Dave's Tips
I camp at both Fish Creek and Rollins but mostly Fish Creek. Mainly because we can have our boat there. Both are the creme duh la creme for lakeside camping in New York!
Having said that here are the main differences between Fish Creek and Rollins Pond:
Fish Creek Pros
- 90% of sites are directly by the water with easy access
- 95% of the sites are nice and level
- many sites have a bit of a sandy beach
- great open views of the ponds from most sites
- easy water access for most sites
- closer to getting out of the campground onto Route 30
- larger sites at the far end (ie sites beyond 137)
- you can bring your power boat
- view of campfires across the ponds at night
- offers 3 different paddling routes right from your site
- offers access to Upper Saranac
- has its own beach area
- offers easy access and swimming directly from most sites
- opens early April through the 3rd week in October (longest season of any DEC campground)
- offers two gates during peak season (summer) for easier access to Route 30 / store etc
- boat and kayak rentals are available at the marina just outside the campground
- overall better cell phone coverage
- morning coffee and donuts vendor
Fish Creek Cons
- through traffic to Rollins and all Fish Creek traffic pass by sites 1-134 (far gate helps if it is open)
- if you don’t like motor boats, well Fish Creek has them including jet skis
- has very few sites that offer much of a wooded buffer between sites for privacy
- sites in the 1-20 range are very close together
- some areas have sites very close to the road
Rollins Pond Pros
- 78% of sites are lakeside with approx 1/4 directly by the water with easy water access
- for groups you can keep closer together by reserving a nearby off water site which are less in demand
- offers many more private sites than Fish Creek
- overall much quieter than Fish Creek
- has two road bypasses which reduces thru traffic for low numbered sites
- has less big RVs than Fish Creek
- offers great paddling options in a quiet setting
- offers a more wild feel
- has a few very nice sandy beaches (shared behind groups of campsites)
- limited boat usage so the pond tends to be much more quiet than Fish Creek
- kayak rentals available right in the campground
Rollins Pond Cons
- many of the more private sites such as A loop have poor water access and little to no view of the water from site pad
- many water sites are up off the water with longer (and sometimes steep) pathways down to the water
- very hilly- some site pads are not level with road and may be difficult for anything larger than a pop up or small trailer
- some areas are smaller sites packed together close to the road with no privacy
- less big trailer friendly than Fish Creek (A loop is an exception)
- long drive out to Route 30 / store etc (it is 4.9 miles from the far end of Rollins to Route 30, a 20 minute drive)
- extra caution required at night due to hills, the windy road and peoples equipment in close proximity to the road in certain areas
- there is no beach in the campground
- some bathrooms are up hills
- opens Memorial Day weekend and closes after Labour Day weekend (much shorter season than Fish Creek)
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