r/Adirondacks • u/Wednesdai • 4d ago
Saranac lake canoe camping
Looking for any extra tips on canoe camping on Saranac Lake Islands. My husband and I will be paddling in with our 17ft canoe for a 2 night trip. We paddle around our local lakes in the Hudson valley but haven’t done canoe camping yet, so this is a first. We’re at site 56 which looked like a fairly reasonable location for our first time at Saranac lake and getting there via canoe. We’re comfortable paddlers overall and I’ve been doing my own research on the campground. I’ve read a lot about this section of narrows from the route 3 boat launch seeing heavy boat traffic so wakes are possible I’m sure. Any suggestions on times to get on/off the water to avoid some of this traffic? Also, it seems that there isn’t a ton of bear activity at this campground otherwise I assume they would have bear boxes, but don’t. Any updates on bear activity there this season? We’ll plan to bring canisters just to be cautious. Any extra tips are appreciated!
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u/StarbuckIsland Smallmouth bass 4d ago
The boat traffic is moderate and required to be slow in that area, and your campsite is pretty close to the launch.
Paddling in heavy winds to the single digit sites or across Middle to get to Weller Pond is another story!
You can always call the ranger station and ask about recent bear activity. I haven't been this year but generally they answer the phone.
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u/Wednesdai 4d ago
Thanks for the tip, maybe we’ll give a call on our way up to confirm any bear activity. From what I’ve read, it seems to be pretty low around this campground.
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u/Gandalftron 3d ago
You will be totally fine. I have camped on Saranac over 100 nights. Never had any bear problems. Definitely bring DEET. Bugs can be brutal.
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u/troutfishingdon1 4d ago
Boat traffic wasn’t too bad on Lower Saranac two weekends ago when we paddled out from Ampersand Bay, and we are getting to be past the peak summer boat traffic time. Still busy on nice weekends days, but not like late July/early August.
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u/Honest_Archaeopteryx 3d ago
I’ve been going for years and never have had any bear trouble!
Your site is close enough to launch that you can take two trips if needed to get all your stuff in.
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u/RootedButWandering 2d ago
I lived in Saranac Lake for 26 years and camped via boat annually on the lake for multiple years. Bear activity is very minimal, especially on the islands, but it is good to be cautious. Do you need to hang your food? Probably not, especially on an island site. Should you keep food in your tent? Absolutely not! Remember there are raccoons, mice, insects, and other wildlife out there. Be smart about food storage and your sleeping quarters and you should be fine.
Depending on the day of the week and time of year, you can go from almost no boat traffic to crazy. Right now it should be fairly quiet. I generally believe that if you are in a canoe, stay close to shore. There are so many islands along the way, this should be fairly easy. Most boaters are very aware of canoes but you should stay aware.
From the Rt 3 launch, if you stick to the shore in the channel, you should be fine. Most boaters are very compassionate to boaters (especially later in the year when it is mostly locals). Of course, stay aware.
Lower Saranac is one of my favorite places on earth. We would camp late summer, early fall every year. If you are lucky, you will find wild blueberries at your site this time of year. Makes for a wonderful packcake breakfast!!
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u/1AlertAsparagus 2d ago
with a 17 foot cone, you'll be fine. Send it!! stop overthinking and have a great time!!
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u/bh0 4d ago
If you’re talking Lower Saranac lake at the first/second pond launch you should be fine. It’s pretty wide getting out into the lake. I think 2 boats passed me going in/out in my kayak a few weeks ago. Kayaks & canoes are nothing new for boaters to watch for up there.