Lake George Wild Forest

Including Hudson River Special Management Area, Shelving Rock Special Management Area, and the Hall Hill Road, Hilderbrandt Road and Veile Pond Road Conservation Easement Tracts

Open for Recreation: Year-round
Fee: Free
Contact Information:
- DEC Region 5 Warrensburg Office: (M-F, 8:30AM - 4:45PM), (518) 623-1200; 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 Bolton, Chester, Hague, Horicon, Lake George, Lake Luzerne, Queensbury and Warrensburg in Warren County; the Towns of Dresden, Fort Ann and Putnam in Washington County; and the Towns of Ticonderoga and Schroon in Essex County
Wildlife Management Unit: 5G, 5H and 5J
Map: Lake George Wild Forest North Map (GeoPDF) - GeoPDF Instructions || Lake George Wild Forest East Map (GeoPDF) || Lake George Wild Forest South Map (GeoPDF) || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator

The 72,508-acre Lake George Wild Forest is located in the southeastern portion of the Adirondack Park and is part of the Adirondack Forest Preserve. It is one of the most popular areas of the Adirondacks because of the numerous and varied outdoor recreational opportunities and the proximity to large population centers and Lake George. Parts of the wild forest sit on both sides of the lake.

The property contains miles of marked trails available to explore, allowing the public to easily access a variety of majestic natural attractions such as Black Mountain, Shelving Rock, and Prospect Mountain. Enjoy year-round activities on Lake George, and popular fishing and camping locations at Lily Pond, Jabe Pond, Gay Pond and Palmer Pond. The wild forest is a popular area for motorized recreational uses and ice fishing, and serves as an important link with the adjoining snowmobile trail network.

The Shelving Rock Area is a part of the wild forest on the eastern shore of Lake George. The area includes primitive campsites along Shelving Rock and Dacy Clearing Roads and a day use area that extends along Shelving Rock Brook to Shelving Rock Bay on Lake George.

The 5,550-acre Hudson River Special Management Area, also known as the Hudson River Recreation Area, or sometimes simply Buttermilk, is located on the eastern shore of the Hudson River in the Lake George Wild Forest. The unit had hiking trails and hand launches and provides many accessible facilities for people with mobility disabilities including accessible campsites, pit privies, and trails.

Hall Hill Road, Hilderbrandt Road and Veile Pond Road Conservation Easements allow snowmobiling under the Upper Hudson Woodlands Interim Recreation Management Plan. View this plan in the Planning and Management section below.

Trail Information for the Eastern Adirondacks provides general information regarding backcountry and seasonal conditions; specific notices regarding closures and conditions of trails, roads, bridges and other infrastructure; and links to weather, state land use regulations, low impact recreation and more.

Featured Activities

Hiking

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

Deer Leap Trail extends 1.7 miles from the parking area to Deer Leap. The trail ascends 300 feet from over the first 0.6 miles. At mile 0.6 the trail intersects the Tongue Mountain Range Trail. It then descends 325 feet to mile 1.2 and climbs 200 feet to mile 1.4 before leveling off for the last 0.3 miles. The trail passes two primitive campsites.

Five Mile Point Trail is a 2.8-mile trail. During the first 2.0 miles, the trail ascends 1,160 feet. Then it descends 1,160 feet and 1.7 miles to Five Mile Point. At mile 2.0 the trail intersects with the Tongue Mountain Range Trail.

Fivemile Mountain

From the Five Mile Point trailhead, follow the Five Mile Point Trail to mile 2.0, then turn north at the intersection onto the Tongue Mountain Range Trail. Continue 1.7 miles and 685 feet elevation to the top of Fivemile Mountain. At 0.9 miles past the Fivemile Mountain summit is the Fivemile Mountain lean-to.
From the Deer Leap parking area, follow the trail to the intersection with the Tongue Mountain Range Trail at mile 0.6. Turn south at the intersection. The trail ascends 826 feet and 2.9 miles to the summit of Fivemile Mountain. At 0.9 miles before the Fivemile Mountain summit is the Fivemile Mountain lean-to.

