Saranac Lakes Wild Forest
The Saranac Lakes Wild Forest (SLWF) is 79,000 acres of state land in Franklin and Essex Counties. It is situated near the communities of Saranac Lake, Tupper Lake, and Lake Placid.
The Saranac Lakes Wild Forest offers many recreational opportunities, including but not limited to hiking, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, skiing, mountain biking, canoeing, hunting, and fishing.
Popular hiking attractions include Scarface and Panther Mountains, Fernow Nature Trail, and the Lake Placid Peninsula Nature Trails. Many people enjoy boating and camping on Upper, Middle and Lower Saranac Lakes.
If you have questions and/or comments about this UMP, please email us at: r5ump@gw.dec.state.ny.us
SLWF Facts:
Roads:
Several major state roads bisect the area providing access to the facilities and resources. These roads include State Routes 3, 30, 86, and 73.
Towns:
Significant portions are in the Towns of Harrietstown, Santa Clara, and North Elba. Smaller parcels are in the Towns of Altamont, St. Armand, Brighton, and Franklin.
Land:
There are over 67,000 acres of wild forest lands. Significant elevations are Scarface Mountain at 3058', Boot Bay Mountain at 2516', Shingle Bay Mountain at 2352', and Panther Mountain at 2241'.
Water:
There are 142 waterbodies which cover nearly 19,000 acres. Large waterbodies include Upper, Middle, and Lower Saranac Lakes, Oseetah Lake, Lake Placid, Lake Clear, and Lake Colby. Important rivers include the Raquette and Saranac Rivers.
Recreation:
The number and size of waterbodies make water based recreational activities the major use for the area. Use includes boating, canoeing, fishing, camping, swimming, hiking, mountain biking, hunting, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling and bird / wildlife watching.
Facilities:
(these numbers are estimates, the UMP will involve extensive inventory work which will identify all facilities)
Trails:
There are over 50 miles of marked trails. Of this amount about 26.5 miles are snowmobile trails, 3.3 miles are used as canoe carries, 10 miles are used by mountain bikes, and 13 miles are cross-county ski trails. Popular trail locations include Scarface Mountain, Panther Mountain, Deer Pond, Brewster Peninsula, Fernow Forest, and Pine Pond Landing.
Camping:
There are nearly 250 designated campsites, 82 of these are part of the Saranac Islands Campground on Weller Pond and Middle and Lower Saranac Lakes, 18 are on Upper Saranac Lake, 31 are on Follensby Clear Pond, and 16 are along Floodwood Road. In addition to the designated campsites there are 12 lean-tos in the SLWF, these are located along several of the lakes, ponds, and rivers.
Boat launches and fishing access sites: There are 15 boat launches or fishing access sites. There are facilities on the Raquette River, Upper Saranac Lake, Follensby Clear Pond, Lower Saranac Lake, Second Pond, Lake Colby, Lake Placid, Mirror Lake, Lake Flower, Hoel Pond, East Pine Pond, Moose Pond, Little Green Pond, and Little Clear Pond.
Parking Areas:
There are 26 parking areas of various size and condition.
