Ferris Lake Wild Forest

Including Oxbow Conservation Easement Tract

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• Open for Recreation: Year-round
• Fee: Free
• Contact Information:
• • General Information: DEC Region 5 Northville Office: 518-863-4545 (M-F, 7:30AM to 3:30PM); 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: Towns of Stratford, Caroga, Oppenheim and Ephratah in Fulton County; Towns of Morehouse and Arietta in Hamilton County; Towns of Salisbury and Ohio in Herkimer County
• Wildlife Management Unit: 5H and 5J
• Map: Ferris Lake Wild Forest North (GeoPDF) - GeoPDF Instructions || Ferris Lake Wild Forest South (GeoPDF) || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator

The 147,454-acre Ferris Lake Wild Forest features old growth spruce stands that can be found along the Powley-Piseco Road, the north side of Alderbed Stream, around Blind Man's Vly, and on the slopes of Big and Little Alderbed Mountains. The area also features numerous ponds, lakes, and streams, which attract sportsmen and other outdoor enthusiasts throughout the year. Within the Wild Forest, there are 14.6 miles of hiking trails, 117 miles of snowmobile trails (many of which are used as multi-use trails), 97 primitive campsites, a boat launch and a boat dock as well. There are 10.95 miles of roads open to the public, providing motor access to this immense property.

The Oxbow Tract Conservation Easement is a 732-acre property located on the eastern edge of the Ferris Lake Wild Forest. Recreation is limited to the waterway access site at Shaker Place, the parking area and the upstream portion of the West Branch of the Sacandaga River within the tract. Please see the specific rules for using this property.

Featured Activities

Hiking

General information on hiking includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.

Ferris Lake Wild Forest features more than 100 miles of foot, multiple use, and snowmobile trails open to hiking and other recreational opportunities.

G Lake Trail extends 0.5 miles from the G Lake Road Parking Area to the southeast shore of G Lake.

South Branch Trail extends 2.7 miles from the intersections of the Mountain Home Extension and Pine Lake Road to the South Branch of the West Canada Creek.

Fort Noble Trail extends 0.4 miles from NY Route 8 to the South Branch West Canada Creek.

Goldmine Stream Trail extends 1.3 miles from Powley-Piseco Road to Goldmine Stream Falls.

Good Luck Lake Trail extends 0.5 miles from NY Route 10 to Good Luck Lake. The trail provides access to several designated campsites.

Good Luck Cliffs Trail extends 3.9 miles from NY Route 10 to Good Luck Cliffs. This trail has an access point at the highway parking area and utilizes 2.9 miles of snowmobile trails to reach the junction of the cliffs trail. The trail is marked with blue "foot trail" discs, but few markers are placed on the final steep climb and the path to the open ledge area with views.

DeBraine Lake-Trout Lake Trail extends 0.7 miles from Farm Road to DeBraine Lake. From DeBraine Lake an unmarked path continues 1.4 miles to Trout Lake.

Jockeybush Lake Trail extends 1.2 miles from NY Route 10 to Jockeybush Lake. The trail passes a series of small waterfalls and provides several scenic views. It is marked with blue "foot trail" discs.

Big Alderbed Trail extends 2.6 miles from Powley-Piseco Road to Big Alderbed Lake.

Panther Mountain/Echo Cliff Trail extends 0.8 miles from County Route 24 to Echo Cliffs. It is a popular short climb that yields excellent views. The trail is marked with blue "foot trail" discs.

In addition to the trails described above, the snowmobile trails in the unit are also open to hiking. Snowmobile trail connections rely on frozen ground conditions and some areas may not be suitable for spring/summer/fall use. Contact Northville DEC (518) 863-4545 ext. 3005 for trail conditions.

Camping

General information on primitive camping includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.

Primitive camping is a popular activity in the Ferris Lake Wild Forest. The area features 97 designated primitive campsites. Popular camping locations within the unit can be separated into two different types of sites. The more primitive interior tent sites are less developed and may be identified with a "camp here" yellow disc. Facilities on these sites are often minimal, accommodating up to three tents and groups up to nine without a permit. The roadside sites have a more developed character and are identified by a specific site number.

