Including Cranberry Lake Wild Forest and the Conifer-Emporium and Massawepie Conservation Easement Tracts

- Open for Recreation: Generally year-round, except on the Massawepie Easement; please see Special Rules below for restrictions. Please respect posted and informational signs.
- Fee: Free
- Contact Information:
- DEC Region 6 Potsdam Office (M-F, 8:00AM - 4:30PM), 315-265-3090; [email protected]
- Search, rescue, wildfire, and enforcement matters: 911 or 1-833-NYS-RANGERS (1-833-697-7264)
A local Forest Ranger is a valuable source of information for the state land you would like to visit.
- Location: Towns of Fine, Clifton, Colton and Piercefield, St. Lawrence County
- Wildlife Management Unit: 6F and 6J
- Map: View Cranberry Lake Complex Overview Map (GeoPDF) || View Cranberry Lake Complex East Map (GeoPDF) || View Cranberry Lake Complex West Map (GeoPDF) - GeoPDF Instructions || Massawepie Conservation Easement Tract (PDF) || Conifer Emporium Conservation Easement Tract (PDF) || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator
The Cranberry Lake Complex includes almost 50,000 acres of Adirondack Forest Preserve and Conservation Easement Lands within the Adirondack Park. The complex is comprised of:
- Cranberry Lake Wild Forest
- Conifer-Emporium Conservation Easement
- Massawepie Conservation Easement
This 25,671-acre Cranberry Lake Wild Forest consists of four separate parcels to the west, northwest, and east of Cranberry Lake. It contains 6.2 miles of administrative roads, 26.9 miles of foot trails, 9.3 miles of snowmobile trails, 12.6 miles of ski trails, a 0.4-mile canoe carry, and three Adirondack lean-tos. Generally, the trails in this forest are more easily traveled than those in the wilderness to the south.
Cranberry Lake covers 11 square miles and has 55 miles of shoreline, of which more than 40 miles are state-owned. The original lake doubled to its current size in 1867 with the construction of a log crib dam for flow, navigation, and hydraulic power control. A concrete dam replaced the crib in 1916.
The conservation easement lands are private property with an easement held by the DEC on behalf of the people of New York State. Conservation easements allow the forests to remain working forests while also providing public recreation opportunities. Public use is limited, however. Please respect posted signs. For more information about DEC's Conservation Easement Program or public recreational opportunities on the conservation easement lands, contact DEC's Potsdam Office at (315) 265-3090.
The Conifer-Emporium Conservation Easement (CE) encompasses nearly 20,000 acres over 7 separate tracts in the towns of Clifton, Colton, and Piercefield. It features a trail to the summit of the Mt. Arab fire tower as well as opportunities for mountain biking and exploration on foot or horseback. Easements can be complicated; see Special Rules for use of this property.
The 3,048-acre Massawepie Conservation Easement features opportunities for outdoor recreation on both land and water. This Scout camp is located on Route 3 and allows public access from September 1 - June 14 each year. Public recreation is only allowed outside the Basecamp area (south of the developed area of the camp) and the Camp Forester area. There are hiking trails and a boat launch (car top only) on this property. Easements can be complicated; see Special Rules for use of this property.