The following are the most recent notices pertaining to public lands in the Adirondacks. Please check the Adirondack Backcountry Information webpages for comprehensive and up-to-date information on seasonal road statuses, rock climbing closures, specific trail conditions, and other pertinent information.

Essex County: The New York State Department of Transportation has advised that a portion of State Route 73 in the Town of Keene, Essex County, will be reduced to a single lane with alternating flows of traffic controlled by flaggers on weekdays between the hours of 6 a.m. and 5 p.m., beginning Tuesday, July 27, to facilitate a paving project. The lane reduction will start approximately two miles north of the intersection with U.S. Route 9 and continue to the northern intersection with Airport Road. Work is scheduled to be completed by the end of August, weather permitting.

Grass River Conservation Easement: Please use caution when driving on the Pleasant Lake Access Road. Logging trucks are actively using the road.

Port Henry Boat Launch to Close July 30

DEC staff will be conducting maintenance at the Port Henry boat launch on July 30. The boat launch will be closed for the day. DEC Operations staff will be fixing a deep pit that formed at the end of the boat launch ramp, known as a power loading hole. Power loading holes happen when a person forcefully drives a boat onto or off a trailer, creating significant propeller wash that erodes the lakebed. These holes are not always visible from the surface and can be dangerous to boaters and damage boats and trailers.

To avoid creating power loading holes or sustaining damage from them, boaters should:

• Always check the end of the ramp for holes and mounds before launching, especially in low water level conditions.
• Use slightly more than idle speed to load or unload your boat to avoid creating power loading holes; and
• Use trailer winch to load and unload instead of power loading.

Learn more about boat launch sites (PDF).

General Notices

Visit the main Adirondack Backcountry Information page for more trip-planning resources, including travel information, weather resources, and seasonally-specific information about Adirondack recreation.

High Water Warning: Frequent and heavy rains have swollen waterways throughout the region. Several trails, campgrounds, and popular water recreation areas are experiencing flooding. Be cautious in and around areas of high water. Do not attempt to cross high, fast-moving rivers or streams without a bridge. Exercise extreme caution when paddling or swimming in moving water. Wear a properly fitted personal flotation device (life jacket) when paddling and boating, and be careful entering and exiting the vessel. If you are camping near water, be prepared to move if waters begin to rise. Do not drive through flood waters.

Wet and Muddy Trails: Following recent rain, trails are likely to be muddy. Wear waterproof shoes and walk through mud, not around it, to help protect fragile trail edges. Gaiters help keep feet dry and trekking poles provide added stability. Use caution at stream crossings where water is high and fast-moving. If water levels are too high, do not attempt a crossing. Mountain bikers are encouraged to avoid riding in muddy and wet conditions as biking on wet trails can significantly contribute to erosion and trail widening. As with hiking, ride through the center of the trail to avoid impacting trailside soils and plants.

Fire Danger:

• Adirondack Park – Low
• Champlain Region – Low
• Check the fire rating map for daily updates.

No Overnight Camping at Trailheads: DEC is receiving increased reports of people camping at trailheads in the Adirondacks. Please note that overnight camping is not permitted at trailheads or other roadside locations where a camping disc is not present. This includes individuals sleeping in cars, vans and campers. Campers should seek out designated roadside campsites marked with a camp here disc or campgrounds. When camping, always carry out what you carry in and dispose of trash properly. Use designated bathroom facilities, pack out human and pet waste, or dig a cat hole.

Water Conditions: Water levels throughout the Adirondack region range from average to high throughout the region. Check the USGS Current Water Data for New York for stream flow of selected waters. Water temperatures are still cold in many places. Personal flotation devices (PFDs aka lifejackets) are strongly recommended to be worn by all anglers, boaters, and paddlers. Where bridges are not available, do not attempt stream crossings during periods of high, fast moving water.

Ticks: Wear light-colored clothing with a tight weave to spot ticks easily. Wear enclosed shoes, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. Tuck pant legs into socks or boots and shirt into pants. Check clothes and any exposed skin frequently for ticks while outdoors. Consider using insect repellent. Stay on cleared, well-traveled trails, and walk in the center of trails. Avoid dense woods and bushy areas. Additional tips for tick prevention.

Bear Canisters Required: NYSDEC requires the use of bear-resistant canisters by overnight users in the Eastern High Peaks Wilderness between April 1 And November 30. NYSDEC encourages campers to use bear-resistant canisters throughout the Adirondack backcountry. Bear canisters should be used to store all food, food garbage, toiletries, and other items with a scent. Canisters should be stored a minimum of 100ft from tents, lean-tos and cooking sites and kept closed whenever they are not being accessed. Learn more about bear canisters and avoiding human-bear conflicts.

Adirondack Rock Climbing Closures: DEC closes certain rock climbing routes in the Adirondacks to protect nesting peregrine falcons. For a full list of closures, visit Adirondack Rock Climbing Route Closures. Once peregrine nest sites are determined, climbing routes that will not disturb nesting will be reopened. Routes that remain closed will reopen after the young have fledged. Thank you for your cooperation. For more information please contact the Bureau of Wildlife at (518) 623-1240.

Prospect Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway is now open for the 2021 season. Please note the shuttle to the summit of Prospect Mountain is not available at this time. Until shuttles become available, admission fees will not be charged to access the highway. The accessible parking at the summit is currently under construction. Limited accessible parking spots will continue to be available during construction, but temporary closures of some areas may occur. Call (518) 668-5198 for current accessibility information.

Upper Works Trailhead: Visitor parking at the Upper Works trailhead transitioned to a new lot on Friday, June 18. The new lot is adjacent to MacNaughton cottage approximately one tenth of a mile before the old lot on Upper Works Road. The lot is located on land owned by the Open Space Institute. Parking at the old lot is no longer permitted.

Baxter Mountain Trailhead: The trailhead sign for the Baxter Mountain trailhead on Route 9N in Keene has been stolen. DEC is working to replace the sign.

NYSDEC & AMR Pilot Reservation System: A no-cost pilot reservation system is now in effect at the Adirondack Mountain Reserve (AMR). The pilot program addresses public safety at a heavily traveled stretch on Route 73 in the town of Keene. AMR is a privately owned 7,000-acre land parcel that allows for limited public access through a conservation easement agreement with DEC. The pilot reservation system does not apply to other areas in the Adirondack Park. No-cost reservations are required May 1 through Oct. 31, 2021 for parking, daily access, and overnight access to trails through the AMR gate and the Noonmark and Round Mountain trailheads accessed through the AMR property. Reservations are available for dates a maximum of two weeks out. Walk-in users without a reservation will not be permitted. For a complete FAQ list, and to make a reservation, please visit hikeamr.org.