ACA Camp at Lake Sebago
(Images and text courtesy of Yonkers Paddling and Rowing Club, with permission)
One of the benefits of being an ACA member is the privilege of using the facilities at the American Canoe Association (ACA) Camp, at Lake Sebago in the Harriman State Park. The Camp is leased from the Palisades Interstate Park System to the ACA-Atlantic Division. You must be an ACA member to use the facilities, though you can bring non-member guests with you.
The camp rule is to sign in daily at the camp registration place at the HillTop Lodge/Al Musial Pavillion (see ACA Camp Map), and pay the appropriate ACA usage fees in the drop-in box.
Information about Lake Sebago:
Area: 297 acres; maximum depth: 37 feet
Open for paddling April I through November 30.
If launching boats from points other than the ACA camp, a boating permit is
required.
Sebago is the largest lake in the Harriman State Park and has six miles of shoreline that offer splendid paddling. The wildest portion of the lake extends in a northeast-southwest orientation, and a long arm extends to the north from its midpoint. Prominent fish species include Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, and Chain pickerel. The lake also hosts frogs, turtles, at least 2 beaver lodges and numerous birds. Sebago's shoreline is rocky. Massive slabs of granite and gneiss, a metamorphic rock, extend down into the water in places, some carpeted with mosses and polypody fern. Along the banks grow thick stands of mountain laurel, which is spectacular when in bloom in June. Highbush blueberry also grows in profusion here, so if you're paddling in August, you may want to bring along a container and pick some.
The surrounding woodlands, comprised almost entirely of deciduous trees include oaks (white, chestnut, scarlet, and red), beech, hickory, black birch, white ash, sugar maple, black locust, witch hazel, and American chestnut. Once one of the most abundant and economically important trees in the Northeast, the chestnut succumbed to the chestnut blight in the early 1900s. Saplings still sprout from rootstock, but these typically die after reaching 20 or 30 feet. The open woodlands around Lake Sebago invite exploration. Take the time to explore the woods from shore, or hike some of the 200 miles of trails, including the Appalachian Trail, that extend throughout the park. Even while paddling on the lake one can see lots of deer browsing along the shore, beavers, mallard ducks, loons and herons. An extensive swimming beach at the northern tip of Lake Sebago which included two picnic areas, playgrounds, and ball fields has been closed for the last few years and makes for a fun paddling destination and place to explore.
In addition to the ACA, there are several other group camping and cabin locations scattered around the southern section of the lake.
Directions:
From the NY Thruway 287/87, heading North from NYC or the Tappan Zee
Bridge get off at Exit 15-A, the Sloatsburg exit. Note: this exit
is only a few years old and may not be found on some maps, also,
unless you have 18 wheels, there are no tolls yet in that direction,
no matter what your map says. Continue North on Rt 17, turn right
onto Seven Lakes Drive and continue 3.3 miles until on your
left you see a small sign marked ACA on a one lane dirt road. Carefully
continue up this road and bear to your right when you see the sign
ADK on another locked road (that's the Adirondak Mountain Club, who
also maintains a camp on the lake). You will then see an ACA sign;
continue through the road down the hill to the main parking lot. If you
are looking for the ACA road and find yourself on a little bridge (actually
a dam) or a traffic oval, you have gone too far. Don't worry about it,
almost everyone misses it the very first time.
THIS IS IMPORTANT: The ACA camp rules require you to sign in at the HillTop
Lodge/Al Musial Pavilion, next to the camp's only pay phone. There is usually
an ACA day use fee, please pay this fee!!!! It is waived on Open House
days.
ACA Camp Daily Use Fees
These fees are due from May 1st through October 31st.
For ACA Members
ACA Adult Member $4.00
ACA Junior Member (Child under 18) $2.00
Family Membership $10.00
(includes includes 2 adults, children under 18)For Guests Who Are Not Members of the ACA:
Non-ACA Member Adult $8.00
Non-ACA Member (Child under 18) $4.00
Family Membership $20.00
(includes includes 2 adults, children under 18)