Backcountry Information for the Northeastern Adirondacks
Updated: April 18, 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 current National Weather Service (NWS) Forecast (leaves DEC website) and 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).
DEC Adventure Adirondacks: Visit the DEC Facebook page (leaves DEC website) to follow the DEC Adventure Adirondacks Group for more information on winter hiking safety, preparedness, trail conditions, and trip ideas. Login to join the group
Adirondack Backcountry Information: Be sure to check Adirondack Backcountry Information main web page for important general notices and information which applies across the Adirondacks.
Specific Notices
Ausable Marsh Wildlife Management Area
- The Ausable Marsh Wildlife Management Area web page provides information about the unit and its recreational opportunities, and a map of the unit
- The gate has been closed due to flooding on the road. This WMA sets on the shores of Lake Champlain in northeast corner of the Adirondacks. (3/21)
Kings Bay Wildlife Management Area
- The Kings Bay Wildlife Management Area web page provides information about the unit and its recreational opportunities, and a map of the unit
- The gates for the road to Catfish Bay are closed due to muddy conditions. This WMA sets on the shores of Lake Champlain north of the Adirondacks. (3/21)
Chazy Highlands Wild Forest
- The Chazy Highlands Wild Forest web page 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 web page provides information about the unit and its recreational opportunities, and a map of the unit.
- Nothing to report.
Sable Highlands Conservation Easement Lands
- The Sable Highlands Conservation Easement Lands web page provides information about the unit and its recreational opportunities, and maps of the unit.
- The gate on Barnes Pond Road is closed until the 2019 Big Game Hunting Season. Hikers and skiers may still use the road to access the six campsites along the road. (2019)
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 web page 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 is closed for mud season. (4/18)
- All rock climbing routes on the Main Face of Poke-o-Moonshine Mountain are closed to protect peregrine falcon nest sites except the routes between and including Opposition and Womb with a View, as described on pages 39-45 of Adirondack Rock - A Rock Climber's Guide. (4/1)
- Student Conservation Association Adirondack Corps recently completed a reroute of the Catamount Mountain Trail near the summit. The reroute includes a ladder and rock staircase. (2018)
Wilmington Wild Forest
- The Wilmington Wild Forest web page 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)
