Eel Weir State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Eel Weir State Park sits on the western bank of the Oswegatchie River, nestled in a "crook" in the stream. The State of New York purchased the land for the park in 1957, and Eel Weir State Park opened in 1959. As state parks go, Eel Weir State Park is tiny at just 16 acres. Eel Weir State Park drew fewer than 5,000 visitors in all of 2022, so it can be considered a hidden gem. Still, among its fans, the park is well-known for the quality of both the solitude it provides and the activities you can partake in every year from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Spring 37-66 F
Summer 75-80 F
Fall 44-70 F
Winter 12-32 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Eel Weir State Park
Despite being minuscule, Eel Weir State Park provides showers, restrooms, a picnic pavilion, picnic tables at the campsites, fire rings, a playground, and a 625-foot beach. The shoreline here is also good for launching rowboats, kayaks, and canoes. The 27 RV campsites are rustic, and although none of them have hookups, previous campers have reported that site Nos. 6-12 and 20-22 are excellent for solar power if your RV comes with the panels.
What to Do at
Eel Weir State Park
You can enjoy human-powered boating on the Oswegatchie River, and the current is slow enough that you can make your way up to Black Lake for additional fishing areas. If you have a telescope, then set it up on the beach at night for some stargazing. If bird watching is your thing, then break out the camera and the binoculars to enjoy the view of the birds of the Oswegatchie.
Stargazing
Eel Weir State Park is Class-4 on the Bortle Scale for stargazing, the dome of light from nearby Ogdensburg and the U.S.-Canada border crossing illuminating the horizon. Class-4 skies are greyish rather than black, but you can still see most of the constellations with the naked eye on moonless, cloudless nights. For better photos of remote objects in the night sky, be prepared to use the right kind of filters.
Fishing
You can catch both largemouth bass and smallmouth bass, muskellunge, northern pike, crappie, bluegill, and walleye. Bass weighing 5 pounds or more and pike weighing 15 pounds or more are common. Muskellunge are apex predators, and the ones in the Oswegatchie River and Black Lake can weigh more than 60 pounds. The fishing is excellent from either the shore or a rowboat.
Swimming
Lifeguards are on duty on and off during the summer. When they're on duty, then you may swim. The staff of New York State Parks does not allow swimming if there are no lifeguards. As with many rivers and lakes in the Adirondack Park, the water is cool in the summer and cold all other times of the year, so take proper precautions and never swim beyond your ability.
Boating
There is no actual boat launch at Eel Weir State Park, but you can use kayaks, rowboats, and canoes straight off the beach.
Nature Viewing
Eel Weir State Park is quiet and peaceful, so sitting and watching the herons fishing or ducks diving to feed is a great way to spend an afternoon. If you are a birdwatching enthusiast, you can also spot other waterfowl and songbirds within the park. While exploring, you are likely to see some of the mammals that populate this park, such as deer, rabbits, muskrats, and squirrels.
How to Get to
Eel Weir State Park
Proceed to Watertown. From there, take Route 37 north. When you get to Stone Church Road, turn southeast. Turn northeast on Talman Road. Then, go north on Route 6 and northeast on Route 4, which takes you to Eel Weir State Park.
Entering Eel Weir State Park
There is a day-use parking area near the picnic pavilion, which is accessible. The restrooms and showers are likewise accessible. The park, along with its accompanying campground, is only open from Memorial Day until Labor Day.
Eel Weir State Park Entry Fee (per vehicle) : $6.0
Frequently Asked Questions About Eel Weir State Park
Because it's only open from the end of May until the beginning of September, those are the only dates where you can visit. The early summer is best because the fish are biting the most, and the weather is at its mildest.
Most of what you will see consists of waterfowl and small animals. The most common waterfowl are ducks, grebes, and great blue herons.
Yes, there are 27 RV-specific campsites at Eel Weir State Park. Each camping spot has a fire ring and a picnic table.
Yes, you need reservations. You can make them on the same day you arrive up to 5 p.m. or up to nine months in advance. The campsites cost between $15 and $23, and out-of-state visitors pay a $5 surcharge per night during the week. On the weekend, the surcharge is just $4.
Your pets are welcome at this state park and can stay overnight with you. However, they must be on a leash, and you are expected to clean up after your four-legged companions.