Cranberry Lake
The THIRD largest Lake in the Adirondacks!
The Cranberry Lake area is one of the largest remote areas remaining in the state, With only minimum civilized encroachment on the lake itself. Located on the East branch of the "Oswegatchie River", it was named for the extensive Cranberry bogs it once contained.
Originally,the lake was about half its present size, but in 1867 a log crib dam was completed, to control the flow of the river and improve navigation. The dam was replaced with concrete in 1916 and today makes Cranberry Lake the 3rd largest lake in the Adirondack Park, next to Lake George, and The Great Sacandaga lakes respectively.
Cranberry lake boasts a staggering 55 miles of shoreline, approximately 75% of which, is State owned forest preserve, that is packed full of some of the most remote and scenic, hiking, snowmobiling and biking trails in all of the park.
The "Cranberry Lake Wild Forest"
surrounds much of landmass of the North, East, and West shores of the lake, and the
to the South, ensures that this lake is truely "Forever Wild".
The sheer size of the lake itself, provides plenty of aquatic recreational opportunities. From from motor boats to kayaks, water skiiing to sailing, fishing, swimming, and more.
It contains an extensive variety of fresh water fish including but not limited to; Perch, Trout, Bass, Northern Pike, & Pan fish .
If swimming and beaches are more your forte, you'll be thrilled to know there are two beaches open to the public for swimming. The "Clifton Town Beach" located right off NYS HWY 3 in the village of Cranberry Lake, and the "Cranberry Lake State Campground beach".
(a small day use fee applies for Campground use).
Boating Access Locations:
"Car Top" boat launch located beside the Clifton Town Beach on NYS HWY 3 in the Hamlet of Cranberry Lake.
The DEC maintained "Public Boat Launch" on Columbian Road just outside the hamlet adjacent to the Dam, which is also a
"A top 10 area favorite fishing access location"
and is the only "Public" Motorboat launch site for Cranberry Lake, but can also be used as a "Car Top" launch site.
Cranberry Lake State Campground also has a "Car Top" launch site, however a small day use fee applies for access to the state campground.