Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest

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

The Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest has about 11.5 miles of trails that provide access to many locations including the shores of Lake Champlain. The trails travel through a variety of terrain and forest types and offer a unique opportunity to experience the "wild side" of the Lake Champlain Valley. Views of Vermont, Lake Champlain, and the High Peaks of the Adirondacks are available from several overlooks along the trail system.

• Lewis Clearing Bay Trail is a 1.7-mile trail from the Lewis Clearing Bay Trailhead on Lake Shore Road to its namesake bay on Lake Champlain. A 0.2-mile spur trail at the 1.4-mile mark leads to the Snake Den Harbor Overlook. The trail climbs 200 feet in the first 0.7 mile before dropping 450 feet down to the lake.
• Calamity Trail traverses 1.6 miles from the Lake Shore Road Trailhead to the Barn Rock Bay Trail climbing 100 feet in the first 0.5 mile and descending 150 feet in the last 0.8 mile. The trail passes through the remnants of a 19th century granite quarry.
• Gary's Elbow Trail is a 0.5-mile trail that leaves the Lewis Clearing Bay Trail at the 0.1-mile mark and climbs 200 feet before rejoining the trail at the 0.7-mile mark.
• Cross-Over Trail connects Gary's Elbow Trail at the 0.5-mile mark with the Calamity Trail at the 0.5-mile mark traversing 0.9-mile trail and ascending 125 feet. The trail provides a loop hike to Barn Rock from the Lewis Clearing Bay Trailhead.
• Barn Rock Bay Trail traverses 1.5 miles from its intersection with the Lewis Clearing Bay Trail at the 1.2-mile mark. The trail climbs 80 feet in the first 0.2 mile before dropping 400 feet to Barn Rock Overlook. Rough, spur trails lead from this trail to Barn Rock Bay and a primitive campsite located to the north of Barn Rock. The trail also provides access to the Split Rock Mountain Trail System from Lake Champlain.
• North Rim Trail is a 2.8-mile trail which connects with the Lewis Clearing Bay Trail at the 0.2-mile mark and climbs 260 feet in the first 1.7 miles to summit of Split Rock Mountain before descending 165 feet to the North Rim Overlook.
• South Rocks Overlook Trail is a new 0.6-mile spur trail at the northern end of the North Rim Trail which drops nearly 450 feet to the scenic South Rocks Overlook.
• Ore Bed Overlook Trail leaves the North Rim Trail at the 1.4-mile mark and travels 0.1 mile to the overlook.
• Robin's Run is a 1.7-mile trail which connects with the North Rim Trail at the 0.6-mile mark and at the 2.6-mile mark near the northern end. The trail traverses the lower portions of Split Rock Mountain descending 100 feet in the first 0.5 mile and climbing 280 feet in the last 0.6 mile.
• Robin's Run Trail and the North Rim Trail combine to provide a 4.5-mile loop trail.

Champlain Area Trails (leaves DEC website) can provide information on other trails in the area.

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

Boating is a popular activity on Lake Champlain. The large lake provides for a variety of boating opportunities. Many sizes and models of sailboats and motorboats, even small yachts, can be found in the waters off Split Rock Wild Forest. Many enjoy viewing the Champlain Palisades of Split Rock Mountain.

Local access for boaters is available at the DEC Westport Boat Launch in the hamlet of Westport. The site provides parking for 30 cars with trailers plus six vehicles without trailers.

Strong winds and large waves are not uncommon on Lake Champlain. Boaters should check weather forecasts and know their own abilities before setting out. Waters are typically calmer in the morning and evenings, so plan accordingly. During periods of rough weather, small boats are advised to stay near shore or stay off the water.

Don't Spread Aquatic Invasive Species! Boats and trailers can spread invasive species from waterbody to waterbody unless properly cleaned after use. Regulations prohibit boats from launching from or leaving DEC launch sites without first draining the boat and cleaning the boat, trailer and equipment of visible plant and animal material.

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

Lake Champlain provides great opportunities for canoeing and kayaking. Split Rock Wild Forest is part of the Lake Champlain Paddlers Trail (Leaves DEC website).

Paddlers can access this part of Lake Champlain using the DEC Westport Boat Launch.

Strong winds and large waves are not uncommon on Lake Champlain. Boaters should check weather forecasts and know their own abilities before setting out. Waters are typically calmer in the morning and evenings, plan accordingly. During periods of rough weather, small boats are advised to stay near shore or stay off the water.

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

All designated primitive tents sites, campsites and lean-tos are available on a first come - first served basis and cannot be reserved. Designated campsites are marked with a yellow "Camp Here" disc. Designated tent sites are for tents only. Tents or small campers can use designated campsites. There are no hook-ups for water or electricity at campsites.

