Reservations for Fish Creek Pond campground in the Adirondacks (New York) are on hold until December as the state Department of Environmental Conservation carries out a renumbering of the facility’s 331 campsites, a move intended to make the layout more consistent but one that has already raised concerns among longtime visitors.
According to an article published by Adirondack Explorer on August 19, the project will begin after the close of this summer’s camping season on Oct. 12, when DEC workers will renumber campsites that are currently out of sequence.
The changes are intended to improve navigation and simplify the reservation system, but the process means bookings for the 2026 season will be delayed.
Located around a network of scenic ponds, Fish Creek Pond is one of the most popular state-run campgrounds in the Adirondacks, with demand for reservations far exceeding supply.
“They open at 9 a.m. and by 9:01 they are gone,” said longtime camper Kathryn Andrews, referring to how quickly sites are reserved through the state’s system, operated by ReserveAmerica.
Most reservations are typically secured in the fall, nearly nine months in advance of the following summer season. With the renumbering project pushing reservations forward to December, campers are uncertain how the booking schedule will be affected.
Andrews, 67, of Averill Park, said her family has spent two weeks each summer at Fish Creek Pond for decades, following a tradition started by her grandparents.
“If something isn’t broken, why fix it?” she asked, questioning the need for the renumbering.
Some camping enthusiasts say the change could create confusion for visitors who have become familiar with specific site numbers.
“It’s a big issue for some people,” said Dave McGrath, who operates CampADK.com, a website providing detailed guides and photos of Adirondack campgrounds. “People are used to certain site numbers and they know those sites.”
In a July news release, DEC officials said the renumbering involves only a handful of sites that are currently out of order but that the update will create a more logical sequence for the entire facility.
“The renumbering will correct the non-sequential campsite numbers in the facility and will make navigating the campground easier for visitors,” the department said.