Indian Lake Islands Campground - Campsite #2, Indian Lake, NY

Introduction / Overview

For New York residents looking to truly unplug and immerse themselves in the deep wilderness of the Adirondack Park, the Indian Lake Islands Campground offers an experience unlike any other. This is not a typical drive-up campground; it is one of the most popular and sought-after camping destinations in the region because of its unique feature: all sites are accessible only by boat. Imagine having your own slice of the Adirondacks—a secluded, well-forested campsite either on one of the many islands or tucked away along the wild shore of the vast, 4,365-acre Indian Lake.

Located on the southern shore of the lake, the campground embraces a philosophy of wilderness camping. The sites are large, offer exceptional privacy, and come equipped with the essentials: a fireplace/fire ring and a picnic table. This focus on a rustic yet managed experience attracts New Yorkers who crave solitude, offering a genuine retreat from the busy cities and towns downstate. The pristine nature of the environment is maintained through a strict "carry in, carry out" trash policy, reinforcing a commitment to preserving the natural beauty of the Adirondack wilderness for all to enjoy.

Campsite #2, specifically, is a rare and highly prized reservation within this system. Available public information suggests that Campsite #2 is one of the limited 'solo island' sites on Indian Lake, meaning the entire island is reserved exclusively for a single camping party. This level of seclusion is the pinnacle of the Indian Lake camping experience, offering unmatched quiet and a personal waterfront for your group to enjoy swimming, fishing, and sunset viewing without any nearby neighbors. Securing this site means securing a private Adirondack oasis, which is why reservations for the Indian Lake Islands Campground, especially for unique sites like #2, must be made well in advance.

Location and Accessibility

The Indian Lake Islands Campground is situated in the central Adirondacks, a destination prized by New York outdoors enthusiasts, in the town of Indian Lake, NY.

Address: NY-30, Indian Lake, NY 12842, USA

The physical address provided is the location of the main access and registration point along Route 30. From this point, all 55 campsites are water-access only. Campers register at the boat launch area, which is adjacent to the Lewey Lake Public Campground. Once registered, campers must use a boat—whether their own or a rental—to transport all their gear and supplies to their designated site. Depending on the site’s location on the sprawling 4,365-acre lake, the journey to your campsite can take anywhere from 15 to 25 minutes or more by boat from the launch point.

Despite its remote feel, the campground is strategically located to allow access to local amenities. The village of Indian Lake is approximately 12 miles north on Route 30, offering access to restaurants, shopping, and a grocery store for restocking supplies. The proximity to other major Adirondack attractions, such as the Adirondack Museum at Blue Mountain Lake (about 27 miles north) and the Adirondack Park Visitors Interpretive Center at Newcomb, enhances its appeal as a base for exploring the wider region. Crucially, the boat-access-only nature of the campsites guarantees a peaceful and secluded environment that insulates campers from the road noise and crowds found at mainland campgrounds.

Services Offered

Due to its unique wilderness focus, the services at Indian Lake Islands Campground are designed to support a self-sufficient camping trip, ensuring essential needs are met while maintaining a rustic feel.

Boat Launches: Accessible boat launches are available on both Indian Lake and the adjacent Lewey Lake for registered campers to transport their gear and watercraft to their campsite.
Firewood and Ice Sales: Firewood (following restrictions on non-local wood to prevent the spread of invasive insects) and ice are available for purchase at the registration office or camp store.
Sanitation Facilities: Each campsite is furnished with a private pit toilet (outhouse) for convenience and environmental protection.
Potable Water: Available at the mainland registration area, campers must bring adequate storage containers to transport their drinking water to their island or shoreline site.
Recreational Rentals: Canoe and kayak rentals are available at the mainland access point for those who do not own a watercraft or wish to supplement their boating fleet.
Pay Telephone: A pay telephone is available at the mainland facility for emergency use, as cell service in this deep Adirondack location is often limited or non-existent.
Campground Staff: Campground staff are present to manage registrations, enforce quiet hours (10 p.m. to 7 a.m.), and ensure a safe, clean environment.

Features / Highlights

The Indian Lake Islands Campground is defined by its distinct features, offering a truly exceptional Adirondack wilderness experience for New York campers.

Boat-Access Only Seclusion: The definitive feature is that all 55 sites require boat access, eliminating road traffic and providing an unrivaled sense of wilderness and privacy. This makes it a favorite for paddlers and boaters.
Campsite #2: A True Solo Island Site: Campsite #2 is known to be one of the rare single-site islands, providing a completely private island experience. This is the ultimate highlight for New Yorkers seeking absolute solitude and a personal waterfront.
Pristine Indian Lake: The 4,365-acre lake offers exceptional opportunities for recreational boating, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing for species including Lake Trout, Landlocked Salmon, and Northern Pike.
Hiking Opportunities: Several major hiking trails are accessible from the lake, including the 3.5-mile trail to Snowy Mountain, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding lakes and mountains, and shorter hikes like Watch Point and Baldface Mountain.
Spacious and Well-Maintained Sites: All sites are well-forested, large, and furnished with a picnic table and a robust fire pit/fireplace, often with wood chips on the ground for comfort, promoting a comfortable base camp for adventure.
Wilderness Environment: The campground is set amidst beautiful wild forest islands, offering rich opportunities for wildlife observation, birding, and unparalleled night-time stargazing in an area with minimal light pollution.

Contact Information

For New York residents interested in booking a site at this unique Adirondack location, please use the following contact information. Note that reservations are highly recommended and should be secured well in advance, especially for highly sought-after sites like Campsite #2.

Address (Registration/Launch Point): NY-30, Indian Lake, NY 12842, USA

Campground Phone: (518) 648-5300

Reservations are typically managed through the New York State Parks reservation system and should be booked online or by calling their toll-free number.

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

Indian Lake Islands Campground is an essential New York experience, making it perfectly suitable for local residents looking to connect with the state’s most iconic natural resource—the Adirondack Park. For New Yorkers, this campground offers a true departure from the densely populated areas of the state, providing an unparalleled sense of wilderness and exclusivity that is difficult to find elsewhere on the East Coast. The boat-access-only nature, particularly the opportunity to secure a private solo island site like Campsite #2, transforms a simple camping trip into an authentic, secluded Adirondack adventure.

For residents who own a boat or kayak, it is a convenient and highly rewarding destination. For those who do not, the availability of canoe and kayak rentals and the relatively short drive to the centralized launch point on Route 30 make the trip entirely feasible. This experience is more than just camping; it’s an invitation to explore a vast, pristine lake, fish for trophy-worthy species, and hike to mountain summits that reward you with sweeping views of the entire region. The commitment to a quiet, rustic, and clean environment means that New Yorkers can rely on this location for a peaceful family vacation or a restorative break from the demands of urban or suburban life, making it a proud and highly recommended feature of New York State’s public lands.