Saranac Lake Islands Campground - Campsite #47, Saranac Lake, NY

Introduction / Overview

For New Yorkers seeking a true escape from the hustle of city and suburban life, the Adirondack Park offers a wilderness experience unparalleled in the Eastern United States. Deep within this vast protected area lies a unique and coveted camping opportunity: the Saranac Lake Islands Campground. This isn't your typical roadside campground; it is an archipelago of private, boat-access-only campsites scattered across the pristine waters and shorelines of Lower and Middle Saranac Lakes. It represents the quintessential Adirondack experience—a blend of tranquility, water recreation, and primitive, nature-focused living.

Our focus, Campsite #47, is located in the Lower Saranac Lake West loop, and like all sites here, it offers a secluded base from which to explore the Saranac Chain of Lakes. The setting is intentionally wild and remote, designed for campers who are fully prepared to embrace a carry-in, carry-out philosophy. Customer reviews consistently celebrate the sheer beauty and privacy of these spots. As one happy camper noted, having this spot is "a gorgeous place to spend a night," underscoring the high quality of the natural surroundings. This New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) run facility is a prime destination for paddlers, boaters, and anyone desiring an unforgettable waterfront camping adventure that feels a world away from the Empire State's major metropolitan areas.

The campground offers 87 total sites, including island locations and shoreline spots, all of which are accessible exclusively by watercraft. This "boat-in" requirement immediately filters the experience, ensuring a degree of privacy and quiet that is rare in drive-up campgrounds. Each site is primitive in nature, offering the basics for a true outdoor retreat while requiring campers to be self-sufficient regarding water and waste management.

Location and Accessibility

The Saranac Lake Islands Campground is officially located with a mailing address of 4468 State Route 3, Saranac Lake, NY 12983, which is the general area for the check-in and main boat launch (Second Pond State Boat Launch). However, Campsite #47 itself is geographically marked by the general location 7QJJ+W4, Saranac Lake, NY 12945, USA, placing it specifically on Lower Saranac Lake.

Accessibility is a crucial factor for this particular campground:

Boat Access ONLY: All campsites, including #47, are accessible only by watercraft. This means you must have or rent a motorboat, canoe, or kayak capable of carrying all your gear and party to the site.
Launch Point: The primary access point for checking in and launching your boat is the Second Pond State Boat Launch, located off State Route 3. This location is easily reached by car from the nearby Village of Saranac Lake and other major roads in the Adirondacks.
Parking: While there is parking at the boat launch, it is limited. Campers making reservations may be instructed to use municipal parking lots in the Village of Saranac Lake for extended stays, a detail that requires advance planning.
Proximity to Amenities: Despite the primitive nature of the island sites, the campground's base is only a short drive from the Village of Saranac Lake. This village, along with nearby Lake Placid and Tupper Lake, offers shops, restaurants, gear rentals, and other modern conveniences that can easily be accessed during a stay.

Services Offered

The services at Saranac Lake Islands Campground are geared towards supporting a primitive, boat-in camping experience. They are designed to be minimal, preserving the wilderness feel of the islands while providing necessary sanitation and fire safety measures.

Designated Campsites: Over 80 total sites, each with a designated landing area for boats and a cleared space for setting up tents.
Sanitation Facilities: Outhouses (vault toilets/latrines) are provided at each individual campsite for responsible human waste disposal.
Fire Safety Equipment: Each site is equipped with a provided fire pit/fireplace for contained campfires.
Picnic Facilities: Picnic tables are available at each site, offering a stable surface for meal preparation and dining.
Waste Disposal: The campground operates on a strict 'carry-in, carry-out' policy for all trash. However, a recycling center is typically available for permit holders at other, nearby DEC campgrounds for refuse disposal.
Firewood Sales: Firewood may be available for purchase at the main launch area, which is highly recommended to prevent the spread of invasive species often carried by external firewood.
Boat Launch and Access: A well-maintained boat launch is provided at the check-in point to facilitate water access to the sites.

Features / Highlights

Saranac Lake Islands Campground, and Campsite #47 specifically, offers a collection of features that make it a standout destination for New York outdoors enthusiasts looking for a memorable, nature-immersed experience:

Island Seclusion: The boat-access-only nature ensures a level of privacy and tranquility that is virtually unmatched in drive-in camping, allowing campers to truly disconnect.
The Saranac Chain of Lakes: The campground provides direct water access to Lower and Middle Saranac Lakes, and via a historic lock system, connection to the rest of the Saranac Chain of Lakes, opening up miles of exploration for paddling and boating.
Water-Based Recreation: It is a paradise for fishing, with the lakes teeming with species like northern pike, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and yellow perch. Water skiing, jet skiing, and general powerboating are also permitted on the lakes.
Primitive Experience: It appeals directly to campers who prefer a more rustic, true wilderness experience, requiring greater self-reliance and offering a more authentic connection with nature.
Proximity to Wild Forest and High Peaks: The location serves as an excellent jumping-off point for extensive hiking trails nearby, including those in the Saranac Lakes Wild Forest to the north and the High Peaks Wilderness Area to the south.
Campsite Structure: Sites are spacious and well-separated—an especially crucial feature for a location that often sees repeat visitors who value the natural buffer zone from other groups.

Contact Information

For reservations and general information, the primary contact details for the Saranac Lake Islands Campground (NYS DEC) are:

Mailing Address (Campground Base/Check-in): 4468 State Route 3, Saranac Lake, NY 12983

Campground Information Phone: (518) 891-2841

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

For residents of New York State, Saranac Lake Islands Campground is far more than just a place to pitch a tent; it is a vital part of the state’s outdoor heritage and a unique opportunity for an adventurous, secluded getaway. It is an ideal destination for locals who already own a boat or paddle craft, or for those who are willing to rent, making the unique 'island camping' experience highly accessible within the state.

The suitability for New Yorkers lies in its ability to deliver a profound sense of isolation and wilderness—a complete contrast to the dense populations of downstate and central New York. Here, the challenge of a primitive, boat-in site is precisely the reward; it ensures privacy and a quiet environment where the sounds of the lake replace the noise of the road. It fosters a connection to the magnificent Adirondack environment and offers a chance to engage in truly world-class water recreation, from extended paddling trips along the chain of lakes to excellent fishing. Campsite #47, with its location on Lower Saranac Lake, serves as a perfect example of the gorgeous, private base camps that New York locals can secure for an annual tradition of disconnecting and rediscovering the natural splendor of the Empire State’s greatest park.