looked kind of busted up.
The bathrooms were dimly lit, and not very clean. Often we found the toilets clogged up. And most of the bathrooms had only toilets and a couple sinks with cold running water. There were also mirrors, but because of the dim lighting, they weren’t extremely helpful.
There were a couple shower buildings at the campground, but we would have had to get into the can, drive to them as they were quite a ways away from our campsite. We never did.
There were water faucets located along the road for campers to use, but these were located a distance apart, and required a short walk to get water.
I looked at fishing in the pond (from a camp site on the water), but the water near shore was too shallow to try fishing from shore, and I didn’t have a boat. There was a place near the entrance where I saw people fishing on a small dock. But I would have had to drive to it, and just never got around to it.
There were a handfull of activities scheduled each day. We checked out one listed as Mountain Pies. We weren’t sure what mountain pies were. So we got in the car, and drove to it as it was a long ways away from our site. Mountain pies seem to be pie filling spread on white bread, and toasted over a fire. We didn’t bother with them, and headed back to our campsite.
Overall, I just wasn’t impressed. I will not likely stay at this campground next time. Maybe I was spoiled by our last trip to Old Forge where we stayed at a private owned campground.
Wow! My experience at Rollins Pond has been much better. I have been camping there nearly every summer since I was a kid. We were there this summer as well…no clogged toilets, the bathrooms were decently lit, FREE showers at the shower building and our sites were all on the water (we’ve walked the entire campground to find the ones that meet our criteria). I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy your stay but maybe you’ll give it another try. We LOVE it!
Comment by Pam — October 22, 2006 @ 9:12 am
Would you be able to tell me where there are 4 good sites that would be good for little kids (no cliffs) and have beachy areas near the water? It seems that the sites we know of are all taken already. (at Rollins Pond)
Comment by Melissa — October 29, 2006 @ 3:09 pm
I am looking for a canoe rental company that will drop me at Rollins pond and pick up the canoe on Lake Flower in Saranac Lake
Comment by Bobby — December 1, 2006 @ 10:46 pm
Sorry you had such a bad experience at Rollins! Have been every year (except 4 during college) since birth. My family and I are in love with this park and the Adirondack Mountains. You can canoe right into the Saranac Lake Chain from the pond. And to answer the last comment/question there is a boat livery on the pond where you can rent canoes for a few hours or days! Leaving for the park in 6 more days to embark on a canoe adventure. Highly recommend giving the park a try and enjoying the lakes starting at this park.
Comment by Paul — July 14, 2007 @ 6:10 pm
It sounds to me like you don’t actually know what camping is. Rollins has great facilities and is absolutely amazing. I have never heard complaints about the campground and I have gone there many times with many different people. Everybody always loves it. I’ve been to many campgrounds and Rollins’ facilities nothing to complain about. Perhaps next time you should forgo the camping all together because it sounds to me that you aren’t cut out for it.
Comment by A Happy Camper — July 24, 2007 @ 8:17 am
We just camped for 4 days at the Fish Creek Pond Campsite (July 2007) but wish we had stayed at Rollins Pond instead (the two campsites are adjacent). Fish Creek Pond has many lakeside campsites that are packed tightly together….there isn’t any buffer between sites so no privacy. The campsites have a nice lake on one side (you can tie up your boat at the site) and a road on the other so while there is a nice lake view there is also a steady stream of cars, bikes and people (15 mph speed limit). Fish Creek Pond campsite attracts LOTS of RVs including HUGE land yachts. Since we are tent campers we felt somewhat overwhelmed and the motor-boat and Ski-doo traffic on the lake was often quite noisy. Toilet facilities are adequate but no hot water. Coin-operated showers are in a separate building far removed from many sites (over 1.5 miles from some sites).
Rollins Pond Campground is much more secluded than Fish Creek. The sites we saw were lakeside sites more widely spaced than Fish Creek with privacy from trees and plants. Rollins Pond is a better choice for tent campers who value privacy and quiet and natural surroundings and that’s where we will head next summer! Let the RV crowd stay at Fish Creek Pond!
David
Comment by David — July 30, 2007 @ 1:17 pm
I have to agree with RJ. When I was younger these campgrounds were clean, quiet and one of the best around but as the years have gone by the campgrounds – both Fish Creek and Rolands have gotten way too busy, noisy and dirty for my taste. I now frequent Lewey Lake, I find it more to my liking.
Comment by SB — August 15, 2007 @ 11:00 am
We have camped extensively in the east and we find that by far the Fish Creek / Rollins combo out shines anything else out there. Yes maybe if your a more suburban type camper, then a KOA is more you’re style, with pools, cabin and cable tv, but if you like to be close to nature and endless options to enjoy the outdoors, Fish Creek / Rollins is hard to beat.
We find it always clean, lots of water taps, abundant showers facilities (have never had to line up) and has an amazing ambience. For more social camping and boating, Fish Creek is your choice, Rollins if you like quiet and more privacy… best of both worlds in one place.
Best part is the easy access to some of the best canoeing/kayak around, as well as access to Upper Saranac, one of our favorite lakes in upstate NY.
Comment by Dave — February 19, 2008 @ 1:35 pm
What are the canoe rental fees from this campground?
