Moreau State Park
Moreau Lake State Park
Moreau, NY
Exit 17N of NYS Northway, Route 87
(about 20 minutes North of Saratoga)
Camping spots available. Cabin for rent.
“Top 100” Places in America to Camp
Richard DiMaggio
The world has discovered Moreau. Upstate New Yorkers have been going here for decades, keeping this little treasure all to themselves. And as Saratoga has grown, so too has Moreau.
Named in 2005 as one of the “Top 100” Best Places in America to camp, this little lake has it all: Camping spots, decent bathrooms, hiking trails (lots of them), fishing, a cabin for rent. You can even rent a row boat or a paddle boat for less than ten bucks an hour, plus a deposit (and valid ID). It is also open year round, with a variety of Winter snowshoeing activities.
A gas motor has never seen these waters. This lake is spotless. On a nice day, you can see much of the bottom just about everywhere (except for the real deep spots). Row your boat or paddle your boat to every corner of the lake.
You can find places to park your boat on the shore, find a walking trail, and go.
Bring a fishing pole cause there’s lots of fish in this lake!
Gas motors are not allowed.
There’s great public beaches, three in a row, all with life guards, and they even have a lap lane for the serious swimmers. The beaches on this day were actually packed, so I snuck my camera off to the side. On a sunny, hot day, get there by noon, because you will find yourself in line waiting for others to leave.
The nature center is a small wooden cabin a nice collection of wildlife inside. The Nature Center also offers daily educational classes.
Hmmm…..I sense we are not alone…
It’s just absolutely beautiful. And though the public beach is roaring a few hundred yards away, you hear nothing and feel like you’re discovering the world all over again.