Limekiln Lake is one of those rare State Campgrounds that is truly in the middle of nowhere, and visitors can get up close to nature in a real way. When we get to the Adirondacks, we like to take the roads less traveled and see where they lead, and this one leads us to this gorgeous lake that is known for being one of the best places to see moose in all the Adirondacks.
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Camping
The camping at Limekiln Lake is incredible, with 271 campsites suitable for both tents and trailers. We love camping here, and there are so many great sites to choose from. There are lots of campsites located on the water that give campers spectacular views of Limekiln Lake. The sites are all fairly decent-sized, with fire pits and picnic tables. The campground itself is very wooded with mature trees. If you are further back in the campground, you really feel like you are deep in the wilderness.
We were lucky enough to have a campsite that backs up to the outlet. It is incredibly pretty in this spot, and while our site wasn’t directly on the water, we had the best of both worlds. We waded and walked through the outlet, and we were able to play in the shallow water without having to see another soul for hours. My kids absolutely loved it.
Wildlife
Limekiln Lake is a great place to see wildlife, especially bears and moose. The campground has provided each campsite with a bear box to keep food locked up and protected from roving bears. There couldn’t be a better sign that bears are most definitely in the area than that. We have visited quite a few campgrounds in the Adirondacks, and they always warn guests to lock up their food and mention that there are bears in the area. None of these campgrounds actually provided bear boxes to keep your food in. I personally love bears and welcome the opportunity to see one. The bear boxes were just a welcome sign for me.
If you are wild animal lovers, like we are, you will love this spot. This is one of the 5 locations in the Adirondacks where people are most likely to spot moose. Of course, you might need to get up early to see one. Moose are most active at dawn and dusk and can often be found in wetlands, where they are fond of grazing on waterlilies. As with any wild animal, if you are lucky enough to see one, keep your distance and just enjoy the moment. We were told that it is very unlikely that you will see a moose within the campground, but if you get up early and head to the Moose River Plains up the road, you might just get lucky enough to see one.
One thing is for sure; we sure did see a lot of wildlife. We had chipmunks that would literally run right up to us. There were kangaroo mice that would try to figure out ways to break into our bear box (they were unsuccessful.), as well as tons and tons of red squirrels who would talk all day and into the night. The deer didn’t seem to pay us any mind either, walking around us like they owned the place. My family was delighted with the vast amount of wildlife in this park.
If you want to know how best to deal with wild animal encounters, please read our article to prepare yourself for this Adirondack adventure. Whether you are trying to avoid wildlife in general or want to know what you should do so should your path cross theirs, we have you covered.
Handling Wildlife Encounters
Encountering wildlife can be absolutely amazing but it can also be dangerous. Here is everything you need to know to venture out into the wild safely
Fishing/Boating
Limekiln Lake is very special because it is well stocked with splake, which is a hybrid created by cross-breeding a female lake trout and a male brook trout. Other species of fish found in Limekiln Lake are yellow perch, bullhead, and bluegill. This is a terrific lake to paddle on. There is even small access to the outlet, where you can explore the curving stream up to the dam. There are canoes and rowboats available for rent, and a boat launch that can accommodate small boats, such as small motorboats.
Hiking
As with every campground in the Adirondack Park, there are endless amounts of hiking opportunities available both inside and outside the campground, such as the Old Dam Nature Trail. This trail starts at campsite #87 and travels into the wetlands of the park.
Beach and Day Use Area
Limekiln Lake is also a Day Use Area which means that anyone can pay to enter the park and use the facilities for the day. There is a sizable sandy beach as well as shaded picnic facilities. This park is simply gorgeous and was such an incredible find. If you can make your way over to Limekiln Lake, don’t miss an opportunity to visit and bask in its beauty.
Address
Limekiln Lake Road, Inlet, NY 13360
Other Places to Visit in the Area
The Adirondacks have amazing wildlife. What animals have you witnessed while visiting the Adirondacks? Is there an animal you would love to see? We want to hear from you…please leave us a comment below.