Moffitt Beach State Campground is just one of 52 campgrounds run by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) within the Adirondacks and Catskills. This gorgeous campground is set on Lake Sacandaga. I have wanted to camp right on the water for a while now, and this campground was just amazing. It is one of the most gorgeous campgrounds I have ever camped at, and our site was perfect.
Campsites at Moffitt Beach State Campground
Moffitt Beach State Campground has 259 sites. Most of the sites are small and close together. There are approximately 60 campsites that are right on the water. These sites tend to be very close together and not very private. However, the view and access to the water more than make up for that. The more private sites tend to be the ones in the woods.
On our site, we had a beautiful view of the lake right behind our fire pit, and we had a few nice big rocks we could sit on and watch the water and, later at night, view the stars. I have to mention that the stars were just incredibly impressive. I have honestly never seen so many stars in all my life. It was breathtaking, and my kids just loved it.
Critters at Moffitt Beach State Campground
Moffitt Beach State Campground was the quintessential Adirondack camping experience. We had so many animals around us. Some we could see, others we could only hear. Every time we went down to the lake, we were greeted by a flock of very friendly ducks who seemed to enjoy having their pictures taken. We had chipmunks running all over our campsite. I had one run right over my foot. We heard loons at night, which is always one of my favorite sounds when I am camping. My husband heard wolves in the very early morning hours.
If you are heading out into the Adirondacks, it is a good idea to know how to handle any wildlife you might encounter. There are helpful hints to avoid encounters and also advice on what to do when you find yourself in a sticky situation.
We were also warned of heavy black bear activity in the area. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to see one. This would probably not be disappointing to most people, but it was to us. The mosquitoes weren’t bad at all, but the black flies were awful. They had a picnic on my ankles.
Activities at Moffitt Beach State Campground
There are plenty of things to do at Moffitt Beach State Campground.
Boating
Motorboats, rowboats, canoes, and kayaks are all great ways to see the lake. Boats can be rented from the Lake Pleasant Marina.
Fishing
Sacandaga Lake is crystal clear and full of fish. The fish found in this lake are walleye, rainbow trout, brown trout, smallmouth bass, bullhead, perch, rock bass, and whitefish.
Hiking
The hiking in the Moffitt Beach State Campground area is literally endless. The park backs up to Jessup River Wild Forest. We found a small trail in the park just a short distance from our site. It was a beautiful trail and well worth the short trek.
Swimming
There is quite a large sandy beach at Moffitt Beach State Campground with lifeguards from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Again, the water is crystal clear and great to swim in. Up by our campsite, we could wade in the water, which was really nice. We probably could have swum, but the water was very shallow there, and it would have been at our own risk.
The Camp Store at Moffitt Beach State Campground
Located on the corner of Page Street and Rt 8 is the Camp Store. The Camp Store is basically the only place relatively close to buy necessities. The prices aren’t horrible, but the supply is limited. We found out the hard way. We forgot our ultimate mosquito and tick repellent (Coleman Max 100) and were forced to buy a very inferior substitute. Believe me, we missed our brand. The black flies were pretty bad.
Firewood
As with every campground in New York State, transporting firewood is prohibited. There are lots of places around to purchase wood. Compared to most of the State Campgrounds firewood prices I have seen, the prices in the area are pretty reasonable.
Choosing a Campsite
I found a website, New York State Campsite Photos, with a number of the New York State Campgrounds listed with pictures of every site available. This is a great tool when you have to make reservations online. It has helped me pick some really great sites.
Helpful Links
Address
205 Page Street, Lake Pleasant, NY 12108
Google Map Link
What is your favorite Adirondack Campground? Have you camped here before? What did you think of it? We would love to hear from you. Please leave us a comment below.