McLear's Cottage Colony and Campground Introduce
For generations of New Yorkers seeking the quintessential Northern New York lakeside vacation, **McLear's Cottage Colony and Campground** has been the undisputed favorite. Established nearly 90 years ago, this family-owned operation is built on a legacy of hospitality, convenience, and a deep understanding of what makes a perfect Black Lake getaway. Located on the widest and most scenic section of Black Lake—St. Lawrence County's largest lake—McLear's is much more than just a campground; it’s a full-service retreat famous throughout the region, especially among dedicated anglers.
The property offers a variety of comfortable accommodations, ensuring there's a perfect spot for every traveler, whether you prefer the comfort of a fully-equipped cottage, the convenience of a full-hookup RV site, or the rustic simplicity of a camping cabin. Guests consistently praise the clean, spacious grounds and the helpful, friendly owners who make every visitor feel like family. With its on-site dining and marina services, McLear's allows you to fully immerse yourself in a relaxing, recreational adventure without ever having to leave the premises.
McLear's Cottage Colony and Campground is perfectly situated in the beautiful Black Lake area of Northern New York, offering a tranquil lakeside setting while remaining accessible to regional attractions.
- **The Core Location:** The address is **2477 County Rte 6 #2, Hammond, NY 13646, USA**. This places the colony directly on the shores of Black Lake, which is well-known throughout the state for its phenomenal fishing.
- **Waterfront Setting:** The facility is nestled on nearly nine acres with an impressive 1,261 feet of level waterfront. This prime positioning provides guests with breathtaking views and easy access to the water, which features a shallow, hazard-free shoreline perfect for swimming and a massive fishing pier.
- **Regional Gateway:** The location is highly strategic for those exploring the wider Upstate New York region. It is only about 20 minutes from Alexandria Bay and the spectacular St. Lawrence Seaway, making it an excellent base for exploring the famous Thousand Islands region. Nearby state parks like Jacques Cartier and Kring Point State Park offer additional exploration opportunities.
- **Accessibility Features:** The property is designed for ease of use, featuring a Wheelchair accessible entrance and a Wheelchair accessible parking lot, ensuring a welcoming environment for all visitors. On-site parking is ample and convenient.
- **Getting There:** The campground is located away from the main highway traffic, ensuring a quiet stay, but is easily reached via County Route 6, which connects to major routes in the St. Lawrence County area.
The commitment to convenience and comfort is evident in the extensive services available at McLear's, many of which are unique for a campground in this area.
- **Dining and Retail Services:**
- **The Fish Bone Cafe:** A full-service diner located right on the property, serving three meals daily. Customers rave about the food, noting the homemade corned beef hash is "on point." It features a full commercial kitchen, indoor dining, an outside deck, and a lakeview patio.
- **Convenience and Retail:** A general store on the premises stocks convenience groceries, bait, ice, and oil. The ability to purchase New York Fishing and Hunting Licenses directly at the store is a huge benefit for guests.
- **Marina and Water Services:**
- **Marine Gas Dock:** McLear's boasts the **only dockside fuel station on Black Lake**, a major convenience for boaters.
- **Boat and Motor Rentals:** The colony offers a fleet of dependable boats and late-model motors, including electric-start options, ensuring guests have everything they need for a successful day on the water.
- **Docking Facilities:** Over 50 dock slips and boat slips are available for guests with privately owned boats.
- **Fish Cleaning Building:** A dedicated, clean facility is provided for processing the day's catch, a must-have for a true fisherman's paradise.
- **Campsite Amenities:**
- **RV Hookups:** Full hookup RV electric hookup sites are available, including 30-amp service, water, and sewer connections.
- **Connectivity:** Wi-Fi access is available across the site to keep guests connected.
- **Other Essentials:** Debit cards are accepted for ease of payment for lodging and on-site services.
McLear's stands out in the Upstate New York camping landscape due to its unique combination of long history, specialized offerings, and stunning location.
- **A Fisherman's Paradise:** Black Lake is a premier fishing destination in Northern New York, and McLear's offers the optimal base camp. Decades of experience and the largest dock and fishing pier on the lake give guests easy access to the best fishing spots, making it a favorite for anglers who return year after year.
