Cedarlands Conservation Easement Tract
- Open for recreation: A portion of the property is open year-round. Another portion has public access prohibited from June 24 through August 23.
- Fee: Free
- Contact Information:
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- DEC Region 5 Office: 518-897-1200 (M-F 8:30 to 4:45); Info.R5@dec.ny.gov
- Search, rescue, wildfire, and enforcement matters: 911 or 1-833-NYS-RANGERS (1-833-697-7264)
A local Forest Ranger is a valuable source of information for the state land you would like to visit.
- Location: Town of Long Lake, Hamilton County
- Wildlife Management Unit: 5F
- Map: Cedarlands Conservation Easement (GeoPDF) - GeoPDF Instructions || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator
The 4,890-acre Cedarlands Conservation Easement Tract is part of the Conservation Easement Lands of the Adirondacks and is currently owned by the Leatherstocking Council of the Boy Scouts of America. The central features of the area are two water bodies, Mud Pond and McRorie Lake (previously known as Rock Pond). There are also two prominent mountains, Rock Pond Mountain and Mud Pond Mountain.
There is no public use of the adjacent Base Camp Area.
Rock Pond Mountain
The public portion of the easement lands is divided into two areas. The 590-acre Mud Pond Area is open for public use year-round. While the 3,300-acre McRorie Lake Area is open to public use from August 24 to June 23.
A conservation easement is a partnership with the private landowner that allows public access while protecting open space by limiting development. The private landowner retains the right to manage the property for purposes such as sustainable timber production. Logging trucks, skidders, and other logging equipment may be present during logging operations. Before recreating, please review the map and rules that apply to the places you want to use.
Featured Activities
Hiking
General information on hiking includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules & regulations.
There are five miles of trails on the Cedarlands Easement which are available for hiking from August 24 to June 23. A 0.75-mile section of trail to Mud Pond is open to the public all year.
Mud Pond Trail is open for public use year-round. This trail extends 0.3 miles from the north side of the parking area to the northeast shore of Mud Pond.
Fishing Camp Trail extends 4.0 miles from the trailhead to the northeastern shore of McRorie Lake and serves as the main access to the interior of the easements. The first 0.4 mile of the trail is located on the Kickerville Road. The trail passes Mud Pond then runs parallel to the shores of McRorie Lake and with small ascents and descents along its length.
The trail is closed beyond the Mud Pond Hand Launch Site (approximately 0.75 mile from the trailhead) from June 24 - August 23. Hikers must remain on the section of trail between Mud Pond and the McRorie Lake Outlet (the Base Camp Area). Accessing the private lands adjacent to the trail is prohibited.
The following trails are accessed from the Fishing Camp Trail and are available to the public from August 24 to June 23:
Mud Pond Mountain Trail leaves the Fishing Camp Trail approximately 2.1 miles from the trailhead at the junction of three trails. The trail ascends 0.75 mile and 300 feet to the summit of the 2,372-foot mountain.
Camping
General information on backcountry camping includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules & regulations.
McRorie Lake Tent Site
Tent sites are available on a first come-first served basis and cannot be reserved. Designated sites are marked with a yellow "Camp Here" disc. Designated tent sites are for tents only.
There are three campsites along the shore of Mud Pond. Two of the sites are on the east side of the pond, while one is on the north shore.
One primitive tent site and one lean-to on McRorie Lake are available to the public from August 24 to June 23.
Campers who desire more amenities may camp at the nearby Lake Eaton Campground and take day trips into the Cedarlands Conservation Easement.
Paddling
General information on paddling includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules & regulations. The public is not allowed to use motor boats on this easement.
Mud Pond can be accessed from two hand launches. One access is at the end of a 0.3-mile-long trail that leaves from the north side of the parking area. The other access is on the northern shore which is reached from the Fishing Camp Trail about 0.75 mile from the trailhead parking area. The pond offers a quiet paddle with scenic views, fishing, and opportunities for wildlife viewing.
McRorie Lake can be accessed by paddling from Mud Pond to near the lake's outlet and a 0.25-mile carry, or by walking the Fishing Camp Trail for 1.3 miles from the parking area.
Biking
General information on biking includes how-to and safety tips with links to rules & regulations. Biking on this easement is only allowed on designated trails, which are listed here.
Fishing Camp Trail is open to biking and extends 4.0 miles from the trailhead to the northeastern shore of McRorie Lake. The first 0.4 mile of the trail is located on the Kickerville Road. The trail passes Mud Pond then runs parallel to the shores of McRorie Lake and with small ascents and descents along its length. Beyond the Mud Pond Hand Launch Site (approximately 0.75 mile from the trailhead) the trail is open to the public for biking from August 24 - June 23.
Bikers must remain on the section of trail between Mud Pond and the McRorie Lake Outlet (the Base Camp Area). Accessing the private lands adjacent to the trail is prohibited.
McRorie Lake Trail leaves the Fishing Camp Trail approximately 2.1 miles from the trailhead at the junction of three trails. The trail extends 0.5 mile at the end of a point on the southwest shore of the lake. The trail is open to the public for biking from August 24 - June 23.
Cross-country Skiing & Snowshoeing
General information on cross-country skiing and snowshoeing includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules & regulations.
Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are permitted on all hiking trails when they are open to the public. Off trail travel is also allowed in areas open for public use.