Montcalm Point can be hiked as a loop or an out and back trip.

Northwest Bay Trail follows the shoreline extending 5.4 miles from the Northwest Bay Trailhead and Parking Area to Montcalm Point.
To hike as a loop, follow the Northwest Bay Trail to Montcalm Point. Then on the way back follow the Tongue Mountain Range Trail. The trail extends 6 miles following the ridge line and ascending 1,390 feet. At the intersection of Five Mile Point Trail, turn west and it will lead 2 miles back to the parking area.

Tongue Mountain Range Trail is about 10.8 miles and follows the Tongue Mountain ridgeline, connecting the Deer Leap trailhead to the Northwest Bay Trail near Montcalm Point.

Buttermilk Pond is accessed from the Lily Pond Road Parking Area. From the parking area, the trail extends 0.5 miles to the first intersection. Take the trail to the east. In another 0.1 mile, the trail splits again and both directions lead to Buttermilk Pond. The trail to the north extends 3.1 miles to Buttermilk Pond. The trail to the east extends 3.6 miles to Buttermilk Pond passing Duck and Round Ponds at mile 1.3.

Island Pond

From the south, access Island Pond starting at the Padanarum Road Parking Area. The trail extends 1.6 miles from the parking area to Island Pond. It ascends 120 feet in the first 0.2 miles then levels off. At mile 1.1 the trail passes Long Pond.
From the north, access Island Pond starting at the Lily Pond Road Parking Area. From the parking area, the trail extends 0.5 miles to the first intersection. Take the trail to the west. In another 0.2 miles, the trail splits again. Take the trail to the south. From there the trail extends 1.2 miles to Island Pond.

Wardsboro Road Trail (aka Fly Brook Trail) extends 5.6 miles from the Padanarum Road intersection to State Route 8. This trail crosses the Ti-Hague Easement. Please respect private property.

Black Mountain Summit

From the east, the Black Mountain Trail ascends 1,239 feet and 2.5 miles from the Pike Brook Road Parking Area to the summit.
For a 5.6-mile loop, follow the directions from the east. From the summit, continue on the trail as it descends for 1 mile and 880 feet elevation. Turn east onto the Black Mountain Pond Trail. Turn north at the intersection with the Millman Pond Trail. The trail passes Lapland Pond and a spur trail leading to a lean-to. Continue 1.1 miles to return to the Black Mountain Trail. The parking lot is 1.0 miles to the east of the intersection.

Black Mountain Point

From the Pike Brook Road Parking Area, the trail descends 1,240 feet and 4.9 miles to Black Mountain Point on Lake George. From the parking area, take Millman Pond Trail to the Black Mountain Pond Trail, which leads to Black Mountain Point on the shore of Lake George.
From the Shelving Rock Parking Area, take the Shelving Rock Mountain Trail to the Shelving Rock Shoreline Connector Trail to the Lake Shore Trail. Follow the Lake Shore Trail for 3.5 miles along the east shore of Lake George to Black Mountain Point. There are multiple picnic sites along the way.

Shelving Rock Mountain Trail - The trail ascends 610 feet and 1.7 miles to the top of Shelving Rock Mountain from the Shelving Rock Day Use Parking Area #4.

Sleeping Beauty Mountain - The trail ascends 1,038 feet and 2.1 miles from the Dacy Clearing Parking Area to the summit at 2,347 feet. From the parking area, follow the trail about half a mile to the first intersection, then turn right and continue the rest of the way to the summit.

Bumps Pond Trail - The trail ascends 850 feet and 1.6 miles from the Dacy Clearing Parking Area to Bumps Pond. From the parking area, follow the trail about half a mile to the first intersection, then turn left and continue the rest of the way to Bumps Pond.

Fishbrook Pond Trail - Follow the trail to Bumps Pond. From Bumps Pond, continue on the trail for 0.9 miles to Fishbrook Pond. You can also continue to Millman and Lapland Ponds by following the trail around Fishbrook Pond and continuing north.

