Ferris Lake Wild Forest

General information on hiking includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.

Ferris Lake Wild Forest features more than 100 miles of foot, multiple use, and snowmobile trails open to hiking and other recreational opportunities.

G Lake Trail extends 0.5 miles from the G Lake Road Parking Area to the southeast shore of G Lake.

South Branch Trail extends 2.7 miles from the intersections of the Mountain Home Extension and Pine Lake Road to the South Branch of the West Canada Creek.

Fort Noble Trail extends 0.4 miles from NY Route 8 to the South Branch West Canada Creek.

Goldmine Stream Trail extends 1.3 miles from Powley-Piseco Road to Goldmine Stream Falls.

Good Luck Lake Trail extends 0.5 miles from NY Route 10 to Good Luck Lake. The trail provides access to several designated campsites.

Good Luck Cliffs Trail extends 3.9 miles from NY Route 10 to Good Luck Cliffs. This trail has an access point at the highway parking area and utilizes 2.9 miles of snowmobile trails to reach the junction of the cliffs trail. The trail is marked with blue "foot trail" discs, but few markers are placed on the final steep climb and the path to the open ledge area with views.

DeBraine Lake-Trout Lake Trail extends 0.7 miles from Farm Road to DeBraine Lake. From DeBraine Lake an unmarked path continues 1.4 miles to Trout Lake.

Jockeybush Lake Trail extends 1.2 miles from NY Route 10 to Jockeybush Lake. The trail passes a series of small waterfalls and provides several scenic views. It is marked with blue "foot trail" discs.

Big Alderbed Trail extends 2.6 miles from Powley-Piseco Road to Big Alderbed Lake.

Panther Mountain/Echo Cliff Trail extends 0.8 miles from County Route 24 to Echo Cliffs. It is a popular short climb that yields excellent views. The trail is marked with blue "foot trail" discs.

In addition to the trails described above, the snowmobile trails in the unit are also open to hiking. Snowmobile trail connections rely on frozen ground conditions and some areas may not be suitable for spring/summer/fall use. Contact Northville DEC (518) 863-4545 ext. 3005 for trail conditions.

General information on primitive camping includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.

Primitive camping is a popular activity in the Ferris Lake Wild Forest. The area features 97 designated primitive campsites. Popular camping locations within the unit can be separated into two different types of sites. The more primitive interior tent sites are less developed and may be identified with a "camp here" yellow disc. Facilities on these sites are often minimal, accommodating up to three tents and groups up to nine without a permit. The roadside sites have a more developed character and are identified by a specific site number.

Backcountry Campsites (designated with a yellow "camp here" disc)

• West Lake (1)
• Sand Lake (1)
• Mud Lake (1)
• East Canada Creek (1) located north of potholers
• Long Lake (1)
• Broomstick Lake (2)
• Third Lake (2)
• Lily Lake (4)
• Waters Millpond (2)
• Big Bay (3)
• Jockeybush Lake (3)
• Spectacle Lake (5)
• G Lake (4)
• Good Luck Lake (6)
• Nine Corner Lake (5)
• Mountain Home Road Extension (Mad Tom Brook) (1)

Roadside Campsites (Accommodates vehicle parking)

• Edick Road (2)
• Jerseyfield Road (2)
• Stewart Landing Road (4)
• G Lake Road (5)
• Mountain Home Road Extension (5)
• Powley-Piseco Road - northern section (North of Powley Place) (8)
• Powley Piseco Road - southern section (10)

At-large primitive camping is also allowed in the unit, but must be at least 150 feet away from a road, trail, or body of water. Camping for more than three nights or in a group of ten or more requires a permit from a Forest Ranger.

Those looking for more developed campgrounds can camp at DEC's Point Comfort Campground & Day Use Area, Little Sand Point Campground and Moffitt Beach Campground & Day Use Area.

General information on paddling includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.

All water bodies of Ferris Lake Wild Forest are open to paddling, however only a few are easily accessed from the road. The Ferris Lake Wild Forest features hand launch sites on the Sacandaga River, East Canada Creek, West Canada Creek, Big Bay, and the Canada Lake system.

The South Branch of West Canada Creek follows NY Route 8 from Fayle Road to the bridge at Nobleboro, where it meets West Canada Creek. It starts with 15 - 20 minutes of flatwater paddling after the put-in, followed by about a mile or more of Class II rapids, a short break and then 2+ miles of Class II-III rapids. This is a fast run, less than 2 hours to cover more than 5 miles of water. It is rocky at low levels and really pushy at higher levels.

