Cranberry Lake sits in the western Adirondacks at an elevation of 1,480 feet, covering over 7,000 acres with 55 miles of shoreline. The surrounding area features mixed hardwood forests and numerous hiking trails connecting to the Five Ponds Wilderness Area. Water temperatures remain cold through early summer, warming to comfortable swimming temperatures by mid-July when nighttime temperatures typically drop into the 50s.
What to do
Kayaking on Raquette River: At Carry Falls Recreation Area, paddlers can access the Raquette River. "Great campground for an extended river trip, as there is a nice launch at the far end of the campground," notes Shari G., who advises bringing insect protection as "there are thousands of mosquitos who don't seem to be crepuscular! They are out all day and night."
Star gazing: The remote location provides exceptional night sky viewing opportunities. At Birch's Lakeside Campground and Marina, Paul B. reports "Star gazing is FANTASTIC!" while Kari L. adds, "we had the best view of the stars at night (we were there during a meteor shower)."
Hiking the Cranberry Lake 50: This 50-mile trail system offers multiple access points and difficulty levels. Alex R. notes there are "Tons of free campsites and lean-to everywhere. Some with picnic tables and fire area. First arrive type! I camped while hiking the full CL50 loop."
What campers like
Pristine lake swimming: Many campsites offer direct water access for swimming. At Lake Eaton Campground, Kelly H. explains, "The best feature of this campground is the incredibly clean and clear Adirondack lake it sits beside. Lake Eaton is arguably the cleanest lake in the Adirondacks. Super sandy bottom that stays shallow for a ways out."
Hot showers after backcountry adventures: Returning from primitive sites, campers appreciate proper facilities. Jacob D. says Cranberry Lake Campground has "showers with hot water, which is timed and high pressure," adding that the campground is "super quiet and dark 8pm until we woke up."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Early mornings and evenings offer the best chances for wildlife sightings. Caitie S. recalls at Forked Lake Campground, "There was a bear den close to our site that was pretty cool," though she warns they "went during peak black fly season and got eaten alive."
What you should know
Limited supplies available: Stock up before arrival as local stores carry minimal inventory. Shari G. warns, "The Village of Cranberry Lake has some supplies, but not much except the very basics at the general store. You'll need to head to Star Lake or Tupper Lake for anything of significance."
Bug season considerations: Black flies and mosquitoes can be intense from May through June. At Carry Falls, Shari G. reports mosquitoes "found ways to get inside our camper. Our only saving grace was the downpour that kept them away." Similarly, at Forked Lake, Meike W. cautions, "Bugs were bad in late June, you would get eaten alive by black flies."
Potable water access: Not all campgrounds provide drinking water. Rebecca D. notes at Cranberry Lake Campground, "The ranger, who let us know the overworked staff was off, brought it to our site once he had figured out the key," showing how staff try to accommodate campers' needs despite limited resources.
Tips for camping with families
Lake activities for kids: Shallow areas are ideal for young swimmers and water play. At Golden Beach Campground, Rodney D. shares, "Our kids grew up with the same dozen other kids that have been there the third week of July for eons... The lake is peaceful, the beach is amazing."
Playground facilities: Some campgrounds offer additional recreation options. Jennifer I. notes that Higley Flow State Park Campground has a "Great playground for the kids, hiking trails and more," making it a versatile option for families with children of various ages.
Dog-friendly beach areas: For families camping with pets, beach access is important. Christopher from Cranberry Lake Campground shares, "The hike up and around Bear Mountain was a good workout and fun experience for our whole family (littlest is 6)," indicating the trails are manageable for children while also being dog friendly.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many Adirondack campgrounds have uneven terrain. At Rollins Pond Campground, Erin notes, "No hookups, so a bit trickier for rv's, but being right on the water makes it worth it."
Limited hookup availability: Most dog friendly campgrounds near Cranberry Lake have minimal or no hookups. At Birch's Lakeside Campground, Tami W. mentions "In spot 14 where we were located the wooden platform was a little rickety," but appreciates that "This place even has WiFi!!!"
Generator restrictions: Check regulations as some parks limit generator use. Cyndi B. advises, "No w/e/s hookups at any of the sites, but there is a three-lane dump station for your convenience if you are in an RV," when describing Fish Creek Pond Campground.
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