More quiet campgrounds
Think it’s impossible to get away from it all at a state campground? Think again. The state Department of Environmental Conservation operates several campgrounds in out-of-the-way places where campers can find peace and quiet in a wilderness setting. Jeff Nadler describes Putnam Pond in the accompanying story. We’ve picked four other quiet places you might also like. To make reservations at these or other state campgrounds, phone (800) 456-2267 or visit www.reserveamerica.com. FORKED LAKE If you like roughing it, this is the campground for you. The state has 80 primitive campsites on the eastern end of Forked Lake in the town of Long Lake. You have to hike or canoe to reach most of them. There are no showers and no flush toilets, just privies. The campground rents canoes and rowboats. The lake extends four miles east to west. At the marshy western end, paddlers can continue their journey for about 1½ miles up Brandreth Lake Outlet, where they are likely to see beaver dams and great blue herons. Bears sometimes show up at the campground, so visitors should store their food and garbage in a sack well above the ground. From the main junction in Blue Mountain Lake, drive north on NY 30 for 7.9 miles to North Point Road; turn left and go 3.1 miles to a fork; bear right and continue 2 miles. If approaching from Long Lake, drive south on NY 30 for 3.3 miles from its junction with NY 28N to reach North Point Road. BROWN TRACT POND Brown Tract Pond on the southern edge of the Pigeon Lake Wilderness is a good place to escape the drone of civilization: motorboats are prohibited on the 146-acre lake. The silence makes it easy to listen to the calls of loons that nest along the water. Anglers can fish for bullhead, smallmouth bass and the occasional brook trout. Hikers can explore the neighboring wilderness via trails that start at the campground. Possible destinations include Shallow Lake, West Mountain and the shore of Raquette Lake. The trail to Ferd’s Bog, a celebrated birding spot, can be reached by driving farther west on Brown Tract Road. The campground has 90 tent and trailer sites, vault toilets, a picnic area and a sandy beach with bathhouse. From NY 28 near the village of Raquette Lake, drive two-tenths of a mile on County 2 through the village to Brown Tract Road; turn left and go 1.9 miles. LAKE HARRIS Lake Harris in Newcomb has the usual campground amenities, but because of its remoteness, it retains a sense of wildness. Don’t be surprised to see a black bear. You can paddle from the two-mile-long lake into a quiet stretch of the upper Hudson River and explore the river in either direction. From the lake, you can enjoy views of the nearby High Peaks. Hikers can follow a trail along the northern shore of Lake Harris to the Camp Santanoni Historic Area. From there, an old dirt road closed to vehicles leads to Great Camp Santanoni and a network of trails in the High Peaks Wilderness. The trailhead for the Goodnow Mountain fire tower, with its celebrated vista, is a short drive from the campground. Other trails and natural history exhibits can be found at the state’s Visitor Interpretative Center, which is also nearby. Lake Harris has 89 campsites, hot showers, flush toilets, a picnic area and a sand beach with bathhouse. Canoes and rowboats may be rented. In the hamlet of Newcomb on NY 28N, look for Campsite Road a little east of the Hudson; drive north on this road about a mile. BUCK POND Buck Pond in the northern Adirondacks offers many paddling opportunities. The pond itself is off limits to motors. If you get tired of exploring the pond and fishing for bullhead and pike, you can put in at Lake Kushaqua from a boat launch at the campground. Once on Kushaqua, it’s possible to paddle southwest through Rainbow Lake, carry to Jones Pond and take the Jones Pond Outlet to Osgood Pond. From there you can follow the meandering Osgood River north for three miles or proceed west to Church Pond. This is an ambitious trip that requires a car shuttle. For an easier trip, go through the Kushaqua Narrows and then turn north to explore the North Branch of the Saranac River. Buck Pond has 116 campsites, hot showers, flush toilets and a sand beach with bathhouse. Canoes and rowboats may be rented. From NY 86 in the hamlet of Gabriels, located about 8 miles north of Saranac Lake, drive about 6 miles north on the Gabriels-Onchiota Road (County 30), bearing right in Onchiota, to the entrance road on the left. |
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