Covewood Lodge.

Covewood Lodge Road in Eagle Bay, on the south shore of Big Moose Lake. Built in 1925 by Earl Covey, one of the era's master Adirondack builders, and run by the Bowes family since 1951, which is the kind of continuity that's now rare on these lakes. The lodge and cottages sit in a stand of balsam fir, spruce, and cedar, sleeping about 100 guests across the property.

Lodging splits two ways. Nineteen housekeeping cottages, each with a full kitchen, are sold by the week and stocked for self-catering: bring your own sheets and towels. The Main Lodge has three apartments (also self-catering) and four stand-alone rooms (linens and daily housekeeping included), for guests who want a shorter or simpler stay. Firewood is supplied.

The summer programming is the reason families come back. Late June through Labor Day brings supervised kids' activities (sailing, waterski lessons, scavenger hunts), weekly campfires, and bi-weekly adult wine and cheese evenings. Reunions take the Main Lodge for up to 30. Best for families running a week-long Great Camp tradition; not the right pick for a one-night stop. Open May through October.