Putnam Pond Campground sits within the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness area of the Adirondacks, managed by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and open from late May through early October at $18 per night. The campground operates on a reservation system and accommodates RVs up to 30 feet with electric, water, and sewer hookups, while also providing access for boat-in and walk-in campers who want to push further into the backcountry. Several remote sites are reachable only by water, including a site on a small island that multiple reviewers single out as a standout stay.
The road in draws consistent mentions across reviews. Access can be rough, so drivers should account for that on the approach. Once inside, the forested sites feel well-separated, and reviewers note that cleanliness is maintained reliably throughout, from the campsites themselves to the bathrooms and showers. The campground sits adjacent to Putnam Pond and North Pond, which connect and provide paddling, fishing, and swimming. Canoe rentals are available on site for those who arrive without boats.
Hiking is a real draw here. Trails run directly through the campground and branch out toward Rock Pond, Bear Pond, Heart Pond, and the remnants of an old graphite mine along the red trail. Michael G. calls it "an excellent campground for hiking," and the trail network supports both casual walks and longer loops. Nearby, Crane Pond Dispersed Site offers a more primitive alternative for campers wanting fewer amenities. Putnam Pond works best for hikers, paddlers, and anglers who want a maintained base with genuine backcountry access close at hand.
Description
Putnam Pond is a key start off point for hikers trekking into the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness area. While it also offers interior site camping, which requires a boat for access, most campers prefer to stay in the developed area, where they can try their hand fishing by the dam or rent a canoe or rowboat (prior to the month of July, if you require a rental boat to access your site please arrive prior to the booth closing at 4p.m.). The campsites offer privacy; they are large and well-forested.
CAMPGROUND SPECIFIC INFORMATION
- This campground has primitive remote sites located on the pond (sites R1 - R9). These sites have no potable water and have outhouses for toilets. Remote Sites 8 and 9 may be accessed by foot. A boat is required to access the other sites if you make this selection. Boats are NOT provided by campground
WHEN YOU ARRIVE -You must sign for your own site. Have your equipment with you and be ready to camp when you register. Names of all campers on a site must be listed on the permit at time of registration
CHECK-IN TIME -From 2pm until 9p.m. Campers must register for their campsite by 9:00 p.m. on the first night of their reservation or the campsite will be subject to re-rental and all fees will be forfeited
CHECK-OUT TIME -11:00 a.m. on your departure date
OCCUPANCY -Limited to 6 individuals per campsite and 2 tents or 1 unit of hard wheeled camping equipment and 1 tent. Only 2 vehicles permitted on any campsite. Extra vehicles will be required to park in a designated area (additional fees will apply)
AGE REGULATIONS -Campsites must be registered and occupied by a responsible person 18 years of age or older
LENGTH OF STAY -Your camping permit can be issued for a maximum of 14 nights. From July 1 through Labor Day only 14 cumulative nights will be permitted at any campground.
QUIET HOURS -From 10 p.m. until 7 a.m., and are strictly enforced. Violators of this policy may be evicted
GENERATORS -The use of generators may be limited to no more than 5 hours per day and fall between the hours of 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. daily. If the use of a generator is deemed unreasonably loud by the facility staff then individual use of a generator may be prohibited/limited
FIRES -Must be built in fireplaces provided. Only dead and down wood may be used for fuel. No chainsaws are allowed in campgrounds, and cutting down trees, alive or dead is prohibited.
FIREARMS -Are not allowed in campgrounds except during the Fall and Spring hunting seasons. Firearms must not be discharged within campground boundaries at any time
ACCESSIBLE SITES -At least one member of the camping party staying on the site must be mobility impaired (i.e. in a wheelchair or uses a walker) or the camping party may be turned away at the campground
SWIMMING -Is allowed at campgrounds with supervised bathing areas during designated hours when a lifeguard is on duty. Please note that there may be times when lifeguards are unavailable, and for the safety of our customers these beaches will not be open and swimming will be prohibited. Not all campground locations offer swimming, to inquire please contact the campground directly
PETS -Are allowed with proof of a currently valid rabies vaccination in the form of a current year's tag or a certificate issued by the veterinarian. Campers can walk dogs on a leash no longer than six feet as long as the animal is under control. Dogs cannot be left unattended and are not allowed in facility structures, on the beach or in day use areas
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
DEC Campgrounds: Same-day reservations will be allowed until 5pm on day of arrival at all DEC campgrounds. Reservations can be made online or through the Reserve America Call Center: 1-800-456-2267. Walk-ins will not be permitted.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsPutnam Pond Campground is located in New York near Paradox
Directions
From I-87, take Exit 28, then east on Rte. 74 approximately 12 miles. From Ticonderoga, go west on Rte. 74 approximately 6 miles. Follow signs on roadside of Rte. 74 that will direct you to the campground.
Address
763 Putts Pond Rd.
Ticonderoga, NY 12883
Coordinates
43.8384435 N
73.57138436 W
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Dispersed
- Cabins
Features
For Campers
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Reservable
- Showers
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
- 30 Amp Hookups
- 50 Amp Hookups
Drive Time
- 1 hr 9 min from Glens Falls, NY
- 1 hr 30 min from Burlington, VT
- 1 hr 53 min from Albany, NY
- 2 hrs 35 min from Pittsfield, MA











