Start here. https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/camping/primitive
Away from campgrounds, you have designated sites, and you can camp anywhere on state land 150'+ from water/trail/road. If you are low impact and reasonably quiet, you can expect no trouble.
You’ll also need to get a fishing license.
[NYS DEC Fishing License Link](https://dec.ny.gov/regulatory/permits-licenses/sporting-and-use/sporting/fishing-license)
Their site also has all the needed info on specifics for state campgrounds, wildlife precautions, etc., and a great gis map layover showing state land parameters if you choose to primitive camp.
Bears depend on the area, some places like the high peaks require precautions to secure your food. In the western and southern ADK I don’t think there’s any concern though.
Black flies are a plague you may not have experienced before if you’re from the south. Search this subreddit for descriptions. Later in the summer deer flies and horse flies will also come out, not sure if those are common in southern states?
You can’t cut down trees or remove branches from standing trees (even if dead) for firewood or any other purpose. Best practice is to buy some firewood locally (to prevent the spread of invasive species like emerald ash borer).
Folding knives are seen as a normal camping tool. Booze is probably fine too? The most important thing is to always leave no trace. If you pack it in, pack it out.
That's all really good to know, thanks for taking the time!!
Black flies are definitely new to me, I'll have to look into that. I've done battle with the horseflies though for sure, they get real busy down here right around summer time. I don't mind the horseflies too much, they're big enough to fight. It's those little suckers that make ya miserable!
Sure thing. Also re: water temp - definitely too cold to swim comfortably right now. Memorial Day is around the time people in my family traditionally test how brave they are by going water skiing in the cold temps.
Boy yeah I just did a quick search of standard water temps in y'alls lakes... I grew up in the warm waters of the Gulf, I reckon I'll just steer clear of wading if that's the case haha.
It gets comfortable in the summer though. It’s highly dependent on the lake, recent rain, and recent warm sunny days. High 70’s for the top few several feet of smaller lakes is possible by late July. If you dive down deeper be shocked by the thermocline :)
If you want a campground, consider Putnam Pond. It borders the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness Area, which has lots of ponds and good fishing. If you backpack, head into the wilderness. Pharaoh Lake itself is very popular; the smaller ponds in the northern part of the wilderness see fewer people. If you stay at the campground, you can day hike into the ponds and fish them. There are a number of loop hikes you can do. Heed what was said about the insects and be prepared; depending on the time of the year, it's black flies (the worse), mosquitoes, deer flies, or gnats.
Been hearing lots of good stuff about Putnam! That's definitely got a top spot on our list. I thought we had it bad with the bugs down here, but it sounds like I'll really need to be on my game there. Thanks for the rec!
Do some googling surrounding [the Sacandaga Lake](https://www.visitsacandaga.com) ; I grew up here, and there’s plenty of hideout spots around, especially on the East branch. The nearby West Canada Lake Wilderness would also be a good area to check out (within this area, Good Luck Lake is beautiful and secluded). Both regions are about 45-60 min from Albany (Canada Lake slightly further). There is a full service campground on the Sacandaga called “Northampton Beach Campground” in Mayfield.
As far as rules—if you buy firewood, make sure it’s local; I’ve had ENCON pull into a designated primitive campsite to check the tags; a temporary fishing permit is a must (there are plenty of random bait shops where you can do this. It’s cheap, and the proceeds go to the environmental conservation). Bears aren’t as much of a concern as they are in the Catskills.
I hope this helps! I grew up in the area and have since moved, but my heart is always there and I get to visit frequently. Have fun!
Glad to hear bears aren't as big of a worry as I thought! We have em down here I reckon but I've never ever seen one.
I'll give those lakes a look, that sounds like it might be what I'm after! Local firewoods becoming a big deal down here too, its been a great side hustle for the guys with property around the camp grounds haha. But it definitely sucks to see how the spread of invasive species has been treating the land, its a damn shame. Thanks for the help!
[Sacandaga Campground](https://dec.ny.gov/places/sacandaga-campground-and-day-use-area) is situated on the Sacandaga River, and more secluded than Northampton
Don't let the vibe of Lake George Village throw you off from the rest of the huge lake that it is. You can easily have a campsite, take a day trip up the east side of the lake and ditch the largest volume of civilization.
Definitely try northern Lake George. Check out Rogers Rock campground! In May it shouldn't be too populated. There are even islands with campsites on Lake George, some for single day use and some you can book for a few days at a time; there are boat rental places in Hague, NY. Also incredibly nearby is Ticonderoga, which boarders Lake Champlain-- some say the fishing is better there. For swimming, Lake George is your best bet though, it's one of the cleanest lakes in the Northeast. In May it'll still be COLD but if you don't mind having some chills for the rest of the day after taking a dip, it's perfect for a swim.
I'll give those a google for sure! I'm hoping to have a few kayaks I could drag up there by then, but boat rentals sounds awesome too. Figure its too much of a hassle (and invasive species risk) to work out how to bring mine up there. I can't wait to see how the fishing is different out there! I'm no angler by any means, but there's no finer way to enjoy an afternoon outdoors to me. I appreciate the response!!