Greenland Pond Trail - Follow the directions to Fishbrook Pond, then continue east 1.0 miles to Greenland Pond.

Prospect Mountain Trail - The trail starts from Smith Street in Lake George Village and ascends 1,570 feet and 1.7 miles to the top of Prospect Mountain in the Prospect Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway Day Use Area.

Buck Mountain

From the east, the Shelving Rock Road to Buck Mountain Trail ascends 1,100 feet from the Buck Mountain/Shelving Rock Road Parking Area to the summit at 2,334 feet.
From the west, the Buck Mountain Trail from the Buck Mountain/Pilot Knob Parking Area ascends 1,980 feet and 3.3 miles from the parking area to the summit at 2,334 feet. Keep north at the intersections.
Buck Mountain is also featured in DEC's Great Winter Hikes.

A view of the Bear Slide

Inman Pond Trail ascends 1,200 feet and 4.0 miles from the Buck Mountain/Pilot Knob Parking Area to the Inman Pond Parking Area. The trail intersects with the trails to Buck Mountain and Inman Pond.

Inman Pond Spur Trail - Follow the Inman Pond Trail from the Inman Pond Parking Area to the intersection at mile 0.5. At the intersection turn north onto the Inman Pond Spur Trail. The trail ascends 380 feet and 0.8 miles from the intersection to Inman Pond.

Bear Slide Trail is an accessible trail, extending from the Bear Slide Foot Trail Parking Area off Buttermilk Road to Gay Pond Road.

Pole Hill Pond - From the parking lot on 9N there are a series of three stacked loop trails, with the longest leading to Pole Hill Pond.

Cat Mountain and Thomas Mountain - These two mountains can be hiked as a loop or individually.

From the Edgecomb Pond Road parking area (Town of Bolton), follow the old road to the gate. Just past the gate, turn north at the intersection to connect to the Cat Mountain Trail. At the second intersection, turn west to reach Cat Mountain or continue north to reach Thomas Mountain.

From the Valley Woods Road parking area, the trail extends south to an intersection. Turn west to reach Thomas Mountain and continue along the loop to reach Cat Mountain. Continuing straight (south) will lead to another intersection to reach Cat Mountain.

Berry Pond - Access to this trail system is from the Village of Lake George's Recreation Center. Follow the blue trail markers through the Recreation Center's trail system. Once on Forest Preserve, the trail intersects with a snowmobile trail. Turn north at this intersection to reach the Berry Pond Loop Tail. Or, taking a sharp north turn just before this intersection will lead to a trail that follows a ridgeline before connecting to the Berry Pond Loop Trail.

Hudson River Nature Trails - From the parking area on Golf Course Road hikers can access several interconnected looping trails through the woods and along the Hudson River.

Camping

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

There are 63 designated primitive tent sites. Designated tent sites are located near:

Accessible campsite at Palmer Pond

Palmer Pond (4) - 2 accessible
Lily Pond (3)
Round Pond (2)
Buttermilk Pond (2)
Long Pond (2)
Island Pond (2)
Jabe Pond (5)
Deer Leap (2)
Inman Pond (3)
Black Mountain Ponds (1)
Lake Shore Trail (1)
Fishbrook Pond (1)
Bumps Pond (1)
Shelving Rock Special Management Area (13)
Hudson River Special Management Area (19)

In the Shelving Rock Special Management Area, camping is only allowed at the designated tent sites or more than 500 feet from the Shelving Rock and Dacy Clearing Roads. The "Pines" is a day-use only area in the Shelving Rock Special Management Area and is closed to camping.

There are also 8 lean-tos in the Lake George Wild Forest. The lean-tos are located at:

Along the Tongue Mountain Range Trail (2)
Black Mountain Ponds (1)
Millman Pond (1)
Lapland Pond (1)
Greenland Pond (1)
Fishbrook Pond (2)

In the Hudson River Special Management Area, overnight camping is allowed at designated campsites only. There are 19 campsites designated at various locations in the area. A "*" denotes sites that are being developed as universally-accessible sites. Some sites can be accessed by motor vehicle only by those with a permit through the Motorized Access Program for People With Disabilities (MAPPWD).

