Fish Creek Pond Campground & Day Use Area
- Dates of Operation:
- Opening Date: April 7
- Closing Date: October 9
- Camping Fee: $22 per night (out of state residents surcharge additional $5 per night)
- Address: 4523 State Route 30, Saranac Lake, NY 12983 (directions below)
- County: Franklin
- GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude): 44 18 13.38980N, 074 21 29.77273W
- Campground Phone: (518) 891-4560
- Regional Office Phone: (518) 897-1309
- Make Your Camping Reservation: ReserveAmerica
Fish Creek Pond 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).
Fish Creek Pond Campground offers a natural sand shoreline and water access for most campsites. Campers are provided with pristine rivers and ponds accessible to both motorized and non-motorized boats. Square Pond and Fish Creek Pond (the two bodies of water around which the campground is situated) are open to motor boat usage. Also, motorboat operator's can enjoy miles of open water on the Upper Saranac Lake. A trailered boat launch with a small temporary parking area nearby receive steady usage throughout the camping season. Campers seeking non motorized boating opportunities are usually referred by the campground staff to the ponds in the Rollins Pond Campground area or the nearby St. Regis Canoe Area (approx. 3 miles north of the campground). It is considered by many, the finest and most attractive of all the Adirondack campgrounds. Camping equipment from tents to 40' RVs can be accommodated. The campground offers a variety of other recreational opportunities including: Interpreter Activity Program, canoeing and boating, fishing, hiking, and bicycling.
Amenities
355 campsites, accommodating all equipment from tents to 40' RVs, picnic area, beach, playground, hot showers (late May to Columbus Day), flush toilets, trailer dumping station, firewood sales, boat launch, hiking trails, recreation activities program (July - Labor Day), volleyball and basketball areas, boat and canoe rentals (available outside the campground).
Sites 12, 13, 43, 44, 45, 47, 88, 91, 244, 275, 276, Restroom in Day Use Area (open seasonally), Comfort Station in adjacent Rollins Pond Campground, Pavilion, Fishing Pier. Full listing of DECs Accessible Recreation Destinations.
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, rowboats, and canoes are allowed. Rowboat and canoe rentals available. Various canoe routes and boating opportunities exist. The waters are popular parts of the Adirondack canoe routes. There is a boat launch ramp within the campground.
Major species in Fish Creek, Square and Rollins Ponds are: black bass, northern pike, and pan fish. Upper Saranac Lake offers these species plus: lake trout and landlocked salmon. Black and Whey Ponds have: brook and rainbow trout. Fishing licenses are no longer being sold at any of our campground facilities, but can be conveniently purchased on-line or by phone.
Many miles of trails begin right from the campground, with an abundance of other hiking possibilities nearby. Two of the most popular are the Otter Hollow Loop and Floodwood Loop.
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 the Northway (I-87) northbound: Exit 30 Route 9 north to Rte. 73 north to Lake Placid. Route 86 north through Saranac Lake to Rte. 186 west to Rte. 30 south. 9 miles to Fish Creek Pond.
From the Northway (I-87) southbound: Exit 38, Rte. 374 west to Rte. 3 west to Saranac Lake. From Saranac Lake follow directions above.
From I-81: Exit 48, Rte. 342 east to Rte. 3 & 30, then Rte. 30 north to Fish Creek Pond.
Get driving directions from Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
Planning and Management
The Fish Creek Pond Final Unit Management Plan UMP (PDF) for the campground, guides the DEC's land management of 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 by email: campinfo@dec.ny.gov of by calling (518) 457-2500.
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
The Wild Center (the Natural History Museum of the Adirondacks) is 11 miles to the southwest in Tupper Lake. The Adirondack Park Visitors Interpretive Center at Paul Smiths is 18 miles north on NYS Route 30. Lake Placid and the Olympic venues are located 25 miles to the southeast. The Adirondack Museum at Blue Mountain Lake is 50 miles south.
Historic Interest
In 1920 the Conservation Commission began to establish camping sites throughout the Adirondacks. An open camp (lean-to) and 2 or 3 fireplaces were developed at Fish Creek Pond. By 1924, it was realized that proper sanitary facilities and drinking water were required for those using these roadside camp sites. Therefore, an effort was begun to concentrate campsites at certain locations. In the early summer of 1926 twenty sites, sanitary facilities and a well were constructed at Fish Creek Pond "...thereby one of our most attractive public campsites in the entire Adirondacks was created." The next year the Conservation Department doubled the size of the camping area and doubled it again in 1928. Although continually expanding, it was impossible to keep up with the demand for sites. From 1933 to 1935 the campground was again expanded through the work of the Civilian Conservation Corps due to increasing demand.
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.
