🌤 Weather at Nicks Lake Campground and Day Use Area by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15–64 °F | 50–75 °F | 25–67 °F | 6–31 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at Old Forge, 2 mi away, elevation 1,748 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
Nicks Lake Campground and Day Use Area is a campground and day use area near Old Forge in Herkimer County, New York, run by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). It is not a state park, even though it is sometimes searched as “Nicks Lake State Park”. The campground lies in the Black River Wild Forest and borders Nicks Lake, a 205-acre shallow lake that is closed to motor boats.
Quick Facts
| State | New York |
| Nearest City | Old Forge |
| County | Herkimer |
| Managed by | NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) |
| Lake | Nicks Lake, 205 acres, no motor boats |
| Campsites | 112 tent and trailer sites |
| Season | May 15 to October 12 (2026 season) |
Location & Getting There
The campground is at 278 Bisby Road, Old Forge, NY 13420. From the NYS Thruway, take Exit 31 at Utica, Route 12 north to Alder Creek and Route 28 to Old Forge. Turn right at the post office and follow the Nicks Lake Campground signs 1.5 miles to the entrance. Coming from Blue Mountain Lake, take Route 28 to Old Forge, turn left at the post office and follow the same signs.
Things to Do
The campground has 112 tent and trailer sites, six of them wheelchair accessible, plus hot showers, flush toilets, a trailer dump station and a picnic pavilion you can rent. The day use side has a sand beach with a bathhouse, a picnic area with tables and fireplaces, a playground, a ball field, volleyball and basketball. Nicks Lake is closed to motor boats, so it suits canoes, kayaks and rowboats. DEC lists brown, rainbow and brook trout, bass and yellow perch among the fish in the area. Fishing licenses are no longer sold at DEC campgrounds, so buy yours online or by phone before you arrive. The Nicks Lake Trail starts inside the campground and connects to the trail system of the Black River Wild Forest, which covers more than 122,000 acres. A nature trail with 14 educational stations and more than 3 miles of paved roads for biking or jogging round out the options.
Best Time to Visit
The campground is open from May 15 to October 12 (DEC dates for the 2026 season); check the DEC page for the next season. Swim only from the designated beach area: DEC prohibits swimming from one-half hour before sunset to one-half hour after sunrise. Children aged 5 to 13 and their families can join DEC’s Junior Naturalist Program and earn an embroidered patch.
Visitor Tips
Camping costs $22 per night, plus a $5 per night surcharge for out-of-state residents (as of October 2026). You reserve sites through ReserveAmerica, the booking link DEC gives for this campground. Bring only untreated firewood from within 50 miles of the campground, as New York’s firewood regulation requires. For questions, call the campground at (315) 369-3314 or the DEC regional office at (315) 866-6330.
Explore More Parks in New York
Nicks Lake Campground and Day Use Area is one of the campgrounds run by DEC, not a state park. Discover more parks in our Best State Parks in New York guide, or use our Park Finder to search by activity, location, or features.
Wildlife & Nature
DEC mentions the sound of loons on Nicks Lake at dusk and white-tailed deer everywhere in the campground. The lake takes its name from Nick Stoner, a near-legendary figure of the south-central Adirondacks. The state bought 3,747 acres here in 1962, and Nicks Lake Public Campground first opened in 1966.
Nearby Attractions
Old Forge is a few minutes’ drive away, with shops and restaurants along Main Street and the Enchanted Forest / Water Safari. Also just minutes away, a chairlift takes you to the top of McCauley Mountain for a view of the Fulton Chain of Lakes.
More parks in New York: Golden Beach Campground and Day Use Area and Whetstone Gulf State Park. See the full New York state parks guide.
Park Map
Plan your gear for Nicks Lake Campground and Day Use Area
From our editorial guides, matched to this park’s activities:
