Lewis Preserve Wildlife Management Area

Open for Recreation: Year-round
Fee: Free
Contact Information:
- DEC Region 5 Ray Brook Office (M-F, 8:30AM - 4:45PM), (518) 897-1291; 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 Altona, Clinton County
Wildlife Management Unit: 5C
Map: Lewis Preserve WMA Map (PDF) || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator

The primary purposes of Lewis Preserve Wildlife Management Area (WMA) are for wildlife management, wildlife habitat management, and wildlife-dependent recreation. This WMA is a 1,356 acre parcel. In 1987, with great generosity and foresight, Dr. and Mrs. Revis Lewis made a gift of land to the Adirondack Nature Conservancy. Following an intensive ecological evaluation and with the approval of Dr. Lewis, the Adirondack Nature Conservancy donated the property to New York State as a Wildlife Management Area. The Lewis Preserve WMA offers a unique mix of abandoned farm fields and second growth forest. The area is located east of the Alder Bend Road between Terrien Road on the north and Jerusalem Road on the south.

The entire area is upland, except for limited wet areas and beaver flows along several brooks. There are several open fields along Jerusalem Road on the south boundary, and several more at the north end. The southern portion of the area, except for the fields, is predominantly second growth forest with aspen, birch, spruce, and balsam fir. There are a few northern hardwood areas of yellow birch, hard maple, white ash, and beech with some soft maple, hemlock, and white cedar along moist stream corridors. The north portion, except for the stream corridors, is overgrown pasture land dominated by aspen, white birch, and apple trees. Stone fences are noticeable throughout the woods.

Featured Activities

Hiking

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

Please stay on the designated trails to protect the diversity and richness of the plant communities found within this area.

Hunting and Trapping

Wildlife Management Unit: 5C

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

Grouse, white-tailed deer, and black bear entice hunters to Lewis Preserve while beaver, mink, and fisher attract the interest of trappers. Please be sure to abide by all game laws (view hunting seasons and trapping seasons).

Fishing

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

Three major streams flow through the area, providing 2.5 miles of top quality fishing. The Great Chazy River forms much of the western boundary, with King Brook and Brandy Brook flowing into the river from the south. All three streams offer excellent trout habitat, with wild brown trout and native brook trout known to be present. A short side trail has been developed that meanders through primitive charcoal kilns on its way to the outlet of King Brook.

Wildlife

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

Nest boxes for bluebirds have been erected along the edges of open areas. Moose tracks were observed in 1996. Use the Wildlife Management Area Vertebrate Checklist (PDF) and the Wildlife Management Area Bird Checklist (PDF) as wildlife viewing guides.

Directions

From the north: Take State Route 190 to Alder Bend Road.

Take Alder Bend Road south 2.6 miles to Terrien Road. Turn left onto Terrien Road and take it 0.7 miles to a parking area and yellow gate at its end (44.83916°N, 73.717°W) - Get Google Map Driving Directions (leaves DEC website)
Take the Alder Bend Road south 5.4 miles to Jerusalem Road. Turn left onto Jerusalem Road. Three parking areas are located on Jerusalem Road (44.8083°N, 73.74067°W) - Get Google Map Driving Directions (leaves DEC website)
- The first parking area is on the left 0.2 mile from Alder Bend Road;
- The second parking area is on the left 0.4 mile from Alder Bend Road and
- The third parking area is a grassy area next to a large DEC sign 0.7 mile from Alder Bend Road.

From the south: Take State Route 374 to Plank Road (County Route 8). Take Plank Road north 2.3 miles to Alder Bend Road.

Take the Alder Bend Road north 4.6 miles to Terrien Road. See above for distance and Google link.
Take Alder Bend Road north 1.8 miles to Jerusalem Road. Turn right onto Jerusalem Road. Three parking areas are located on Jerusalem Road. See above for distance to parking areas and Google link.

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

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 with other users.

All users of Lewis Preserve Wildlife Management Area must follow all Wildlife Management Area Regulations and should follow all Outdoor Safety Practices for the safety of the user and protection of the resource.

Activity Rules & Regulations

Wildlife Management Area Regulations (PDF) - updated in 2022
Hunting Regulations
Trapping Regulations
Fishing Regulations

Outdoor Safety Tips

NOTE: Ticks are active whenever temperatures are above freezing, but especially so in the late spring and early fall. Deer ticks can transmit Lyme and several other diseases. More information on deer ticks and Lyme disease can be obtained from the NYS Department of Health (leaves DEC website).

How We Manage Lewis Preserve Wildlife Management Area

Like most of the state's Wildlife Management Areas, Lewis Preserve WMA is managed by DEC's Division of Fish and Wildlife for wildlife conservation and wildlife-associated recreation (hunting, trapping, wildlife viewing, and photography). Funding to maintain and manage this site is provided by the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration or "Pittman-Robertson" Act, which is acquired through excise taxes on sporting arms, ammunition, and archery equipment.

Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities & Other Information

Web links below can provide information about other recreation, attractions, and amenities in this area.

Gas, food and supplies, and dining are available in the nearby communities Ellenburg, Altona, Dannemora, and Plattsburgh. Lodging is available in Plattsburgh.

The Adirondack Coast (leaves DEC website)
Adirondack Regional Tourism Council (leaves DEC website)

State Lands and Facilities

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