Backcountry Campsites (designated with a yellow "camp here" disc)

• West Lake (1)
• Sand Lake (1)
• Mud Lake (1)
• East Canada Creek (1) located north of potholers
• Long Lake (1)
• Broomstick Lake (2)
• Third Lake (2)
• Lily Lake (4)
• Waters Millpond (2)
• Big Bay (3)
• Jockeybush Lake (3)
• Spectacle Lake (5)
• G Lake (4)
• Good Luck Lake (6)
• Nine Corner Lake (5)
• Mountain Home Road Extension (Mad Tom Brook) (1)

Roadside Campsites (Accommodates vehicle parking)

• Edick Road (2)
• Jerseyfield Road (2)
• Stewart Landing Road (4)
• G Lake Road (5)
• Mountain Home Road Extension (5)
• Powley-Piseco Road - northern section (North of Powley Place) (8)
• Powley Piseco Road - southern section (10)

At-large primitive camping is also allowed in the unit, but must be at least 150 feet away from a road, trail, or body of water. Camping for more than three nights or in a group of ten or more requires a permit from a Forest Ranger.

Those looking for more developed campgrounds can camp at DEC's Point Comfort Campground & Day Use Area, Little Sand Point Campground and Moffitt Beach Campground & Day Use Area.

Paddling

General information on paddling includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.

All water bodies of Ferris Lake Wild Forest are open to paddling, however only a few are easily accessed from the road. The Ferris Lake Wild Forest features hand launch sites on the Sacandaga River, East Canada Creek, West Canada Creek, Big Bay, and the Canada Lake system.

The South Branch of West Canada Creek follows NY Route 8 from Fayle Road to the bridge at Nobleboro, where it meets West Canada Creek. It starts with 15 - 20 minutes of flatwater paddling after the put-in, followed by about a mile or more of Class II rapids, a short break and then 2+ miles of Class II-III rapids. This is a fast run, less than 2 hours to cover more than 5 miles of water. It is rocky at low levels and really pushy at higher levels.

From the East Canada Creek put-in at the iron bridge at Powley Place - a large, open area - you can paddle almost two miles downstream until you reach rapids. You can also go a short distance upstream before progress is blocked by beaver dams. At 1.75 miles, the stream divides in two as it flows around an island at the head of the rapids. This is the place to turn around. In the cascades below, the East Canada drops fifteen feet.

The West Branch of the Sacandaga River put-in is at Shaker Place on the Oxbow Tract Conservation Easement. A 10-mile paddle is possible from Shaker Place to where NY Route 10 crosses the river near Chub Lake. This meandering flat water section of stream can be travelled in either direction, with two navigable outlets as potential side trips to Chub Lake and Trout Lake in the Silver Lake Wilderness. The outlet of Good Luck Lake in Ferris Lake Wild Forest is also navigable, offering access to the numerous designated campsites on the lakeshore.

Boating

General information on boating includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations and lists of DEC boat launches by county.

Ferris Lake Wild Forest features a paved boat ramp on West Lake, located off of West Lake Road. This launch provides access to the whole Canada Lake system. Accessible amenities at the launch area for people with disabilities include parking spaces and privy.

Canada Lake also features docks at Stoner Island providing access to the island and a place to anchor boats.

Additional boating opportunities are available at the DEC facilities on Piseco Lake including Point Comfort Campground & Day Use Area, Little Sand Point Campground, and Poplar Point. They feature developed boat launches that provide public access to wild forest shoreline on Piseco Lake.

Fishing

General information on fishing includes how-to and safety tips and links to seasons, rules and regulations.

Ferris Lake Wild Forest provides a number of fishing opportunities for trout, bass, and other game fish. The following are popular fishing destinations in the area:

• Piseco Lake - lake trout, land locked salmon, smallmouth bass
• Good Luck Lake - sunfish, yellow perch, chain pickerel
• Dexter Lake - chain pickerel
• Spectacle Lakes - chain pickerel
• Canada Lake - brown trout, lake trout, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, sunfish, yellow perch, chain pickerel
• West Caroga Lake - smallmouth bass, sunfish, yellow perch

Ice fishing is allowed on all of the waters listed above.

Additional waters that support brook trout fisheries include: Third Lake, Alder Brook Lake, G Lake, House Pond, Redlouse Lake, Franks Pond, Mud Lake, Christian Lake, Jockeybush Pond, Iron Lake, North Branch Lake, East Canada Creek, Middle Sprite Creek, West Canada Creek, and South Branch West Canada Creek.

