Updated 3/24/10: 7 Adirondack Campgrounds to Stay Closed

Updated 5/7/09: DEC Revises Campground Closure Plan

151 sites and 15 Lean-to’s

Four of the oldest campgrounds in the Adirondack Park are closing due to low occupancy and state budget constraints.  There is no doubt that these two factors are undeniable, but part of me wishes it wouldn’t be so.  Two campgrounds in Essex County will be closed – Poke-O-Moonshine and Sharp Bridge and two in Hamilton County – Point Comfort and Tioga Point.  The full DEC press release is after the jump.

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In 1912, the fire tower at the top of Poke-O-Moonshine Mt. was established.   This is likely one of the most well-known short hikes in the Northern Adirondacks.  Incredibly, the campground is almost 80 years old.  I’m sure it was a much nicer location before the Northway was built.  I can imagine doing a tour of Ausable Chasm, dinner in Keeseville, and a nice quiet camp at the base of the cliffs.  Now you can hear the trucks 24/7 and if you go to Keeseville…lock your doors.  Historical occupancy figures would be interesting – for all of the state campgrounds.  Probably the most impacted by this closure might be the rock climbers, or not.  Eh, I’m not a climber and I have no idea if they stay there.  Any way you look at it, 8% occupancy is more than enough reason to close this facility.

Sharp Bridge.  Another old one – 1920.  Imagine driving up Route 9 from “the city” for the one site they had there that year.  North Hudson is now a location better known for the potential of a Northway border checkpoint and the recent tragic accidents there.  A whole bunch of people also remember it for being the location of the Frontier Town theme park.  I’m kind of surprised about this one.  Maybe less people are camping these days.

I don’t know much about the Hamilton County campgrounds. Given the fact that 1/3 of the DEC campgrounds (?) are in that county, likely they won’t be missed.  However, I regret never having visited Tioga Point with its 15 Lean-to’s and 10 sites.  Sounds like a pretty neat setup.

Now, the big question is what will be the fate of those facilities?  I suppose that information may be buried in some Unit Management Plans, but I’m too lazy to look.  Back to nature?  Yes!