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 This bulletin provides only the most recent notices. Check the Adirondack Backcountry Information webpages for more detailed information on access, outdoor recreation infrastructure, and conditions.
Emergency Situations: If you get lost or injured; keep calm and stay put. If you have cell service, call 911 or the DEC Forest Ranger Emergency Dispatch, 833-NYS-RANGERS.
Welcome to the Adirondacks. The Welcome to the Adirondacks webpage is the place to go if you are interested in learning more about the Adirondacks. It provides information about the Forest Preserve, conservation easement lands, outdoor recreation, and Leave No Trace.
Love Our NY Lands: All New Yorkers and visitors should be able to access, enjoy, and feel welcome on state lands. These lands belong to all of us, our families, and our neighbors. While enjoying these shared spaces, be respectful of other visitors. Share trails, treat people with kindness, and leave things as you found them for others to enjoy. All of us have a responsibility to protect State lands for future generations. Learn more about how you can Love Our NY Lands.
@NYSDECAlerts: Follow @NYSDECAlerts on Twitter for real-time updates to help you prepare. @NYSDECAlerts provides updates for DEC-managed lands throughout New York State, including the Adirondacks.
Recreation Highlight: Accessible Recreation
All visitors are welcome to explore outdoor recreation on New York’s state lands and DEC is committed to providing an ever-increasing range of accessible opportunities. To find DEC land or facilities in the Adirondacks that offer recreational opportunities for people with disabilities, visit the Accessible Recreation Destinations page on DEC’s website.
With a list of destinations by county you can find opportunities for accessible camping, picnicking, fishing, boating, hiking, and nature viewing. Explore options in the Eastern Adirondacks/Lake Champlain and Western Adirondacks.
If you have questions or need more information, DEC’s ADA Accessibility Coordinators are always happy to help. DEC also offers the Motorized Access Program for People with Disabilities, which offers permits for use of motorized vehicles by persons with disabilities on specified DEC trails, and the Case by Case Accommodation Program for Power-driven Mobility Devices.
Recent Notices
The following are the most recent notices pertaining to public lands in the Adirondacks. Please check the Adirondack Backcountry Information web pages for comprehensive and up-to-date information on seasonal road statuses, rock climbing closures, specific trail conditions, and other pertinent information.
NEW:
Otter Creek Horse Trails: The Otter Creek Horse Trail assembly area water is off. The facility remains open for day use and overnight camping.
Siamese Pond Wilderness: A bridge closure on the Botheration Pond Trail will prevent users from completing the Botheration Loop. The bridge has been roped off, please do not attempt to use it.
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.
Check the Weather: Check the forecast for your destination and pack and plan accordingly. Check the National Weather Service Northern Adirondacks and Southern Adirondacks Mountain Point Forecasts for select summit forecasts. Check both daytime and nighttime temperatures and remember that temperatures will drop as you gain elevation. Check wind chill temperatures and prepare for colder, windier summits.
Winter Conditions: Winter conditions are starting to appear throughout the Adirondacks, with snow and ice present on high summits. Be prepared with warm, waterproof layers, extra layers, and proper gear for snow and ice, including microspikes and crampons.
Water Conditions: Water levels throughout the Adirondack region range from average to significantly above average. Check the USGS Current Water Data for New York for stream flow of selected waters. 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.
Wet and Muddy Trails: 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. 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.
Sharing the Woods During Hunting Season: Hunting and trapping seasons are underway throughout New York State. Recreationists and hunters alike have a responsibility to keep each other safe during hunting seasons. Dress in bright colors such as hunter orange, put bright colors and bells on pets and equipment, and keep pets leashed to discourage roaming. Interfering with or harassing hunters or trappers is illegal. Visit DEC’s website for more safety tips.
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.
Ticks: Ticks may still be present despite colder temperatures. Wear light-colored clothing with a tight weave to spot ticks easily. 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.
Safety & Education
Fall recreation is fun and exciting. It can also be challenging and dangerous. Whether you’re going for a hike, a bike, a paddle, or fishing, Hike Smart NY can help you prepare with a list of 10 essentials, guidance on what to wear, and tips for planning your trip with safety and sustainability in mind.
Update Your Packing List for Winter
With winter weather becoming more prominent in the forecast and the mountains, it’s time to update the contents of your hiking pack to prepare for the upcoming season. Before your next adventure, refresh your hiking essentials to include:
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Navigation: Map, compass, GPS system, extra batteries
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Insulation: Waterproof/windproof jacket, hat, face mask, goggles, gloves, thermals, wool socks – wear layers and pack extra
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Gear: Snowshoes, traction devices (microspikes and crampons), gaiters, insulated/waterproof boots, trekking poles
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Light: Headlamp, flashlight, lanterns, extra batteries
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First Aid Supplies: Pre-made kit or build your own
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Emergency Kit: Whistle, signal mirror, flare, duct tape, pocket knife/multi-tool
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Fire: Matches in a waterproof container, lighter, fire starters
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Nutrition: High-protein/high-calorie – pack extra, break into small pieces, pack in the center of the bag to avoid freezing
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Water: Plenty of water, a water filtration system, insulators on tubing – pack in the center of the bag to avoid freezing
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Emergency Shelter: Space blanket, tent, bivy sack, rope/paracord
Leave No Trace
Follow the Seven Principles of Leave No Trace to maintain minimal impact on the environment and the natural resources of the Adirondacks. Use proper trail etiquette to ensure an enjoyable experience for yourself and others and tread lightly!
The Truth About Tree Carving
We’ve all seen them – the trees into which a couple in love carved their initials or a reminder that so-and-so was here on some past date. Not only are these messages etched in bark distracting to the nature experience, but they can also negatively impact the trees themselves.
According to Leave No Trace’s article, What Happens When We Carve Into Trees, “In extreme cases, carving or other bark damage can cause the tree to starve to death due to this cellular disruption. Many trees are actually linked together underground by fungal networks and diseases can spread from one carved on a tree to others that may not have been directly affected.”
To learn more about the impacts tree carving can have on the forest, read the full article.
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