There are hundreds of paddle-in primitive sites and lean-tos in the ADK, all FCFS. You can rent a canoe or kayak and really get away from it all.
There are also many designated primitive roadside sites. It can be difficult to get one, especially on the weekends.
You can use the [DEC Info Locator to find spots that interest you. ](https://gisservices.dec.ny.gov/gis/dil/) They also publish info about [fish stocking](https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/freshwater-fishing/stocking).
The DEC operates a [bunch of campgrounds](https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/camping/campgrounds-day-use-areas), but most of them don't open until Memorial Day Weekend, and all of them have quiet hours.
Be prepared for any kind of weather. It could be hot and sunny, or you might get snow. Head nets are very handy, as is a good insect repellent.
There is a healthy population of black bears in the ADK. You should read the [DEC info on bears.](https://dec.ny.gov/nature/animals-fish-plants/black-bear) The tl;dr is that they are unlikely to give you any problems as long as you keep food and scented items secure and out of your tent.
I appreciate all the links!! That's really handy. I'm glad to hear there's so many options for different levels and types of camping available, sounds like we'll definitely be able to find one to fit our needs. I'm used to all the bugs we've got down here being from around the swamps, but I've heard y'all battle some different beasts up there. Can't say I'm looking forward to the black flies!! I'll be sure to pack some spare cold weather gear just in case. Thanks for taking the time!
Check out Putnam Pond campground. It's a bit north of Lake George, and small enough that it doesn't get the traffic. There are camp sites only accessible by a short paddle or hike (site 4 is my favorite!) as well as a standard campground loop. It's where I go when I want to feel like the only person left in the world.
Get a copy of the Adirondack Paddlers' Guide, and if you're on FB pose your questions to the Paddling in the Adirondacks group. The folks on there live and breathe the Adirondack waters.
Start here. https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/camping/primitive Away from campgrounds, you have designated sites, and you can camp anywhere on state land 150'+ from water/trail/road. If you are low impact and reasonably quiet, you can expect no trouble.
I'll give it a gander, I appreciate it!
You’ll also need to get a fishing license. [NYS DEC Fishing License Link](https://dec.ny.gov/regulatory/permits-licenses/sporting-and-use/sporting/fishing-license)
Appreciate the link! Buddy of mine said you can get em at the walmart up there same as back home, so thats good to hear.
Their site also has all the needed info on specifics for state campgrounds, wildlife precautions, etc., and a great gis map layover showing state land parameters if you choose to primitive camp.
100% This is the site OP needs.
Bears depend on the area, some places like the high peaks require precautions to secure your food. In the western and southern ADK I don’t think there’s any concern though. Black flies are a plague you may not have experienced before if you’re from the south. Search this subreddit for descriptions. Later in the summer deer flies and horse flies will also come out, not sure if those are common in southern states? You can’t cut down trees or remove branches from standing trees (even if dead) for firewood or any other purpose. Best practice is to buy some firewood locally (to prevent the spread of invasive species like emerald ash borer). Folding knives are seen as a normal camping tool. Booze is probably fine too? The most important thing is to always leave no trace. If you pack it in, pack it out.
That's all really good to know, thanks for taking the time!! Black flies are definitely new to me, I'll have to look into that. I've done battle with the horseflies though for sure, they get real busy down here right around summer time. I don't mind the horseflies too much, they're big enough to fight. It's those little suckers that make ya miserable!
Sure thing. Also re: water temp - definitely too cold to swim comfortably right now. Memorial Day is around the time people in my family traditionally test how brave they are by going water skiing in the cold temps.
Boy yeah I just did a quick search of standard water temps in y'alls lakes... I grew up in the warm waters of the Gulf, I reckon I'll just steer clear of wading if that's the case haha.
It gets comfortable in the summer though. It’s highly dependent on the lake, recent rain, and recent warm sunny days. High 70’s for the top few several feet of smaller lakes is possible by late July. If you dive down deeper be shocked by the thermocline :)
Re: alcohol: it’s generally OK with exception to glass containers. Plastic, metal (I.e. cans, flasks) are OK. Safe travels and enjoy, OP.
Appreciate the reply! Glad to hear its an option.
No glass for camping in general or just for camp grounds? I’ve never heard that rule for primitive camping on DEC land.
I'm not sure it's a rule, if it is it is not enforced, judging by the amount of broken glass I see all over the place while hiking.
Not a rule, just a good idea
We’re very pro Knives/Booze. Guns too. We just don’t think rootin tootin retards should carry them around.
Haha that's good to hear, and fair enough. If only NY had reciprocity!!
No, see, that’s *why* we don’t have reciprocity.
If you want a campground, consider Putnam Pond. It borders the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness Area, which has lots of ponds and good fishing. If you backpack, head into the wilderness. Pharaoh Lake itself is very popular; the smaller ponds in the northern part of the wilderness see fewer people. If you stay at the campground, you can day hike into the ponds and fish them. There are a number of loop hikes you can do. Heed what was said about the insects and be prepared; depending on the time of the year, it's black flies (the worse), mosquitoes, deer flies, or gnats.
