Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest

View of Lake Champlain from Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest

The Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest (SRMWF) is located in the eastern foothills of the Adirondack Mountains along the shore of Lake Champlain. The Unit is located in the towns of Essex and Westport, in Essex County, and consists of 3,261 acres of Adirondack Forest Preserve lands. The Unit is approximately four miles long north to south, and comprises the largest tract of undeveloped shoreline on the New York side of Lake Champlain.

The area offers numerous recreational opportunities, including hiking, camping, mountain biking, rock climbing, fishing, and hunting in the warmer months; and cross country skiing, ice climbing, and snowmobiling in the winter months.

The SRMWF is rich in cultural history and biological diversity due in part to its proximity to Lake Champlain. The lake has served as an avenue of colonization, and commerce for as long as humans have inhabited the area. The original forests of the Unit were cleared for farming, lumber, and charcoal production. Granite quarries and iron mines were also located in the Unit. Current land cover consists of second growth forests, abandoned fields, and several open fields. The moderating climatic effect of Lake Champlain allows species of plants and animals generally found further south to survive in the region along with northern species more common to the Adirondacks. Every tree species that is known to grow in the Adirondack Park (with the exception of sycamores) can be found in the SRMWF.

Field Notes

Eleven miles of hiking trails provide access to many locations within the Unit as well as Lake Champlain. Views of Vermont, Lake Champlain, and the High Peaks of the Adirondack Mountains are available from several overlooks along the trail system.

Four primitive tentsites exist within the Unit. These are located along the shore of Lake Champlain in the vicinity of Barn Rock Bay (2), the Palisades, and Snake Den Harbor. Although these sites are open to all (on a first come first served basis), they are most easily accessed from the lake by canoe or kayak.

The Lake Champlain Paddlers' Trail is a water trail that leads to various locations on the lake. Five sites within the SRMWF are destinations along the trail. The four tentsites mentioned above provide camping opportunities and shelter for users of the trail, and the ruins of a 19th Century iron mine at Lewis Clearing Bay (Ore Bed Harbor) offer a unique destination for day users. More information on the Lake Champlain Paddlers' Trail can be found at the Offsite Link in the right column of this page.

Wild Forest Regulations

Anyone enjoying this Wild Forest area must observe the following rules which protect both them and the forest environment.
Please do not Litter. If you carry it in, carry it out.
Camping is prohibited within 150 feet of any road, trail, spring, stream, pond or other body of water except at camping areas designated by the Department.
Camping for more than three consecutive nights or in a group of ten or more requires a permit from a DEC forest ranger.
Do not bring firewood from home because this may also transport dangerous invasive pests to the state forest.
If you build a fire, do so with care and use wood from dead and downed trees only. Never leave a fire unattended.
No permanent structures should be established, including tree stands or blinds.
Unauthorized cutting of live trees or new trail building is prohibited.
Motor vehicle use is limited to snowmobiles on the Lewis Clearing Bay Snowmobile Trail during winter. All other motor vehicle use is prohibited.

Directions

Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest can be accessed from Lakeshore Road in the towns of Essex and Westport, or from Clark Road in the town of Westport. Lewis Clearing bay Trailhead is located on Lakeshore Road approximately 6 miles south of the Village of Essex, and approximately 5 miles north of the Village of Westport.

Important Numbers

State Forest Office (M-F 8:30 am- 4:45 pm): 518-897-1276
Search, Rescue, and Wildland Fire Emergencies: 518-891-0235 or 911

More about Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest

A unit management plan for the SRMWF was completed in 2005. This document outlines the Units natural and man made resources and proposes management actions based on the condition of these resources and their ability to sustain use. Management objectives are also based on the land classification guidelines for the particular unit.
View the Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest Unit Management Plan.

More about Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest:

Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest Map - Map showing the forest boundaries, trails and Lake Champlain