Ausable Point Campground Goes Rustic

February 27th, 2006 · No Comments · News

DEC ANNOUNCES TERMINATION OF ALL ELECTRIC HOOKUPS AT AUSABLE POINT CAMPGROUND

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced today that Ausable Point Campground will discontinue electrical services for the 2006 season. According to DEC, the current service is outdated and no longer complies with required safety standards. This is one of three state operated campgrounds on the New York shore of Lake Champlain. How this will impact the camping experience remains to be seen.

Ausable Point Campground will be open from May 19 – October 8, 2006. It is located just north of Ausable Chasm off Route 9 on Lake Champlain. It’s true that this site is a bit rough around the edges, but location is everything. Ausable Point features a full-service campground located right on the shore of Lake Champlain at the mouth of the Ausable River. It also has a day-use picnic area and spectacular sand beach.

Ausable Point, 1906
This campground is a hidden jewel with almost 2 dozen sites available right next to the water. These are very popular and site-specific reservations are recommended. The discontinuation of electrical service, though dated, is not without cause.

The Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan clearly states that: “All campgrounds within the Adirondack Forest Preserve will be of a rustic nature without utility hookups and other elaborate facilities customarily provided by private campgrounds. Each individual campsite will retain the natural character of the surrounding forest and will contain only a fireplace or fire ring, a space for a single vehicle with trailer if needed, picnic table and appropriate sites.”

Apparently the “Blue Line” was moved in 1973 to include this site within the boundary of the Adirondack Park. Well, it only took 23 years to accomplish the mandate – NYS Govt. at its very best. Too bad the Master Plan doesn’t mention anything about electrical generators, hard to feel rustic when you have those whirring away. Generally, this campground is really a family-friendly place (made the Top 100 List in 2004) and not usually as packed as Cumberland Head State Park to the north.

Ausable Point Campground also makes an excellent base camp for any Adirondack adventurer as there are numerous activities on-site and a short drive to all Northeastern Adirondack attractions. Already mentioned the beach, but the most interesting feature of this place is the Ausable Marsh Wildlife Management Area located right next door. Ausable Point is a birders paradise and is also one of the site along the Lake Champlain Birding Trail. This area is best explored by kayak or canoe.

Kayakers also find this to be a great spot. Plenty of paddling right from the campground or the many nearby Adirondack lakes and ponds. Explore nearby Valcour Island, another Important Birding Area, or explore the marshes and river. Bicylists also can enjoy some of the most scenic road riding in New York. The campground is located right on the Lake Champlain Bikeways route (AKA Bike Route 9) and numerous other loop possibilities abound.

Don’t forget to explore nearby Ausable Chasm, which is America’s Oldest Natural Attraction. This is known as the Grand Canyon of the East and features an incredible waterfall. Walking tours, rafting, kayaking, tubing, are all available means of seeing this natural wonder.

If you are in need of supplies, the historic village of Keeseville is just up the road, but if you need more, the City of Plattsburgh is just a short drive to the north. In fact, if you didn’t forget your passport, just an hour north and you could be in downtown Montreal for dinner.