Second Pond Boat Launch Site, Saranac Lakes Island Campgrounds and the Upper & Lower Locks Will Be Open Memorial Day Weekend

Second Pond Boat Launch Site, Saranac Lakes Island Campgrounds and the Lower Locks on the Saranac Lakes Chain will be open and staffed beginning Friday, May 23, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Region 5 Director Robert Stegemann announced today.

“We are pleased to have these popular recreational facilities open for Memorial Day weekend,” said Director Stegemann. “People will be able to enjoy camping and boating in the Saranac Lakes Chain of Lakes and will be pleased with the improvements at the Second Pond Boat Launch.”

Construction work to upgrade the Second Pond Boat Launch – the entrance gate to Saranac Lakes Islands Campground – continues, but has progressed enough to allow safe operation of the boat launch site in time for the opening.

Because of the construction, the opening of the campground was delayed a week. The work on the launch ramp, parking area and entranceway will provide a safer and more convenient experience for campers, boaters and anglers that use the boat launch site.

Accommodations have been made for campers that had reservations next week.

The Lower Locks will be staffed beginning Friday, May 23, allowing the passage of boats between Lower Saranac Lake and Oseetah Lake, which connects to Kiwassa Lake and Lake Flower. The locks may be manually operated by boaters beginning Friday, May 16.

The Upper Locks between Lower Saranac Lake and Middle Saranac Lake currently can be manually operated by boaters. DEC staff will be present on weekends and holidays beginning Friday, May 23.