Tioga Point Campground - Lean-To - Site #10, Long Lake, NY

For New York residents seeking a truly authentic Adirondack escape, one that requires a bit more planning and effort but rewards with profound solitude, the Tioga Point Campground on Raquette Lake is an unparalleled choice. This facility, managed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), stands out from the typical car-accessible campgrounds by being exclusively accessible by boat. It embodies the spirit of deep-woods camping while offering the popular comfort of a lean-to shelter.

The campground comprises a limited number of sites—15 lean-tos and 10 tent sites—ensuring a lower density of campers and a more personal wilderness experience. Lean-To Site #10, in particular, offers a covered, three-sided wooden structure that has become synonymous with the Adirondack camping tradition. These lean-tos provide excellent shelter from weather and a rustic base for your adventure, often situated directly along the shoreline with inspiring views of the lake and surrounding mountains.

Choosing a lean-to like Site #10 means embracing primitive camping with crucial basic amenities. Campers must be fully self-sufficient, transporting all necessary supplies, including drinking water, across the lake. The effort, however, is what makes the experience so rewarding. It provides New Yorkers a genuine opportunity to unplug and immerse themselves in the 36,000+ acre Sargent Pond Wild Forest that borders the campground, making it a dream destination for anglers, paddlers, and serious hikers.

This commitment to a boat-in experience ensures a quieter, more preserved environment, far removed from highway noise and the usual crowds, making Tioga Point a highly sought-after destination for local New York outdoor enthusiasts.

Tioga Point Campground is strategically located on a point of land jutting into Raquette Lake, deep within the scenic heart of the Adirondack Park in Hamilton County. While the address is listed as Long Lake, NY 12847, the primary access point is from the water via Raquette Lake.

Accessibility is the most crucial detail for prospective visitors: Tioga Point Campground is accessible by boat only. There are no roads leading directly to the sites, including Lean-To Site #10. New York campers typically launch their watercraft—whether it’s a canoe, kayak, or small motorboat—from a public or private marina in the nearby villages of Raquette Lake or Long Lake. The distance across the water from the Raquette Lake village area is approximately three miles to the campground's peninsula.

This requirement is not a mere inconvenience but a deliberate barrier that preserves the campground's unique solitude. Parking for vehicles must be arranged at the boat launch points on the mainland. This logistical requirement ensures that only prepared campers seeking a true wilderness experience make the trip, providing a level of peace and quiet that is often difficult to find in more conventional state parks. While it is a "boat-access-only" campground, some public records mention a remote trail access point from Buttermilk Falls Road in Long Lake, but this is a rugged, lengthy trail (approximately seven miles) recommended only for experienced trekkers and mountain bikers, with boat transport being the standard and highly recommended method of access.

As a DEC primitive campground, the services provided at Tioga Point are minimalist, focusing on shelter and waste management to ensure a low environmental footprint. Campers should arrive prepared for self-reliance.

Services Offered

Lean-To Sites: 15 open-front, covered wooden lean-tos are available, including the well-positioned Site #10, offering natural shelter for up to six people.
Designated Tent Sites: 10 traditional tent sites are also on the property, providing additional camping options.
Site Furnishings: Each individual site is equipped with a picnic table and a dedicated fireplace or fire ring for cooking and campfires (only dead and downed wood may be used).
Sanitation Facilities: Basic outhouses (pit/vault toilets) are maintained at various points within the campground for sanitation needs.
Water (Non-Potable): No potable drinking water is supplied on site. Campers must carry in all their drinking water or bring filtration/purification systems to treat lake water.
Carry-In/Carry-Out Policy: A strict policy is in place requiring campers to pack out all garbage and waste, minimizing environmental impact.
Limited Generator Use: Generator use is permitted only during specific, limited hours daily (typically 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.) to ensure quiet hours and respect for fellow campers.

Tioga Point's location on Raquette Lake and its rustic nature provide a wealth of attractive features for the New York outdoor enthusiast.

Features / Highlights

Iconic Adirondack Lean-To: Staying at Lean-To Site #10 allows campers to participate in the time-honored Adirondack tradition of using a three-sided shelter, providing a sheltered, semi-enclosed camping experience without needing a tent.
Direct Water Access: Most sites are located right on the shoreline, making it easy to tie up a boat, launch a canoe, or simply enjoy the lake from your campsite.
Extensive Recreational Boating: Raquette Lake is one of the largest lakes in the Adirondacks, accommodating motorboats, rowboats, kayaks, and canoes, offering vast territory for exploration and touring.
Exceptional Fishing Opportunities: The lake is well-known for diverse freshwater fishing, including lake trout, brook trout, smallmouth bass, and various white fish, making it a prime destination for anglers.
Sargent Pond Wild Forest Trailhead: The campground acts as a gateway to the adjacent 36,000+ acre Sargent Pond Wild Forest, with a designated trail beginning right within the campground, connecting to the larger backcountry trail system.
Secluded Environment: The boat-access restriction effectively curates a quieter camping community, ensuring a high level of privacy and a break from the noise and distractions of front-country camping.
Stunning Mountain Views: Campers are treated to expansive, unspoiled views of Raquette Lake and the surrounding mountains of the central Adirondacks.

Contact Information

Address: Long Lake, NY 12847, USA (Note: This is an administrative address for the general area, not a drivable location).

Campground Phone (During Operating Season): (315) 354-4101

Reservations and Booking: New York State Parks Reservation System or call 1-800-456-CAMP

Regional DEC Office Phone: (518) 648-5616

Tioga Point Campground is perfectly suited for New York locals who view camping not just as a leisure activity, but as a mini-expedition and a commitment to experiencing the true wilderness. For those driving up from the greater New York metropolitan area or even central and western New York, this campground offers a unique and highly desirable level of tranquility that is simply not available at easier-to-reach destinations.

The boat-in requirement serves as an initial self-selection filter, ensuring that fellow campers are typically dedicated, prepared, and respectful of the Leave No Trace principles that govern such pristine areas. Choosing Lean-To Site #10 provides the ideal base—a roofed, durable shelter that simplifies the logistics of a multi-day backcountry stay. This unique blend of necessary self-sufficiency and provided basic infrastructure (lean-to, fire ring, pit toilet) makes it an excellent location for experienced New York campers looking to sharpen their skills or introduce newer members to genuine wilderness camping in a secure setting.

Furthermore, its location on Raquette Lake provides direct access to arguably the best water-based recreation in the Adirondacks, coupled with the opportunity to hike deep into the vast, preserved wilderness of the Sargent Pond area. For the local user who craves true escape, challenging natural beauty, and a quiet night under the Adirondack stars, Tioga Point is the definitive New York wilderness destination.