From the East Canada Creek put-in at the iron bridge at Powley Place - a large, open area - you can paddle almost two miles downstream until you reach rapids. You can also go a short distance upstream before progress is blocked by beaver dams. At 1.75 miles, the stream divides in two as it flows around an island at the head of the rapids. This is the place to turn around. In the cascades below, the East Canada drops fifteen feet.

The West Branch of the Sacandaga River put-in is at Shaker Place on the Oxbow Tract Conservation Easement. A 10-mile paddle is possible from Shaker Place to where NY Route 10 crosses the river near Chub Lake. This meandering flat water section of stream can be travelled in either direction, with two navigable outlets as potential side trips to Chub Lake and Trout Lake in the Silver Lake Wilderness. The outlet of Good Luck Lake in Ferris Lake Wild Forest is also navigable, offering access to the numerous designated campsites on the lakeshore.

General information on boating includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations and lists of DEC boat launches by county.

Ferris Lake Wild Forest features a paved boat ramp on West Lake, located off of West Lake Road. This launch provides access to the whole Canada Lake system. Accessible amenities at the launch area for people with disabilities include parking spaces and privy.

Canada Lake also features docks at Stoner Island providing access to the island and a place to anchor boats.

Additional boating opportunities are available at the DEC facilities on Piseco Lake including Point Comfort Campground & Day Use Area, Little Sand Point Campground, and Poplar Point. They feature developed boat launches that provide public access to wild forest shoreline on Piseco Lake.

General information on fishing includes how-to and safety tips and links to seasons, rules and regulations.

Ferris Lake Wild Forest provides a number of fishing opportunities for trout, bass, and other game fish. The following are popular fishing destinations in the area:

• Piseco Lake - lake trout, land locked salmon, smallmouth bass
• Good Luck Lake - sunfish, yellow perch, chain pickerel
• Dexter Lake - chain pickerel
• Spectacle Lakes - chain pickerel
• Canada Lake - brown trout, lake trout, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, sunfish, yellow perch, chain pickerel
• West Caroga Lake - smallmouth bass, sunfish, yellow perch

Ice fishing is allowed on all of the waters listed above.

Additional waters that support brook trout fisheries include: Third Lake, Alder Brook Lake, G Lake, House Pond, Redlouse Lake, Franks Pond, Mud Lake, Christian Lake, Jockeybush Pond, Iron Lake, North Branch Lake, East Canada Creek, Middle Sprite Creek, West Canada Creek, and South Branch West Canada Creek.

General information on biking includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.

The Ferris Lake Wild Forest trails open to mountain biking include the Avery Road Trail, Ayers Lake Trail, Big Alderbed Lake Trail, California Road Extension, Clockmill Corners Trail, East Canada Trail, Edick Road Extension, Glasgow Trail, Hawes Road Extension, Jerseyfield Railbed, Jockeybush Lake Trail, Long Lake Trail, Route 10 Spur, Seeley Trail, Sheriff Lake Trail, Wagoners Loop, and Waters Mill Pond Trail.

Wildlife Management Unit: 5H and 5J

General information on hunting includes how-to and safety tips with links to seasons, rules and regulations.

Hunting is allowed in the Ferris Lake Wild Forest during appropriate seasons. The game species and furbearers found on the property include white-tailed deer, black bear, coyote, bobcat, raccoon, river otter, beaver, mink, varying hare, gray squirrel, red fox, gray fox, muskrat, fisher, pine marten, wild turkey and ruffed grouse.

A large percentage of the big game hunting occurs along the Powley-Piseco and Jerseyfield Roads. Both provide good roadside and trail access to relatively large unbroken tracts of land, have easily accessible campsites and contain a number of seasonal hunting camps on private lands.

Wildlife Management Unit: 5H and 5J

General information on trapping includes how-to and safety tips with links to seasons, rules and regulations.

Trapping is allowed in the Ferris Lake Wild Forest during appropriate seasons. The game species and furbearers found on the property include white-tailed deer, black bear, coyote, bobcat, raccoon, river otter, beaver, mink, varying hare, gray squirrel, red fox, gray fox, muskrat, fisher, pine marten, wild turkey and ruffed grouse.

