For Release: Thursday, June 30, 2011

DEC Welcomes Holiday Vacationers to the Adirondacks

The upcoming Fourth of July and Canada Day Weekend will bring many visitors to recreate on the lands and waters of the Adirondacks and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) advises that with few exceptions, DEC's facilities are ready.

"Visitors to the Adirondacks should know that despite historic flooding this spring, the vast majority of campgrounds, boat launches, roadways and trails in the Adirondacks are ready for recreation this holiday weekend," said DEC Commissioner Joe Martens. "I am proud of the hard work DEC's staff and local partners to restore access to these special recreation areas."

Campgrounds

All of DEC's forty three campgrounds in the Adirondacks are open except Ausable Point. The Ausable Point Campground and Day Use Area on the shores of Lake Champlain will remain closed until the middle of July while DEC completes the cleanup and repair of the damage caused by record high lake levels.

Most campgrounds are expected to be filled to capacity. For more information on available campsites and to make reservations visit the DEC website. While many popular DEC campgrounds are already booked, campsites may be available at some of the less well known campgrounds. Scaroon Manor, a recently opened campground on the eastern shore of Schroon Lake, off Route 9 south of the hamlet of Schroon Lake, and is accepting walk-ins only at this time.

Boat Launches

All DEC boat launches are open for use, including the newly constructed and fully operational Downtown Plattsburgh Boat Launch in the City of Plattsburgh, Clinton County. A few of the boat launches on Lake Champlain are not fully functional, though are open for use.

Floating docks have not been installed at the South Bay Boat Launch in the Town of Whitehall, Washington County.
The center set of floating docks have been installed at the Willsboro Bay Boat Launch in the Town of Willsboro, Essex County.
The pump out station at the Peru Dock Boat Launch in the Town of Peru, Clinton County, is not operating at this time.

Access Roads

While most access roads to the Adirondack Backcountry are open, in some cases repairs have not yet been completed.

Hamilton County
- The main Moose River Plains Road (Limekiln Lake-Cedar River Road) has been opened to motor vehicles from the Limekiln Lake gate at the western end near Inlet to the Lost Ponds access road only.
- The Otter Brook Road is passable to motor vehicles to the Icehouse Pond trailhead.
- The open sections of road provide access to 30 roadside campsites and numerous waters popular with anglers including Icehouse Pond, Helldiver Pond, Lost Ponds, Mitchell Ponds and Beaver Lake.
- The eastern end of the main Moose River Plains Road (Limekiln Lake-Cedar River Road) at Cedar River Headquarters is closed. Rock Dam Road and the Wakely Dam camping area remain closed.
- Jessup River Road in the Perkins Clearing Conservation Easement Lands is closed, preventing motor vehicle access to the Spruce Lake trailhead.
Herkimer County
- Haskell Road, north from State Route 365 on the west side of West Canada Creek remains closed due to damaged bridges.
- Wolf Lake Landing Road from McKeever on Route 28 east toward Woodhull Lake is passable only with high clearance vehicles.
Warren County
- Gay Pond Road and the Buttermilk Road Extension in the Hudson River Recreation Area are closed.
- Lily Pond Road near Brant Lake is closed.
- Old Farm Road near Thirteenth Lake is closed just before the trailhead, vehicles can park at the snowplow turnaround.
- River Road in the Hudson River Recreation Area is open, however it is muddy and rutted. It is recommended that only high clearance vehicles use the road at this time.
- Several roads designated for motorized use by people with disabilities with a DEC permit remain closed including: Scofield Flats, Pikes Beach, Darlings Ford, Huckleberry Mountain Route, and Palmer Pond Access Route.

A complete and current listing of Adirondack Forest Preserve road closures and warnings can be found on the DEC website.

Backcountry Facilities

Backcountry campers, hikers, paddlers and other recreationist should be aware of the following:

Trailhead parking lots and interior campsites in the Eastern High Peaks typically fill to capacity by Friday evening on the holiday weekend. Plan accordingly and seek recreational opportunities in other areas of the Adirondack Forest Preserve.
Trails are wet and muddy; be prepared by wearing waterproof footwear and gaiters, and remember to walk through - not around - mud and water to prevent eroding and widening trails.
Blowdown - trees, limbs and branches - may be present on or over many trails. Blowdown is prevalent in off trail areas; bushwacking or hiking on herd paths may be tough.
Black Flies, Mosquitoes, Deer Flies and/or Midges (No-see-ums) are present. Minimized the nuisance of biting insects by wearing light colored clothing long sleeve shirts and long pants; tucking shirts into pants, pant legs into socks, and buttoning or rubber banding sleeves at your writs; wearing a head net and using an insect repellant with DEET.
Water levels on many waters are higher than usual for this time of year.
In the Hudson Recreation Area, the two designated campsites at Scofield Flats and the two designated campsites at Pikes Beach are restricted to day use only at this time.

Current information regarding Adirondack Trails and other backcountry facilities on the Adirondack Forest Preserve can be viewed on the DEC website.