Indian Lake Islands Campground Campsite #7: Remote Adirondack Island Camping for New Yorkers

Introduction / Overview

For residents of New York seeking a profound escape into nature, the Indian Lake Islands Campground, managed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC), offers one of the state's most unique and rewarding camping experiences. Situated on the beautiful, sprawling 4,365-acre Indian Lake in the heart of the Adirondack Park, this facility is distinctly characterized by its requirement for boat-access only to all 55 campsites. This feature ensures a high degree of privacy and a truly immersive wilderness atmosphere, setting it apart from typical roadside campgrounds.

Campsite #7 is one such prized location within this system, granting you a private or semi-private forested plot on one of the lake’s many islands or remote shorelines. This is an ideal destination for those who own a small boat, canoe, or kayak, or are willing to rent one, as all your camping equipment and supplies must be transported across the water. The experience is designed for self-sufficiency—a 'carry in, carry out' ethic is strictly maintained—and delivers unmatched tranquility, panoramic lake views, and a quiet, authentic Adirondack adventure that many New Yorkers seek to recharge and connect with the natural world.

Location and Accessibility

Indian Lake Islands Campground is geographically located in Hamilton County, deep within the Central Adirondack region of New York State. The general access point is found off NYS Route 30. While the specific address, PM5W+M7, Indian Lake, NY 12842, USA, corresponds to a point on the lake itself, campers must first register at the main facility and launch their watercraft.

The registration and main boat launch facility are conveniently located near Lewey Lake Campground off Route 30. Visitors from the New York metropolitan area typically drive north on major routes into the Adirondacks, making the journey an accessible, though lengthy, drive. Upon arrival at the mainland headquarters, the true accessibility challenge—and rewarding element—begins. Campsite #7 is a boat-in only site. You must use a motorized boat or paddle a canoe/kayak to reach your destination, transporting all your gear and party members. The travel time by boat can vary significantly depending on the site's distance and your vessel's speed, typically requiring a 15- to 25-minute journey across the lake from the launch ramp. Ample parking for vehicles and trailers is available at the launch area while you are away camping.

Services Offered

The services at Indian Lake Islands Campground are geared toward facilitating a rugged, wilderness-style camping trip while providing necessary support from the mainland base:

Essential Site Amenities: Campsite #7, like all 55 sites, includes a sturdy picnic table and a designated fireplace or fire ring, perfect for cooking meals and enjoying evening campfires. These features are designed to be robust and built for fire safety.
Sanitation Facilities: Each campsite is served by a nearby pit toilet (outhouse) for basic sanitation, maintaining the primitive feel of the island experience.
Water and Supplies: Potable drinking water is available at the main mainland launch and registration area. Campers must carry this water to their site. The facility also offers sales of essential supplies, including firewood (to comply with invasive species regulations) and ice.
Boating Support: The main access area features a modern, hard-surface boat launch capable of handling various types of watercraft, from small fishing boats to trailered vessels. Canoe and kayak rentals are also available at the facility for campers without their own gear.
Rules and Enforcement: The campground operates under strict DEC regulations, including a mandatory carry-in/carry-out policy for all garbage, which must be collected in clear or white bags. Quiet hours are strictly enforced between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. to preserve the tranquility of the remote sites.
Limited Generator Use: To balance convenience with the wilderness environment, generator use is strictly limited to 5 hours per day, only between the hours of 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
Pet Policy: Pets are permitted provided they have current rabies documentation, are kept on a leash (no longer than 6 feet), and are never left unattended at the remote campsite.

Features / Highlights

The primary appeal of Campsite #7 and the surrounding Indian Lake Islands lies in the exceptional combination of Adirondack solitude and water-based recreational opportunities:

Exceptional Seclusion and Privacy: As a boat-in site, Campsite #7 offers a level of privacy unattainable at most drive-up campgrounds. You can enjoy your own secluded area, often with private access to the shoreline for swimming and docking.
Diverse Water Activities: Indian Lake’s vast surface area and numerous bays are perfect for all forms of boating. Campers regularly enjoy kayaking, canoeing, power boating, waterskiing, and sailing, with plenty of areas to explore.
Outstanding Fishing: The lake is well-known for its excellent fishing, stocked annually with lake trout and brown trout. Anglers frequently catch smallmouth bass around the island shorelines, as well as northern pike, and landlocked salmon.
Access to Hiking Trails: The lake serves as a watery gateway to popular hiking destinations. Trails such as the Baldface Mountain Trail and Snowy Mountain are accessible by boat, offering rewarding views of the lake and surrounding Adirondack peaks.
Quintessential Wilderness Views: The campground is praised for its beautiful, unblemished wilderness and opportunities for magnificent views, particularly during sunrises and sunsets over the water, and for clear night sky stargazing.

Contact Information

For New York residents looking to reserve a spot like Campsite #7 and obtain further information about the Indian Lake Islands Campground:

Address (Closest Accessible Point/General Location): PM5W+M7, Indian Lake, NY 12842, USA

Official DEC Campground Phone: (518) 648-5300

Reservations: Campsite bookings are handled exclusively through the New York State Parks reservation system and should be secured well in advance due to high demand.

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

Indian Lake Islands Campground is perfectly suited for New York locals seeking a high-quality, memorable, and distinctively challenging camping experience. The mandatory boat access is not an inconvenience; it is a feature that guarantees a quiet, less crowded, and more natural environment, providing a necessary and welcome distance from urban living. For outdoor enthusiasts in the Empire State, this campground represents the pinnacle of Adirondack water-based recreation—a place where you can launch your boat for a day of fishing or paddling right from your own private island or secluded point.

By requiring self-transportation and adherence to 'carry in, carry out' rules, the DEC maintains the wild, clean character of Indian Lake, which ultimately benefits every camper. Campsite #7 offers a base for family adventure, a quiet retreat for fishing, or a romantic escape, all within a reasonable drive from most parts of New York. It’s an investment in a genuine, secluded wilderness experience that stands as a true highlight of New York State’s vast outdoor offerings.