Site #1 and #2 - Scofield Flats - MAPPWD motor vehicle access
Site #3 and #4 - Pike's Beach - MAPPWD motor vehicle access
Site #5 - River Road, just south of Town Line parking area - direct motor vehicle access
Site #6 - Buttermilk Road, just south of Buttermilk Brook
Site #7 - Buttermilk Road, near the Pines Day Use Area
Site #8 - Buttermilk Road, west of Morton Mountain
Site #9 - Buttermilk Road, north of Morton Mountain
Site #10 - Intersection of Buttermilk Road and Gay Pond Road
Site #11 - Gay Pond Road
Site #12 - Gay Pond Road
Site #13 - Gay Pond Road
Site #14* - Gay Pond Road - MAPPWD motor vehicle access
Site #15 - Gay Pond South
Site #16 - Gay Pond Northeast
Site #17* - Bear Slide Road - MAPPWD motor vehicle access
Site #18* - Bear Slide Road - MAPPWD motor vehicle access
Site #19 - Chamberlain Farm Road (road closed for repairs, foot access only)

Accessible privies are located at accessible campsites.

In the Hudson River Special Management Area, camping is only allowed at the designated tent sites or more than 500 feet from the River Road, Buttermilk Road, and Gay Pond Road. The "Pines" is a day-use only area in the Hudson River Special Management Area and is closed to camping.

Campers who prefer more amenities may camp at several nearby DEC campgrounds.

Paddling

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

Paddling is allowed on all bodies of waters in the Lake George Wild Forest. The Hudson River Special Management Area has several hand launches for access to the river. Water bodies with official hand launches include the Hudson River, Jabe Pond, Long Pond, Lily Pond, and Lake George - Northwest Bay.

Boating

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

Lake George is a popular lake for boating. Lake George Wild Forest features docks along the east side of the lake at the Red Rock Bay Picnic Area and the East Point Picnic Area. Public boat launches are located at the southern end of Lake George at Lake George Beach (with parking for 200 cars and trailers) and at the northern end of Lake George at Mossy Point (with parking for 100 cars and trailers).

Picnicking

There is one picnic site on the Lake George Wild Forest located at the Alma Farm Picnic Area.

The Hudson River Special Management Area features one day-use picnic area, the Pines Day Use Area, which features accessible picnic tables and a privy.

Biking

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

Many of the trails in the Lake George Wild Forest are open to biking. The Shelving Rock area is a popular mountain biking destination. Some trails in the area have been labeled as intermediate to advanced by private outdoor organizations due to difficult terrain. These trails use a network of travel corridors ranging from roads to foot trails and provide a few loop options as well as spur trails for mountain bikers.

All trails and roads in the Hudson River Special Management Area are open to biking.

Fishing

General information on fishing includes fishing tips with links to seasons, rules and regulations.

Fishing is a popular activity on the Lake George Wild Forest. The Upper Hudson River, Schroon River, and Lake George are all popular bodies of water in the area for fishing. Additionally, many of the ponds in the area are stocked with trout.

The Hudson River Special Management Area features water access to the Upper Hudson River. Fish species found in this area of the Hudson include smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, sunfish, yellow perch, northern pike, chain pickerel, walleye, carp and channel catfish.

Please pay attention to Public Fishing Rights signs and property boundary signs. Do not trespass on other private lands or onto the conservation easement lands that do not provide public access rights.

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.

Help Protect Native Adirondack Fish; populations of brook trout, round whitefish and other native Adirondack fish species have severely declined due to introduced fish.

Hunting and Trapping

Wildlife Management Unit: 5G, 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.

Important big game species within the area include the white-tailed deer and black bear. Additional game mammals include coyote, raccoon, red fox, gray fox, long-tailed weasel, short-tailed weasel, bobcat, and snowshoe hare. These species (with the exception of white-tailed deer, black bear, and snowshoe hare) along with fisher, mink, muskrat, beaver, and river otter can also be trapped.

