Fish Creek Pond Campground

Insider Tips... SHHH !!

Here are some valuable tips to make your trip to Fish Creek more enjoyable :-)

Reservations

Book ahead! Fish Creek is very hard to reserve during the months of July and August.
You may book 9 months in advanced.

Wind

Some sides of the ponds are more windy than others. On average winds appear from the west sweeping across Square Pond blowing hard onto the eastern shores. If you prefer less wind, especially if you're camping in the spring or fall I'd suggest you avoid sites 1-30 and 67-105. Sites in the 70-90 range seem to on average receive the most wind.

Morning Sun

During the hot summer months you might not be as concerned with morning sun as when camping in the spring or fall. For best early morning sun and throughout the day choose a site in the 101-122 range. Sites in the 125 to 162 range and 40-65 receive excellent morning sun but miss out on the late afternoon sun. Sites 230-305 generally receive good early morning sun. Sites in the 168 to 229 range don't receive sun until late morning. Sites in the 68 to 99 range offer the best late afternoon sun.

Morning Sun

Campsite Map

Click Map to Enlarge

Sunsets

Sites around 215-230 and 70-80 often offer decent sunsets, however the best vantage point is out in your boat in front of the beach and day use area. Don't forget your camera!

Full Moons

Best seen from sites 101-122 and 139-156.
2007: May 2, Jun 1, Jun 30, Jul 30, Aug 28, Sep 26, Oct 26
2008: Apr 20, May 19, Jun 18, Jul 18, Aug 16, Sep 15, Oct 14

Mountain Views

If you like a mountain view as well as morning sun, you're best bet is one of the sites on the west shore of Square Pond. These also are quite large sites. You'll even have a view of Whiteface Mountain on a clear day! Check out sites 138 to about 150. Sites around 115 to 120 also have mountain views, although not of Whiteface.

Best Area for Shade

For maximum shade the sites amongst the tall pines between sites 123 and 135 tend to be quite shaded compared to other sites.

Best Area for Sunrise and Full Moons

During the fall the best sites for sunrises (as well as full moons if you're lucky!) are in the 101-122 range.

Best Sites for those Looking for Quiet

Quiet? Well maybe Fish Creek isn't the place for you! It's an active park with lots of kids and people out enjoying water activity, although anytime before July 1st and after labour day its a different story. If you want quiet and more privacy, best consider Rollins Pond. The most private sites at Fish Creek however would be sites C1-C17 which are off the main road, fairly secluded and are located on the creek instead of one of the main ponds. You won't be subject to the sound of motor boats in this section either.

Most people come in the main gate and have to drive all the way around to get to their site. Those going to Rollins also have to come in the main gate and drive all the way to site 136 before the turn off to Rollins Pond. Thus if you are in the low numbers including sites 5-50 you will encounter considerable thru traffic. Sites 52 to 78 are off on their own loop and so receive little thru traffic. Sites 80 to 136 also receive considerable thru traffic, but to a lesser extent than 5-50. Sites 138-305 generally receive moderate traffic as they are further along, and don't receive the thru traffic to Rollins Pond.

Yoo Hoo's

Best pond to be one for optimum 'Yoo Hoos' would be Square Pond since you'll have campers across on all shores. (At night kids and adults alike yell out 'Yoo Hoo' to campers on the other side of the ponds. It's a tradition!)

Dump Station Issues

During hot busy summer months, if the wind is right, you just might not want to be in the area of site 125 to 137 since the dump station just to the west can be a tad on the smelly side :-( . You get my drift right? LOL

Best of the Worst

We often joke that a bad site at Fish Creek would be a prime site at most other campgrounds. Having said that, here is a partial list of sites most people would wish to avoid (there are a few others which should be added including a few 'wet' sites and those with graded slopes):

136 - very small and close to the road, no water view or water access
137 - very small and close to the road, no water view and limited water access

Boating Sites

Best sites if you plan on bringing your boat are those in the northeast Pond which is quieter than Square Pond, and more wind protected. Sites in the 35 to 60 range are best. There is a shoreline errosion barrier (mostly concrete) between about site 75 through to about site 105. These may not be the best choice for boaters unless you plan on anchoring away from shore. Sites in the 138 to 159 area offer the best wind protection. Sites in the 156 to 179 are in the small bay in Square Pond which generally is less windy and sees less boat traffic. Sites in the vicinity of 228 to 235 and 245 to 253 are subjected to the increased boating traffic that passes these points. A 5mph limit at the narrows (sites 228 to 235) are subjected to wakes from boats slowing and speeding up.

