Moffitt Beach Campground


This popular family campground offers large, level sites within the 70 to 80 feet tall white pine trees to provide a rustic camping ambience. Many of these sites are located on the water’s edge. A newly constructed boat launch aides in accessibility to Sacandaga Lake’s fine fishing and water sport opportunities. From July to Labor Day, this campground offers an Interpretive Activity Program and a Junior Naturalist Program to enrich the camping experience. The campground also offers a guarded natural sand beach from mid-June to Labor Day; a large picnic area with pavilion; and an informal nature trail.

GPS Info: (Latitude, Longitude): 43d29’24.42″N, 74d24’37.44″W

Camping Fee: $22

Directions: From NYS Thruway (I-90), Exit 27 at Amsterdam and follow Route 30 north approximately 50 miles to the Village of Speculator. Turn left on Route 8, travel west 2 miles, turn right onto Page St. after encountering sign – follow 1 mile – campground on left.

From NYS Thruway (I-90), Exit 31 at Utica, proceed north on Route 8 approximately 65 miles, campground is on the left.

Amenities: 261 campsites (some designated as accessible for the mobility impaired), picnic area with tables and fireplaces (some designated as accessible for the mobility impaired), picnic pavilion rental, hot showers/flush toilets (one women’s and one men’s, designated as accessible for the mobility impaired), trailer dump station, recycling center, boat launch, sand beach, bathhouse, guarded swimming area late June to Labor Day, pay telephone.

Accessible Features: day use, camping, picnic pads, grills, picnic tables, camping pads, rest rooms

Nature Recreation Program: From the end of June to Labor Day an organized recreation activity program is offered daily. This includes nature hikes, crafts, games and live entertainment. An activity listing, the “Wilderness Times”, is posted and includes complete information on daily events. * Please take note that at facilities that offer the Nature Recreation Program, there may be days when Environmental Educators are unavailable, and no programs will be offered. In addition the length of this program may vary by campground due to staffing issues. For additional information, please contact the Recreation Staff.

Boating: Motor boats, rowboats, and canoes allowed. Boat launch available.

Fishing: Fish include: walleye, rainbow trout, brown trout, smallmouth bass, brown bullhead, perch, rock bass, and white fish.

Hiking: Hiking trails nearby.

Day Use Facilities: A picnic area, pavilion rental, and swimming beach available. * Please take note that at facilities that offer swimming beaches, there are days which lifeguards are unavailable. For the safety of our customers, these beaches will not be open and swimming will be prohibited.

Area Attractions: Shopping, restaurants, boat rentals and golf courses are nearby.

Historic Interest: The lands upon which the campground is situated once belonged to Josiah Moffitt, a local stone mason, and woodworking mill operator who settled in the region prior to 1840. The beach area was a popular picnic and camping area. High quality sand was mined by Mr. Moffitt for his mason trade, and by local residents to develop many of the sand beaches that now exist in the area.

Development of the campground was begun in 1932. In 1933 the Civilian Conservation Corps was established, and in 1934 their permanent camp was set up at the site of the present 4-H Camp near the campground entrance. Work continued on the campground until the camp was abandoned in 1942.

Until the late 1950’s there were approximately 100 campsites. In 1955 the Village of Speculator requested that the Conservation Department enlarge the campground. This was accomplished shortly thereafter, doubling the size.