Lake Durant Campground & Day Use Area
- Dates of Operation:
- Opening Date: May 19
- Closing Date: September 4
- Camping Fee: $20 per night (out of state residents surcharge additional $5 per night)
- Address: 8301 State Route 28 & 30, Blue Mountain Lake, NY 12812 (directions below)
- County: Hamilton
- GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude): 43 50 18.34679N, 074 23 01.49137W
- Campground Phone: (518) 352-7797
- Regional Office Phone: (518) 648-5616
- Make Your Camping Reservation: ReserveAmerica
Lake Durant 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).
Lake Durant Campground is located on the east shore of 327 acre Lake Durant. The remote Central Adirondack setting of this facility offers a relaxing, quiet beauty and breathtaking views of Blue Mountain. The campsites offer privacy; they are large and well forested. Camping equipment from tents to 30' RVs can be accommodated. Lake Durant Campground offers a variety of recreational opportunities including: Canoeing and boating, fishing, hiking, and bicycling.
Amenities
65 tent and trailer sites, picnic area with tables and fireplaces, flush toilets, hot showers, trailer dump station, recycling center, firewood and ice sales, mobility impaired accessibility, sand beach, boat launch, bathhouse, hiking trails.
Accessible Features
Site 1A, Comfort Station near Site 1A, 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 allowed. Canoe and kayak rentals are available. Boat Launch is 15' X 17' with concrete ramp. Because of the depth of the lake, small boats are recommended.
Tigermuskey, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, sunfish, white sucker, brown bullheads, and brook trout (rare). This campground also has an accessible fishing pier. Fishing licenses are no longer being sold at any of our campground facilities, but can be conveniently purchased on-line or by phone.
Lake Durant Campground is utilized by many hikers for day use and overnight camping. Hiking opportunities range from day hikes to extensive overnight backpacking trips along the 133 mile Northville-Placid Trail (NPT) through the Forest Preserve. The NT passes through the campground and is the main access to the Blue Ridge Wilderness and Blue Mountain Wild Forest trail networks. The 2.75 mile hike to Stephens Pond is a popular day hike and offers good fishing.
A sand swimming beach is available at this facility. * Please take note the swimming facilities at this location are not supervised by a lifeguard or other responsible person. In place of on-site supervision, this facility has established a series of safeguards to be followed by all guests, the details of which are outlined in a brochure presented to customers upon arrival at the facility.
Directions
From the NYS Thruway (I-90), Exit 27 at Amsterdam; north on Route 30 through the villages of Wells, Speculator, and Indian Lake. Campground is 9 miles north on Route 30 from Indian Lake Village on the left side of the road, 1/4 mile to booth.
From Adirondack Northway (I-87), Exit 23 at Warrensburg; Route 9 North of Route 28 West to Indian Lake Village. Campground is 9 miles north of Village of Indian Lake on the left side of the road, 1/4 mile to booth.
Get driving directions from Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
Planning and Management
The Lake Durant Public Campground Unit Management Plan (PDF) (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
The Adirondack Park Visitors Interpretive Center at Newcomb is 25 miles east on N.Y.S. Route 28. The Wild Center is located 35 miles from the campground in Tupper Lake.
The Adirondack Experience, the Museum on Blue Mountain Lake is located 2 miles north on N.Y.S. Route 28, and features the History of the Adirondack Park.
Historic Interest
Originally known as the "34 Flow", Lake Durant was created by the lumbering industry to impound water used in the rafting of logs to downstream sawmills on the Hudson River. After use for lumbering, the area was left with flood killed trees. During the 1933-1935 period, the flooded area was cleared by Civil Works Administration crews. A new dam was constructed by Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) crews.
In August of 1938, the Lake was christened as "Lake Durant", and dedicated for "recreational purposes" to the general public. In 1939, the Conservation Department approved plans for the development of Lake Durant Campground. The campground opened in 1948.
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.
