Camping in the Adirondacks is always amazing. We spent some time at Lake Durant and we were incredibly impressed by this New York State Campground and Day Use Area. Lake Durant Campground is a quiet sylvan retreat perched on a lake. This park is pretty much in the middle of nowhere, but that makes it all the most alluring.
Camping
My favorite feature about many of the campgrounds in the Adirondacks is that there are many campsites right on the water and these sites are about the most exquisite places to camp. Lake Durant has plenty of them.
The camping area is very wooded and shaded by mature trees. Lake Durant is not a large campground. It only has 65 Campsites, and almost half of these are on the water. There are several sites that are handi-cap designated and a few sites that are designed specifically for RVs.
The campsites are all fairly good-sized and they are all really appealing, even the ones that aren’t on the water are great sites. One of my favorite websites to view pictures of campsites within New York State is CampADK. If you aren’t familiar with the campground this site can be a real asset.
Dogs are permitted in the campground but must have proof of rabies vaccinations and be on a leash no longer than 6 feet in length. As with every New York State Campground, I highly recommend making advanced reservations. These campgrounds are very popular, especially in the summertime. Showing up without a reservation is not recommended, especially if you have a specific site in mind.
Boat Launch
There is a boat launch where small boats such as canoes, kayaks, rowboats, and small motorboats can be launched. Visitors can rent canoes and kayaks from the park. The lake is not very deep, so small boats are recommended.
Day Use Area
Lake Durant is open for day use to people who aren’t camping. They have to have a permit to use the park. There are activities available to everyone at the park such as picnicking, fishing, swimming, and hiking.
Swimming
Swimming is permitted at Lake Durant, however, there aren’t any lifeguards on duty. There is a sand beach and guests are informed of the park’s swimming regulations when they check-in.
Fishing
There is a fishing pier available for visitors. There is a plentitude of fish in the lake and people fishing often catch tiger musky, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, sunfish, white sucker, brown bullheads, and occasional brook trout.
Hiking
There are lots of hiking opportunities in and around Lake Durant. Many are within the park and some are a short drive. As you are within the Adirondack Park, you will notice trailhead parking lots along the major highways. Popular hiking spots in the area are the Blue Mountain Wild Forest and Blue Ridge Wilderness
Wildlife
Whenever you find yourself in the wild, you need to be mindful of the wildlife. The Adirondacks have an abundance of wildlife, including bears and moose. Should you encounter one, you will need to know how to handle the encounter. There are people who would rather not encounter wildlife at all. This article tells you how to either avoid or deal with your encounters safely.
Address
8301 State Route 28 & 30, Blue Mountain Lake, NY 12812
Other Places to Visit in the Area
Have you camped a Lake Durant before? Have you had any wildlife encounters? We want to hear from you. Please leave us a comment below.