Biking

General information on biking includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.

The Ferris Lake Wild Forest trails open to mountain biking include the Avery Road Trail, Ayers Lake Trail, Big Alderbed Lake Trail, California Road Extension, Clockmill Corners Trail, East Canada Trail, Edick Road Extension, Glasgow Trail, Hawes Road Extension, Jerseyfield Railbed, Jockeybush Lake Trail, Long Lake Trail, Route 10 Spur, Seeley Trail, Sheriff Lake Trail, Wagoners Loop, and Waters Mill Pond Trail.

Hunting & Trapping

Wildlife Management Unit: 5H and 5J

General information on hunting and general information on trapping includes how-to and safety tips with links to seasons, rules and regulations.

Hunting and trapping are allowed in the Ferris Lake Wild Forest during appropriate seasons. The game species and furbearers found on the property include white-tailed deer, black bear, coyote, bobcat, raccoon, river otter, beaver, mink, varying hare, gray squirrel, red fox, gray fox, muskrat, fisher, pine marten, wild turkey and ruffed grouse.

A large percentage of the big game hunting occurs along the Powley-Piseco and Jerseyfield Roads. Both provide good roadside and trail access to relatively large unbroken tracts of land, have easily accessible campsites and contain a number of seasonal hunting camps on private lands.

Snowmobiling

General information on snowmobiling includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.

Ferris Lake Wild Forest is open to snowmobiling in the winter. There are 117 miles of snowmobile trails found on the property.

Trails marked with * are NOT groomed.

Mountain Creek Trail (C4 and C4C, 3.2 miles): This trail has an access point on Bull Hill Road. The trail heads northeast, crossing between private and state lands, past Mounts Creek Lake to the Hamilton County line.

Hurrell Vly Trail (C4C, 6.1 miles): This is the northern portion of Mounts Creek Trail. There is access from French Road; the trail heads southwest past Bochen Lake outlet and Hurrell Vly to the Herkimer County line.

Fourmile Brook Trail (C4C, 0.6 miles): This trail can be accessed from French Road, and heads north to Parker Vly trail.

Cranberry-Mud Lake Trail (C4, 6.2 miles): This trail can be accessed from Jerseyfield Road; the trail heads northwest past Mud Lake and Cranberry Lake to Billy Hamlin Road.

*Big Alderbed Trail (Local, 2.6 miles): This trail can be accessed from Powley-Piseco Road. The trail heads northwest to Big Alderbed Lake.

Switchback Trail (Jerseyfield Rail Bed) (S45, 5.8 miles): This trail can be accessed from Jerseyfield Road. The trail heads southeast following an old railroad grade near Trammel Creek to the Adirondack Park "blue line".

Sheriff Lake Trail (Local, 0.9 miles): This trail can be accessed from Powley-Piseco Road. The trail heads north over state and private lands passing Sheriff Lake to Jones Lake Trail.

Meco Lake Trail (Local, 1.4 miles): This trail can be accessed from Powley-Piseco Road. The trail heads northwest past Meco Lake to Sheriff Lake Trail.

Wagoners Loop (S81, 6.1 miles): This trail can be accessed from Powley-Piseco Road. The trail heads southwest to Clockmill Corners Trail.

Clockmill Corners Trail (C8, 3.4 miles): This trail can be accessed from Powley-Piseco Road. The trail heads southeast passing Kennels Pond.

Seeley Pond (C8, 4.1 miles): This trail heads south paralleling NY Route 10 to Dexter Lake Trail.

*Jockeybush Lake Trail (Local, 1.2 miles): This trail can be accessed from NY Route 10. The trail heads northwest to Jockeybush Lake.

Phantom Trail (S46A, 1.5 miles): This trail can be accessed from NY Route 8 (Nobleboro). The trail heads east paralleling NY Route 8 to Jones Road then connects to Parker Vly Trail.

Parker Vly Trail (C4, 3.3 miles): This trail can be accessed from Jones Road. The trail heads east paralleling NY Route 8, crossing French Road and NY Route 8 then connects to Alderbrook Trail.

Alderbrook Trail (C4 and C4A, 5.2 miles): This trail can be accessed from NY Route 8. The trail heads east paralleling NY Route 8 to Piseco Lake.