Four designated campsites are located on the shoreline of Lake Champlain at Barn Rock Bay (2), Palisades, and Snake Den Harbor.

The sites are most easily accessed from the lake. Paddlers and boaters can use the DEC Westport Boat Launch to access the lake and the campsites. The southernmost tent site in Barn Rock Bay can be accessed by foot from the Lewis Bay Clearing Parking Area via the Barn Rock Trail.

Campers who desire more amenities may camp at the nearby Lincoln Pond Campground or Crown Point Campground and take day trips into the Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest.

General information on fishing includes fishing tips with links to seasons, rules and regulations. You can ensure of continued good fishing opportunities in the future by fishing responsibly. If you have never been fishing but want to try, it's easy to learn how to fish.

All waters within the Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest are open to fishing. Anglers may use the same trailheads and trails as hikers, the same hand launches as paddlers, the same boat launches as boaters and the same campsites as campers to access and fish these waters.

Lake Champlain is renowned for bass, salmon and lake trout fishing. Panfish and other warmwater gamefish species are found in the lake. This area of the lake can be accessed from the Westport Boat Launch.

In the winter when thick ice covers the bays and much of the lake, ice anglers fish for lake trout, land-locked salmon, yellow perch and smelt. A designated 1.7-mile snowmobile trail provides access to Lewis Clearing Bay and Snake Den Harbor from the Lewis Clearing Bay Parking Area.

The Bouquet River, nearby, is stocked with brook trout, brown trout and land-locked salmon. A section of the river near Whallonsburg has public fishing rights along both banks. For Public Fishing Rights (PFR) on the Boquet River, visit DECinfo Locator- Interactive Trout Stream Fishing Map (DECinfo Locator is best viewed on a desktop computer. Users are encouraged to visit the Trout Stream Fishing Map User Guide first for "how to" instructions on using the fishing map).

Beaver Brook and a small tributary flowing down the west side of Split Rock Mountain also support small populations of brook trout.

Adirondack/Lake Champlain Fishing provides information on fishing in the Adirondacks and links to top fishing waters, stocking lists, public fishing access and waters open to ice fishing listed by county.

Help Protect Native Adirondack Fish; populations of brook trout, round whitefish and other native Adirondack fish species have severely declined due to introduced fish.

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

Electric bicycles (E-bikes) of any class are not allowed on trails and roadways where public motorized access is prohibited.

The first 0.2 mile of the Lewis Clearing Bay Trail, 2.6 miles of the North Rim Trail and all of the Robin's Run Trail are open to biking provide a 5.3-mile roundtrip ride from the Lewis Clearing Bay Trail. The trail contains nearly 1,000 feet of climbs, including a number of steep pitches, and a number of muddy areas. This route is not recommended for beginner or casual bikers.

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

All of the lands are open to hunting. Hunters may use the parking areas, roads, seasonal access roads, trailheads, and trails used by hikers, boat launches and hand launches used by boaters and paddlers to access the lands and waters in this area. Hunters can park on the shoulders of seasonal access roads provided vehicles are out of the travel lane.

DEC releases pheasants in the field on the west of Clark Road near the intersection of Lake Shore Road before the before the Pheasant Youth Hunt Weekend and the regular pheasant season. Webb Royce Swamp is open to waterfowl hunting.

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

All of the lands are open to trapping. Trappers may use the parking areas, roads, seasonal access roads, trailheads, and trails used by hikers, boat launches and hand launches used by boaters and paddlers to access the lands and waters in this area. Trappers can park on the shoulders of seasonal access roads provided vehicles are out of the travel lane.

DEC releases pheasants in the field on the west of Clark Road near the intersection of Lake Shore Road before the before the Pheasant Youth Hunt Weekend and the regular pheasant season. Webb Royce Swamp is open to waterfowl hunting.

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

The only designated snowmobile trail is the 1.7-mile Lewis Clearing Bay Trail which provides access to Lake Champlain for ice anglers. It can be accessed at the Lewis Clearing Bay Trailhead Parking area.

Cross-country skiers and snowshoers may also use snowmobile trails. Snowmobilers should slow down when approaching and passing skiers or snowshoers.

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

Cross-country skiing is permitted on all hiking trails. The area is popular with skiers due to the width of trails, the opportunity to select trails with gentle ascents and the scenic views.

When traveling on designated snowmobile trails, skiers should be alert for snowmobiles. Move to the side of the trail to allow snowmobiles to pass.

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

Snowshoeing is permitted on all hiking trails. The area is popular with snowshoers due to the width of trails, the opportunity to select trails with gentle ascents and the scenic views.

When traveling on designated snowmobile trails, snowshoers should be alert for snowmobiles. Move to the side of the trail to allow snowmobiles to pass.