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Indian Lake Islands

Address: State Route 30 Sabael, NY 12864
Campground Phone: (518)648-5300
Regional Office Phone: (518)648-5616
Camping Fee: $19

Campground Map PDF File (156 KB)

Make a reservation at this campground with ReserveAmerica.

photo of Indian Lake

Beautiful wild forest island offering wilderness camping and some of the best recreational boating in the Adirondacks, Indian Lake Islands Campground is located on the southern shore of 4,365 acre Indian Lake. All the campsites offer privacy. They are large and well forested. Campsites are accessible by boat only. Campers register at the boat launch adjacent to the Lewey Lake Public Campground off Route 30. The opportunity to camp on an island or along the shore of Indian Lake makes this one of the most popular camping destinations in the Adirondacks. Indian Lake Islands Campground offers a variety of recreational opportunities including: Canoeing and boating, hiking, fishing, and picnicking.

The registration booth

Hours of Operation: The campground is open from mid-May and remains open until Columbus Day. Between July 1 and Labor Day the registration booth is open daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Before July 1 and after Labor Day the booth hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. The facility supervisor or assistant is on the premises at all times, unless otherwise posted.

Directions: From New York State Thruway (I-90), Exit 27 at Amsterdam; north on Route 30 through the villages of Wells, and Speculator. Campground is 12 miles north on Route 30 from Speculator on the right side of the road.

From the Adirondack Northway (I-87), Exit 23 at Warrensburg; Route 9 North to Route 28 West to Indian Lake Village. Campground is 12 miles south of Village of Indian Lake on the left side of Rte. 30.

Amenities: 55 campsites, picnic areas with tables and fireplaces, pit toilets, boat access only, boat launches on Lewey and Indian Lakes, pay telephone, hiking trails.

Parking area and boat launch with lake and mountains in the distance
Parking area and boat launch

Boating: Power boats, rowboats, and canoes allowed. Canoe rentals available at Indian Lake Campground as well as at adjacent Lewey Lake Campground.

Fishing: Fish present in the lake include: lake trout, rock bass, rainbow trout, smelt, brown bullheads, smallmouth bass, brown trout, yellow perch, common sunfish, white sucker, lake whitefish, northern pike, and landlocked salmon.

Hiking: Snowy Mountain - located 4 miles north of campground entrance. A 4 1/2 mile hike to breathtaking view of lakes and mountains. Watch Point - 1 1/2 mile hike to overlook of Indian Lake. Baldface Mountain Trail - 1.1 miles (water access), Crotched Pond Trail - 1.8 miles (water access), and John Mack Pond Trail - 1.4 miles (water access).

Day Use Facilities: Picnic areas available. No swimming beach.

A view of the boat launch from the lake
The lake and boat launch

Area Attractions: The Adirondack Park Visitors Interpretive Center at Newcomb, New York off Route 28N, is 59 miles north of New York State Route 30 and 28. The Village of Speculator is 12 miles away with shopping and restaurants.

The Adirondack Museum at Blue Mountain Lake is located 27 miles north of New York Route 28 and 30, and features the history of the Adirondack Mountains and the Adirondack Park. The village of Indian Lake is 12 miles north on New York State Route 30, and offers restaurants and shopping.

Golf courses are available in the villages of Indian Lake and Inlet.

Historic Interest: Development of the campground started in 1959 to provide controlled facilities and to clean up the area. Over 40 years of heavy camping had resulted in large deposits of refuse, uncontrolled cutting of trees, and numerous forest fires. These problems ceased to exist after the campground was officially opened in 1960.