There is no shortage of campgrounds in the Adirondack, especially DEC-run campgrounds. Many of these campgrounds can be what is known as primitive camping. Forked Lake Campground falls under this category. It is a place where campers can get back to nature and truly enjoy the beauty of the Adirondacks.
Camping
There are 70 campsites available, 28 of which can only be accessed by boat. This includes three campsites that are on the two islands in the middle of the lake. There are approximately five campsites that are RV or camper sites and can be driven up to. The majority of the campsites at Forked Lake are walk-in sites. Campers will need to park their vehicle and walk, with their gear, quite a ways along a trail that circumnavigates the lake.
The camping here is extremely primitive. There is only one flush toilet available near the ranger station. All the other toilet facilities are pit toilets in the woods. This campground is also a long way from civilization. You will want to make sure that you have the cash to pay from wood (Which must not be transported from more than a 50-mile radius away.) and make sure that you have all your supplies.
This campground has a shorter season and isn’t open as far into autumn as many of the other DEC campgrounds. Therefore, if you plan to camp at Forked Lake, your window of opportunity is smaller, and you will want to make your reservations early on.
As you are in the wilderness, there will be all sorts of animals keen on getting at your food. There are also bears in the area, so it is important that you make sure to utilize bear boxes and keep food stored properly away.
Handling Wildlife Encounters
Seeing wildlife when out and about is an amazing experience, but it can also be daunting if not downright scary. Animal encounters in the wild can turn dangerous, especially if you don’t know what to do. Here is everything you need to know about how to handle wildlife encounters.
Hiking
Forked Lake Campground is surrounded by the Sargent Ponds Wild Forest. Hikers can reach the Forked Lake Trail within the campground, and it connects to the Sargent Pond Wild Forest Trail System. The Owls Head Mtn. Trail and Fire Tower is another hike in the area.
Boat Launch and Facilities
Motor boats, rowboats, and canoes are allowed. Rowboat and canoe rentals are available. The launch area is gravel base, shallow, and unusable for large boats. The launch is mostly used by small boats or cartop boats and canoes.
Fishing
Forked Lake is fantastic for fishing. Anglers are likely to catch any of the following: Brook trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bullhead, yellow perch, pan fish, and occasionally brown trout.
Getting to Forked Lake
Forked Lake is, like many of the really amazing Adirondack campgrounds, a little off the beaten track. The road there is quite long and very winding. We visited at the peak of the autumn leaves, and the drive to the campground was nothing short of completely stunning.
Address: 381 Forked Lake Campsite Lane, Long Lake, NY
Have you been to Forked Lake? Did you camp? How was your experience? We would love to hear from you. Please leave us a comment below.