- **Diverse Accommodation Options:**
- **Fully-Equipped Cottages:** Thirteen clean and spacious lakefront and lakeside cottages are available, offering 2 and 3-bedroom layouts with full baths and kitchens, providing a true home-away-from-home experience. Reservations for these are highly recommended well in advance.
- **Camping Cabins and RV Sites:** The campground area includes cozy, one-room camping cabins and a mix of 15 waterfront RV sites and six spacious pull-through sites, accommodating various camping styles.
- **Level, Beautiful Waterfront:** With over 1,200 feet of level lakefront, the property provides a park-like setting with lush trees and well-kept lawns, ideal for children and relaxed enjoyment of the water views.
- **The Fish Bone Cafe Experience:** Having a full-service, highly-rated diner on-site means guests can easily enjoy a delicious breakfast or dinner without having to pack up and drive, dramatically enhancing the vacation experience.
- **Generational Heritage:** The over 90-year history of the McLear family operating in the fishing and recreation business speaks to a deep, reliable commitment to their guests and their property, fostering a loyal community of returning visitors.
To book a cozy cottage, a full-hookup RV site, or a convenient camping cabin at this Black Lake favorite, please use the following contact details. Due to high demand, especially for the lakefront cottages, reservations in advance are strongly recommended.
**Campground Name:** McLear's Cottage Colony and Campground
**Address:** 2477 County Rte 6 #2, Hammond, NY 13646, USA
**Phone:** (315) 375-6508
**Alternate Phone/Mobile:** +1 315-375-6508
McLear's Cottage Colony and Campground is **unquestionably worth choosing for New Yorkers seeking a dedicated fishing retreat or a full-amenity, multi-generational family vacation destination on a large, scenic lake.** You should choose McLear's because it eliminates the typical complexities of a remote camping trip—you can rent a boat, gas up dockside at the only marine fuel station on the lake, grab a fantastic, hot breakfast at The Fish Bone Cafe, and buy your bait and license, all within steps of your clean cottage or spacious RV site. Its location is a proven fisherman's paradise, but the diverse lodging and family-friendly amenities (Good for kids, shallow beach, ample space) ensure a wonderful adventure for non-anglers as well. For a reliable, time-tested Northern New York lakeside vacation that offers comfort and convenience above all else, McLear's is the premier choice.
McLear's Cottage Colony and Campground Details
Service options
- Onsite services
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Offerings
- RV electric hookup
Payments
- Debit cards
- Credit cards
Children
- Good for kids
Parking
- On-site parking
McLear's Cottage Colony and Campground Photos










McLear's Cottage Colony and Campground Location
McLear's Cottage Colony and Campground
2477 County Rte 6 #2, Hammond, NY 13646, USA
McLear's Cottage Colony and Campground Reviews
boatslakerent
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1The Fishbone does a great breakfast, service and owners the home made corned beef hash is on point! Gas up with the boat, rent a cabin and stay...what more can you ask for 5 stars easy.
August 07 · Kevin StottKnown as a fisherman's paradise, Black Lake is a favorite for anglers. The cottages at McClears are clean and spacious and the owners are friendly and helpful. You will need areservation im advance for a cottage, but the campgrounds and camping cabins usually have a free space. I have been coming here for 25 years and even though I have tried other places on the lake, this is my favorite. It has easy access to the best fishing, the boats work great and it is always a wonderful adventure!
September 06 · Robert LatragnaMclear's has been a family favorite for camping at Black Lake for years. The grounds are beautiful and well kept. The fishing is some of the best in the state. Relaxing and enjoyable. Highly recommended.
May 22 · SharkManWonderful hosts and very clean campsites and restrooms. Small little gem on Black Lake. This is now on the short list of places to stay for a relaxing time at the lake, and is within short reach of many things to do and places to visit. The restaurant on site is a equally nice, and you can rent boats on site.
June 22 · SPDWe have a camp on the other side of the lake, so we don't camp here, but we love going to McLear's for breakfast. The food is always very good, the service is very friendly, and it's always fun to chat with the owner. Mel is just a five star kind of guy!
July 17 · Stephen Daniels
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