Edick Road Extension Trail (C8A, 1.8 miles): This trail heads northeast from the end of Edick Road to Powley-Piseco Road.

Hawes Road Extension Trail (C8A, 0.4 miles): This trail heads northwest from the end of Hawes Road to Edick Road.

Hawes Road Crossover Trail (C8A, 0.8 miles): This trail can be accessed from Hawes Road. The trail heads east crossing the Powley-Piseco and Seeley Road to Dexter Lake Trail.

Dexter Lake Trail (NY Route 10 to Potters Homestead) (S81 and S83, 7.0 miles): This trail can be accessed from Hall Road. The trail heads northeast passing Dexter and Dry Lakes to NY Route 10.

Waters Mill Pond Trail (C8A, 2.5 miles): This trail can be accessed from Hall Road. The trail heads northeast over private and state lands passing Waters Mill Pond to Dexter Lake Trail.

*Avery Road Trail (Local, 2.5 miles): This trail can be accessed from Avery Road. The trail heads northeast to Waters Mill Pond Trail.

Marina Trail (also known as West Lake Trail) (S82, 1.5 miles): This trail can be accessed from NY Route 29A. The trail heads south to West Lake Boat Launch.

Burnt Vly Trail (S82 and C8, 6.5 miles): This trail can be accessed from NY Route 29A. The trail heads north passing Third, Fourth, and Spectacle Lakes to Dexter Lake Trail.

Long Lake Trail (C8 and C8A, 4.0 miles): This trail can be accessed from East Shore Road. The trail heads north passing Long Lake to Burnt Vly Trail.

Ayers Lake Trail (C8A, 0.8 miles): This trail heads southeast from Avery Road Trail past Ayers Lake to Long Lake Trail.

Long Lake Crossover (C8, 0.7 miles): This trail heads east from Long Lake Trail to Burnt Vly Trail.

Nine Corner Lake Trail (S82, 3.0 miles): This trail can be accessed from NY Route 29A. The trail heads northwest to Nine Corner Lake then west to Burnt Vly Trail.

Spectacle Lake Trail (S82B, 1.0 miles): The trail heads southwest from West Stone Lake Trail near Good Luck Lake to Spectacle Lake.

West Stoner Lake Trail (C8, 2.4 miles): This trail can be accessed from North Shore Road. The trail heads north past Good Luck Lake to Dexter Lake Trail.

Third Lake Trail (C8, 2.4 miles): The trail heads southwest from West Stoner Lake Trail past Third and Fourth Lakes to Burnt Vly Trail.

*Route 10 Spur (Local, 0.2 miles): This trail can be accessed from NY Route 10. The trail heads west to Third Lake Trail.

Stewart Landing Trail (C8 and C8A, 4.0 miles): This trail can be accessed from NY Route 29A. The trail heads south to Stewart Landing Road.

*Pleasant Lake Trail (Local, 1.8 miles): This trail can be accessed from NY Route 29A. The trail heads south to join Stewart Landing Trail.

Crystal Lake Trail (C8 and C8A, 2.9 miles): This trail can be accessed from Stewart Landing Road. The trail heads south to County Route 119 near Crystal Lake.

Morey Road (C8, 4.7 miles): This trail can be accessed from Morey Road. The trail heads west to Crystal Lake Trail. This trail is currently closed until further notice.

East Road Trail (Local, 1.4 miles): This trail can be accessed from East Road. The trail heads northeast to Glasgow Mills.

Glasgow Trail (Local, 4.6 miles): This trail can be accessed from Glasgow Road. The trail heads west past Glasgow Mills and Hillabrandt Vly to join Crystal Lake Trail.

*Dingman Hill Trail (Local, 2.6 miles): This trail can be accessed from County Route 119. The trail heads northeast to East Road Trail.

Spy Lake Trail (corridor, 0.2 miles): This is a short section of trail across a small parcel of Ferris Lake Wild Forest adjacent to Spy Lake.

*Powley Road Bypass Trail (Local, 0.1 miles): This trail can be accessed form NY Route 10. The trail heads from the parking area to Powley Road.

Cross-country Skiing & Snowshoeing

General information on cross-country skiing and snowshoeing includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.