A large percentage of the big game hunting occurs along the Powley-Piseco and Jerseyfield Roads. Both provide good roadside and trail access to relatively large unbroken tracts of land, have easily accessible campsites and contain a number of seasonal hunting camps on private lands.

General information on snowmobiling includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.

Ferris Lake Wild Forest is open to snowmobiling in the winter. There are 117 miles of snowmobile trails found on the property.

Trails marked with * are NOT groomed.

Mountain Creek Trail (C4 and C4C, 3.2 miles): This trail has an access point on Bull Hill Road. The trail heads northeast, crossing between private and state lands, past Mounts Creek Lake to the Hamilton County line.

Hurrell Vly Trail (C4C, 6.1 miles): This is the northern portion of Mounts Creek Trail. There is access from French Road; the trail heads southwest past Bochen Lake outlet and Hurrell Vly to the Herkimer County line.

Fourmile Brook Trail (C4C, 0.6 miles): This trail can be accessed from French Road, and heads north to Parker Vly trail.

Cranberry-Mud Lake Trail (C4, 6.2 miles): This trail can be accessed from Jerseyfield Road; the trail heads northwest past Mud Lake and Cranberry Lake to Billy Hamlin Road.

*Big Alderbed Trail (Local, 2.6 miles): This trail can be accessed from Powley-Piseco Road. The trail heads northwest to Big Alderbed Lake.

Switchback Trail (Jerseyfield Rail Bed) (S45, 5.8 miles): This trail can be accessed from Jerseyfield Road. The trail heads southeast following an old railroad grade near Trammel Creek to the Adirondack Park "blue line".

Sheriff Lake Trail (Local, 0.9 miles): This trail can be accessed from Powley-Piseco Road. The trail heads north over state and private lands passing Sheriff Lake to Jones Lake Trail.

Meco Lake Trail (Local, 1.4 miles): This trail can be accessed from Powley-Piseco Road. The trail heads northwest past Meco Lake to Sheriff Lake Trail.

Wagoners Loop (S81, 6.1 miles): This trail can be accessed from Powley-Piseco Road. The trail heads southwest to Clockmill Corners Trail.

Clockmill Corners Trail (C8, 3.4 miles): This trail can be accessed from Powley-Piseco Road. The trail heads southeast passing Kennels Pond.

Seeley Pond (C8, 4.1 miles): This trail heads south paralleling NY Route 10 to Dexter Lake Trail.

*Jockeybush Lake Trail (Local, 1.2 miles): This trail can be accessed from NY Route 10. The trail heads northwest to Jockeybush Lake.

Phantom Trail (S46A, 1.5 miles): This trail can be accessed from NY Route 8 (Nobleboro). The trail heads east paralleling NY Route 8 to Jones Road then connects to Parker Vly Trail.

Parker Vly Trail (C4, 3.3 miles): This trail can be accessed from Jones Road. The trail heads east paralleling NY Route 8, crossing French Road and NY Route 8 then connects to Alderbrook Trail.

Alderbrook Trail (C4 and C4A, 5.2 miles): This trail can be accessed from NY Route 8. The trail heads east paralleling NY Route 8 to Piseco Lake.

Edick Road Extension Trail (C8A, 1.8 miles): This trail heads northeast from the end of Edick Road to Powley-Piseco Road.

Hawes Road Extension Trail (C8A, 0.4 miles): This trail heads northwest from the end of Hawes Road to Edick Road.

Hawes Road Crossover Trail (C8A, 0.8 miles): This trail can be accessed from Hawes Road. The trail heads east crossing the Powley-Piseco and Seeley Road to Dexter Lake Trail.

Dexter Lake Trail (NY Route 10 to Potters Homestead) (S81 and S83, 7.0 miles): This trail can be accessed from Hall Road. The trail heads northeast passing Dexter and Dry Lakes to NY Route 10.

Waters Mill Pond Trail (C8A, 2.5 miles): This trail can be accessed from Hall Road. The trail heads northeast over private and state lands passing Waters Mill Pond to Dexter Lake Trail.

*Avery Road Trail (Local, 2.5 miles): This trail can be accessed from Avery Road. The trail heads northeast to Waters Mill Pond Trail.

Marina Trail (also known as West Lake Trail) (S82, 1.5 miles): This trail can be accessed from NY Route 29A. The trail heads south to West Lake Boat Launch.

Burnt Vly Trail (S82 and C8, 6.5 miles): This trail can be accessed from NY Route 29A. The trail heads north passing Third, Fourth, and Spectacle Lakes to Dexter Lake Trail.

