New for 2025: Renovated outbuilding named the Shotgun Shack includes extra sleeping quarters with a set of bunk beds (Twin over Queen), plus a mini kitchen (sans stove/oven), and bathroom with walk-in shower. Perfect for the teens to get away from the folks.
A secluded oasis directly on the magnificent Upper Chateaugay Lake, this property has been completely remodeled inside and out in the last 18 years and includes a major update annually. Located as the second to last house on a dead-end private road, yet directly in-front of the deepest part of the lake at 70 feet deep, this house and property is ideal for a get-away. Upper Chateaugay Lake leads into the Lower Chateaugay Lake via the Narrows for a total of 9 miles. The property, on the East shores and on a very gentle slope with 106 feet of direct lake-front, has breathtaking views of unspoiled, NY State parkland and mountains. Be sure not to miss the unbelievable sunsets across the lake to the West with bright oranges and purples - true eye candy. Of course, another benefit of spectacular sunsets is the ability to sleep in during the mornings without being awoken by beams of sun in the early hours. Additionally, stargazing at night will enable you to see more stars in one night than in a lifetime. Clear, crisp and full of memories.
Each room of the house has been remodeled, including the Mahogany master bedroom with a log king size bed & L-shape workstation overlooking the lake, Douglas Fir guest room with built-in full-size bed, slated side entryway, cedar bathroom with granite and terra cotta walk-in, full-size shower plus a granite kitchen with brand new tiled floor, and Pine tongue-and-groove dining nook and living room with new carpet, sofa, & matching ADK chair. Both bedrooms have plenty of closet space and nightstands/tables. Grand views of the lake are easily visible from the master, side entryway, dining nook and living room. My cabin is an L-shaped ranch with views of the lake from all angles.
The expanded U-shaped dock is one great option to hang out. The dock extension creates a large area to be on the waters edge: A 16 x 18 dock with a built-in bench and a 14 x 4 catwalk combining with the original 16 x 6 dock to form a large U-shaped dock party area. A new catwalk now combines all dock space for easy walking from one end to the other - maybe 80'. Entry into the refreshing waters of Upper Chateaugay is easily done multiple ways: via the extra-wide (10 feet) staircase on the right side of the property, the ladder from one catwalk, the staircase from another dock, as well as the ladder off the 32' dock. In any case, you are able to walk out 10 - 15 feet before being over your head. The lake bottom is firm, not soft and mucky, with a huge swath of rocks cleared for easy walking. The party dock and decking system will be your favorite place.
Your next favorite places will be the XL lean-to made from cedar and hemlock, and 12x12 floating deck, each built in 2018 and each offering cool areas to relax by the waters edge and find your inner happiness while enjoying a cocktail. Challenge yourself to sleep outside yet protected from the elements in the custom-built lean-to. Or find yourself gazing at the lake on one of the new Adirondack chairs with built-in footrest and rocker.
New for 2022 was a 32' x 6' dock in front of the lean-to. This dock enables you to see a larger portion of the lake while enveloping yourself in nature. Boat docking is available but I must be informed since the lake can get very windy.
The outdoor stone porch area, reached directly from the side entryway, allows for great meals on the picnic table while watching the loons on the lake, as well as camp fire stories at the firepit area in the evening. The deck with BBQ wedge area is perfect for outdoor enjoyment. Lawn games are delightfully played on the expansive lawn on in front of the shotgun shack, which is the storage building housing all water toys (lifejackets, noodles, paddles, wet suits, etc) for your use.
Upper Chateaugay Lake is regarded as one of the Top Fishing Waters by NY State Department of Environmental Conservation for its Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout, Small Mouth Bass, and Landlocked Salmon.
Kayaking, canoeing, and fishing are idyllic during the morning or evening hours when the lake is glassy, while sailing can be enjoyed when the breeze kicks in during the afternoons. New in 2022 was a 6-pack boat rack for easy carrying. Of course, boating can be enjoyed anytime, and kayaks, canoes, and paddle boards are included in the rental. For the Olympian hopefuls, swimming across the lake is about one and a half miles.
