New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers responded to multiple backcountry incidents from August 18th through August 22nd. These included lost and injured hikers, stranded and injured boaters, an injured cliff jumper and more. [Read more…] about Forest Rangers Respond to Lost, Injured Outdoor Recreationists
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Lake Ontario’s Selkirk Shores, Southwick Beach Get Upgrade
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) has completed $9.5 million in upgrades to Selkirk Shores and Southwick Beach State Park on the eastern shore of Lake Ontario, including campground upgrades, restoration of historic facilities, construction of a new park office and a new accessible trail. [Read more…] about Lake Ontario’s Selkirk Shores, Southwick Beach Get Upgrade
Campers Rescued from Violent Storm; Injured Cliff Jumper; Many More Rescues
New York State Forest Rangers spent a busy week rescuing numerous people from backcountry dangers, including: a 77-year-old rescued by helicopter in the Adirondack High Peaks; Lows Lake campers stranded by a violent storm; a teen medical emergency near Cranberry Lake; a capsized boat; an injured cliff jumper on the West Branch Ausable River which included a technical rope rescue; and dehydrated hikers and hikers with lower leg injuries in the Adirondacks and Catskills.
Be sure to eat before hiking and bring plenty of water and extra food that’s high in protein and calories. Read the Ten Hiking Essentials. [Read more…] about Campers Rescued from Violent Storm; Injured Cliff Jumper; Many More Rescues
A Utica Church’s 50 Years of Adirondack Pilgrimages
On November 14, 1902, the Trustees of the Church of the Holy Cross in Utica, New York, purchased four lots on the northwest shore of Twitchell Lake in Big Moose in the Adirondacks. The grantor on the deed was William Thistlethwaite, an Old Forge real estate mogul.
This gave the church 24 acres of woodland which ran a full half mile back to the State’s Forest Preserve and 400 feet of pristine lakeshore lined with ancient red spruce and towering white pine. [Read more…] about A Utica Church’s 50 Years of Adirondack Pilgrimages
St. Regis Canoe Area Nuisance Black Bear Euthanized
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has reopened the popular paddle-in campsites 5 through 11 on Long Pond in the Saint Regis Canoe Area, Franklin County, after a nuisance black bear was euthanized.
The Saint Regis Canoe Area, the only designated canoe area in New York State, is very remote, with no-reservation camping along multiple access points and waterways. [Read more…] about St. Regis Canoe Area Nuisance Black Bear Euthanized
OSI Purchases Sabattis Scout Camp on Lows Lake
The Open Space Institute (OSI) has acquired the 1,525-acre former Sabattis Scout Reservation in St. Lawrence County, NY. Located within the Adirondack Park, the property includes historic campgrounds, ponds, hiking trails, and several miles of shoreline along Lows Lake.
The lake is a popular paddling destination in the Five Ponds Wilderness Area, about 10 miles from Tupper Lake. [Read more…] about OSI Purchases Sabattis Scout Camp on Lows Lake
New York State’s Polystyrene Foam Ban Expanded
In 2020, New York State adopted the nation’s strongest state ban of expanded polystyrene, single-use foam food and beverage containers, and polystyrene loose fill packaging materials, commonly known as packing peanuts. On January 1, 2026, the state’s Foam Ban expanded to include a ban on polystyrene foam coolers and other containers designed or intended to be used for cold storage. [Read more…] about New York State’s Polystyrene Foam Ban Expanded
Rangers Recover Paddler’s Body, Make Multiple Rescues July 4th Weekend
NYS Forest Rangers had a busy July 4th weekend in which they recovered the body of a paddler; rescued two people on an inflatable kayak from rapids they didn’t know existed on the Saranac River; assisted with an overturned sailboat on Lake Champlain; rescued someone from the rapids in the Siamese Ponds Wilderness; and two teens hiding from a black bear near Lake George. [Read more…] about Rangers Recover Paddler’s Body, Make Multiple Rescues July 4th Weekend
New Rules After Death of Assistant Forest Ranger
It’s been nearly a year since an Assistant Forest Ranger’s body was found in the Adirondack backcountry.
Brendan Jackson’s death revealed a key failure of how the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) tracks its staff in the field and prompted a review of its personnel policies. [Read more…] about New Rules After Death of Assistant Forest Ranger
Final Recreation Plans Announced for Hamilton County Easement Tracts
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced the final Recreation Management Plan (RMP) for the Speculator Tree Farm, Perkins Clearing and Burnham Mountain Conservation Easement Tracts in the Adirondack Park.
