Eighth Lake Campground & Day Use Area
- Dates of Operation:
- Opening Date: May 19
- Closing Date: October 9
- Camping Fee: $22 per night (out of state residents surcharge additional $5 per night)
- Address: 1353 State Route 28 Inlet, NY 13360 (directions below)
- County: Hamilton
- GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude): 43 45 56.83473N, 074 42 26.04099W (leaves DEC's website)
- Campground Phone: (315) 354-4120
- Regional Office Phone: (518) 648-5616
- Make Your Camping Reservation: ReserveAmerica
Eighth 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.
Support DEC Campgrounds
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. Donate here (leaves DEC website).
Located on the southeast shore of 314 acre Eighth Lake, this campground offers great fishing for lake trout with special salmon ponds adjacent to campground. The campsites offer privacy, they are large and well forested. Camping equipment from tents to 40' RV's can be accommodated. Eighth Lake Campground offers a variety of recreational opportunities including: Canoeing and boating, fishing, hiking, and bicycling.
Amenities
126 tent and trailer sites, picnic area with tables and fireplaces, flush toilets, hot showers, trailer dump station, recycling center, mobility impaired accessibility, firewood sales, sand beach, swimming area, picnic area, DEC canoe and boat rentals, hiking trails.
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
Power boats, rowboats, and canoes allowed. Boat and canoe rental available. The boat launch consists of a hard surface (trailer-launch capable) launching ramp with parking for 10 cars and is the only public access to the lake.
Trout and smallmouth bass. Fishing licenses are no longer being sold at any of our campground facilities, but can be conveniently purchased on-line or by phone.
Hiking trails connect campground users with the surrounding Moose River Plains Wild Forest. The Bug Lake trail begins within the campground and travels past Bug Lake and connects to the Seventh Lake, Black Bear Mountain and Mike Norris trails. The Seventh-Eighth Lake Loop trail trailhead is just across Route 28 to the east of the campground and provides recreationists over an 8 mile loop trail.
Designated swimming areas are available at some DEC facilities. Based on staffing, some of these facilities may have limited swimming hours/days. For the safety of our customers, swimming will only be permitted when a lifeguard is on duty. Beach hours will be posted at facilities with swimming. To inquire, please contact the campground directly.
Directions
From New York State Thruway (I-90), Exit 31 at Utica; north on Rte. 12 to Alder Creek; Rte. 28 through villages of Old Forge and Inlet; 6 miles east of Inlet on left side of Rte. 28.
From the Adirondack Northway (I-87), Exit 23 at Warrensburg; Route 9 North to Route 28 West through villages of Indian Lake, Blue Mountain Lake, and Raquette Lake; 5 miles south of Raquette Lake on right side of Rte. 28.
Get driving directions from Google Maps (leaves DEC websites)
Planning and Management
The Eighth Lake Public Campground Unit Management Plan (PDF, 6.63MB) (UMP) 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.
Rules, Regulations and Outdoor Safety
DEC campground rules and regulations
Clean your boat and equipment - help prevent the spread of aquatic invasives
Don't move firewood - help prevent of spread of invasive insects
Additional Information
Area Attractions
Area attractions include the Old Forge region with amusements, restaurants, and golf courses, the Adirondack Museum at Blue Mountain Lake and golf courses at Inlet and Indian Lake.
Historic Interest
In 1933 the Civilian Conservation Corps established a work camp. Camp No. 10, located at Eighth Lake of the Fulton Chain in Hamilton County engaged in the improvement and extension of nearby Golden Beach on Raquette Lake, the development of a new campsite at Eighth Lake, and the improvement of canoe routes and trails in that section. Eighth Lake Campground was opened to the public in 1935.
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.
