Located in the Central Adirondack Mountains on the shore of 5,935-acre Raquette Lake, Golden Beach Campground should be at the top of your destination list for RV lovers visiting the region. Right along the shore of stunning 5,935-acre Raquette Lake, this lovely densely wooded campground is managed by the New York Department of Environmental Conservation. There are plenty of family-friendly activities for you to enjoy, along with some views of historic Adirondack Great Camps to take in.
Raquette Lake is the most popular place to hang out for visitors calling Golden Beach Campground home. During the summer months, the sandy beach is full of activity, the lake is bustling with boats, and anglers are targeting lake and brook trout, smallmouth bass, and perch. Away from the lake, there are several trails available to explore in the area that can be accessed from the campground. Other popular activities in the area include the Adirondack Experience Museum, Great Camp Sagamore, and Black Bear Mountain.
Most visitors to Golden Beach Campground come to stay the night, and thanks to the 205 tent and RV and trailer sites, you will have many spots to choose from to call home. Most of the sites can be reserved, and many accommodate RVs up to 30-feet in length. Guests will also find a picnic area with tables and fireplaces, flush toilets, and hot showers for their use. Peak season at Golden Beach Campground is from mid-May until early September.
Getting to and from Golden Beach Campground is easy in comparison to some of the other campgrounds in the area since it is located right off Route 28. The campground is suited to smaller RVs that are 30 feet or under due to the tight windy road that you will need to use to reach the campground from the highway. If you have a larger RV, you may have to jack-knife into your site or maneuver your RV by driving through another site.
In this region of New York State, you won't be super close to any major towns or cities, so you should pick up some supplies needed for your trip along the way. If you do need to stop anywhere, there are a few stores at Long Lake (around 20 miles away), Indian Lake (approximately 21 miles away), and Tupper Lake (about 42 miles away). The closest major cities to Golden Beach Campground are Syracuse and Burlington, each of which is 121 miles away.
During the winter period, Golden Beach Campground closed down due to the harsh conditions that the season brings to the area. If you are still interested in visiting the area during this time, we recommend contacting the park office, and they may be able to assist you in finding a place to stay nearby.
For those who are visiting on a day trip, there are parking spots available near the lake.
Golden Beach Campground is the perfect place to stay in the Adirondack Mountains. The campground is known for having very friendly hosts, large sites, and clean amenities. In total, there are 205 campsites to choose from, with some sites accommodating RVs up to 30-feet in length. Twenty-seven of the campsites are also located right on Raquette Lake and have million-dollar views people usually can only dream about. Due to the mature forest covering Golden Beach Campground, guests will find most sites partly to fully shaded in season. Campers will find the driveway surface is gravel, and many of the sites require backing in. A standard site can accommodate up to six campers. Pets are welcome in the campground but must be maintained on a leash of no longer than six feet. There are bathhouses with hot showers available for use, as well as flush toilets and a dump station. There are no sites with electric, water, or sewer hookups available at the campground. However, guests may use their generators between the hours of 9 AM to 11 AM and 4 PM to 7 PM. Strict quiet hours are maintained from 10 PM to 7 AM. Since this is a popular vacation spot, reservations are recommended, and they can be made up to nine months in advance.
Guests to Golden Beach Campground with interest in learning more about the region could be interested in exploring the Adirondack Experience. Opening in late May of each year and remaining open until mid-October, this museum invites guests to engage in interactive learning opportunities to develop their understanding of life in the Adirondack Mountains. The museum offers a variety of events that celebrate the spirit of the Adirondacks. Among the permanent exhibits, guests will find the Buck Lake Club. This one-room log cabin was relocated here in the 1990s. It offers guests a realistic representation of an authentic 20th-century hunting camp. There is an entrance fee to visit, but it is a not-for-profit organization, so you can, rest assured, know that your hard-earned money is going back into maintaining this important local attraction.
Remember to pack your sunscreen and swimsuit so that you can enjoy the fantastic swimming conditions at Raquette Lake during the summer months. The lake features a 1,150-foot-long sandy beach that is equipped with a designated swimming area perfect for visitors of all ages. Whether you are interested in relaxing on the beach or taking a cooling dip, you will find this sandy shore with its fringed wood boundary a tranquil respite from the heat of the day. Lifeguards are stationed in the swimming area, so you will have that added extra layer of safety that isn't always available when swimming in lakes.
If you are more interested in getting out on the water, you can do so thanks to a shallow boat launch available for use to those staying in the campground. This launch is sufficient for the launching of small motorboats, rowboats, kayaks, and canoes. Surrounded by mature forests, time spent on the lake is sure to be relaxing, and the lake is large enough for you to find your own peaceful slice of heaven to listen to the surrounding nature while you paddle. There are also some boats and canoes available for rent nearby, so nobody will have to miss out on all of the fun.
Another great location to visit outside of the campground is the Great Camp Sagamore. The camp was built in 1897, and this National Historic Landmark was once home to the Vanderbilt family. Guests will find a variety of programs and events offered here. Many programs are related to the culture associated with music and the arts of the Adirondack region. Other programs provide educational opportunities related to local wildlife.
Make sure that you pack the trail mix and your hiking boots, as there are some great hiking experiences located in the surrounding area of Golden Beach Campground. Black Bear Mountain is one of them, and there are two choices for an approach to the summit. Hikers may choose between a steeper but more direct two-mile hike or a longer and more gently graded hike that is around three miles. Note that the longer hike is often muddy, which creates its own challenges. Continuing to the summit of Black Bear Mountain rewards hardy hikers with stunning vistas and memories that will last a lifetime.
Those with interest in fishing will be very happy to know that there are some excellent angling opportunities to be had in the lovely Raquette Lake. If you're trying your hand at fishing here, don't be surprised if you end up catching smelt, smallmouth bass, lake trout, brook trout, white fish, sunfish, yellow perch, brown bullhead, or sucker from the depths of the lake. Guests will need New York state fishing licenses to fish in the lake, and we recommend that you bring your own fishing gear as there are no guarantees any will be available for rent or purchase.