Ferris Lake Wild Forest is open to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are permitted on all hiking trails. There is one official designated cross-country ski trail on the property:

Broomstick Lake Trail (0.7 miles): This trail leads from NY Route 10 to Broomstick Lake. It is marked with yellow "ski trail" discs.

Horseback Riding

General information on horseback riding includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.

Ferris Lake Wild Forest does not have any trails maintained for horseback riding. However, horses are allowed on the following trails: Avery Road Trail, Ayers Lake Trail, Big Alderbed Lake Trail, Clockmill Corners Trail, Cranberry-Mud Lake Trail, East Canada Trail, Edick Road Extension, Glasgow Trail, Hawes Road Trail, Jerseyfield Railbed Trail, Route 10 Spur Trail, Wagoners Loop Trail, and Waters Mill Pond Trail.

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 birds (Common Loon, Peregrine Falcon) and mammals (Moose, Black Bear) 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.

Accessible Features

General information on accessible recreation includes links to other locations with accessible recreation opportunities and information on permits for motorized access.

Ferris Lake Wild Forest features West Lake Boat Launch, which has accessible features. Amenities for people with disabilities include parking and an accessible privy. The boat launch is located off West Lake Road and provides access to the Canada Lake system.

Directions

Parking Areas

Note: Not all parking areas are plowed in the winter, and some parking areas do not allow parking in the winter because they are used as snow plow turnarounds. Please respect posted signs.

All coordinates provided are in decimal degrees using NAD83/WGS84 datum.

• East Road Trail Parking Area is accessed from the intersection of NY Route 29 and Fical Corners East Road. Go 1.0 miles and turn right onto East Road. The parking area is located 2.5 miles down East Road. (43.092145°N, 74.553775°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)

• Glasgow Trail Parking Area is located at the end of Glasgow Road, 0.7 miles west of its intersection with NY Route 10, in Johnstown. It is maintained during the winter. (43.097946°N, 74.512737°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)

• Panther Mountain Trail Parking Area is located on Old Piseco Road, 2.6 miles northeast from its intersection with NY Route 8, in Piseco. It is maintained during the winter. It provides access for Panther Mountain/Echo Cliff trail. (43.411362°N, 74.557465°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)

• Nine Corner Lake Trail Parking Area is located on NY Route 29A, 0.2 miles west of its intersection with NY Route 10, in Caroga. It is maintained during the winter. It provides access to the Nine Corner Lake Trail and the West Lake Trail. (43.191105°N, 74.527403°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)

• G Lake Trail Parking Area is located at the end of G Lake Road, 2.1 miles north of its intersection with NY Route 8. It is not maintained during the winter. (43.407128°N, 74.62894°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)

• Broomstick Lake Trail Parking Area is located on NY Route 10, 1.2 miles north of where it intersects with NY Route 29A, in Caroga. It provides access to Broomstick Lake Trail and is not maintained during winter. (43.206715°N, 74.529923°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)

• Jockeybush Lake Trail Parking Area is located on NY Route 10, 9.7 miles north of where it intersects with NY Route 29A, in Caroga. It provides access to Jockeybush Lake Trail and is maintained during winter. (43.300241°N, 74.565502°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)

• Stewarts Landing Road Parking Area is located on Stewarts Landing Road along the town road shoulder adjacent to the dam. It provides access to the Stewart Landing Trail and the Crystal Lake Trail and is maintained during winter. (43.142364°N, 74.593577°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)

• Burnt Vly Parking Area is located on NY Route 29A, 3 miles west of its intersection with NY Route 10, in Caroga. It provides access for the Burnt Vly Trail and is maintained during winter. (43.178639°N, 74.577164°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)

• Wagoners Loop Parking Area is located on NY Route 10, 14 miles north of where it intersects with NY Route 29A, in Caroga. It provides foot access to Wagoners Loop Trail and is maintained during the winter. (43.348115°N, 74.533493°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)

• Billy Hamlin Road Parking Area is located on Billy Hamlin Road, in Cold Brook. Access from the intersection of County Route 147 and Bull Hill Road. Follow Bull Hill 2.9 miles to Billy Hamlin Road. The parking area is located along a town road. It provides access for Cranberry-Mud Lake Trail and is not maintained during winter. (43.293163°N, 74.871948°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)

Additional winter parking for snowmobilers not on state land:

• NY Route 10 - unpaved, Town of Arietta parking area adjacent to salt shed, can accommodate 20 vehicles with trailers, maintained during winter. Connects to trail system with Powley Road Bypass Spur Trail. (43.372752°N, 74.547057°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)

• NY Route 8 - paved, Town of Morehouse parking area adjacent to Recreation Center, can accommodate 20 vehicles with trailers, maintained during winter. Connects to trail system. (43.391025°N, 74.718816°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)

Note: Parking for snowmobilers is also available on private land at various businesses that provide services adjacent to the trail system.

