Close to Paradox Lake Campground, there are plenty of opportunities to explore the local area, whether you are looking for adventure or just a relaxing day out RV camping at Paradox Lake won’t disappoint. Boating and fishing are extremely popular here, with many lakes and rivers to try out, plus the area is home to numerous museums and attractions to discover. Maybe more active recreation is your thing, and with plenty of hiking trails nearby, tackling the many mountains in the area will certainly keep you fit. You’ll find plenty of golf courses and disc golf courses to try out while motorhome camping near Paradox Lake.
The Great Outdoors
When you book an RV in Essex County, you’ll be spoilt for choice of things to do and places to see. The lake is conveniently located just off Highway 87, between the towns of Elizabethtown in the north and Pottersville to the south. The lake is also known as Paradox Pond, and local folklore maintains that the lake got its name from a unique occurrence during the spring snowmelt. In spring, the snowmelt flows into the Schroon River, as does the water from Paradox Lake, but the river flow becomes so strong that it forces the water back into the lake and actually and reverses the direction of flow. The locals claim that Paradox means water flowing backward in the local Indian dialect, but there’s no proof of this.
Fishing is a favorite pastime on the lake, and a variety of fish can be caught, such as smallmouth bass, yellow perch, and northern pike, plus several trout and, and Atlantic salmon. You do need a fishing license, but these re available online or by phone. There’s plenty of room for fishing from the bank, plus the boat ramp in the campground makes accessing the lake very easy.
Talking of boats, it’s a great lake to explore on the water, with many miles of shoreline, plenty of inlets and bays, and some small islands to discover. Motorboats are allowed and can be launched from the campground, but it is a beautiful lake to explore by canoe or kayak.
Walkers are spoiled in this area with a wide choice of hiking trails over the rolling hills. On the north shore of the lake, opposite the RV campground, is the Peaked Hill Trail. At almost 4 miles out and back, the trail passes Peaked Hill Pond at about the halfway point, which makes a nice spot for a break. The trail is graded as hard, so it may not be suitable for everyone. For an easier kid-friendly hike, try the Pyramid Road trail close to the town of Paradox. It’s an easy 4-mile walk, with no real climbs and very suitable for the kids and your dog.
Exploring the Area
At the western end of the lake, near the town of Schroon Lake, is the Schroon-North Hudson Historical Society’s Museum. Opened in 1972, this small museum aims to preserve the history of the two towns and is an interesting insight into the life of settlers in the area through the ages.
A short drive north when you are RV camping at Paradox Lake Campground is the town of Pottersville and Stone Bridge Park. The park is home to a massive natural stone bridge and a large series of caves to explore. There are self-guided tours above ground, but to explore the caves, you have a choice of guided tours, depending on how adventurous you are! The most exciting tours take you crawling through the caves and floating along the underground rivers. Not for the faint-hearted. Try the disc golf course for something a little different, and in the winter, there are over 14 miles of snow-shoeing trails to follow.
To the east of Paradox Lake is the town of Ticonderoga and Fort Ticonderoga. Fort Ticonderoga was built-in 1755 by the French to defend the narrows at Lake Champlain, the star-shaped fort has now been restored as a fantastic tourist attraction. The fort was involved in many battles in the area, and the history is amazing to explore when you are RV camping at Paradox Lake Campground.