Fall foliage around a lake with mountains in the background

State Land

High Peaks Wilderness Complex

Top High Peaks Wilderness Complex

Includes the Eastern Zone, Western Zone (Including the Dix Mountain Tract and wilderness portions of the Boreas Ponds and MacIntyre Tracts), and the Adirondack Canoe Route

DEC is currently working with Otak, Inc. to draft a Visitor Use Management plan for the High Peaks Wilderness Complex. Learn more about the planning process and opportunities for public feedback and involvement.

Open for recreation: Year-round
Fees: Free
Contact Information:
- DEC Region 5 Ray Brook Office: 518-897-1200 (M-F, 8:30 to 4:45); [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: Town of Harrietstown in Franklin County, Towns of North Elba, Keene, Elizabethtown, North Hudson and Newcomb in Essex County and the town of Long Lake in Hamilton County.
Wildlife Management Unit: 5F
Map: DECinfo Locator

The 275,460-acre High Peaks Wilderness is part of New York’s Forest Preserve. It is the largest wilderness area in New York State and the second largest wilderness area east of the Mississippi.

The High Peaks Wilderness lies within the area bounded largely by State Route 3, State Route 86, State Route 73, the Northway (Interstate 87), Blue Ridge Road, State Route 28N, State Route 30, and the Raquette River.

As its name implies, the Wilderness is known for its mountainous terrain and contains most of New York State's highest summits including the two highest: Mt. Marcy (5,344 feet) and Algonquin Peak (5,114 feet).

Many crystal-clear streams cascade from the mountain slopes, providing numerous scenic waterfalls, deep pools and brook trout fishing opportunities. Such streams as the Opalescent River, Johns Brook, Klondike Brook, Marcy Brook, Cold River, Moose Creek and Cold Brook are photographers' favorites. Lake Tear O' the Clouds, the highest elevation water body in the Hudson River watershed lies at about 4,300 feet altitude.

The 210-acre Tahawus Core Historic Area Conservation Easement includes public recreations rights on lands owned by the Town of Newcomb. The property provides parking and trail access to the southern High Peaks Wilderness.

Featured Activities

Recreational Webpages for the individual High Peaks Wilderness zones are currently under development. Once complete, individual webpages will include trail descriptions, maps, camping, and other recreational opportunities and descriptions specific to that zone.

Current recreational pages:

Recreation Resources

Wildlife

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 species of birds and mammals 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 so it is not unlikely to catch site of wildlife during your trip. Peregrine Falcons are known to nest in the area.

More information on Adirondack Flora and Fauna from the SUNY ESF Adirondack Ecological Center.

You can protect wildlife and wildlife habitat when viewing them.

Wildlife Found in the Adirondacks:

Mammals
Birds

New Management Zones

The High Peaks Wilderness is divided into three management zones with the 2018 amendment: Central Zone, Outer Zone, and the Adirondack Canoe Route.

The Central Zone is the former Eastern Zone which contains most of the highest peaks and trails.

The Outer Zone encompasses the former Western High Peaks, the former Dix Mountain Area, Boreas Ponds Tract, and MacIntyre East Tract.

The Adirondack Canoe Route parallels the western boundary of the unit for 23 miles along the eastern shores of Long Lake and the Raquette River. This section is a major link in the 90-mile canoe route from Old Forge to Saranac Lake and the much longer Northern Forest Canoe Trail.

Rules, Regulations and Outdoor Safety

All users of the High Peaks area must follow all State Land Use Regulations. The regulations for each zone below are the most current regulations.

No campfires in the Eastern Zone of the High Peaks Wilderness
Group Size Maximums
- Day Trip - 15
- Overnight - 8 (Permits for oversized groups are not available in the High Peaks Wilderness)
No camping on summits
No camping above 3,500 feet (except at lean-to)
No camping in areas with "No Camping" signs present
Whenever possible, camp in designated sites. If necessary, at-large camping is permitted as long as campsites are at least 150 feet from any road, trail, water body, or waterway. Place your tent on a durable surface, such as hardened soil, leaf litter, or pine duff. Do not place your tent on vegetation.
Bear canisters are required for all overnight campers in the Eastern Zone of the High Peaks Wilderness
Carry out what you carry in. Properly dispose of waste and pack out all gear and garbage. Do not leave waste at trailheads.
Dogs must be leashed at all times in the Eastern Zone of the High Peaks Wilderness and at trailheads, campsites and above 4,000 feet everywhere else
- Please note: If accessing the High Peaks from the AMR trailhead, dogs are not allowed on AMR property.
Bikes are prohibited
Drones are prohibited
ATVs are prohibited
No fixed anchors for climbing on Forest Preserve at this time
Skis and Snowshoes required when snow depths are at least 8 inches
Adirondack Mountain Reserve (AMR) Rules
- Reservations are required for parking, daily access, and overnight access between May 1 and October 31. Reservations can be made as early as two weeks in advance at the AMR website. Walk-ins are not permitted.
- No Camping
- No Dogs
- No Drones
- No Off-Trail Travel

