Construction began on Limekiln Lake State Campground in 1960 after the state purchased land from the Gould Paper Company.  By 1964, all of the current 271 campsites were completed.  The campground is located near Inlet, off NY 28 on Limekiln Lake Road.  The GPS coordinates are N43 43.303 W74 47.510 for the entrance to the campground for those who have a GPS devise.

Each of the 271 campsites have a picnic table, a fireplace/grill as well as a "bear locker".  The campground requests that all visitors leave all food/coolers in these lock boxes as the area has active bears.  No food should be left in vehicles, tents or anywhere on your site.  You will probably see bears at this campground.

The campground has a sandy beach with a swimming area, picnic area with tables and fireplaces, a bathhouse with hot showers, flush toilets, a small boat launch and rowboat as well as canoe rentals.  To find more information on this campground check out the NY DEC website.  You'll also find a Campground Map.  This campground is located in the Moose River Plains Wild Forest of the Adirondacks.

The campground has a nature loop trail that links up with the Third Lake-Limekiln Creek Trail.  The nature trail is known as the Old Dam Nature Trail and is a nice, short 1.6 mile loop hike by two old dams along Limekiln Creek.  Look below for more info on this hike including pictures, a video, description and a map.

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Old Dam Nature Loop Trail (1.6 miles)

This easy 1.6 mile loop hike has an elevation change of only 44 feet and is a great family hike for those staying or visiting Limekiln Lake State Campground.

I was asked by three different folks (when I visited), who were checking out the old fish barrier dam near the trail register whether or not the trail was a loop hike.  Yes it is.  Unfortunately, there is no information about the trail or maps near the register.   There are no signs at the trail junctions, however there are yellow trail markers to make it easy to follow this well worn and maintained trail.

This hike begins next to campsite #87 and there is parking for a few cars.  The trails starts off through the yellow gate, following the service road at the edge of a big open field.  This service road is used to dump the old ash from the fire pits at the campsites and you'll see the ash pile as you turn left toward the old pump house.  There is a sign here that says "the Old Dam Nature Trail" and an arrow that points the way.  This is the last time you'll see any signs to help you on this nature hike.

After 0.25 miles you'll reach a trail split with a trail register.  Off to the the left is the fish barrier dam, which is where the nature trail returns.  Be sure to sign the trail register (it's for your safety as well as to keep track on how many people use the trail).  Start your loop portion of this hike by heading on the trail on the right from the register, heading counter clockwise. 

Your following yellow trail markers on this well worn and well maintained trail.  You'll have some views of a boggy pond on the left, which is Limekiln Creek.  At 0.7 miles reach a bridge over Limekiln Creek.  This is the site of an old dam, which was used in the last century to move logs down the creek toward the South Branch of the Moose River.

The trail crosses a second bridge and reaches the junction of the Limekiln Creek-Third Lake Trail on the right at 0.75 miles.  The Old Dam Nature Trail turns left here and this turn can be easily missed as there are NO SIGNS marking this turn.  The Limekiln Creek-Third Lake Trail travels through a wetland, boggy area onto a waterfall along Limekiln Creek in 0.8 miles.  The Limekiln Creek-Third Lake Trail continues on another four miles to South Shore Road.

Back on the Old Dam Nature Trail, the trail meanders with the boggy pond on your left.  At 1.3 miles you reach the fish barrier dam and the bridge crossing the old dam.  Shortly, on your left will be the trail register.  Be sure to mark the register that you've returned.  Now it's a return walk back past the old pump house, along the edge of the large field, past the yellow gate, reaching the parking area near campsite #87 at 1.6 miles marking the end of this hike.

Look below for pictures, video and a trail map of this hike.

Pictures from Limekiln Lake State Campground

Site #77 at Limekiln Lake	Fireplace at site #77	Start of the Old Dam Nature Trail near site #87	Old Pumphouse	Limekiln Creek at fish barrier dam	Bridge over fish barrier dam
Sign for fish barrier dam	Yellow markers and nature trail	Old Dam Nature Trail	Old Dam Nature Trail	Bridge at the site of old dam	Limekiln Creek at old dam site
Limekiln Creek	Bridge over Limekiln Creek	A flooded section of Limekiln Creek-Third Lake Trail that has been rerouted. This trail enters a really boggy area soon after.	Boggy wetland along the Limekiln Creek-Third Lake Trail.	View of Limekiln Creek	Old Dam Nature Trail
The sun over a boggy pond - Limekiln Creek	Boggy Pond	That would be bear poop	Limekiln Creek	Trail regsiter	Limekiln Lake beach area

 

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Visitors to this campground looking for more hiking adventures should check out Moose River Plains Wild Forest.  Some very popular hikes located nearby the campground include Rocky Mountain, Black Bear Mountain, Bald Mountain, Bubb & Sis Lake, Moss Lake Loop and Fern Mountain.

You can find more information on this hike by checking out the hiking guide book  Guide To Adirondack Trails: West-Central Region as well as these other great books:

•  Guide To Adirondack Trails - High Peaks Region
•  Five-Star Trails in the Adirondacks: A Guide to the Most Beautiful Hikes
•  Guide To Adirondack Trails: Eastern Region
•  Guide To Adirondack Trails: Southern Region
•  Hiking the Adirondacks: Guide to 42 of the Best Hiking Adventures in the Adirondacks
•  Adirondack Trails with Tales: History Hikes through the Adirondack Park
•  Discover the Central Adirondacks
•  Discover the Adirondack High Peaks
•  Discover the Northern Adirondacks
•  Discover the Eastern Adirondacks
•  Discover the West Central Adirondacks including the Moose River Plains
•  Discover the Northeastern Adirondacks
•  Discover the Southeastern Adirondacks
•  Discover the South Central Adirondacks

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