Adirondack Knowledge?

[Kevin Dill]

Combined with a trip to ETAR in Denton Hill, PA:
I am planning a trip to the Adirondack Mountains area of New York fairly soon. I have just a few questions about camping in the region. I am looking for a campground that:

Has good hookups for an rv.
Is NOT in a congested or fun-park type area.
Relates / is adjacent or in the mountains.
Is focused on good camping...not entertainment.
Is quiet...hopefully.

If you have any info or knowledge to share, please pm me here, or email me at [email protected]

I really appreciate it!

[jimmerc]

There's a nice quiet hunny hole of a campground up around rackette lake called brown track pond, sounds like the type of place you may be looking for! Not sure about the rv hookups but the have a bunch of rv sites( we tent camp) I'm sure others will chime in as well! This is a campground kinda on the rough side(no showers)we always swim and bath in the small lake!it has out houses for bathrooms,but not sure if this is the same in the rv sites!

[BobW]

What region are you thinking of:  Thousand Islands, Saranac/Lake Placid, Lake George Region, "Southern", etc.  There are a few DEC operated facilities that are somewhat less "schorched earth" types.  Not sure though the size of the "RV" you are utilizing.

Do a search on NY State DEC Campgrounds and see if any match your objectives.  There are also New York State campgrounds (separate from DEC) that are somewhat more developed in comparison.  Usually the web pages have "typical" photographs of the settings of the sites.

Keep in mind, you are a fair distance to the ADK's from Denton Hill.....

There are lots of private ones too.

If you want, once you have some choices, let me know.  I can tell you what I  know of them.  We have done, and continue to do a bunch of "car" camping throughout the Adirondaks (tenting).

BobW

[BobW]

I suggest you also utilize Google Earth to get a view of what the campground looks like from above (referencing my "scorched earth" statement).

[BobW]

DEC means: Department of Environmental Conservation -

[ron w]

Most of the State run campsites don't have hook ups,most have showers and rest rooms with flush toilets. There are a few private one but they a mostly near fun parks and attractions. Lewy Lake, Lake Durant, Raquette Lake, Brown Tract Ponds, and several others in that area aare nice and would give you a true feel for the Adirondacks. In Blue Mountain Lake there is a Mueseum that is a most see to grasp the history and beauty of the area. Plan to spend a good part of the day there if you go.Don't plan on seeing great amounts of wildlife, its there but it's a big area, you could see a moose,bear, deer, fisher, bobcat eagle, otter and a host of other things, but not always. Animal density is not that great!   Have fun........ron w

[Kevin Dill]

Thanks! I've gotten the sense that some camp areas probably resemble a carnival village...not what we want. We actually haven't set our sights on a particular region...but probably not Lake George (touristy?) or Thousand Islands (need mountains). The Old Forge area sounds pretty neat, and has a mix of recreational opportunities. We're towing a 26' trailer and hoping for hookups. So far, the DEC sites don't seem to offer them. Brown's Tract sounds very nice...but scarce amenities. I'm guessing we'll wind up going "private" to get hookups.

"Keep in mind, you are a fair distance to the ADK's from Denton Hill....."

I think about 4-5 hours. We plan to spend some time camping in the Adirondacks, and then move down to the Denton area about mid-week of the ETAR event. Finding the right campground in the Adirondacks is my current quest.

Please keep the suggestions coming. I'll chase down all leads!

Kevin

[BobW]

Pick yourself up a New York State Gazetteer

 http://shop.delorme.com/OA_HTML/DELibeCCtdItemDetail.jsp?forge_prod=kNH1H99DgZDOLPOK_a_X1vAC%3AS&beginIndex=0&item=246§ion=10096&forge_prod_pses=forge_prod%3DkNH1H99DgZDOLPOK_a  _X1vAC%253AS%7E&forge_prod=Zra38FZy8ycGqfjMrp2bBH5i:S&forge_prod_pses=forge_prod%3DZra38FZy8ycGqfjMrp2bBH5i%253AS%7E

It will give you a whole bunch of information, and road maps once you are here.

[ishiwannabe]

NYSDEC campgrounds have rules that are usually enforced to make your stay pleasant....quiet hours being the first one that comes to mind. I ued to be a Park Ranger in the Catskills, and the quality sould extend to the 'dacks.
Hope you find a good one.

[horatio1226]

Brown Tract Pond is GREAT. Piseco Lake is also really nice. Go where ronw said!

[MYSTIKBOW]

also check out Buck Pond and a couple of otheres that are in the Raquette lake area.

[mrgreenhead]

There are no deer in the adk stay south!!!!!!!

[BobW]

behave Art, he's just summer camping....

[ronp]

Another nice state park is Lake Eaton, about 10 miles north of Lake Durant.  In the southern Adirondacks, try the state park along the Sacandaga River near Wells, NY.  That is a great place that isn't crowded.

[mrgreenhead]

I was being good and telling him the truth did you see any deer at my camp?

[BobW]

I, for one, no.  But the rain kept getting in my eyes.  Then again, Mr. Brown may have....

[Cyclic-Rivers]

I would come in with good suggestions but my limited knowledge has been stated.  I second the Blue Mountain lake Museum.  There is also a wildlife Museum near Tupper Lake which is a nice way to blow  a few hours.  

Fishing is usually good anywhere you go.

[Kevin Dill]

Appreciate the insights. No...I'm not scouting a hunting area. I happen to live in whitetail mecca and get to hunt big bucks out my back door. We just want to see some new country during our annual trek to Denton Hill.

I really would like to find a campground with full hookups. It seems like...as soon as they say "yes, full hookups"...the area turns into an rv rodeo complete with clowns. We want quiet and solitude more than we do the feeling of suburbia.

Your ideas and suggestions are very welcomed and helpful. I've added the museum to our "to do" list. More good camping ideas?

[no]

Spent lots of time in Old Forge as a kid, Nicks Lake Campground is a great DEC campsite but not sure of hookups, ust south is Singing Waters Campground in Thendera along the Moose River. They have hook ups but its a basic campground. Get ahold of a Woodall Camp book & take a look at the area.  Good luck,  Mike

[MikeS]

Blue Jay campsite in Tupper Lake 518-359- 3720.
Frank Scotti is the owner.
Mike