Great Sacandaga Lake Guide
Often described as a hidden gem, Great Sacandaga Lake has fewer crowds than the more well-known Adirondack lakes, yet it still offers stunning mountain views and an abundance of recreational activities and things to do. Known for boating, swimming and fishing, as well as camping and lakefront dining, Great Sacandaga Lake is a summer paradise.
Plan Your Trip to Great Sacandaga Lake
Great Sacandaga Lake Beaches
Great Sacandaga Lake has two public beaches, as well as a campground with a public beach. The Town of Mayfield Beach is located on Burr Road, and the Northampton Beach is located on NY-30, just north of the bridge into Northville. The Northampton Beach Campground also has a day-use area, open to visitors who are not staying at the campground.
Fishing on Great Sacandaga Lake
The lake’s fishing stock is managed and maintained by the NYS DEC with The Great Sacandaga Lake Fisheries Federation. Fish by boat, along the shore, or in the shallows with waders for a variety of fish species, including Adirondack walleye, pike, rainbow trout and brown trout, bass, sunfish and landlocked salmon. View our Great Sacandaga Lake Fishing Guide.
Boat Rentals on Great Sacandaga Lake
Reets Boatworks & Marina in Mayfield, NY provides Princecraft Pontoon Boat Rentals on Great Sacandaga Lake. There’s also a full-service marina, offering boat slip rentals with sturdy aluminum docks and the deepest boat launch ramp on the lake, as well as a picnic area with picnic tables, Adirondack chairs, and tubes and ropes for sale in the boat rental office.
Boat Launches
For those visiting Great Sacandaga Lake with their boats in tow, there are four public boat launches in the area. Northampton Beach Campground in Mayfield, the Northville Boat Launch off NY-30, the Broadalbin Boat Launch off CR-110, and the Town of Day Boat Launch off CR-4/North Shore Road in Hadley, NY. All launches feature hard surface ramps and parking for vehicles and trailers.
Great Sacandaga Lake Islands
Great Sacandaga Lake has two islands with day-use areas. Scout Island in Mayfield NY is owned by Twin Rivers Council and offers day-use memberships for boaters, while Sand Island is located on the southeast side of the lake, two miles down from the channel in Broadalbin, NY, and features a sandy shoreline, swimming, picnicking and onsite porta-potties.
Lakeside Restaurants
Enjoy live music and casual American fare at the Sport Island Pub & Restaurant and The Dive in Northville, NY near the Batchellerville Bridge. Sample upscale Italian cuisine at Lanzi’s on the Lake in Mayfield, or stop by Lakeside Tavern & Marina and Wally’s Bar at the southern end of the lake in Gloversville, NY.
Campgrounds & Lodging
Great Sacandaga Lake has several well-maintained campgrounds, including Northampton Beach Campground and Sunset Bay Vacation Resort & RV Park in Mayfield, and Birch Haven Campgrounds and Adirondack Foothills RV Campground in Broadalbin. Lodging is also available at the Historic Hotel Broadalbin or in the area’s many vacation home rentals.