Game birds in the area include upland species such as turkey, ruffed grouse and woodcock, as well as a variety of waterfowl.

Snowmobiling

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

Snowmobiling is a popular activity within the wild forest. Miles of snowmobile trails exist in the Shelving Rock area, Prospect Mountain area, Hudson River Special Management Area, and the northwest portion of the wild forest in the vicinity of Padanarum Road and Lily Pond. The S42, S45, S46, S49, S49A, S49E, S49F, S49G, S49H, S83, S84, S88, S89 snowmobile trails cross the unit.

The Northern Warren Trailblazers (leaves DEC website), South Warren Snowmobile Club (leaves DEC website), Hague Sno-Goers (leaves DEC website), Northern Washington County Trail Blazers (leaves DEC website), and the Schroon Lake - North Hudson Snowmobile Club (leaves DEC website) are the local snowmobile clubs that groom many of the trails. Snowmobile trail maps are available from these clubs.

In the winter, Buttermilk Road (2.1 miles) and Gay Pond Road (3.8 miles) on the Hudson River Special Management Area are unplowed and used as snowmobile trails.

Cross-country Skiing and Snowshoeing

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

Horse mounting platform with accessible ramp and assistant's platform

Mounting platform at Upper Hogtown Rd.

Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are permitted on all hiking trails.

Horseback Riding

General information on horseback riding includes safety tips and rules and regulations.

Many of the trails in the Lake George Wild Forest are open to horseback riding. The Dacy Clearing and Upper Hogtown Road parking areas have equestrian mounting platforms. Portions of the Erebus, Fishbrook, Lake Shore, Longway, Red Rock Bay, Ridge, Shelving Rock, and Shortway trails are maintained for horseback riding.

Bear Slide Road and Gay Pond Road in the Hudson River Special Management Area are both open for horseback riding.

Wildlife

General information on animals includes links to information about birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians and insects that inhabit or migrate through the state.

Mounting platform at Dacy Clearing

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. Over 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.

Palmer Pond features two accessible primitive campsites with picnic tables and privies. The road beyond the gate is open to ATV's only by those with a permit through the Motorized Access Program for People with Disabilities (MAPPWD). Motor vehicles are not permitted beyond the gate.

Hague Brook features accessible parking with path to bridge. Located on State Route 8 in Hague.

The Lake George Horse Trails feature equestrian mounting platforms at Dacy Clearing and Upper Hogtown Road.

Hudson River Special Management Area

The bridge at Hague Brook

Several campsites are designated as accessible campsites. An accessible campsite includes firm stable-surfaced camping pads suitable for mobility devices of various sizes depending on location. Many also include accessible picnic tables and accessible fireplaces. At campsites 1-4, 14, 17 and 18, motor vehicles with a MAPPWD permit may drive past designated parking areas and park closer to these campsites.

The Pike's Beach, Scofield Flats, Bear Slide and Darling's Ford Access Roads are closed to public motor vehicle access. People with disabilities can obtain motorized access to these roads with a MAPPWD permit.

Note: The roads to the following areas are closed annually during the winter months. Call (518)-623-1200 to verify that the road is open to motor vehicles.

Bear Slide Road has two accessible campsites with privies, an accessible trail with parking and picnic tables. The road to this area is open to vehicles only by those with a MAPPWD permit.
Scofield Flats - The road to this area is open to vehicles only by those with a MAPPWD permit.
Pike's Beach - The road to this area is open to vehicles only by those with a MAPPWD permit.
Darling's Ford is a picnic area with accessible table and privy. The area includes a path to the water's edge on the Hudson River. The road to this area is open to vehicles only by those with a MAPPWD permit.
Gay Pond Road features an accessible pit privy and waterway access site on the Hudson River, plus there is an accessible campsite along the road and one on Gay Pond.

The wheelchair accessible
Bear Slide trail

Directions

There are multiple parking areas on the property that provide access to the trails and other recreational opportunities. All coordinates provided are in decimal degrees using NAD83/WGS84 datum.

