Saranac Lake Islands Campground - Campsite #62, Saranac Lake, NY

Saranac Lake Islands Campground - Campsite #62: Your Exclusive Adirondack Island Sanctuary

Introduction / Overview

For New York residents seeking a truly unique and deeply immersive wilderness experience, the Saranac Lake Islands Campground offers an unparalleled opportunity. This is not a roadside campsite; it is a sprawling network of 87 designated campsites scattered across islands and shorelines of Lower and Middle Saranac Lakes. The key feature, and what sets it apart as a premier Adirondack destination, is that every single campsite is accessible by

boat only

. This requirement ensures a pristine, quiet, and wonderfully secluded environment, perfect for escaping the hustle of city life.

Campsite #62, specifically, is a highly favored destination within this system, celebrated by local users for its

"peaceful, & serene"

location. Situated near Second Pond, Campsite #62 provides an ideal launching point for extensive paddling adventures. Its position offers easy access to the Lower Locks, which connect to Oseetah Lake and the extensive waterways leading to Middle Saranac Lake and beyond. The setting is primitive, requiring self-sufficiency and a commitment to the "carry-in, carry-out" policy, but it rewards campers with breathtaking waterfront views, unmatched tranquility, and a chance to feel like they have a private corner of the Adirondack Park all to themselves.

Managed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), the campground is a testament to New York's dedication to preserving its wild spaces while making them accessible for responsible recreation.

Location and Accessibility

The Saranac Lake Islands Campground is centrally located within the beautiful Adirondack Park in New York State. While the official registration area is located off State Route 3, the campsites themselves are dispersed throughout the lakes and only reachable by watercraft.

Official Registration Address: State Rte 3, Saranac Lake, NY 12983, USA

Boat-In Only: All 87 campsites are exclusively accessible by boat. Campers must launch their vessel—be it a canoe, kayak, or motorized boat—from designated state boat launches, such as the Second Pond Boat Launch, which also serves as the check-in point.
The Chain of Lakes: The campground’s main attraction is its connection to the Saranac Chain of Lakes. Campsite #62’s location on Lower Saranac Lake is particularly prized for its ability to provide immediate access to the locks, allowing boaters to traverse multiple lakes, including Oseetah Lake and Middle Saranac Lake, greatly extending the range of exploration.
Parking Logistics: Due to the boat-in nature, parking is managed. Campers are generally permitted two vehicles, but due to limited space, additional vehicles may need to be parked in designated municipal lots in the nearby Village of Saranac Lake (often with an additional fee), a detail that requires pre-planning.
Proximity to the Tri-Lakes Region: Despite its secluded feel, the main launch point is just a short drive from the communities of Saranac Lake, Lake Placid, and Tupper Lake, offering easy access to emergency services, restaurants, and supply shops before embarking on the island journey.

Services Offered

As a primitive, boat-access campground, the services are designed to facilitate essential needs while maintaining the wilderness character of the site. Campsite #62, like all sites, includes the following fundamental amenities:

Primitive Sanitation: Each individual site is equipped with an outhouse, ensuring basic waste disposal and preventing environmental contamination.
Designated Fireplace: A permanent fireplace or fire ring is provided at the site for contained cooking and campfires, which must use only dead and downed wood collected nearby or purchased locally.
Picnic Table: A dedicated picnic table is available at Campsite #62 for meal preparation and outdoor dining, enhancing comfort in the wilderness setting.
Firewood Sales: Firewood can be purchased from local DEC-approved vendors or at the main launch area, which is highly encouraged to prevent the spread of invasive insects that could harm the protected Adirondack forests.
Water Access: The entire site is waterfront, allowing direct mooring or beaching of boats and providing immediate access to the lake for non-potable uses.
External Services: As noted in customer reviews, local services like ADK Camp Wood Delivery Service are available to deliver supplies directly to the boat-in campsites, a highly convenient feature for multi-day trips.

Note that this is a primitive site: there is

no potable drinking water

directly available on the island sites, and there are

no showers

Features / Highlights

Campsite #62 and the overall Saranac Lake Islands experience are defined by several unique highlights that draw New Yorkers north every season:

Secluded Island/Shoreline Privacy: The boat-access rule eliminates drive-through traffic and foot traffic from neighboring sites, providing an exceptional level of privacy and solitude that is hard to find in other state campgrounds.
Unmatched Paddling Connectivity: Campsite #62's location provides prime access to the Saranac Lake system, allowing paddlers to seamlessly explore Lower Saranac Lake, Oseetah Lake, and Middle Saranac Lake, with the adventure enhanced by passing through the manually operated Lower Locks.
Waterfront Recreation: The location is perfect for all forms of water recreation, including fishing (for species like largemouth bass and northern pike), powerboating, canoeing, kayaking, and waterskiing in designated areas, offering something for every type of water enthusiast.
Stunning Adirondack Views: Campers are treated to panoramic views of the surrounding Adirondack mountains, providing a quintessential New York wilderness backdrop for sunrises and sunsets over the water.
Pet-Friendly Policy: Unlike some restricted wilderness areas, pets are allowed on the Saranac Lake Islands campsites, provided they have proof of a valid rabies vaccination and are kept on a leash no longer than six feet.

Contact Information

The Saranac Lake Islands Campground is operated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Reservations are highly recommended and can be made through the New York State Parks reservation system.

Address (Registration/Launch Point): State Rte 3, Saranac Lake, NY 12983, USA

Main Campground Phone: (518) 891-2841

Please note that the phone number provided in the initial data (321) 356-8469 appears to be a personal or alternative contact; for official DEC business, reservations, and current operational details, the publicly listed campground phone number of (518) 891-2841 is the standard point of contact.

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

For residents of New York State, particularly those from the downstate areas, Saranac Lake Islands Campground offers the quintessential Adirondack escape—a true wilderness immersion within a few hours' drive. This is your chance to step away from the urban grid and find genuine quietude on a waterfront site accessible only by boat. It embodies the adventurous spirit of the Empire State, requiring a bit more effort in planning and logistics (packing in and packing out all supplies), but delivering an exponentially greater reward in terms of serenity and natural beauty.

Camping at a site like #62 allows New Yorkers to connect deeply with their state's natural heritage, providing an unparalleled base for multi-day paddling trips across the interconnected lakes. It is a local treasure that encourages self-reliance, promotes conservation principles, and provides an unforgettable memory of camping under the vast, star-filled skies of the Adirondack Park—a pristine sanctuary owned and protected by the people of New York.