The RMP was developed in partnership with Lyme Adirondack Forest Company, the landowner. [Read more…] about Final Recreation Plans Announced for Hamilton County Easement Tracts
Accessible Adirondack Campground Plagued With Closures
John Dillon Park, the Adirondacks‘ only completely accessible campground for people with disabilities, will not open for the summer 2026 season while required improvements to the park’s potable water system are undertaken.
The park has been plagued by closures over the years, reports North Country Public Radio (NCPR). [Read more…] about Accessible Adirondack Campground Plagued With Closures
Lake Champlain’s Crown Point Pier Closed
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced an immediate, temporary closure of the fishing pier located at the Crown Point Campground and Day Use Area in Crown Point, Essex County, due to the discovery of structural damage to the pier roof.
“Out of an abundance of caution to ensure public safety, fishing and walking on the pier will not be allowed while DEC works with a structural engineer to evaluate the infrastructure and any next steps,” DEC’s announcement said. “This closure may continue for the duration of the 2026 season.” [Read more…] about Lake Champlain’s Crown Point Pier Closed
Court Temporarily Halts Adirondack Marina’s Dock Installations
On March 18, 2026 the New York Supreme Court Appellate Division, Third Department, in Albany has granted a motion by Adirondack Park advocates for a preliminary injunction preventing LS Marina, LLC (LSM) from installing new docks and dock covers at its two marina sites located on Lower Saranac Lake. The injunction will remain in effect pending resolution of the appeal. [Read more…] about Court Temporarily Halts Adirondack Marina’s Dock Installations
New York State Forest Ranger Statistics 2021-2025
In 2025, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Forest Rangers conducted 362 search and rescue missions, extinguished 202 wildfires covering 840 acres, participated in 68 prescribed fires that served to rejuvenate 1,649 acres of land, and worked on cases that resulted in more than 1,100 tickets and arrests.
Also in 2025, 41 Forest Rangers were deployed to fire assignments in 10 different states. [Read more…] about New York State Forest Ranger Statistics 2021-2025
Adirondack Student Conservation Association 2025 Season Wrap-up
The Adirondack Student Conservation Association (SCA) AmeriCorps Program has officially wrapped up their 2025 summer season.
The Adirondack SCA contracts with the New York State Deportment of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to improve trails and structures and complete other conservation projects throughout the Adirondack Park. [Read more…] about Adirondack Student Conservation Association 2025 Season Wrap-up
Rangers Kept Busy With Hunter, Hiker and Angler Missions
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents throughout New York State locating and extracting lost, injured or distressed people and policing state lands.
This report of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers was prepared by DEC: [Read more…] about Rangers Kept Busy With Hunter, Hiker and Angler Missions
Hike, Bike, and Camp in Indian Head Wilderness
The 11,500-acre Indian Head Wilderness is located in the towns of Saugerties and Woodstock, Ulster County, and Town of Hunter, Greene County, NY, and has five major peaks that offer amazing views of the Catskills and the Hudson Valley.
Adventure seekers can hike the rugged 25-mile Devil’s Path, a popular and challenging trail that crosses the summits of Indian Head, Twin, Sugarloaf, and Plateau mountains before continuing into the Hunter–West Kill Wilderness. [Read more…] about Hike, Bike, and Camp in Indian Head Wilderness
New York Camping Featured on DEC Podcast
The latest episode of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) podcast DEC Does What?! showcases how DEC manages its 55 campgrounds and 6,000 individual campsites.
DEC’s first campgrounds — Sacandaga (in Wells, NY) and Sharp Bridge (in North Hudson) — were established in 1920 in the Adirondacks, as was the newest campground, Frontier Town (also in North Hudson), opened in 2019. [Read more…] about New York Camping Featured on DEC Podcast
Mills Norrie State Park Campground Upgrades
Substantial infrastructure upgrades have been made at Mills-Norrie State Park in Dutchess County, NY.
This $3 million project includes a new septic system and dumping station for recreational vehicles to help protect both campers and the environment. [Read more…] about Mills Norrie State Park Campground Upgrades
New Plans For Important Hamilton Co Conservation Easements
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is seeking public input on the Draft Recreation Management Plan for recreational access within the Speculator Tree Farm, Perkins Clearing, and Burnham Mountain Tracts in the Adirondack Park in Hamilton County, New York.
The tracts already include 36 miles of snowmobile trails and roads, several trailheads and parking areas – including Route 30, old Route 8 and “military roads” built at the time of the War of 1812. [Read more…] about New Plans For Important Hamilton Co Conservation Easements