Long Lake Trail (C8 and C8A, 4.0 miles): This trail can be accessed from East Shore Road. The trail heads north passing Long Lake to Burnt Vly Trail.

Ayers Lake Trail (C8A, 0.8 miles): This trail heads southeast from Avery Road Trail past Ayers Lake to Long Lake Trail.

Long Lake Crossover (C8, 0.7 miles): This trail heads east from Long Lake Trail to Burnt Vly Trail.

Nine Corner Lake Trail (S82, 3.0 miles): This trail can be accessed from NY Route 29A. The trail heads northwest to Nine Corner Lake then west to Burnt Vly Trail.

Spectacle Lake Trail (S82B, 1.0 miles): The trail heads southwest from West Stone Lake Trail near Good Luck Lake to Spectacle Lake.

West Stoner Lake Trail (C8, 2.4 miles): This trail can be accessed from North Shore Road. The trail heads north past Good Luck Lake to Dexter Lake Trail.

Third Lake Trail (C8, 2.4 miles): The trail heads southwest from West Stoner Lake Trail past Third and Fourth Lakes to Burnt Vly Trail.

*Route 10 Spur (Local, 0.2 miles): This trail can be accessed from NY Route 10. The trail heads west to Third Lake Trail.

Stewart Landing Trail (C8 and C8A, 4.0 miles): This trail can be accessed from NY Route 29A. The trail heads south to Stewart Landing Road.

*Pleasant Lake Trail (Local, 1.8 miles): This trail can be accessed from NY Route 29A. The trail heads south to join Stewart Landing Trail.

Crystal Lake Trail (C8 and C8A, 2.9 miles): This trail can be accessed from Stewart Landing Road. The trail heads south to County Route 119 near Crystal Lake.

Morey Road (C8, 4.7 miles): This trail can be accessed from Morey Road. The trail heads west to Crystal Lake Trail. This trail is currently closed until further notice.

East Road Trail (Local, 1.4 miles): This trail can be accessed from East Road. The trail heads northeast to Glasgow Mills.

Glasgow Trail (Local, 4.6 miles): This trail can be accessed from Glasgow Road. The trail heads west past Glasgow Mills and Hillabrandt Vly to join Crystal Lake Trail.

*Dingman Hill Trail (Local, 2.6 miles): This trail can be accessed from County Route 119. The trail heads northeast to East Road Trail.

Spy Lake Trail (corridor, 0.2 miles): This is a short section of trail across a small parcel of Ferris Lake Wild Forest adjacent to Spy Lake.

*Powley Road Bypass Trail (Local, 0.1 miles): This trail can be accessed form NY Route 10. The trail heads from the parking area to Powley Road.

General information on cross-country skiing includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.

Ferris Lake Wild Forest is open to cross-country skiing in the winter. Cross-country skiing is permitted on all hiking trails. There is one official designated cross-country ski trail on the property:

Broomstick Lake Trail (0.7 miles): This trail leads from NY Route 10 to Broomstick Lake. It is marked with yellow "ski trail" discs.

General information on snowshoeing includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.

Ferris Lake Wild Forest is open to snowshoeing in the winter. Snowshoeing is permitted on all hiking trails. There is one official designated cross-country ski trail on the property:

Broomstick Lake Trail (0.7 miles): This trail leads from NY Route 10 to Broomstick Lake. It is marked with yellow "ski trail" discs.

General information on horseback riding includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.

Ferris Lake Wild Forest does not have any trails maintained for horseback riding. However, horses are allowed on the following trails: Avery Road Trail, Ayers Lake Trail, Big Alderbed Lake Trail, Clockmill Corners Trail, Cranberry-Mud Lake Trail, East Canada Trail, Edick Road Extension, Glasgow Trail, Hawes Road Trail, Jerseyfield Railbed Trail, Route 10 Spur Trail, Wagoners Loop Trail, and Waters Mill Pond Trail.

General information on animals includes links to information about birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and insects that inhabit or migrate through the state.

The Adirondacks contain large tracts of wildlife habitat with some boreal, bog, alpine and other unique habitats. Many birds (Common Loon, Peregrine Falcon) and mammals (Moose, Black Bear) are unique to the Adirondacks or are mainly found here. More than 50 species of mammals and hundreds of species of birds inhabit or pass through the Adirondacks at one time of the year or another.