NY State kayak/camping destination?

HI-- my wife and I are looking for a destination where we can park and launch, then paddle a moderate (couple of miles) to a nice camping area for a one or two night stay. Atirondacks, Catskills etc would be great. We’ve been paddling our Pungoes for about 3 years, but are new to the camping thing. We have a semi-lightweight tent, 2 bags, etc. Thanks.

Floodwood/Long Pond
Floodwood or Long Ponds just south of the St. Regis Canoe Area in the ADK would work. St Regis outfitters is a good resorce.

http://www.stregiscanoeoutfitters.com/index.html

Another option would be Lows Lake this requires two short carries.

Bog’s River Flow
Easy paddle, quite wild. No portages for short to medium trip. One very short paddle opens up to whole area.

NY
Well, I would stick to the ADKs or the Hudson or Lake Champlain as far as kayak camping goes.



The catskill high peaks area only have reservoirs which are, in practicallity, off limits to kayaks. You need a fishing permit, permanently docked on the reservoir and surely no camping.



For the Hudson, I’d recommend the Hudson River Watertrail Guide.



For the ADKs, you can also check out the Fulton Chain of Lakes for lakes with kayak camping on them. I just got some beta on some locations there myself.



Jay

Cranberry Lake
You could also try Cranberry Lake in the Adirondacks. The Dead Creek Flow in the southern end has some great campsites about 3 - 4 miles from a good launchsite. There are motorboats on Cranberry Lake, however.



Another possibility is Follensby Clear Pond in the Adirondacks. Park, launch, paddle a mile maximum to some nice sites. Day paddles out into Upper Saranac Lake.

Follensby Clear Pond
Cleas as glass, easy access and lots-o-campsites

Floodwood Area is great
I’d also vote for the Follensby Clear/Floodwood area near Saranac Inn. Our favorite is Polliwog Pond, but their are many great ponds with campsites along the shores and no fees! Get the Adirondack Paddler’s Map put out by Paddlesports Press. A call to Dave Cilley at St. Regis Canoe Outfitters in Saranac Lake will get you the map - it’s pricy at something like $16.95, but worth it. This map will lead you to dozens of great paddle/camping spots.



Alan

Raquette Lake
You can camp at Golden Pond on Racquette Lake or paddle over to Tioga Point which is a boaters access only.



http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/do/camping/campgrounds/tioga.html

http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/do/camping/campgrounds/golden.html



Hear is a good interactive map.

http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/do/camping/adirondacks.html



Another area is the Thousand Islands Area. THat are a lot of places to Camp and paddle.

Lake Champlain
If you become a member of the Lake Champlain Conservancy you get acess to sites to camp. Otherwise there are quite a few places you have little access to.



Do remember, LC is an “inland ocean”. Because of the huge “fetch” of north and south winds that occur here frequently, conditions of large chop, and very close set 3,4, and even 5 foot waves that are famous for topling kayakers occur here with large winds mid day and afternoon. Just a FYI.