Pharaoh Lake Campsite near Pharaoh Mtn Trail Jct, Schroon Lake, NY

Introduction / Overview

For New York residents seeking a true disconnect from the everyday and a deep dive into the Adirondack wilderness, the Pharaoh Lake Campsite near the Pharaoh Mountain Trail Junction is an iconic and highly rewarding destination. This is not your typical drive-in campground with amenities like hot showers and electric hookups; rather, it is a primitive backcountry camping experience located within the vast, 46,283-acre Pharaoh Lake Wilderness Area. The centerpiece of this area is the stunning 441-acre Pharaoh Lake itself, one of the largest bodies of water in the Adirondacks entirely encompassed by Forest Preserve lands. Camping here means embracing the principles of Leave No Trace, hiking in all your gear, and relying on designated tent sites and lean-tos for shelter. With nearly 70 miles of trails weaving through the region, the area is a haven for backpackers, hikers, and paddlers, promising solitude and spectacular, unspoiled scenery. The camping experience is rugged and authentic, appealing to those who feel most at home deep within the woods. Sites are marked with a yellow "Camp Here" disc, and they operate on a first-come, first-served basis, reinforcing the genuine wilderness nature of this Adirondack jewel.

Location and Accessibility

The Pharaoh Lake Campsite is an interior camping area, meaning access requires significant effort, typically via a multi-mile hike. Its general location is given as Pharaoh Lake Trail N, Schroon Lake, NY 12870, USA, but this address points to the broader region and trailheads, not a roadside entrance. The true access points are the designated trailheads leading into the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness. Popular starting points include the Pharaoh Lake Road Trailhead off Beaver Pond Road near Brant Lake, and the Crane Pond Road Trailhead near Ticonderoga. For New Yorkers looking for a challenging but rewarding trip, the easiest approach is often considered to be the approximately four-mile hike from the Pharaoh Lake Road Trailhead. For those who enjoy a greater challenge, approaching from the north via the Crane Pond Trailhead allows for the option of incorporating a hike over Pharaoh Mountain—the highest peak in the wilderness area at 2,556 feet—into the journey to the lake. The lake itself is central to the wilderness, and sites are scattered along its shores, accessible via the trail that circles the entire lake. It is crucial for visitors to understand that vehicular accessibility ends at the trailhead parking areas, and a moderate to strenuous hike is required to reach the actual campsites by the lake. This commitment to 'hike-in' camping is a key part of the experience, naturally managing crowds and preserving the area's wild character.

Services Offered

As a designated wilderness area, the services at Pharaoh Lake Campsite are deliberately minimal, focusing on preservation and self-sufficiency. This is primitive camping at its finest, emphasizing resourcefulness over convenience.

Designated Primitive Tent Sites: The wilderness area features 38 primitive designated tent sites (including the highly-regarded Site 10), each marked with a yellow 'Camp Here' disc, which are for tents only and intended to minimize impact.
Lean-tos: There are 14 lean-tos scattered throughout the wilderness, offering a communal, sheltered alternative to a tent, though these are also first-come, first-served.
Fireplaces/Fire Pits: Sites generally include a fireplace or fire pit for cooking and warmth; however, fires must be built in these provided structures, and only dead and down wood may be used for fuel.
Water Source: Water is sourced directly from Pharaoh Lake or the various other ponds and streams, and must be filtered, boiled, or chemically treated before consumption.
Toilets: Composting toilets or pit privies are available near some of the more popular sites and lean-tos, but campers must be prepared to bury human waste 150 feet from water, trails, or campsites in other areas, following Leave No Trace principles.
First-Come, First-Served Camping: Both tent sites and lean-tos are non-reservable, making spontaneity and a willingness to hike further for an open site part of the adventure.

Features / Highlights

The features of this location are entirely natural, offering a profoundly different experience than a developed campground.

Stunning Scenic Views: One of the most significant highlights is the quality of the views. A satisfied customer noted that Campsite number 10 was a "Great spot. With an amazing view," underscoring the lake's picturesque quality. Many sites are situated right on the shore or on small peninsulas, providing incredible sunrise and sunset vantage points.
Access to Pharaoh Mountain: The highest point in the wilderness, Pharaoh Mountain, is accessible via trails from the lake, offering an elevation gain of over 1,800 feet and panoramic views of the surrounding Adirondacks, Schroon Lake, and even the Green Mountains of Vermont on a clear day.
Circumnavigation Trail: A roughly 5.5-mile trail circles Pharaoh Lake, allowing backpackers to explore the entire shoreline, switch campsites, or simply enjoy a rewarding day hike.
Paddling Opportunities: Motorboats are prohibited on Pharaoh Lake, preserving its tranquility. Canoeing and kayaking are excellent activities, allowing paddlers to explore the lake's small bays and access sites that may be less traveled by foot.
Abundance of Wildlife: As a protected wilderness area, the region supports diverse wildlife, offering chances to spot deer, black bear, and various bird species, including loons on the ponds.
Extensive Trail System: With over 70 miles of multi-use trails, the area is perfect for creating custom backpacking loops that can span several days, visiting numerous ponds like Crane Pond, Oxshoe Pond, and Goose Pond.

Contact Information

As a wilderness area, there is no direct campsite phone number. For official information and non-emergency questions, visitors should contact the managing DEC office.

Address (General Area): Pharaoh Lake Trail N, Schroon Lake, NY 12870, USA

DEC Regional Office Phone: (518) 623-1200 (DEC Region 5 Warrensburg Office)

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

For local New York residents, the Pharaoh Lake Campsite and the surrounding Wilderness Area offer an unparalleled opportunity for high-quality, authentic backcountry camping without having to travel out of state. It is perfectly suited for experienced local outdoor enthusiasts and those seeking to elevate their camping skills from the convenience of a developed campground to a self-sufficient wilderness expedition. The free entry (no camping fee), once you’ve parked at the trailhead, makes it an economical choice for multi-day trips. Crucially, it provides the kind of solitude and pristine natural beauty that is increasingly rare. New Yorkers can leave behind the noise and lights of the city and find themselves on the shore of a lake with "an amazing view," experiencing true wilderness camping just a few hours' drive from major downstate population centers. The challenge of the hike-in access is a built-in feature that ensures the quiet and natural state of the area is preserved, rewarding those who are willing to put in the effort with some of the most beautiful and serene campsites the Adirondacks have to offer.