The following trails are recommended for cross-country skiing.
Fishing Camp Trail extends 4.0 miles from the trailhead to the northeastern shore of McRorie Lake and serves as the main access to the interior of the easements. The first 0.4 mile of the trail is located on the Kickerville Road. The trail passes Mud Pond then runs parallel to the shores of McRorie Lake and with small ascents and descents along its length.
Skiers and snowshoers must remain on the section of trail between Mud Pond and the McRorie Lake Outlet (the Base Camp Area). Accessing the private lands adjacent to the trail is prohibited.
McRorie Lake Trail leaves the Fishing Camp Trail approximately 2.1 miles from the trailhead at the junction of three trails. The trail extends 0.5 mile at the end of a point on the southwest shore of the lake.
Fishing
General information on fishing includes fishing tips with links to seasons, rules & regulations. You can ensure of continued good fishing opportunities in the future by fishing responsibly. If you have never been fishing but want to try, it's easy to learn how to fish.
All waters within the Cedarlands Conservation Easement are open to fishing. Anglers may use the same trailheads and trails as hikers, the same hand launches as paddlers, and the same campsites as campers to access and fish these waters.
Mud Pond contains largemouth bass, yellow perch, brown bullhead and sunfish. The pond can be accessed from a hand launch on its northern shore off the Fishing Camp Trail - approximately 0.75 mile from the trailhead parking area.
McRorie Lake contains largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, brown bullhead and sunfish. The lake can be accessed by paddling from Mud Pond up the lake's outlet and a 0.25-mile carry.
Ice fishing is allowed on both waterbodies.
Adirondack/Lake Champlain Fishing provides information on fishing in the Adirondacks and links to top fishing waters, stocking lists, public fishing access and waters open to ice fishing listed by county.
Hunting
General Information on hunting includes how-to and safety tips with links to seasons, rules & regulations.
Hunters may use the parking area and trails used by hikers, and the hand launches used by paddlers to access the lands and waters in this area.
White-tailed deer, black bear, varying hare, ruffed grouse, waterfowl and other game species are present.
Trapping is not permitted on these lands.
Wildlife
General information on animals includes links to information about birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians and insects that inhabit or migrate through the state.
The Adirondacks contain large tracts of wildlife habitat with some boreal, bog, alpine and other unique habitats. Many species of birds and mammals are unique to the Adirondacks or are mainly found here. More than 50 species of mammals and hundreds of species of birds inhabit or pass through the Adirondacks at one time of the year or another so it is not unlikely to catch site of wildlife during your trip.
More information on Adirondack Flora and Fauna (leaves DEC Website) from the SUNY ESF Adirondack Ecological Center.
You can protect wildlife and wildlife habitat when viewing them.
Wildlife Found in the Adirondacks
- Mammals
- Birds
Directions
All coordinates provided are in decimal degrees using NAD83/WGS84 datum.
Parking Area
Cedarlands Parking Area is located along Kickerville Road. (44.0113°N, 74.4146°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website). About 2 miles from State Route 30 Kickerville Lane becomes an unpaved, private road. Those wishing to visit the Cedarlands Easement can continue on this road the 0.9 miles to the public parking area.
Hand Launch
Mud Pond Hand Launch is located off Fishing Camp Trail 0.75 mile from the Cedarlands Parking Area. (44.0174°N, 74.4180°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
Rules, Regulations and Outdoor Safety
Practice Leave No Trace principles (leaves DEC website) when recreating in the Adirondacks to enjoy the outdoors responsibly; minimize impact on the natural resources and avoid conflicts other backcountry users.
All users of Cedarlands Conservation Easement Tract must follow all State Land Use Regulations and should follow all Outdoor Safety Practices for the safety of the user and protection of the resource.
The public is prohibited from accessing:
- Base Camp Area at any time, and
- McRorie Lake Area from June 24 - August 23.
Trapping is not permitted on any of the lands and waters within the easement.
Planning and Management
DEC manages recreational opportunities on the property in accordance with the Cedarlands Conservation Easement Recreation Management Plan (RMP) (PDF, 7MB). RMPs present a long-term plan for public recreation activities, access on the eased property, information on proposed and existing recreational infrastructure, natural and human history and relevant public recreation opportunities.
Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities & Other Information
State Lands & Facilities
- Sargent Ponds Wild Forest
- High Peaks Wilderness
- Blue Mountain Wild Forest (Township 19 and Township 20 Easement Lands)
- Lake Eaton Campground
Gas, dining opportunities, lodging, food and other supplies may be found in the nearby community of Long Lake.
Adirondack Regional Tourism Council (leaves DEC website), Adirondack Experience, and Long Lake Tourism (leaves DEC website) can provide information about other recreation, attractions and amenities in this area.
Numerous guide books and maps are available with information on the lands, waters, trails and other recreational facilities in this area. These can be purchased at most outdoor equipment retailers, bookstores, and on-line booksellers.
Additional information, outdoor equipment, trip suggestions and guided or self-guided tours may be obtained from outdoor guide and outfitting businesses. Check area chambers of commerce, telephone directories or search the internet for listings.
Consider hiring an outdoor guide if you have little experience or woodland skills. See the NYS Outdoor Guides Association (leaves DEC Website) for information on outdoor guides.