Lake Durant 📍

This 327-acre man-made lake is located in the Central Adirondack Mountains, near the hamlet of Blue Mountain Lake in Hamilton County.
History: It was originally created by the lumber industry as “34 Flow” and was later developed for public recreation by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). It was named after William West Durant, a key figure in developing the Adirondack Park during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Lake Durant Campground: The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) operates a campground with 61 wooded sites for tents and RVs up to 30 feet long. Amenities include flush toilets, showers, a swimming beach, a bathhouse, and a boat launch.
Activities:
Boating: Motorboats are allowed, but smaller boats are recommended due to the lake’s shallow depth. Canoe and kayak rentals are available.
Fishing: The lake is stocked with approximately 1,300 tiger muskellunge annually and is also a popular spot for largemouth bass. Other species include smallmouth bass, yellow perch, and brown bullhead.
Hiking: The Northville-Placid Trail runs directly through the campground, providing access to extensive wilderness trails.
Nearby attractions: The Adirondack Experience, a museum in nearby Blue Mountain Lake, and The Wild Center in Tupper Lake are popular destinations.

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Lake Durant – A place I’m thinking of camping in the autumn

Andy | June 5, 2026

There are two free, primitive campsites located on Old Route 8 & 30, an old routing of the highway just south of Blue Mountain Lake on Lake Durant. On the western shore of the lake, they are a ways from the craziness of campground, and far enough off NY 30 to avoid some of the noise and craziness of that area.

If you didn’t have a map, you might not know these two campsites exist on this rough, mostly now gravel and dirt surface of old state highway.

There are two campsites, this upper one, while primative and well picked over for firewood, looks like it would be a delight off season. Cell service too if I can remember right, which is good for remote work.