Comment by Gail Schmidt — May 17, 2009 @ 4:55 pm
Everything you need to know about Fish Creek and Rollins Pond is here.
http://www.fishcreekpond.com/
Comment by Jeff — July 2, 2009 @ 2:30 pm
I just returned from a 9 day camping trip with my family at Rollins Pond. This was our first time there and we LOVED it so much we are already planning a return for summer 2010. I have camped at many state parks but never at a private campground , so I don’t know if there are big differences. For a state park, Rollins is typical and perfectly fine!. Cleared, level sites separated from each other by woods, water taps never more than a few hundred feet from a campsite, and free hot showers. Considering how many people use the shower building, I found this modern, tiled building very clean ( it is closed 1 1/2 hours daily for cleaning!) The park is big and there is only one shower building, so you might have a very long walk or need to use your car or bicycle to get there, but this is camping afterall, and not a hotel stay! They had several daily organized programs that myself, wife and young sons found enjoyable. The campground is close enough to Saranac Lake and Lake Placid if you need a day of “town wandering and window shopping.” Hiking in the area is great…..try the climb up Ampersand Mountain for a great workout and amazing panoramic vistas of the High Peaks region The real gem of Rollins is the pond itself and the adjacent waterways. It is hard to imagine a more beautiful place on earth for canoeing/kayaking. I have spent hundreds of days of my life in a canoe, and the scenery at Rollins takes first prize. It is a a paddlers paradise!!!
Comment by Levi — August 13, 2009 @ 10:00 am
i have been camping at rollins for over 45 years and there is no better place the in the world the fishing is outstanding and it is more relaxing.
Comment by austen — February 1, 2010 @ 6:06 pm
whoever says they had a bad expierience at rollins pond is crazy. i’ve been going there for about 10 years now and my cousins and i get the exact same campsite the exact same weekend every year. thats how awsome this place is. i dont know what RJ was thinking. look people, your camping. u know how awsome it is that u have A bathroom, let alone many. and a shower(more than 1 location). the website clearly indicates which campsites r waterfront and which ones r not. if u dont like 2 rough-it just a little bit, then u should probably stay at a hotel
Comment by mike — March 5, 2010 @ 8:27 pm
I’ve been driving myself nuts trying to remember the name of the campground that I stayed at about 10 years ago. I’m hoping that someone else has stayed there and knows the name of it. Being that it was 10 years ago, I’m sure the campground has changed but I stayed there in September, right after the kids went back to school so we had our pick of sites and we chose one right on the lake. What I remember most that might make this campground stand out from others was that they had these huge statues. I want to say they were dinosaurs but I’m not hundred percent sure. We were able to bring our dog and they had sites for RV also. I wish I could remember more about it but the big statue or staues they had in the back might be the key to someone knowing the name of this campground. Oh, one other thing, it was about an hour from Lake George. Thanks to anyone who takes the time to read this. Any info is greatly appreciated!!!
Comment by Sharon — April 10, 2010 @ 6:44 pm
I have been camping at Fish Creek sence 1974 till 2007.
I have always enjoyed the park and will always remember it. I last camped there in 2007. My wife passed away in the spring of 2008 and as I have no family left I have had to stop camping. But I will always remember the good times there.
Comment by Rick Stevens — May 11, 2010 @ 6:33 pm
I have been going to Rollins Pond since I was born in 1973. My parents and I both have RV’s now and we stay there for two weeks in July. My wife fell in love with it the first time I took her there. If you like kayaking and canoeing, fishing and hiking, this is the place for you. If you need to be entertained 24/7, and need all the conveniences of home, then either stay home or stay in a hotel, this is not the place for you.
Comment by Scott — June 1, 2010 @ 4:39 pm
I want to make a reservation for Rollins Pond but the Reserve America website dosen’t show the campground map using Internet explorer. I am hoping for a site on the water!
Does anyone know where there might be a campground map on line so I can assure a site on the water? or have a list of water side sites?
Comment by Barbara Gibbons — June 6, 2010 @ 12:09 pm
I love Rollins Pond. I have been going there for years since I was a little kid. It is a wonderful place to do anything to like without the restrictions. The sites are private with most sites on the water where you can swim right off your site. The place is peaceful and tranquil. There is enough sites to pick from (when they are not all reserved). The needles blanket most of the sites and there is amble of shade. The sounds and sights across the pond are pleasing and picturesque. The campers are friendly and respectful. You need to be there to experience it!!!
Comment by Troy — June 22, 2010 @ 11:33 pm
To add… …I was just there for over a week last week. It again has not disappointed me.
Comment by Troy — June 22, 2010 @ 11:35 pm
Can anyone tell me how long the Rollins Pond loop is to kayak / canoe in both miles and time? How long are the portages? Are there any detailed maps available? Help,
will be up there at the end of August.
Comment by Gary — July 25, 2010 @ 7:33 pm
You can canoe from Rollins into Floodwood Pond, Little Square Pond, Fish Creek, and then into Square Pond without portaging. They are all connected by small streams that are extremely beautiful. It’s a very nice trip that can take 3-4 hours (or a lot less in a Kayak). You can then get into Fish Creek Pond, Follenby Clear Pond, and Upper Saranac from Floodwood. The problem with this trip is getting back to Rollins. It’s too far to portage. We actually left our canoe at a vacant site at Fish Creek and walked back and got our truck because we were too tired to canoe all the way back. We’re going up August 1st for a week. Rollins Pond is by far the greatest campground I’ve ever been to and I’ve been to a lot. You have to like semi roughing it. The sites are huge, the bathrooms and the showers are cleaned twice a day. It’s very quiet and abosolutely breath taking.There’s great moutains to climb like St Regis and Ampersand (best view of Lake Ampersand). The interpretive center is awesome and there’s a guy with a hot dog cart before you get to it on rt 30 that sells Glazier hot dogs ‘Michigan Style’, which is the way the locals eat their hot dogs (special sauce on them).
Comment by Don — July 29, 2010 @ 9:22 am
Maybe you should stay at the holiday inn next time.
Comment by Paula — August 20, 2010 @ 12:23 am
has anyone ever seen any bears????????
Comment by mom — August 29, 2010 @ 12:56 pm