Paradox Lake Campground and Day Use Area

• Dates of Operation:
  • Opening Date: May 17
  • Closing Date: September 2
• Camping Fee: $18 per night (out of state residents surcharge additional $5 per night)
• Address: 897 NYS Route 74, Paradox, NY 12858 (directions below)
• County: Essex
• GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude): 43 53 02.41716N, 073 40 43.49940W
• Campground Phone: (518) 532-7451
• Regional Office Phone: (518) 597-3257
• Make Your Camping Reservation: ReserveAmerica
• Map: Paradox Lake Campground and 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.

Paradox Lake Campground is nestled on rolling hills of hardwood and creates the impression of being miles from the real world. With canoes and rowboats available for rent at the registration booth and abundant fish in the lake, this facility provides for camping at its finest. Paradox Lake Campground is a comparatively small campground located on the shore of Dark Bay, which is on Paradox Lake. The lake itself is approximately 4-3/4 miles long.

Amenities

58 campsites, hot showers, flush toilets, trailer dump station, recycling center, boat launch site, picnic area with pavilion rental, canoe, rowboat, kayak, and standup paddleboard rentals.

Accessible Features

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

• Restroom

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 I-87, take Exit 28, then Rte. 74 east approximately 4 miles to Paradox Lake.

Get driving directions from Google Maps

Planning and Management

The Final Unit Management Plan (UMP) for the campground 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

Area Attractions

Boat tours and ferries on Lake Champlain, Fort Ticonderoga in Ticonderoga is 7 miles. Crown Point Historic Site, Essex County Fish Hatchery are located in Crown Pont about 10 miles away. The foremost attraction is the inviting Pharaoh Lake Wilderness Area. A wide array of adventures await those willing to journey into its forest.

Historic Interest

During the peak "run off" seasons, the flow of this lake actually reverses until the water table returns to normal.

The development of 32 camping units began in 1931, with the first official camping season to the public beginning in 1932. At that time, this facility was developed by the "Conservation Department", using its own employees. In 1951, another 4 sites were added to the inventory, and in 1968 another 22 sites were added, bringing it to the 58 unit inventory it stands at today.

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.