Parking Areas on the East Side of Lake George

Pike Brook Road Parking Area is located on Pike Brook Road and provides access to the Black Mountain Trail. (43.611704°N, 73.493265°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
Inman Pond Parking Area provides access to Inman Pond and the Inman Pond Trail. (43.489081°N, 73.570163°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
Buck Mountain/Pilot Knob Parking Area is located off Pilot Knob Road and provides access to the Buck Mountain Trail. (43.509163°N, 73.630516°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
Upper Hogtown Parking Area is located on Shelving Rock Road and provides access to the campsites in the Shelving Rock day use area and numerous trails. (43.531435°N, 73.565655°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
Buck Mountain/Shelving Rock Road Parking Area is located on Shelving Rock Road and provides access to the campsites in the Shelving Rock day use area and numerous trails. (43.535697°N, 73.571191°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
Dacy Clearing Parking Area is located on Dacy Clearing Road off Shelving Rock Road and provides access to the campsites in the Shelving Rock day use area and numerous trails, including the Longway Trail and Sleeping Beauty Mountain Trail. (43.549448°N, 73.555871°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
Shelving Rock Day-Use Area Parking Areas #1 - #9 are located on Shelving Rock Road and provides access to Shelving Rock Brook, Shelving Rock Falls, Shelving Rock Bay and the Pines day use areas as well as numerous trails. (43.553027°N, 73.596460°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)

Parking Areas on the West Side of Lake George

Pole Hill Pond Parking Area is located on State Route 9N. (43.614886°N, 73.622636°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
Northwest Bay Parking Area is located on State Route 9N and provides access to the Northwest Bay hand launch and the Northwest Bay Trail. (43.626889°N, 73.607694°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
Clay Meadows Parking Area is located on State Route 9N near the Northwest Bay parking area and provides access to the Northwest Bay Trail. (43.629378°N, 73.608408°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
Deer Leap Parking Area is located on State Route 9N and provides access to the Deer Leap Trail. (43.661326°N, 73.544811°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
Padanarum Road Parking Area is located on Padanarum Road and provides access to the Long Pond Trail and Canoe Carry and the Long Pond hand launch. (43.663087°N, 73.662320°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
Lily Pond Parking Area is located on Lily Pond Road off State Route 8 and provides access to the Lily Pond hand launch and campsites. A high clearance vehicle is recommended. (43.704313°N, 73.667769°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
Jabe Pond Parking Area is located off Battle Hill Road and provides access to the Jabe Pond hand launch and campsites. (43.710955°N, 73.532004°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
Hague Brook Parking Area is an accessible lot located on State Route 8 with an accessible path to a bridge over Hague Brook. (43.749436°N, 73.504378°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)

Other Parking Areas

Palmer Pond Parking Area provides access to Palmer Pond and campsites. Once on Palmer Pond Road, the road ends at the parking area. (43.653412°N, 73.875802°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)

Hudson River Special Management Area Parking Areas (from north to south)

Gay Pond Road/Buttermilk Road Intersection Parking Area is located off River Road and provides access to the Buttermilk Road hand launch and campsites (43.417942°N, 73.879729°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
The Pines Parking Area is located off River Road and provides access to the Pines Picnic Area. (43.40304°N, 73.88190°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
Darling's Ford Accessible Parking Area is located off River Road and provides access to the Darling's Ford day use area and hand launch (43.40059°N, 73.88190°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
Bear Slide Foot Trail Parking Area is located off River Road and provides access to the accessible campsites on Bear Slide Road. (43.400904°N, 73.880106°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
Bear Slide Parking Area is located off River Road and provides access to the Bear Slide Road. (43.40229°N, 73.87355°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
Bear Slide Road Parking Areas are located on Bear Slide Road and provide access to the Bear Slide Road campsites and to the Bear Slide Trail. The road beyond the gate is open to motor vehicles only by those with a permit through the Motorized Access Program for People with Disabilities (MAPPWD) (43.39853°N, 73.88194°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
Town Line Parking Area is located off River Road and provides access to the Bear Slide Road campsites. (43.39814°N, 73.88228°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
Pike's Beach Parking Area is located off River Road and provides access to the Pike's Beach hand launch and campsites (43.34498°N, 73.85840°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
Scofield Flats Parking Area is located off River Road and provides access to the Scofield Flats hand launch and campsites (43.34196°N, 73.85522°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)

