Backcountry Information for the Northeastern Adirondacks
Updated: December 5, 2019
General Notices
WARNING: Backcountry conditions can change suddenly. All users should plan accordingly, including bringing flashlight, first aid equipment, extra food and clothing. Weather conditions may alter your plans; you should always be prepared to spend an unplanned night in the woods before entering the back country. Back country hiking trails can be rugged and rough - they are not maintained as park walkways - wear proper footwear!
Practice Leave No Trace: Please abide by the Seven Principles of Leave No Trace (leaves DEC's website) when recreating in the Adirondacks.
Weather forecasts and conditions can and do change quickly.
- Check the National Weather Service (NWS) Forecast (leaves DEC website) for updated notices and current conditions and forecasts. Be prepared for the forecasted conditions or to change your plans.
- NY Mesonow (leaves DEC website) has two dozen stations in and just outside of Adirondacks that provide real time weather data and forecasts. Travel: Check NY511 for road closures and conditions (leaves DEC website).
Travel: Check NY511 for road closures and conditions (leaves DEC website).
Adirondack Backcountry Information: Be sure to check Adirondack Backcountry Information main webpage for important general notices and information which applies across the Adirondacks.
Specific Notices
Ausable Marsh Wildlife Management Area
- The Ausable Marsh Wildlife Management Area webpage provides information about the unit and its recreational opportunities, and a map of the unit
Kings Bay Wildlife Management Area
- The Kings Bay Wildlife Management Area webpage provides information about the unit and its recreational opportunities, and a map of the unit
- Waters have receded and the Catfish Bay Parking Area is open. This WMA sets on the shores of Lake Champlain north of the Adirondacks. (2019)
- Catfish Bay Road is closed to motor vehicle use for the season. It will reopen when the bay freezes over in the winter. (2019)
Chazy Highlands Wild Forest
- The Chazy Highlands Wild Forest webpage provides information about the unit and its recreational opportunities, and a map of the unit.
- Nothing to report.
Lake Champlain Islands
- The Lake Champlain Islands Complex webpage provides information about the unit and its recreational opportunities, and a map of the unit.
- Nothing to report.
Sable Highlands Conservation Easement Tract
- The Sable Highlands Conservation Easement Lands webpage provides information about the unit and its recreational opportunities, and maps of the unit.
Taylor Pond Complex (Taylor Pond Wild Forest, Terry Mountain State Forest, Burnt Hill State Forest, Franklin Falls Easement Tract, Shell Rock Easement Tract, and Black Brook Easement Tract)
- The Taylor Pond Complex webpage provides information about the unit and its recreational opportunities, and maps of the unit.
- The Northern Forest Canoe Trail (NFCT) (leaves DEC website) links the waterways of New York, Vermont, Québec, New Hampshire and Maine and follows the Saranac River through this area.
- Terry Mountain Road in the Terry Mountain State Forest remains closed. (2019)
Wilmington Wild Forest
- The Wilmington Wild Forest webpage provides information about the unit and its recreational opportunities, and a map of the unit.
- The outlet of Cooper Kiln Pond is flooded by beaver activity. (2009)
