Discover Cranberry Lake

The Cranberry Lake region is one of the largest remote areas remaining in the
state. There has been only a minimum of civilized encroachment on the lake
itself; and, just to the south of the lake, lie thousands of acres of rolling hills,
numerous lakes and ponds, and unbroken forest lands showing little or no
marks of civilization.

Cranberry Lake, the northern gateway to the Five Ponds Wilderness, covers
11 square miles and has 55 miles of shoreline, over 40 of which are state
owned. The original lake doubled to its current size in 1867 with the
construction of a log crib dam for flow, navigation and hydraulic power
control. A concrete dam replaced the crib dam in 1916. With all that water, you
can expect good paddling around Cranberry Lake— and your expectations
will be more than met.

The lake was noted at one time for its fine trout fishing. DEC is stocking brook
trout to make it a popular fishing spot again. Many of the ponds, streams and
rivers in the area now support excellent trout fishing.

On July 15, 1995 the area changed dramatically. A violent windstorm blew
down thousands of acres of trees south and west of Cranberry Lake. Virtually
all trails in the Five Ponds Wilderness were blocked and access to the interior
ended for the rest of the year. Ecological impacts will mean more young
forests and a shift in the plants and animals towards species that favor open
areas and new forest growth (e.g., deer, snowshoe hare). This kind of event is
not unusual in the Adirondacks, though it may happen only once in a lifetime.
It is the type of catastrophic change that occurs in the region. Most trails have
reopened, but travel off the trails will be a challenge for decades to come.

Just east of Cranberry Lake village, DEC maintains a public campground and
day-use area on the lake, which includes a picnic area, a beach and
bathhouses. Graded areas for tents or trailers, convenient water outlets,
toilets, a trailer pump-out station and showers are available. Also available are
handicapped accessible campsites, a picnic area and a fishing pier. A public
boat launch is located on the Oswegatchie River located on Columbian Road.