Putnam Pond Campground
RV Guide

The Pharaoh Lake Wilderness area is an astonishing place with a large variety of wildlife calling it home. For bird watchers, the densely wooded forest attract many species including kingfishers skimming on the waters surface, singing warblers, chickadees, ravens, mallards, and loons.

Other animals you may encounter include frogs, snakes, crayfish, red squirrels, porcupines, or badgers. Make sure to keep the food trash kept safely away to discourage scavenging. Bring a wildlife identification book and enjoy the range of fauna wandering around the campground. Even beavers can be spotted working away on wood in the streaming water.

The hikes to the nearby High Peaks provide many sparsely populated trails, where nature lovers can truly enjoy the wilderness. Anywhere you go in the vicinity, you will hear the songs of birds, calls of animals, and chirping of crickets.

Some of the best time to fish Putnam Pond is during the winter and early spring months. During these times, the pond freezes over and creates a fantastic setting for ice fishing. The northern part of the pond is featureless which makes it the ideal place for ice fishing. In the winter, you can catch black crappie, small mouth bass, yellow perch, and enormous pike.

The pond is famous for it's large numbers of fully grown pike, creating a challenge for experienced ice anglers. Make sure to bring warm clothes in your trailer since the campground is closed over the winter months with no places available for you to warm up.

Putnam Pond is ideally located for hikers to begin trekking in the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness area. There are several hiking trails available right from the campground which suit any level of fitness. You can get a better knowledge and understanding of the surrounding forests by relying on your topographic maps. These are unfortunately not available at the camping ground, however provide a useful accessory in the wilderness. There are over 60 miles of hiking trails available for hikers in the near proximity.

One of the hikes which provides beautiful views of Putnam Pond is the long Swing Trail. This hike is 12 miles long and leads visitors westwards past Putnam Pond, past Grizzle Ocean, Pharaoh Lake, Glidden Marsch, and Alderpond. It is a great way to see some of the surrounding ponds and water features, with some sections of the trail easy to do with a kayak or canoe. The end of the trail is near the Paradox Lake Public Campground, another campsite congregation in the Adirondack Park.

Another slightly shorter hike is the trail to Treadway Mountain. It is 3.9 miles each way and takes you up 900 feet to a spectacular rocky summit. To shorten the hike, you can paddle across Putnam Pond and cut the one-way journey to 2.3 miles.

During the summer months, the temperatures at Putnam Pond reach 80 degrees, making the glistening water an inviting sight. The water stays relatively cool so the beach areas the perfect place for children to safely play. There are weedy areas where plenty of fish like hiding and provide a fun attraction.

There are swimming beaches available during designated hours. Lifeguards are on duty during these times at designated beaches to ensure the campers safety. If you want to pick a campsite near the beaches, make sure to check with the campground to find the best option for you.

The abundance of fish in the Putnam Pond makes it a popular destination for anglers. The 185-acre pond reaches the depth of 34 feet and has many bays, weedy shallow patches, and rocky outcrops. The northern part of the pond is mostly featureless but provides some good fishing options. Some of the species you can catch include small mouth bass, yellow perch, northern pike, pumpkin seed, and black crappie. The best fishing is during early spring and winter, an ideal, calm pond for canoes or kayaks.

Fishing licenses can be bought online or over the phone since the campground does not sell them anymore. Several years ago, Putnam Pond was stocked with the coveted tiger musky. Unfortunately, the program was deemed a failure so it stopped. If you are lucky, you can catch one of those remaining fish so don't forget to pack your fishing gear in your campervan.

Both motorboats and paddling boats are allowed on Putnam Pond. The pond is a beautiful expanse of water which stays calm even on windy days. There is one launch located near the campground for public use. This is the only point of public access to the pond, and all boats must be lowered down this area. If you do not have your own boat, there are opportunities to rent rowboats and canoes.

Before the peak season in July, the boat rental booth closes at 4 p.m., so make sure to arrive well before to secure your vessel. All rental boats must stay within the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness area.

Putnam Pond is not the only pond in the area, and canoes are allowed in all the surrounding ones. However keep in mind you must carry your boat a minimum of half a mile to access some of these adjacent ponds. The lovely hikes are worth it to gain access to these remote and isolated water ways, which team with bird, insect, and fish life.