Located on the northwest corner of 29 mile long Great Sacandaga Lake, this campground offers a variety of large, level camping sites, from the secluded within the tall white pines and northern hardwoods, to the openness of the sandy shoreline. The campground offers: a Junior Naturalist program, a nature based program that encourages children to explore the surrounding environment; a large craft boat launch; a natural sand beach with guarded swimming area from mid-June to Labor Day; rowboat, canoe, and kayak rentals on the premises; and a large picnic area with pavilion. Excellent fishing and water sport opportunities.
GPS Info: (Latitude, Longitude): 43d11’02.01″N, 74d10’35.67″W
Camping Fee: $22
Directions: From NYS Thruway (I-90), Exit 27 at Amsterdam and follow Route 30 north approximately 26 miles. You will encounter the first of two campground entrance signs. Turn right at either sign.
Amenities: 224 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 (some designated as accessible for the mobility impaired), trailer dump station, recycling center, boat launch, sand beach, guarded swimming area late June to Labor Day, and pay telephone.
Accessible Features: Accessible day use, camping, picnic pads, grills, picnic tables, 12 camping pads, rest rooms, and pavilion.
Boating: Motor boats, rowboats, and canoes allowed. Rowboat and canoe rentals available. Boat launch available.
Fishing: Fish present are: northern pike, chain pickerel, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, walleye, yellow perch, rock bass, sunfish, bullhead, carp, suckers, and minnows.
Hiking: Many miles of trails nearby including the Northville-Lake Placid Trail beginning in Northville and traveling approximately 133 miles ending in the village of Lake Placid.
Day Use Facilities: A picnic area, pavilion rental, and swimming beach are 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.
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.
Area Attractions: Shopping, restaurants, movie theaters, and golf courses nearby.
Historic Interest: Northampton Beach Campground is located on the Great Sacandaga Lake, a reservoir 29 miles long and 6 miles at its widest point. At full pool, the Great Sacandaga Lake has 26,000 acres of surface. The lake was created by impoundment during the 1920’s. Under the jurisdiction of the Board of the Hudson River-Black River Regulating District the area became flooded when the dam gates were closed in 1930. The reservoir regulates the flow of the Hudson and Sacandaga Rivers, providing a conservation pool of water, minimizing floods, providing flow at drought stages, and affording recreational boating and fishing opportunities. Development included provisions for swimming and picnicking only. The campsite area was added in 1961. Flush toilets and showers were constructed in the late 1960’s.