Eighth Lake Campground – Raquette Lake, NY

The Adirondacks has some of the most incredible campgrounds, and Eighth Lake is one of them. The campground spans the area between seventh and eighth lakes, and the campsites here are truly spectacular. To be honest, Eighth Lake has some of the best campsites I have seen in the Adirondacks.

Please note: some posts may contain affiliate links which means we could earn a small commission if you purchase products from our site at no additional cost to you.

Lake Facts

Elevation: 1,788 feet 
Area: 314 acres
Shoreline Length: 4 miles
Mean Depth: 39 feet

Camping

Eighth Lake might just be the most versatile of all the Adirondack Campgrounds. There are 126 campsites at Eighth Lake. The campsites are unusually large for the Adirondacks, but they are all extremely private. All the campsites are very wooded, which causes a screen between each campsite.

About 1/4 of Eighth Lake’s campsites are waterfront sites. These are incredible campsites where visitors can launch a canoe or kayak right from their site. Truth be told, there isn’t a bad campsite in this entire campground. Even the sites that aren’t on the water are amazing.

We visited in mid-fall, and this was one of the few campgrounds still open. The autumn leaves here almost glow. So much red. What really struck me was just how much red there was in the trees.

Boating

Powerboats, rowboats, kayaks, and canoes are allowed. Don’t have a boat? No problem. Boat and canoe rentals are available. The boat launch consists of a hard surface (trailer-launch capable) launching ramp with parking for ten cars. Eighth Lake Campground is the only public boat launch on this lake.

Fishing

This lake can’t boast of having a huge variety of fish species but what it has is a great abundance of trout and smallmouth bass. This is a DEC-run lake, therefore, it is important to make sure that you have your fishing license on you when fishing. The DEC is known for stopping people and issuing tickets for violations. You can purchase a fishing license online here.

Wildlife

Wildlife makes the Adirondacks an incredible destination; visitors can sometimes get an up-close and personal encounter with the wildlife there. Black bears and sometimes moose are more prevalent in the Adirondacks, and it is not unusual for visitors to encounter them. This can be a magical experience. Although this should go without saying, do not ever feed the wildlife. While attracting wildlife to your campsite might sound neat, you are not only endangering your life but the animal’s as well.

Beach

Eighth Lake has a beautiful sandy beach with a roped-off swimming area. Lifeguards are not always on duty, and there may be limited swimming hours/days. Beach hours will be posted at facilities with swimming. Alcohol, glass containers, horseplay, inflatable devices & beach balls are all prohibited.

Other Helpful Information

• Dogs are allowed, but they must have proof of a current Rabies Vaccine. They must also be kept on a leash no more than 6 feet in length and must never be left unattended.
• You must be at least 18 years of age to register for your site.
• Generators are permitted, but they can only be run between 9 am -11 am and 4 pm – 7 pm. Also, the generators can’t be unusually loud.
• Only six people, two tents (or one camper), and two vehicles per campsite.
• Check-in is from 12 noon- 9 pm. You must register for your site before 9 pm or your site can be given away.
• Quiet hours from 10 pm – 7 am are strictly enforced.

Getting to Eighth Lake

Address: 1353 State Route 28 Inlet, NY 13360

Other Places to Visit

Have you camped at Eighth Lake Campground? What did you think? Do you have a favorite Adirondack campground? We would love to hear from you. Please leave us a comment below.