Canoe/Kayak and Bike Rentals

Canoes and Kayaks can be rented from Upper Saranac Marina as well as small aluminum boats, located just outside the park on Route 30. They can deliver right to your campsite if so desired! They can be reached at 518-891-0480.

The Paeglow's family also operates a canoe and kayak rental kiosk at the Rollins Pond boat launch. Inventory includes single kayaks, 15' canoes, rowboats, double kayaks, 17' canoes and lightweight 15' canoes.

Canoes can also be rented from MAC's Canoe Livery in Lake Clear, just north of the campground.

Bikes can be rented at the following bike shops in Lake Placid:

Placid Planet Bicycles

High Peaks Cyclery

Rain? What Rain?

Sometimes it rains at Fish Creek... sometimes a lot! There is a saying in the Adirondacks you should know... "If you don't like the weather, wait 15 minutes". This is so true. If you plan on doing any water activities, and the weather is looking fine in the morning, then get out on the water. Showers and thundershowers are more likely in the afternoon. While out on Upper Saranac, keep an eye on the sky on those 'ify' days.

Swimming

Although swimming is reserved for the public beach near the entrance to the park (day use area), many people do swim from their campsite as well as using floats of sorts. This isn't encouraged, just be weary of any boat traffic as the ponds can get busy during the summer holidays!

Hiking

For those looking for short hikes, there are lots of trails within Fish Creek and Rollins. Nearby is the St Regis Mountain, and for those interested in a bigger hike, Ampersand is within 30 minutes (on route to the town of Saranac Lake). The High Peaks around Lake Placid offer an exhausting choice as well, particularly for those in good shape! For those with smaller kids consider hiking around the trails at Paul Smiths or visiting nearby Panther Mountain on Route 3 a few miles from the Route 3/30 intersection.

Biking

The loop around Fish Creek is approximately 4.7 miles. The best time to bike is in the early morning before the traffic level picks up through the park. During the fall be sure to bike up into Rollins Pond to enjoy the fall foilage (it is quite hilly mind you)!

Showers

Naturally the showers are less busy at night then in the morning. Fortunately there are 30 showers each for both men and women so there are rarely if ever a line up for showers. If you have spent all your change on the nightly ice cream truck, and don't have a quarter(s) for the showers, head up into Rollins to use their facility. The showers in Rollins are free.

Wood

There is a wood truck which passes through the campground daily, although the time varies. Do give them your business if you can, however if you are without wood and camping for a week or more you might want to drive to Tupper Lake to see 'John'. John has a huge woodpile. His house is on the left just before you go up the hill into the village of Tupper Lake, about 15 minutes south of Fish Creek. There are many people who sell bundles of wood for $5 along the way as well (more so in July/August than in early/late season). There is also camp wood at the Trading Post just outside the park that comes nicely wrapped, with a carrying handle and includes some firestarter sticks. For those coming from the north, drive in to Roys Wood Lot located at the south entrance to the Fish Hatchery off of Route 30 about 10 minutes north of Fish Creek.

Ice

There is an ice truck which passes through the campground daily in the morning, although the time can vary. Do give this man your business if you can, however if you are without ice you can buy it at the Camp Store just outside the park.

Ice Cream

During the summer months of July and August, the ice cream truck makes it way through the park starting at the far gate (Site 305) at about 5pm. Due to its popularity, it often only makes it little more than half way through the park before it has to leave on 'curfew' at 10pm! So if you are camping on a low site number, be sure to walk or bike around to meet it before its too late! It is amazing just how slow it seems to go. Fish Creek Pond campers love their ice cream! For those with less of sweet tooth, simply ask for a 'baby cone' ($1.50) which isn't listed on the ice cream menu on the side of the truck. You can often determine where the Ice Cream is as it makes its way around the Ponds by looking for its distintive lights. As well you will hear the jingle of the bear bells that are attached to the back wheels as the tuck moves along. There is a second Ice Cream truck which services those up in Rollins Pond as well.

Supplies and Groceries

The Trading Post is the camp store just outside the park on Route 30. You can walk, bike, drive or even boat over to the store. Expect to find just about anything you could possibly want there! Prices are very reasonable, especially considering they have no competition for miles! Thanks Phil! They have a great selection of food staples, meats, beer, wine, camping items and best of all fresh made Pizza! Make a point of ordering one for a deluxe dinner at the campfire.