lake

Why Jones Pond is One of My Favorite Campsites

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Jones Pond has 5 drive-in campsites on Jones Pond, a small public-private lake a little ways from Paul Smiths. A popular area on weekends, on weeknights, it is little used, but right on this beautiful lake.

Hiking Bettty Brook Road on Sunday 10/10


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All of the campsites have “filtered” views of Jones Pond with tall white pines growing throughout the campground. The sun, year round sets on the lake, with views of Saint Regis Mountain te background. There is much beauty at all of campsites, with high sand dunes a little ways behind campsites, and sand dunes providing sound and light barriers between campsites.

Reservoir

Part of the generalized St Regis Canoe Area, it one of many nearby lakes. It provides a great place to make the night after a long day paddling, after watching the sunset, and the fire burn as the night progresses. Walk down to the shoreline, and look at the stars sparkle in the sky.

Camp

It’s not perfect. There is some road noise from Jones Pond Road, and certainly part of lake shore is privately owned, so there are some power boats occassionally on the lake. But still, it’s a wonderful experience.

Saint Regis Mountain

Christmas Lights

Floodwood Loop in St Regis Canoe Area

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On a nice weekend, expect many people to be joining you on the ever popular Floodwood Loop in the Saranac Lake Wild Forest. While technically not part of the Saint Regis Canoe Area, this area is considered part of series of ponds that makes up this area, and this loop is the most popular of all the canoe routes in this area.

Big Alderbed

Alternatively, take a look at this Google Map of the loop. Balloons are designed campsites, there are no charge to use these sites. Red lines are portages and other trails.


View Larger Map / Download KML

At around 10 AM I headed out. Bright sunny day, a lot of glare. None of the ponds are paticularly large.

Heading Out on Floodwood Pond Loop

The Fish Creek between the ponds is quite narrow, and don’t be surprised if you hit some traffic. In parts the current can be fairly swift, although one can still paddle up or down stream with relative ease, just avoid the other boats.

Fish Creek

Heading Into Little Square Pond

Little Square Pond

Bright Day on the Lake

Spatterdock on Fish Creek

Coppreas Pond

Heading Across Coppreas Pond

Traffic on Coppreas Pond

Canoe Carry to Whey Pond

There is a 1/4 mile portage between Copreas Pond and Whey Pond. Despite being mostly sandy soil, with some roots, do NOT drag your kayak, if you want to avoid putting holes in it, as I learned the hard way.

Poliwogs on Whey Pond

Trees Along Whey Pond

Out on Whey Pond

Paddling Across Whey Pond

There also is another short portage over a road, and through the Rollins Pond Campground, after you leave Whey Pond.

Passing Rollins Pond Campground

Heading Across Rollins Ponds

Traffic on Rollins Pond

Past Swimming Beach at Rollins Pond

Narrow Passage Between Rollins Pond and Poliwog Pond

Back Out on Floodwood Pond

Towards St Regis Mountain

St Regis Mountain

Parked a Campsite on Floodwood Pond

Designated Campsite on Floodwood Pond

Private Kayak

Small Island

Heading Back Into Shore

Overview of the Saint Regis Canoe Area, including other ponds and all of campsites.

At the Shore

And if you prefer roadside camping with a trailer or pickup truck cap, take a look at these sites.

… I hope you enjoyed these pictures and maps from the Floodwood Loop.

Map: Mountain House Trail and North Mountain
Thematic Map: Albany Art