This campground is located exactly where the West and East Sacandaga Rivers join.
Many sites are on the river with water views. It is really divided into three sections. The lower section lines the lower Sacandaga River and has very spacious sites, mostly all riverfront and all shaded by large pine trees.
If anyone has a large RV I would strongly suggest calling in to make a reservation instead of just doing it online. Some of the campground and sites are near impossible to get one in and the taff could easily tell you which could handle such.
The middle section ( directly in from the gate) also straddles the lower Sacandaga River, and contains campsites as well as the day use area . Although there are about 4-5 sites in this area that are riverfront, the day use area occupies almost all of the usable riverfront here. All the other campsites in this section are across the main road in the campground, in a very open setting,with little to no trees or brush separating them ( although there is an overhead canopy from very large pine trees that covers the whole area....they have removed the lower branches way up the trees to make the site open). It is great for families with children, very large RV's that would have trouble with isolated sites in the rest of the campground. It also contains the only shower facility for the entire campground and is very close to Rt 30 and any local traffic noise....which is not much since it is a remote spot.
The upper campsite is reached by crossing a one lane bridge over the river and it sits on the point where the two rivers converge. The East river has a small weir dam at this point and water pools up behind it to a shallow depth for swimming and wading. Swimming is a loose term since there are rocks and boulders in this area ....and when we were there the river was at flood stage from heavy rains. The water in this section was about 6 feet deep in the center ( my feet could touch) and and shallows out as it reaches the banks to levels very small children can play in. We were told normally it is about 3-4 feet deep in the center of the river here.
The upper campsite has some wonderful river front spots on bluffs about 10-20 feet above the rivers, most sites are private with foliage and trees between them and can accommodate medium sizr RV's and pop-ups. There is a section up in the back ( i think sites 96-108) that is only for tent campers and all are riverfront but on the west side where there are only a moving river and no dam. The river is still usable for wading on this side.
There seemed to be quite a few campers that fish the rivers and they share the areas with the bathers. A bit dicey with the casting and lures but everyone seemed to be respectful of the space they were occupying.
Tubing this river is a big thing and there are launch sites upriver off the side of Rt 30 that terminate at the campground.
Many campers show up with tubes just for this purpose. Two cars are needed for this as the launch sites are about a mile or two up river.
Nearest 'general store' for ice, gas, beer, deli type food, camping supplies, etc., is 3 miles away in Wells. There is no grocery store there and only one restaurant open for lunch and dinner as well as a car repair shop and small ice cream stand.....nothing else ( it is the Adirondacks....lol). Lake Algonquin is there and has a boat launch and public beach with lifeguards for anyone with children who don't want to play in the river. Decent size lake that will accept large motorized boats at the launch.
Small diner to the south in Hope a couple miles away for breakfast and lunch.
Everything else for major groceries , supplies, restaurants, bars, is in Northville to the south which is 15-20 miles away. Speculator is to the north about 20 miles and has a couple of restaurants, a small grocery, liquor store but is a small town.
There are many hikes in the area and Auger Falls and Griffin Gorge are a couple of miles to the north of Rt 30. Easy hikes of less than 1/2 mile and the natural features are great....ask at the check in booth for directions.
All in all one of the better state campgrounds but a bit remote if you don't come prepared or want to do anything off-site while staying there.
Great for campers that like just staying in the campground and occupying themselves with the amenities provided. read more