Paradox Lake Campground & Day Use Area
- Dates of Operation:
- Opening Date: May 19
- Closing Date: September 4
- Camping Fee: $18 per night (out of state residents surcharge additional $5 per night)
- Address: 897 NYS Route 74, Paradox, NY 12858 (directions below)
- County: Essex
- GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude): 43 53 02.41716N, 073 40 43.49940W
- Campground Phone: (518) 532-7451
- Regional Office Phone: (518) 597-3257
- Make Your Camping Reservation: ReserveAmerica
Paradox 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).
Paradox Lake Campground is nestled on rolling hills of hardwood and creates the impression of being miles from the real world. With canoes and rowboats available for rent at the registration booth and abundant fish in the lake, this facility provides for camping at its finest. Paradox Lake Campground is a comparatively small campground located on the shore of Dark Bay, which is on Paradox Lake. The lake itself is approximately 4-3/4 miles long.
Amenities
58 campsites, hot showers, flush toilets, trailer dump station, recycling center, boat launch site, picnic area with pavilion rental, canoe and boat rentals.
Accessible Features
Vault Toilet in Day Use Area (no accessible showers in facility). 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. Rowboat and canoe rentals available. The boat launch is a single lane, launch ramp over natural sand and gravel substrate.
Major species include smallmouth bass, yellow perch, and northern pike. Fishing licenses are no longer being sold at any of our campground facilities, but can be conveniently purchased on-line or by phone.
The camper who enjoys hiking will find a network of trails in the region lying to the south of the lake. One of these trails leaves the state highway a short distance west of the entrance road to the campground and gives access to Crane, Oxshoe, Crab, Putnam, and Horseshoe Ponds, and to Pharaoh Lake and Pharaoh Mountain. The view from the summit of Pharaoh is comprehensive, delightful and well rewards the climber. On the opposite shore of the lake, accessible only by boat, a short trail leads to Peaked Hill and Peaked Hill Pond.
Directions
From I-87, take Exit 28, then Rte. 74 east approximately 4 miles to Paradox Lake.
Get driving directions from Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
Planning and Management
The Final 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.
For more information regarding the UMP for this facility please contact the Bureau of Recreation, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY12233, Telephone 518 457-2500, and email for campground information
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
Boat tours and ferries on Lake Champlain, Fort Ticonderoga in Ticonderoga is 7 miles. Crown Point Historic Site, Essex County Fish Hatchery are located in Crown Pont about 10 miles away. The foremost attraction is the inviting Pharaoh Lake Wilderness Area. A wide array of adventures await those willing to journey into its forest.
Historic Interest
During the peak "run off" seasons, the flow of this lake actually reverses until the water table returns to normal.
The development of 32 camping units began in 1931, with the first official camping season to the public beginning in 1932. At that time, this facility was developed by the "Conservation Department", using its own employees. In 1951, another 4 sites were added to the inventory, and in 1968 another 22 sites were added, bringing it to the 58 unit inventory it stands at today.
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.