Hand Launches and Boat Launches

Canada Lake System

• West Lake Boat Launch is a paved boat launch located on West Lake Road that provides important access to the Canada Lake system. Access from the intersection of NY Route 10 and Point Breeze Road. (43.175301°N, 74.530947°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
• Stewarts Landing Hand Launch is an undeveloped hand launch located near the Stewarts Landing Road Parking Area. The site consists of a shallow place to access the water without any formal improvements.

Big Bay

• NY Route 10/Big Bay Hand Launch is a developed hand launch on Big Bay located on NY Route 10, 16.6 miles north of where it intersects with NY Route 29A. (43.380735°N, 74.544939°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)

Sacandaga River

• NY Route 10 - West Branch of the Sacandaga River (southern bridge) is an undeveloped hand launch located on NY Route 10, 5.9 miles north of where it intersects with NY Route 29A. It also provides access to Good Luck Lake. (43.255553°N, 74.535792°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
• Shaker Place Hand Launch on Oxbow Tract Conservation Easement is located off of NY Route 10, 12.3 miles north of where it intersects with NY Route 29A. (43.322507°N, 74.535158°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)

West Branch Canada Creek

• Fayle Road Bridge Hand Launch is an undeveloped hand launch located on Fayle Road, 0.7 miles north of its intersection with NY Route 8. (43.398940°N, 74.764437°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)

East Canada Creek

• Powley Place Hand Launch is an undeveloped hand launch on East Canada Creek. (43.309935°N, 74.654361°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)

Rules, Regulations and Outdoor Safety

Practice Leave No Trace Principles (leaves DEC website) when recreating on state land to enjoy the outdoors responsibly; minimize impact on the natural resources and avoid conflicts.

All users of Ferris Lake Wild Forest 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.

Specific Rules

Oxbow Tract Conservation Easement at Shaker Place is private property with a conservation easement held by the DEC on behalf of the people of New York State. Public use is limited. Please respect posted signs.

• Recreation is limited to the waterway access site and parking area and upstream portion of the West Branch of the Sacandaga River within the tract
• No public swimming, fires, camping, on-shore fishing, hunting or trapping is allowed anywhere on the Shaker Place Tract.
• Users of these lands must:
  • Travel on roads and corridors designated open to the public;
  • Not travel beyond any closed gates (whether locked or not);
  • Park in designated parking areas only - don't block gates or roadways;
  • Expect to see logging trucks, skidders and other logging activity; and
  • Be aware that much of these lands are leased to private sports groups that have access and recreation rights that the public does not have - please respect the rights of the lessees.

Planning and Management

DEC is developing a draft unit management plan (UMP) for the Ferris Lake Wild Forest, which will describe proposed management activities for these lands. In addition to management objectives, the UMP will contain detailed information on natural features, recreational infrastructure, geology, natural and human history, habitats, wildlife, fisheries and much more.

Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities & Other Information

State Lands and Facilities

• Black River Wild Forest
• Jessup River Wild Forest
• Shaker Mountain Wild Forest
• Silver Lake Wilderness
• West Canada Lake Wilderness
• Poplar Point
• Point Comfort Campground & Day Use Area
• Little Sand Point Campground
• Moffitt Beach Campground & Day Use Area
• Lassellsville State Forest
• Peck Hill State Forest
• Rockwood State Forest

Gas may be found in the communities of Piseco, Speculator, Remsen and Stratford.
Food and other supplies may be found in the communities of Speculator, Caroga Lake and Remsen.
Dining opportunities may be found in the communities of Speculator and Cold Brook.
Lodging may be found in the communities of Caroga Lake, Cold Brook and Speculator.

Adirondack Regional Tourism Council (leaves DEC website), Fulton County Tourism (leaves DEC website), Hamilton County Tourism (leaves DEC website) and Herkimer County 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.