Lake Lewey Campground

[clark-k-b]

Can anyone provide feedback on Lake Lewey Campground in the Adirondacks in NY?  

The Clarks of Jenkintown PA
Coleman 2003

[Gutpile]

I have not personally been there but I talked to a gal who works in the office down the hall as her sister has been going there for years.  Some of her words "not real big, but very nice sites" also noted that it is in a beautiful area and that there is some nice sight-seeing.  As you probably know, it is very close to Indian Lake which has island camping which is obviously boat-access only.  I can tell you that I camped at Sacandaga Campground which is south of Lewey and really enjoyed it.  We also drove a little north to the town of Speculator (not far from Lewey and drove through Moffitt Beach campground which is very nice.  My boss just got back from tent camping there for a week with his family.  Very beautiful area, very Adirondacks - can't go wrong there.  I assume you are planning a trip there?  If so, please tell us about it.

[curryp]

I just got done camping at Lewey Lake campground for five nights. I live 12 miles from the campground and camp there annually. Some of the sites are on Indian Lake while others are on Lewey Lake. This year I camped at Indian Lake Islands (boat access only) on Indian Lake four days the weekend school got out. I camped in one section of Lewey Lake on Memorial Day weekend. My most recent site was on the shore of Indian Lake but is capable of holding a pop-up/RV and can be driven to. I will have the same site the Monday prior to Labor Day through Labor Day.

The worst thing about Lewey Lake is that reservations have to be made through ReserveAmerica.com and often people make reservations and then never use the site.

I am not sure of your vacation preferences or your camping needs. Feel free to send me an email and I will give you my phone number so you can call me and ask specifics. I am familiar with most of the sites and would be glad to help you out any way I can. I can also assist you with things to do and services available in the area. If you love the outdoors - hiking, kayaking, canoeing there is no better place to be than the Adirondacks!!

[kathybrj]

Hey curry-

we kayak a lot and usually make a camping trip to Rollins Pond once a summer. Moreau lake is close to home (20 minutes), but we'd like to try someplace different.

We're looking for kayaking on a lake that does not allow motor boats at all or severely restricts them.

Recommendations?

[curryp]

Kathy,

Interesting that you should ask this question. Just this morning I was looking through a kayaking guide that I bought this winter at Red Fox Bookstore in Glens Falls. I would highly recommend you get the book as it is a great resource for the area and gives great directions by exits off the Northway. The title of the book is 25 Flatwater Kayak & Canoe Trips in the Lake George, NY Region. It is a little flip guide with spirals at the top. The back cover of the guides says the book can be obtained at //www.CommonManBooks.com but I couldn't access the site. It also gives the number 1-877-429-3651 or says the book can be purchased at Glens Falls Printing 51 Hudson Av. Glens Falls.

If you plan to camp as well as kayak, Lake Durant in Blue Mt. Lake provides great kayaking. You can go to the western end of the lake where it becomes more of a river/stream. There is a trail head for a hike as well but I can't recall the name of the trail. If there are any motorized boats on this lake they would be small fishing boats.

Happy paddling!

[kathybrj]

Thanks!

We've passed Lake Durant on the way to Rollins. I'll look into it further.

I'll also be checking out that book!!

[mbopp]

If you've camped at Rollins, any of the ponds / lakes north of the RR tracks are motorless. But unless you have a cart most are hard to get to with a kayak. We like paddling Long Pond & hiking up Long Pond Mountain. Yes there's a trail but it's not marked on many maps.

[kathybrj]

We did portage this past summer to a few of the lakes off of the upper stream from Fish Creek.

We're looking for a new camping and paddling place.

[curryp]

Lewey Lake is great for camping and paddling. I don't think there are any motorized boats on that lake. At the southern end is the Miami River which is a beautiful paddle. There are also some other options for paddling in the Indian Lake area where there are no boats. Adirondack Lake and Abanakee Lake are right off Rt. 28 and both have easy access. You won't see much more than a trolling motor on either of these lakes. Adirondack Lake  is smaller but a nice hour or so of paddling. Abanakee Lake is bigger and has some islands that you can visit. It also goes for quite a ways and has lots to see and do. Let me know if you want access information.

[clark-k-b]

We had a great time at Lake Lewey campground.  Last-minute booking didn't result in the best site, but we were close to the water nontheless.  The best sites are near the beach area -- right on the water with good tree cover and nice little beach areas for keeping your canoe or kayak.  This was our first trip to the Adirondacks, and we'll definitely be repeating.  Adirondack Museum was worth an afternoon trip, as was a drive up through the towns of Inlet and Old Forge.  
I saw the other thread on Nick's Lake --- people camping next to us at Lake Lewey from the area said that their favorite Adirondack campground in Nick's Lake.  Unfortunately, I don't have any site detail.

[Jim K in PA]

We're looking for kayaking on a lake that does not allow motor boats at all or severely restricts them.

Recommendations?

Kathy,

While not an expert on the Adirondack Region, every year our Boy Scout Troop goes to Stillwater Reservoir.  It is a large lake that has no motor boats except one small ferry and the Ranger's boat.  No RV or PUP camping, strictly primitive and all the camp sites are accessed via water.  We love it up there.  Loons galore (and not just the scouts  :p )

Sorry to contribute to the thread hijack.

[kathybrj]

Jim- Stillwater is a tad too close to home! We try to get about a half hour away from the house when we're out to camp. Moreau is the closest we've ever stayed.

Nick's Lake is going on the list for next year along with Lewey. We're heading to Lake Durant for Columbus Day weekend.