Campgrounds and Day Use Area

Piseco Lake Campground and Day Use Area

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2024 Camping Season: Point Comfort and Little Sand Point Campgrounds have been consolidated into one new campground, the Piseco Lake Campground.

 

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.

The campground on Piseco Lake, offers fine fishing, canoeing, sailing, and all water sports opportunities. Concrete boat launch. Numerous hiking trails to challenge the day hiker to the 133 mile long Northville-Lake Placid Trail are located just minutes away.

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Members of the public can support DEC lands, facilities, and programs through our charitable partner, the National Heritage trust (NHT). Online giving is simple and secure and fully tax-deductible. Donations to NHT directly support projects and programs that enhance facilities, expand access to outdoor recreation and environmental education, provide public land access, and protect natural resources.

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Amenities

98 campsites, boat launch, flush and vault toilets, pay telephone, trailer dumping station, recycling center, hot showers, canoe, rowboat, and kayak rentals.

Accessible Features

In the camping area, wheelchair accessible features include the:

  • accessible campsite (Site 34); and
  • central shower building at Little Sand Point

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.

Family Sites 

Family sites are larger than typical campsites and can usually accommodate up to 12 people, four vehicles, four tents or two hard-wheeled equipment, or one hard-wheeled equipment and two tents. Maximum equipment size and site-specific limitations are listed with the site details. Sites also have up to two picnic tables and two fireplaces/fire rings. 

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.

 

Featured Activities

Motor boats are allowed. A boat launch is available.

Rowboats and canoes are allowed. A boat launch is available. Canoe, rowboat, and kayak rentals available.

Fish include: walleye, rainbow trout, brown trout, lake trout, smallmouth bass, brown bullhead, perch, rock bass, and white fish. Fishing licenses are no longer being sold at any of our campground facilities, but can be conveniently purchased on-line or by phone.

Panther Mountain Echo Cliffs: 3/4 mile long trail to 700 ft. cliffs. Trailhead is near Little Sand Point. T Lake Trail begins at Poplar Point. It is a 5 mile trek to T Lake at an elevation of 2460 feet.

Swimming at DEC campgrounds is unsupervised by lifeguards. DEC advises those wishing to swim to access the water from the designated beach area(s) only. Beaches are maintained and patrolled by campground staff. Swimming is prohibited from one-half hour before sunset to one-half hour after sunrise.

Directions

From NYS Thruway (I-90), Exit 27 at Amsterdam follow Route 30 north approximately 50 miles to the Village of Speculator. Turn left on Route 8, west about 11 miles to Old Piseco Road, turn right, campground is located 4 to 7 miles from that point on the left side of the road.

From NYS Thruway (I-90), Exit 31 at Utica, proceed north on Route 8 approximately 55 miles to Old Piseco Road, turn left, and follow directions above.

Get driving directions from Google Maps 

Planning and Management

The 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.

A final UMP (PDF, 6.52 MB) for the Piseco Lake facilities is now available. Hardcopy or CDs may be requested by mail: NYS DEC Bureau of Recreation, 3rd Floor, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-5253, or by e-mail to: [email protected].

 

Rules, Regulations and Outdoor Safety

DEC campground rules and regulations
Clean your boat and equipment
Don't move firewood
Hiking safety tips

Additional Information

Area Attractions

Shopping, restaurants, rowboat and canoe rentals and golf course are nearby.

Historic Interest

Development of this campground began in late 1929 and the campground opened to the public in 1931. Much of the campground development work accomplished after 1932 was done by the Civilian Conservation Corps working out of Camp 11.

Important Links

Adirondacks Region Official Tourism Site
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Region 5 - Eastern Adirondacks/Lake Champlain
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