The U-turn driveway has great curb appeal, inviting guests to enjoy their stay at my home. Even during the height of the summer season, you can find peace and true tranquility. I have two neighbors and our houses are far apart: one is blocked by a new wood fence, and the other I can see the side of their house. There are only 594 property owners on the Upper & Lower lakes (9 miles of lake) and most of those are located on the smaller, Lower lake. On any given hot afternoon in July or August, one can easily count the number of boaters on a single hand for there is little boat traffic on the larger part, Upper, of the Chateaugay Lakes.
In essence, my property is very private and secluded, with little external noise except for the wind, birds, waves and the occasional woodpecker and loon.
The main road, Route 374, is three miles away and leads to nearby antique shopping, ice cream stands, restaurants, pizza parlors, delis, bakeries, convenient stores, farm stands, windmill farms, the NY State boat launch and mountainous hiking trails. Further out, it'll bring you to Malone, fairgrounds, Montreal, Saranac, Lake Placid, Plattsburgh, Vermont, large grocery stores, shopping malls, and movie theaters.
Included in the rental is a three-person canoe, a two-person kayak, two single-person kayaks, two stand-up boards, life vests and noodles, a 8x10 swim float (platform) 100 feet out and in 15' of water. Life vests, noodles, and lawn games are located in a separate, outdoor shed. Suggested boating excursions include paddling to the beginning of the south inlet, at the very end of the Upper Lake, and meandering the waterways to the numerous beaver damns more than a mile in. Or make your way to the infamous sand bar at the edge of the Narrows for a game of frisbee in ankle-deep water and an afternoon picnic on the wide beach. Novices and experts will enjoy the adventures to be had. Firewood is bring-your-own. Also included are portable chairs, gas and charcoal BBQ's for outdoor enjoyment.
Lastly, the number of people allowed to stay at my house is limited to a maximum of 6, one king-size bed & one full-size bed in the main house plus a full-size and a twin in the Shotgun Shack outbuilding. This is to discourage large parties of people.
Check in time is 2:30 and check out time is 10:30. Peak summer rentals run Saturday to Saturday from the last week of June until Labor Day. Mid-week rentals are available in other months. 70 other pictures can be viewed at Facebook.
You will still have to tidy the place up, empty the refrigerator and remove all of your belongings. My property manager will clean and disinfect all rooms, surfaces, remove the garbage, vacuum, & replace the sheets & towels, which are included in the rental.
The on-line calendar is updated as soon as a reservation is booked and is always up to date. I respond to all inquiries within 24 hours except on weekends when I am in the Adirondacks.
What this place is not:
It's not Lake George or Sacandaga Lake with constant boat traffic.
It's not Saratoga Lake with neighbors every 50 feet apart.
It's not Lake Placid with confined tourism.
It's not Chazy Lake, with a main road seen and heard by half the lake of only 3 miles long.
It's not on the Narrows or the Lower lake (of Chateaugay Lake), where the lake is more shallow, congested, and populated.
It's not on the West side, where the sun rises at 6 a.m. during the summer.
What this does not have: extra fees!!
In summary, Upper Chateaugay Lake is by far the biggest and best lake in the northern Adirondacks as well as my home bringing a touch of elegance and grandeur.
Please note: the on-line Google maps shows Hemlock Lane not as a dead-end. It is a dead-end and my house is the second to last house of a total of 6 houses.
Note: You must purchase the rental insurance in case you need to cancel.
3-night minimum for Spring and Fall dates.
7-night minimum for peak season, with rentals starting & ending on Saturday.
All fees are included.
Review
'We were very anxious about staying at this cabin and also getting to know this part of the Adirondacks, which we had never been to before this trip. When we first came across this on VRBO, right away we knew it was going to be special. We both felt that it was the right cabin in the right location. Our instinct wasn’t wrong! The house is nestled on this dead-end road, lakefront with spectacular views of the lake. The sunsets are amazing whether you are fishing from the dock or just sitting at the nice platform overlooking the lake relaxing in the comfortable Adirondack chairs. The place is organized and has everything that you could possibly need for cooking, baking, grilling, etc. Then at night you can gaze at the stars sitting by the fire ring enjoying the evening. One of the things that we enjoyed the most every night was to sit by the dock and listen to the sounds of the loons. It was so serene and soothing. I don’t believe we’ll ever forget those sounds for as long as we live. Tony & Melanie from New Jersey, August 2020
