Kampgrounds of America, Inc. (KOA) has received approval from the Adirondack Park Agency (APA) for a new glamping site in Wilmington.
The project, located at the former KOA campground on Fox Farm Road, aims to create an 80-tent glamping facility.
However, before the project can proceed, it requires approval from the state Department of Environmental Conservation, the state Department of Health, and the town of Wilmington’s Zoning and Planning Board. The town’s board will only grant approval after all three state entities have given their consent.
The proposed site covers 65 acres and includes plans for 80 platform-style glamping tents, along with a lodge and restaurant building, a pavilion, and a pool with a cabana building.
Additional structures consist of a general manager’s house and a dormitory-style building to accommodate up to 12 future employees, pending full approval.
The project also encompasses various amenities such as a dog park, a wellness tent, grill stations, a maintenance building, and parking areas with 161 spaces. The site plans indicate the presence of approximately 1.2 acres of wetlands on the property’s northernmost edge.
Previously, the Fox Farm property operated as a campground from 1973 to 2022, featuring 160 campsites, a swimming pool, a manager’s house, and a camp office/store. However, all structures associated with the campground were removed last year, leaving the site vacant.
In addition to the Fox Farm Road site, KOA plans to operate another campsite in Wilmington, specifically the Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday along state Route 86. The organization also intends to revamp the former North Pole campground located on the same state route, across from the Wolf Jaw Lodge.
While awaiting the necessary approvals from state authorities and the town’s Zoning and Planning board, KOA’s glamping project in Wilmington has received the APA’s endorsement. The initiative aims to provide visitors with a unique blend of comfort and immersion in nature through tent accommodations and modern amenities.
As the project progresses, outdoor enthusiasts and adventure seekers eagerly anticipate the realization of KOA’s vision, which promises memorable camping experiences in the heart of Wilmington’s natural beauty.