Indian Lake Islands Campground - Campsite #20, Indian Lake, NY

Introduction / Overview

For New York residents whose idea of a perfect getaway involves disconnecting from the concrete and immersing themselves in true wilderness, the Indian Lake Islands Campground offers an unparalleled Adirondack experience. This is not your typical drive-in campground; it’s a destination that promises seclusion, natural beauty, and a unique form of 'wild forest' camping, making it one of the most sought-after spots in the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) system.

Located on the vast, 4,365-acre Indian Lake, this campground is distinguished by its 55 campsites scattered across the numerous islands and along the remote shorelines. The crucial detail—and the source of its exceptional privacy—is that all sites are accessible by boat only. This requirement filters out casual visitors, leaving a serene environment where the sounds of loons and lapping water replace traffic noise. It offers a genuine sense of adventure, as you must load all your gear into a watercraft and navigate to your private domain.

The experience at a specific location, such as Campsite #20, exemplifies the appeal of this unique facility. Customers frequently highlight the excellent swimming and fishing opportunities, noting the spacious and well-forested nature of the individual sites. One particular review even points out the natural abundance of fresh blueberries on the southern end of the site—a delightful, wild perk of camping in this preserved area. While the site is primitive, featuring core camping elements like a picnic table and fire ring, it delivers an unforgettable escape into the heart of the Adirondack Park.

Location and Accessibility

Indian Lake Islands Campground is situated on the southern shore of Indian Lake in the Central Adirondacks, within Hamilton County. The official registration area is adjacent to the Lewey Lake Public Campground, which is located off State Route 30. The formal mailing and general location address is:

4476 NY-30, Indian Lake, NY 12842, USA

Accessing the campground requires careful planning as all sites are boat-in only. Campers must first register at the Lewey Lake Public Campground entrance station. From there, access to the water is via boat launches on either Indian Lake or Lewey Lake, depending on the specific site and watercraft. For New York residents driving up, the location is approximately 12 miles north of the Village of Speculator on Route 30, or about 12 miles south of the Village of Indian Lake. The remote location necessitates a drive into the wilderness, but the pay-off is a level of solitude rarely found at drive-in camping areas.

Indian Lake itself is a massive body of water, and while motorboats are allowed, the numerous unmarked shoals mean cautious and experienced boating is essential. Campsites, including the highly desirable island and point sites, can be a 15- to 25-minute journey from the launch site, adding to the feeling of having truly retreated from civilization. This boat-access element is fundamental to the entire experience, transforming a camping trip into an engaging mini-expedition.

Services Offered

As a DEC Wild Forest campground focused on a wilderness experience, the services are intentionally rustic yet provide essential conveniences for a comfortable stay. The amenities are concentrated near the mainland access points, with the individual campsites themselves designed to be self-sufficient and primitive:

Boat Launch Facilities: Accessible boat launches on both Indian Lake and Lewey Lake are available for campers to launch their personal watercraft.
Rentals: Canoe and kayak rentals are available on-site, a vital service for campers without their own boat to access the island sites.
Core Site Provisions: Each of the 55 campsites (including Campsite #20) is equipped with a large picnic table and a sturdy fire ring/fireplace with a grill for cooking.
Sanitation: Pit toilets (outhouses) are located on the islands or nearby the campsites; there are no flush toilets or hot showers, maintaining the wilderness aesthetic.
Supplies: Firewood and ice sales are available at the main registration/entrance station.
Communication: A pay telephone is available at the main entrance area (note that cell service is typically limited or non-existent in this part of the Adirondacks).
Dump Station: A trailer dump station is available nearby at the Lewey Lake Campground for registered campers' convenience.
Waste Management: The campground operates a strict "carry in, carry out" garbage policy, requiring all refuse to be removed by the camper, promoting a Leave No Trace ethic.

Features / Highlights

Indian Lake Islands Campground is defined by its unique features, offering a camping experience unlike many others in New York State:

Boat-Access Only Seclusion: This is the primary highlight, ensuring exceptional privacy and a quiet atmosphere, often leading to a small peninsula or island site all to yourself.
Excellent Fishing Destination: The lake is renowned for its diverse fish population, including lake trout, smallmouth bass, northern pike, and yellow perch, making it a dream for anglers. Smallmouth bass fishing is reportedly excellent around the island campsites.
Blueberry Picking: As highlighted by a customer review, some areas, particularly on the southern end, are rich with wild blueberries, adding a foraging activity to the experience.
Hiking Opportunities: Several hiking trails are accessible from the water, including the popular Baldface Mountain Trail (1.1 miles, water access) and the John Mack Pond Trail (1.4 miles, water access), offering stunning views of the lakes and mountains.
Campsite #20 Specifics: Campsite #20 has been noted as a "great site" and a "solo island campsite" in public forums, often praised for its excellent setup and a sandy swimming beach on its southern shore, making it highly coveted.
Motorized Boating and Paddling: The lake permits powerboats, but is also a spectacular venue for quiet paddling activities like kayaking and canoeing, with numerous bays and islands to explore.
True Wilderness Feel: The large, well-forested sites provide a high degree of separation and natural insulation, fulfilling the promise of a rugged Adirondack wilderness retreat.

Contact Information

For reservations (highly recommended due to popularity) and direct inquiries, New York residents should use the following information for the Indian Lake Islands Campground (NYS DEC):

Address: 4476 NY-30, Indian Lake, NY 12842, USA

Campground Phone: (518) 648-5300

Note: Reservations are typically handled through the New York State Parks Reserve America system.

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

For residents of New York State, Indian Lake Islands Campground, and a coveted spot like Campsite #20, represents the ultimate accessibility to true, untamed wilderness. It is a necessary counterpoint to the fast pace of urban and suburban life, offering a truly 'off-the-grid' experience without the extended travel time required for destinations out of state. The boat-access-only nature of the sites ensures that guests are looking for a genuine, peaceful outdoor experience, far removed from the noise and crowds of drive-in campgrounds. The lake itself is a playground for water enthusiasts and anglers, while the surrounding mountains offer engaging hikes right from the shoreline.

The ability to secure a semi-private 'island' campsite, complete with a beach-like swimming area and an abundance of wild edibles, positions this campground as an elite recreational offering within the Adirondack Park. It fosters self-reliance, a respect for nature through its 'carry in, carry out' policy, and provides a unique opportunity to teach children about wild forest principles. For the New Yorker craving a real wilderness adventure—where the only traffic is the occasional boat and the only loud noises are the calls of the wild—Indian Lake Islands Campground is not just a place to stay, but a truly transformative, local outdoor destination.