The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has opened several roads in time for the Northern Zone regular big game hunting season.

The roads provide motor vehicle access to thousands of acres of land open for hunting, including several roads opened to the public for the first time this year. 

Camp Six Road, Essex Chain Lakes

A gate along the Drakes Mill Road is open allowing hunters and others to access 1.0 mile of the Camp Six Road (accessed from Newcomb via the Goodnow Flow Road) by motor vehicle. A parking area at the end of the section and four designated campsites along the road will be accessible by motor vehicle through the end of the regular big game hunting season – December 7.  Four wheel drive, high clearance vehicles strongly recommended.

Fifth Lake Road, Essex Chain Lakes

Also, DEC and the Student Conservation Association have completed the construction of motor vehicle, camping and waterway access for people with disabilities at Fifth Lake of the Essex Chain Lakes, accessed from Newcomb, NY. This is open for holders of a DEC Motorized Access Permit for People with Disabilities (MAPPWD). Visitors must call the Adirondack Interpretive Center in Newcomb (518.582.2000) to reserve a parking space.

O’Neill Flow Road, Township 19 Tract

The portion of the O’Neill Flow Road open to public motor vehicles has been extended to the gate at Dun Brook – do not drive past the gate (a map is available online). Four wheel drive trucks, SUVs and other high axle vehicles are recommended. Expect to encounter logging trucks on the road. Drive slowly, be observant and cautious. Logging trucks do not have the ability to slow down quickly. Access and parking are only available on the south side of the road – the right side as you drive in. Please respect private property on the north side and do not trespass. Non-motorized uses (hunting, fishing, trapping, hiking, biking, etc.) are allowed on the lands south of the road only.

Minerva Club Road, Township 20

Construction of a roadway, parking area and trail which provide access for paddlers to the County Line Flow on the Township 20 Tract is complete and open for public use. Do not go on shore at County Line Flow.  Also, the Minerva Club Road, off State Route 28N between Long Lake and Newcomb has been opened to the gate at Sixmile Brook. The lands are owned by Upper Hudson Woodlands ATP.

The public use area is from the Minerva Club road west and north of Sixmile Brook and abuts Blue Mountain Wild Forest. Non-motorized uses allowed on entire tract include hunting, fishing, hiking and biking. Visitors are asked to please respect private property and not to pass the gate or cross Sixmile Brook.

Lake Desolation Road, Wilcox Lake Wild Forest

The Lake Desolation Road Conservation Easement in located in the town of Greenfield, north of Lake Desolation.  The lands are owned by Upper Hudson Woodlands ATP and are approximately 2,128 acres in size.

The tract borders Lake Desolation State Forest and Wilcox Lake Wild Forest.  Additional nearby state lands include Daketown State Forest and Middle Grove State Forests.

Access is from Lake Desolation Road; roads from the other side are very rough and impassible. The tract can also be accessed by a car-top boat launch at Archer Vly.  Two primitive tent sites have been established on Archer Vly.  Backcountry camping is permitted but the same rules for state land apply.  Camp sites must be 150 feet of any waterbody, road or trail. Camping for more than 3 days requires a permit.

Non-motorized uses allowed on entire tract include hunting, fishing, hiking, biking, etc. ATV use is not permitted. No vehicles are permitted past gates or signs. Please respect private property; several inholdings are throughout the property.