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Page 1 of 2 Insider Tips... Shhh!!
Here are some valuable tips to make your trip to Fish Creek more enjoyable :-)
Book ahead! Fish Creek is very hard to reserve during the months of July and August.
You may book 9 months in advanced.
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Some sides of the ponds are more windy than others. On average winds appear from the west sweeping across Square Pond blowing hard onto the eastern shores. If you prefer less wind, especially if you're camping in the spring or fall I'd suggest you avoid sites 1-30 and 67-120. Sites in the 70-90 range seem to on average receive the most wind.
During the hot summer months you might not be as concerned with morning sun as when camping in the spring or fall. For best early morning sun and throughout the day choose a site in the 101-122 range. Sites in the 125 to 162 range and 40-65 receive excellent morning sun but miss out on the late afternoon sun. Sites 230-305 generally receive good early morning sun. Sites in the 168 to 229 range don't receive sun until late morning. Sites in the 68 to 99 range offer the best late afternoon sun. |
Campsite Map
Click Map to Enlarge |
Sites around 215-230 and 70-80 often offer decent sunsets, however the best vantage point is out in your boat in front of the beach and day use area. Don't forget your camera!
Best seen from sites 101-122 and 139-156.
2007: May 2, Jun 1, Jun 30, Jul 30, Aug 28, Sep 26, Oct 26
2008: Apr 20, May 19, Jun 18, Jul 18, Aug 16, Sep 15, Oct 14
If you like a mountain view as well as morning sun, you're best bet is one of the sites on the west shore of Square Pond. These also are quite large sites. You'll even have a view of Whiteface Mountain on a clear day! Check out sites 138 to about 150. Sites around 115 to 120 also have mountain views, although not of Whiteface.
For maximum shade the sites amongst the tall pines between sites 123 and 135 tend to be quite shaded compared to other sites.
| Best Area for Sunrise and Full Moons | During the fall the best sites for sunrises (as well as full moons if you're lucky!) are in the 101-122 range.
| Best Sites for those Looking for Quiet |
Quiet? Well maybe Fish Creek isn't the place for you! It's an active park with lots of kids and people out enjoying water activity, although anytime before July 1st and after labour day its a different story. If you want quiet and more privacy, best consider Rollins Pond. The most private sites at Fish Creek however would be site s C1-C17 which are off the main road, fairly secluded and are located on the creek instead of one of the main ponds. You won't be subject to the sound of motor boats in this section either.
Most people come in the main gate and have to drive all the way around to get to their site. Those going to Rollins also have to come in the main gate and drive all the way to site 136 before the turn off to Rollins Pond. Thus if you are in the low numbers including sites 5-50 you will encounter considerable thru traffic. Sites 52 to 78 are off on their own loop and so receive little thru traffic. Sites 80 to 136 also receive considerable thru traffic, but to a lesser extent than 5-50. Sites 138-305 generally receive moderate traffic as they are further along, and don't receive the thru traffic to Rollins Pond.
Best pond to be one for optimum 'Yoo Hoos' would be Square Pond since you'll have campers across on all shores. (At night kids and adults alike yell out 'Yoo Hoo' to campers on the other side of the ponds. It's a tradition!)
During hot busy summer months, if the wind is right, you just might not want to be in the area of site 125 to 137 since the dump station just to the west can be a tad on the smelly side :-( . You get my drift right? LOL
We often joke that a bad site at Fish Creek would be a prime site at most other campgrounds. Having said that, here is a partial list of sites most people would wish to avoid (a few others will be added shortly including a few 'wet' sites and those with graded slopes):
- 136 - very small and close to the road, no water view or water access
- 137 - very small and close to the road, no water view and limited water access
Best sites if you plan on bringing your boat are those in the northeast Pond which is quieter than Square Pond, and more wind protected. Sites in the 35 to 60 range are best. There is a shoreline errosion barrier (mostly concrete) between about site 75 through to about site 105. These may not be the best choice for boaters unless you plan on anchoring away from shore. Sites in the 138 to 159 area offer the best wind protection. Sites in the 156 to 179 are in the small bay in Square Pond which generally is less windy and sees less boat traffic. Sites in the vicinity of 228 to 235 and 245 to 253 are subjected to the increased boating traffic that passes these points. A 5mph limit at the narrows (sites 228 to 235) are subjected to wakes from boats slowing and speeding up.
Many campers bring their power boats to enjoy the ponds as well as Upper Saranac. Typically boats under 21 feet are suitable for use at Fish Creek although the odd camper brings larger. Personal watercraft are also welcome. You may moor your boat right at your campsites, and almost all watersites are doable in this regards. Bring 2 anchors and plenty of line. Many bring a buoy to mark their place of mooring as well as serving to warn other boaters of the hazard if they approach the shoreline. Most boaters set at least one anchor out from the shore and tie it back to the shore (tree or some anchorage on land). Your boat can then be attached to this line. For those who are more inventive, you can bring materials to setup a makeshift dock. Often campers will setup a dock and leave it for the use of others when they leave.
The three ponds that make up Fish Creek Ponds as well as Square Pond are suitable for various water activities including waterskiing, wakeboarding and tubing. For those looking for an alternative, Upper Saranac Lake is easily accessible by boat via Fish Creek Bay on Upper Saranac. Here you have a much larger waterway to enjoy your activities. There is also a shallow beach area in Square Bay on Upper Saranac where many campers and Upper Saranac locals congregate on hot summer days (mainly the weekends). Hickok's Livery which is located on the first Fish Creek Pond on the east side of the bridge on Route 30 has marine supplies as well as gas and oil at their dock.
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 22 March 2008 )
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