Hand Launches

Jabe Pond Hand Launch is near the Jabe Pond parking area (43.710174°N, 73.532346°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
Lily Pond Hand Launch is near the Lily Pond parking area (43.704141°N, 73.668468°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
Long Pond Hand Launch is accessed via a 1.1-mile canoe carry on the Long Pond Trail from the Padanarum Road parking area (43.676355°N, 73.655530°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
Northwest Bay Hand Launch is near the Northwest Bay parking area off State Route 9N (43.626448°N, 73.607340°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)

Hudson River Launches (from north to south)

Hudson River Hand Launch is located off Golf Course Road just north of Cronin's Golf Resort on the west side of the road. (43.515889°N, 73.811329°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
Buttermilk Road Hand Launch is located off River Road, 8.4 miles north of the intersection of River Road and State Route 44 in Lake Luzerne-Hadley (43.417492°N, 73.879711°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
Darling's Ford Hand Launch is located off River Road, 6.8 miles north of the intersection of River Road and State Route 44 in Lake Luzerne-Hadley (gravel path to water with slope <10%) (43.400389°N, 73.8827°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
Pike's Beach Hand Launch is located off River Road, 2.4 miles north of the intersection of River Road and State Route 44 in Lake Luzerne-Hadley (43.346023°N, 73.863676°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
Scofield Flats Hand Launch is located on River Road, 2.2 miles north of the intersection of River Road and State Route 44 in Lake Luzerne-Hadley (43.341409°N, 73.855599°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
Hudson River Hand Launch is located on River Road, 0.8 miles north of the intersection of River Road and State Route 44 in Lake Luzerne-Hadley. (43.325455°N, 73.852978°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 with other backcountry users.

All users of Lake George 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 for the Shelving Rock and Hudson River Special Management Areas

Camping is only allowed at the designated campsites or more than 500 feet from roads.
Camping and fires are only permitted at designated sites.

Planning and Management

The Black Mountain region of the Lake George Wild Forest is managed in accordance with a 1986 Unit Management Plan (UMP) (PDF). In addition to management objectives, the UMP contains detailed information on natural features, recreational infrastructure, geology, natural and human history, habitats, wildlife, fisheries and much more. The Black Mountain UMP was amended in 1993 (PDF) to designate bicycle trails.

DEC is developing a UMP for the entire Lake George Wild Forest which will describe the proposed management activities for the entire unit.

Hall Hill Road, Hilderbrandt Road and Veile Pond Road are all managed in accordance with the 2011 Interim Recreation Management Plan (PDF). This plan was put in place for the existing snowmobile trails that were under lease in order to stay open when NYS purchased the recreation rights.

The Horicon Boat Launch is managed in accordance with the 2016 Horicon Boat Launch UMP (PDF).

Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities & Other Information

State Lands and Facilities

Gas can be found in the nearby communities of Bolton Landing, Chestertown, Hague, Lake George, Lake Luzerne, North Creek, Ticonderoga, and Warrensburg.
Food and other supplies can be found in the nearby communities of Bolton Landing, Chestertown, Hague, Lake George, Lake Luzerne, North Creek, Ticonderoga, and Warrensburg.
Dining opportunities can be found in the nearby communities of Bolton Landing, Chestertown, Hague, Lake George, Lake Luzerne, North Creek, Ticonderoga, and Warrensburg.
Lodging can be found in the nearby communities of Bolton Landing, Chestertown, Hague, Lake George, Lake Luzerne, North Creek, Ticonderoga, and Warrensburg.

Adirondack Regional Tourism Council (leaves DEC website), Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce (leaves DEC website), and Lake George 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.

Department of Environmental Conservation

Lake George Wild Forest