Adirondack Canoe Route

The maximum capacity of any lean-to site (including associated tent camping) shall not exceed 12 persons
Campfires permitted in designated fire pits

Check the Adirondack Backcountry Information for the High Peaks Region for important general notices and information which apply across the Adirondacks.

Backcountry conditions can change suddenly. All users should plan accordingly, including bringing flashlights or headlamps with extra batteries, first aid equipment, extra food and clothing. Weather conditions may alter your plans; you should always be prepared to spend an unplanned night in the woods before entering the backcountry. Backcountry hiking trails can be rugged and rough- wear proper footwear.

Tahawus Core Historic Area Conservation Easement

No camping
No campfires
No ATVs or motor vehicles outside of the road and parking area
No horses
No bicycles outside of the road and parking area

Practice Leave No Trace

Please abide by the Leave No Trace Seven Principles when recreating in the Adirondacks.

Do not attempt any trips in the High Peaks without current USGS topographic maps and/or a good guidebook for the area. Maps and guidebooks may be purchased at local stores or suppliers of outdoor recreational equipment.

Planning and Management

DEC manages these lands in accordance with the 1999 High Peaks Wilderness Unit Management Plan (UMP) (PDF). The UMP was amended in 2000 (PDF) to reroute the Little Porter Mountain trail, and again in 2018 (PDF) to incorporate recent acquisitions into the unit. In addition to management objectives, the UMP contains detailed information on natural features, recreational infrastructure, geology, natural & human history, habitats, wildlife, fisheries and much more.

DEC manages public recreation for the municipally owned Tahawus Core Historic Area Conservation Easement lands in accordance with the management activities described in the Interim Recreation Management Plan (PDF).

Visitor Use Management

DEC has awarded a Visitor Use Management (VUM) Planning contract to Otak, Inc. to assist with projects for a high-use portion of the High Peaks Wilderness Complex. Otak, Inc. has over two decades of experience conducting visitor use planning and research on wilderness and other recreation lands managed by the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service, and other federal agencies.

Otak will use the federal Interagency Visitor Use Management Framework to facilitate inclusive and transparent collaboration between DEC and stakeholders and to deliver data-driven insights to help inform and develop visitor capacities, adaptive visitor use management strategies, and long-term monitoring plans to help DEC measure the effectiveness of each management action.

For more details on DEC's work with Otak, please see our recent press announcement.

Public Participation Opportunities

Please visit the High Peaks VUM website for more information about the planning process and opportunities for public feedback and involvement.

Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities and Other Information

State Lands and Facilities

Campgrounds

Gas may be obtained in the nearby communities of Keene, Elizabethtown, Lake Placid, North Hudson, Saranac Lake, Tupper Lake, and Long Lake

Food and supplies may be obtained in the nearby communities of Keene, Elizabethtown, Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, Tupper Lake, and Long lake

Dining is available in the nearby communities of Keene Valley, Keene, Elizabethtown, Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, Tupper Lake, and Long lake

Lodging is available in the nearby communities of Keene Valley, Newcomb, North Hudson, Keene, Elizabethtown, Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, Tupper Lake, and Long lake

Adirondack Regional Tourism Council, Essex County/Lake Placid Tourism, and Adirondack Mountain Club can provide information about other recreation, attractions and amenities in this area. Numerous guide books and maps are available with information on the lands, waters, trails and other recreational facilities in this area. These can be purchased at most outdoor equipment retailers, bookstores, and on-line booksellers.

Additional information, outdoor equipment, trip suggestions and guided or self-guided tours may be obtained from outdoor guide and outfitting businesses. Check area chambers of commerce, telephone directories or search the internet for listings.

Consider hiring an outdoor guide if you have little experience or woodland skills. See the NYS Outdoor Guides Association for information on outdoor guides.