Enjoy extensive hiking and biking trails, or take to the water with DEC canoe rentals. In winter, this is a snowmobile area.
Getting there
The parking area is on NY 28, exactly 2.3 miles north from the Eighth Lake Campground and 2.3 miles south from the four corners in Raquette Lake. It has a small 'Canoe Carry' sign that cannot be seen from the road. The GPS coordinates are N43 47.796 W74 41.706. The trail is marked with canoe carry and snowmobile markers.
Turn left for a wide, comfortable, 0.4 mile trail to Dunning lean-to. Be sure to sign the trail register.
Turning right on the canoe carry trail leads to Browns Tract Inlet, with only 0.7 miles to a wooden boardwalk. Just ahead of that, look for a snowmobile trail to the left, which leads to the old bed of the Raquette Lake Railroad, AKA Dillon Road.
Camping
There are 126 tent and trailer campsites to choose from. Enjoy a picnic area with BBQ grills, restrooms and showers, and a swimming area with Red Cross certified lifeguards. Children will enjoy the DEC Junior Naturalist Program for ages 5-13.
The delightful Dunning Lean-to is located on the northwestern shore of Eighth Lake. There's a canoe carry trail and is easily reached by hiking only 0.4 miles from a large parking area along NY 28 near Raquette Lake. The canoe carry trail connects Eighth Lake with Browns Tract Inlet.
Hiking
Many of the hiking and nature trails nearby connect with the extensive trails of the surrounding Moose River Plains Wild Forest.
Swimming
Designated swimming areas will have a lifeguard on duty during posted beach hours. Even non-campers can use campground amenities with payment of a small day use fee.
Birding
This campground allows access to both Seventh and Eighth lakes. Loons and Mergansers are on both lakes with Gray Jays, Boreal Chickadees, Olive-Sided & Yellow Bellied Fly Catchers, Rusty Blackbird, Solitary Vireo, Parula, Yellow Rumped, Palm, Northern Saw-whet and Short-Eared Owls, Red Breasted Nuthatches, and White Throated, Swamp and Lincoln Sparrows.
Fishing
Rainbow trout, lake trout, and land-locked salmon are stocked in Eighth Lake, but rainbows seem the most popular among anglers. Trolling with smelt imitations works best on both rainbows and salmon. There are some big lake trout here that evade all but the most skilled angler.
The fishing from the lakefront sites in Eighth Lake Campground has always been good, and there's even a small boat launch where one could troll for lake trout.
This spot allows access to both Seventh and Eighth lakes. A nice, short fishing dock extends into Seventh Lake, where fishing in the evenings is even better.
Paddling
Paddlers can access the entire Fulton Chain of Lakes from the campground boat launch.
Cycling
Distances: 1.5 miles of paved road make for an easy stroll or bicycle trip.
Many of the hiking trails are good mountain biking routes, such as Old Uncas Road, Seventh Lake Trail, and Otter Brook Trail.
Snowmobiling
During the winter this trail is snowmobile access only and not recommended for ski or snowshoe travel. The campground entrance is a snowplow turn around, and parking is not recommended.
Accessibility
This campground has mobility impaired accessibility.
