Campsites for Kayak & Canoers

The Adirondack park offers a range of campsites as follows:

1. Roadside Public Campgrounds - multiple campsites, drive-in convenience, fee charged, showers, usually some hook-ups and many have lakefront sites. Examples: Fish Creek Pond, Rollins Pond, Buck Pond, Meacham Lake.

2. Wild Forest Campgrounds - multiple campsites, boat access only, fee charged, some have amenities like an outhouse, picnic table or a fireplace with a grill. Examples: Lower and Middle Saranac Lakes.

3. Designated Campsites - no fee charged - may or may not have any amenities. Examples: St. Regis Canoe Area and Fish Creek Ponds Area.

4. Established Campsites - no fee charged, occasionally an outhouse or picnic table, fireplace may be an informal ring of stones. These fire rings should be used for open fires. Please do not remove them. Examples: Raquette River, Paul Smiths Area and Lake Kushaqua Area, Tupper Lake.

Camping Permits for Kayak & Canoers

Camping permits are required for: (1) any party of ten or more, or (2) any party remaining in the same location for four or more nights. You are responsible for obtaining your own camping permit before your arrival from the State Forest Ranger for the district in which you will enter state lands. New York State now requires that anyone bringing --paying clients-- onto state land must have a Guide’s License. Non-profit organizations are exempt.

In accordance with state laws, (1) properly dispose of human wastes (burial at least 8- down and 150’ away from water or camp), (2) help maintain water quality by not washing directly in the lake or stream, (3) cut only wood that is both dead and down and (4) carry out all you carry in. Boiling or treating drinking water is recommended.