Watch Island is an exclusive island camp, with 5 small cabins, located on the southeast portion of Oceetah Lake. Oceetah Lake offers one of the best views of the Adirondack Mountains of New York State. There is nothing like being on the water or the peculiar pleasure and responsibility of your own little island.

The island is one of the “most elegant small cabins in the country,” selected by the Taunton Press (editors of Fine Homebuilding / Fine Woodworking) for its character, uniqueness, and architectural detail. The island was also featured in a special book entitled Cabins, The Classic American Getaway. See it at your local bookstore.

Watch Island is an Adirondack camp. Its first generation of buildings were constructed in the early 1940s as a hunting and fishing site. The name Watch Island goes back well before the 1940s when it was used for hunting Whitetail deer and used as the “watch”. This occurred prior to the building of the dam in 1903, in the nearby village of Saranac Lake, which in turn created Oceetah Lake. Details regarding its early use are few to none, however its name implies the hunting nature of the camp.

Boating is the fundamental form of transportation for 7 months of the year. Watch Island is situated on the Saranac River, giving access to Lower and Middle Saranac Lakes, Lake Kiwassa, Lake Flower, and Weller Pond. This lake chain makes day trips from the island ideal. Proximity to the village and the activities offered by Saranac Lake, Tupper Lake, and Lake Placid are very close. A trip to the village in a normal fishing-type boat is about a 10-15 minute excursion through one of the prettiest areas of the ADK’s. This entire area is populated with older, water-access-only camps. We are not overrun with large development-type places reflecting the new age camp. Most of the property development occurred prior to 1950.

The really neat thing about Watch Island is that you can hide-out there. If you choose, you can share it with your friends and family; show it off by keeping it gleaming as an announcement of your skill, taste, or your money. You can use Watch Island in many ways as an extension of your ego. Islands in general are extensions of their owner’s values and small islands in particular have been known as unserious little ships.

The closeness of quarters experienced on the island demands a relaxed unpretentious lifestyle. Those who participate come away with a special vacation memory. Formality goes out the window and the process of getting to know one another unfolds. This carries through with guests on the island who tend to be more at ease and comfortable. There is a contagious carefree feeling - whimsical and relaxed - and shared by all.

Watch Island consists of 5 small cabins arranged in a semi circle around a central outdoor living space. This area features a picnic table, hammock, lawn furniture, and beautiful flower beds. This extremely peaceful setting is a central feature inspired by the traditional “compound" nature of the Great Camps of the Adirondacks. You must pass through this space going from living area to sleeping area. This arrangement makes summer living on Watch Island very comfortable in the outdoors. Care and planning have gone into this space, making it cozy and quiet, but also a major connecting point for the land, sky, lake, and buildings. One finds one's self in a total state of relaxation, in awe from all that Watch Island has to offer.

All cabins are simple in design. They have added details that customize them to the Adirondack Camp. Owner-built doors and windows, stair railing of log, and log porch with swirling Cedar twig detail, stone flower beds and walkways... Everything feels as though it belongs, details are somewhat organic.

The cabins consist of a main cabin with kitchen/dining and living room. Three separate sleeping cabins, a comfort station with vanity and shower, and a separate privy cabin. All are small to give the feel of camping, or being on a small yacht. Beds are set at window sill height for maximum summer comfort and an unbelievable view every time you open your eyes.