Cranberry Lake Campground and Day Use Area

• Dates of Operation:
  • Opening Date: May 17
  • Closing Date: October 14
• Camping Fee: $20 per night (out of state residents surcharge additional $5 per night)
• Address: 243 Lone Pine Road, Cranberry Lake, NY 12927 (directions below)
• County: St. Lawrence
• GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude): 44d11'44.90"N, 74d49'35.37"W
• Campground Phone: (315) 848-2315
• Regional Office Phone: (315) 265-3090
• Make Your Camping Reservation: ReserveAmerica

Cranberry Lake Campground & Day Use Area Map (PDF) || DECinfo Locator

Firewood Restriction Map (PDF) shows the 50-mile radius from which untreated firewood may be moved to this campground. Help prevent the spread of invasive pests and diseases by following New York's firewood regulation.

One of the largest remote lakes in the Adirondacks and it's proximity to 50,000 acres of wilderness, intermingled with 50 miles of well developed trails makes Cranberry Lake the outdoor enthusiasts perfect vacation spot. Whether it's fishing, boating or just laying back and enjoying your well deserved vacation, Cranberry Lake is the spot for you. The lake has been stocked with trout in the past and many of the ponds, streams and rivers support excellent trout fishing. The perfectly formed forest canopy in the campground provides excellent shade on hot summer days while the undergrowth provides excellent privacy for campers. From Cranberry Lake to other Adirondack Campgrounds requires only a short trip on a major highway.

Amenities

171 campsites; hot showers; flush toilets; trailer dump station; recycling center; boat launch near Cranberry Lake hamlet; pay telephone; sand beach with bathhouse; Picnic area with tables, fireplaces, and grills; firewood and ice sales; Amphitheater; fishing pier; pavilion rental.

Accessible Features

In the day use area, wheelchair accessible features include the:

• Picnic area and pavilion;
• Beach access route; and
• Shower building

In the camping area, wheelchair accessible features include the:

• Seven accessible campsites (Sites: 6, 50, 52, 95, 101, 113, 159); and
• Four restrooms in Loops III, IV, V, and Pennisula

See Maps, Directions, and Featured Activities sections on this page for more details on these features. Visit the DEC Accessible Recreation web page for additional accessible recreation opportunities including a full listing of Accessible Features at DEC Campgrounds and Day Use Areas.

Campsite Restoration Project

This campground has sites that have been selected for restoration. While undergoing restoration the chosen sites will be closed. For the list of sites and more information on the project visit the Campsite Restoration Project page.

Directions

From the West: I-81 take Exit 45 (Route 3) at Watertown. Take Route 3 to Cranberry Lake Village. Turn right on Lone Pine Road, campground is 1 mile south.

From the North: Take Route 56 south from Potsdam. At intersection with Route 3 turn right (west) and follow Route 3 to Cranberry Lake Village. Turn left onto Lone Pine Road, campground is 1 mile south.

From the South: From I-90 (NYS Thruway) west take Exit 27 at Amsterdam to Route 30 north. Take Route 30 north to Tupper Lake Village, turn left onto Route 3 west. Take Route 3 to Cranberry Lake Village, turn left on Lone Pine Road, campground is 1 mile south.

Get driving directions from Google Maps 

Planning and Management

The Cranberry Lake Campground Unit Management Plan (PDF, 6.45MB) guides the DEC's land management activities at this facility for a five-year period, although a number of goals and objectives in the plan focus on a much longer time period. The UMP addresses specific objectives and actions for public use at this facility.

For more information regarding the UMP for this facility please contact the Bureau of Recreation, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY12233, Telephone 518 457-2500, and email for campground information

Additional Information

Historic Interest

The Cranberry Lake area is one of the largest remote areas remaining in the state. There has been only a minimum of civilized encroachment on the lake itself and just to the south lie thousands of acres of unbroken forest lands.

Originally, the lake was about half its present size, but in 1867 a log crib dam was completed at Cranberry Lake Village to control the flow of the river and improve navigation. The present concrete dam was built in 1916.

Cranberry Lake Campground has developed through several phases of construction. The original 15 sites were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1935. The supervisors cabin, bathhouse, and vault latrines were added in 1937. The next expansion was the peninsula loop in the early 1960's. Loops one through five were completed in the late 1960's, more than tripling the capacity of the campground. The latest major building to be built was the shower house in 1979.

Junior Naturalist Program

Our campgrounds become an outdoor classroom for young children (5-13) and their families. Enjoy games and activities to earn a beautiful embroidered patch.