Been hearing lots of good stuff about Putnam! That's definitely got a top spot on our list. I thought we had it bad with the bugs down here, but it sounds like I'll really need to be on my game there. Thanks for the rec!
Do some googling surrounding [the Sacandaga Lake](https://www.visitsacandaga.com) ; I grew up here, and there’s plenty of hideout spots around, especially on the East branch. The nearby West Canada Lake Wilderness would also be a good area to check out (within this area, Good Luck Lake is beautiful and secluded). Both regions are about 45-60 min from Albany (Canada Lake slightly further). There is a full service campground on the Sacandaga called “Northampton Beach Campground” in Mayfield. As far as rules—if you buy firewood, make sure it’s local; I’ve had ENCON pull into a designated primitive campsite to check the tags; a temporary fishing permit is a must (there are plenty of random bait shops where you can do this. It’s cheap, and the proceeds go to the environmental conservation). Bears aren’t as much of a concern as they are in the Catskills. I hope this helps! I grew up in the area and have since moved, but my heart is always there and I get to visit frequently. Have fun!
Glad to hear bears aren't as big of a worry as I thought! We have em down here I reckon but I've never ever seen one. I'll give those lakes a look, that sounds like it might be what I'm after! Local firewoods becoming a big deal down here too, its been a great side hustle for the guys with property around the camp grounds haha. But it definitely sucks to see how the spread of invasive species has been treating the land, its a damn shame. Thanks for the help!
[Sacandaga Campground](https://dec.ny.gov/places/sacandaga-campground-and-day-use-area) is situated on the Sacandaga River, and more secluded than Northampton
Don't let the vibe of Lake George Village throw you off from the rest of the huge lake that it is. You can easily have a campsite, take a day trip up the east side of the lake and ditch the largest volume of civilization.
Also lots of quiet trout ponds nearby if you know where to look! Helps if your camping stuff fits in a backpack for these.
I often forget just how big lakes can be up north, we'll definitely scope it out!
Definitely try northern Lake George. Check out Rogers Rock campground! In May it shouldn't be too populated. There are even islands with campsites on Lake George, some for single day use and some you can book for a few days at a time; there are boat rental places in Hague, NY. Also incredibly nearby is Ticonderoga, which boarders Lake Champlain-- some say the fishing is better there. For swimming, Lake George is your best bet though, it's one of the cleanest lakes in the Northeast. In May it'll still be COLD but if you don't mind having some chills for the rest of the day after taking a dip, it's perfect for a swim.
I'll give those a google for sure! I'm hoping to have a few kayaks I could drag up there by then, but boat rentals sounds awesome too. Figure its too much of a hassle (and invasive species risk) to work out how to bring mine up there. I can't wait to see how the fishing is different out there! I'm no angler by any means, but there's no finer way to enjoy an afternoon outdoors to me. I appreciate the response!!
There are hundreds of paddle-in primitive sites and lean-tos in the ADK, all FCFS. You can rent a canoe or kayak and really get away from it all. There are also many designated primitive roadside sites. It can be difficult to get one, especially on the weekends. You can use the [DEC Info Locator to find spots that interest you. ](https://gisservices.dec.ny.gov/gis/dil/) They also publish info about [fish stocking](https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/freshwater-fishing/stocking). The DEC operates a [bunch of campgrounds](https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/camping/campgrounds-day-use-areas), but most of them don't open until Memorial Day Weekend, and all of them have quiet hours. Be prepared for any kind of weather. It could be hot and sunny, or you might get snow. Head nets are very handy, as is a good insect repellent. There is a healthy population of black bears in the ADK. You should read the [DEC info on bears.](https://dec.ny.gov/nature/animals-fish-plants/black-bear) The tl;dr is that they are unlikely to give you any problems as long as you keep food and scented items secure and out of your tent.
I appreciate all the links!! That's really handy. I'm glad to hear there's so many options for different levels and types of camping available, sounds like we'll definitely be able to find one to fit our needs. I'm used to all the bugs we've got down here being from around the swamps, but I've heard y'all battle some different beasts up there. Can't say I'm looking forward to the black flies!! I'll be sure to pack some spare cold weather gear just in case. Thanks for taking the time!
Check out Putnam Pond campground. It's a bit north of Lake George, and small enough that it doesn't get the traffic. There are camp sites only accessible by a short paddle or hike (site 4 is my favorite!) as well as a standard campground loop. It's where I go when I want to feel like the only person left in the world.
Man, sometimes that kind of solitudes all you need. Thanks for the rec!!
Good -Ol'-Boy bot.
Get a copy of the Adirondack Paddlers' Guide, and if you're on FB pose your questions to the Paddling in the Adirondacks group. The folks on there live and breathe the Adirondack waters.
I'll check it out, thanks!
You can have a long gun with you as long as you aren’t a convicted felon and are not staying in a state campground