To reach the shore you will need to carry downhill on a gentle grade. The gravel grade is sloped for handicap access with two rest stops along the way. The launch is well-graded and flat for easy access as well. Balfour Mountain rises high above on the opposite shore and with its slopes being mostly hardwood this paddle is one fine afternoon's outing in the fall of the year. 

Half of the shore is private property so if you want to get out to stretch your legs be sure to remain on state land.  

To reach the shore you will need to carry downhill on a gentle grade. The gravel grade is sloped for handicap access with two rest stops along the way. The launch is well-graded and flat for easy access as well. Balfour Mountain rises high above on the opposite shore and with its slopes being mostly hardwood this paddle is one fine afternoon's outing in the fall of the year. 

Half of the shore is private property so if you want to get out to stretch your legs be sure to remain on state land.  

The only access for canoe or kayak is the concrete state boat launch off Route 8. There is ample parking here, but during busy weekends it can get a bit cramped. Aside from the launch area the entire shore of Brant Lake is private property so please respect the private land owners.  

Once on the water it actually is a very attractive lake. Head right downstream through the narrows for an interesting look at the community. Head to the far northern end of the lake and enter the wetland area and paddle through the marsh for some stellar views of the mountains towering above.  

The only access for canoe or kayak is the concrete state boat launch off Route 8. There is ample parking here, but during busy weekends it can get a bit cramped. Aside from the launch area the entire shore of Brant Lake is private property so please respect the private land owners.  

Once on the water it actually is a very attractive lake. Head right downstream through the narrows for an interesting look at the community. Head to the far northern end of the lake and enter the wetland area and paddle through the marsh for some stellar views of the mountains towering above.  

This pond is one the most picturesque ponds in the area and should be enjoyed at length.

Getting there

From the intersection of Route 9 and Route 74 near Schroon Lake follow Route 74 toward Ticonderoga. Continue to Putts Pond Road on the right (entrance road for Putnam Pond State Campground). Drive this to the end to access the campground and the pond. A day use fee will be required. The portage trail is from North Pond from the northern bay.

This pond is one the most picturesque ponds in the area and should be enjoyed at length.

Getting there

From the intersection of Route 9 and Route 74 near Schroon Lake follow Route 74 toward Ticonderoga. Continue to Putts Pond Road on the right (entrance road for Putnam Pond State Campground). Drive this to the end to access the campground and the pond. A day use fee will be required. The portage trail is from North Pond from the northern bay.

The trail leads to the western shore of Bass Lake

Getting there

From Exit 29 off of Interstate 87, follow Blue Ridge Road toward North Hudson and take a left onto Route 9 and follow it north. Continue for 2.5 miles and turn right onto Caza Turn Road. Look for an obscure road into the woods just before the houses — this is the trailhead. It is unmarked and on the roadside.

The trail leads to the western shore of Bass Lake

Getting there

From Exit 29 off of Interstate 87, follow Blue Ridge Road toward North Hudson and take a left onto Route 9 and follow it north. Continue for 2.5 miles and turn right onto Caza Turn Road. Look for an obscure road into the woods just before the houses — this is the trailhead. It is unmarked and on the roadside.

It's not all about fishing at Bass Pond. The hiking is wonderful, too!

Getting there

From Exit 29 on Interstate 87, follow Blue Ridge Road toward North Hudson and take a left onto state Route 9 and follow it north. Continue for 2.5 miles and turn right onto Caza Turn Road, then take the next right onto Ensign Pond Road. Follow Ensign Pond Road for just under 3 miles to the trailhead on the right.

It's not all about fishing at Bass Pond. The hiking is wonderful, too!

Getting there

From Exit 29 on Interstate 87, follow Blue Ridge Road toward North Hudson and take a left onto state Route 9 and follow it north. Continue for 2.5 miles and turn right onto Caza Turn Road, then take the next right onto Ensign Pond Road. Follow Ensign Pond Road for just under 3 miles to the trailhead on the right.

The loop around Rock and Heart pond brings you into some pretty ponds in the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness Area. From beautiful views to historical remains, this hike has it all.

The loop around Rock and Heart pond brings you into some pretty ponds in the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness Area. From beautiful views to historical remains, this hike has it all.

Walk through quiet, scenic forests and along the river.

Getting there

From exit 28 in Schroon Lake follow I-87 north for one exit to the North Hudson exit #29. From here follow Boreas Road west toward Newcomb. Continue all the way to Newcomb and Route 28N. Take a left onto 28N and continue for just under 6.75-miles to the trail on the right.  

Walk through quiet, scenic forests and along the river.

Getting there

From exit 28 in Schroon Lake follow I-87 north for one exit to the North Hudson exit #29. From here follow Boreas Road west toward Newcomb. Continue all the way to Newcomb and Route 28N. Take a left onto 28N and continue for just under 6.75-miles to the trail on the right.  

Enjoy a peaceful walk along a river. Listen to the birds chirp. Listen to the river flow. It's the best of nature here.

Getting there

From exit 28 in Schroon Lake, follow I-87 north for one exit to the North Hudson exit, #29. From here, follow Boreas Road west toward Newcomb. Continue all the way to Newcomb and Route 28N. Take a left onto 28N and continue for just under 6-miles to the trail on the right (just as you cross the Boreas River).  

Enjoy a peaceful walk along a river. Listen to the birds chirp. Listen to the river flow. It's the best of nature here.

Getting there

From exit 28 in Schroon Lake, follow I-87 north for one exit to the North Hudson exit, #29. From here, follow Boreas Road west toward Newcomb. Continue all the way to Newcomb and Route 28N. Take a left onto 28N and continue for just under 6-miles to the trail on the right (just as you cross the Boreas River).  

Boquet Falls is on the North Fork of the Boquet River and accessed from the same location as Shoebox Falls.

Getting there

From exit 28 in Schroon Lake follow I-87 north for two exits to exit 30. From here take a left and follow Route 9 toward Elizabethtown and shortly a left onto Route 73 and head toward Keene. Continue for 1.3 miles to the bridge over the Boquet River, the parking in just over the bridge on the right. 

Boquet Falls is on the North Fork of the Boquet River and accessed from the same location as Shoebox Falls.

Getting there

From exit 28 in Schroon Lake follow I-87 north for two exits to exit 30. From here take a left and follow Route 9 toward Elizabethtown and shortly a left onto Route 73 and head toward Keene. Continue for 1.3 miles to the bridge over the Boquet River, the parking in just over the bridge on the right. 

The falls along The Branch can be seen in their awe from afar at this parking location. This makes for a wonderful scene for photography.

Getting there

From exit 28 in Schroon Lake follow I-87 north for one exit to exit 29, North Hudson. From here take a left and follow Blue Ridge road for 2.5 miles to the small Hamlet of Blue Ridge. Parking is on a dirt pull off above the river on the left.

The falls along The Branch can be seen in their awe from afar at this parking location. This makes for a wonderful scene for photography.

Getting there

From exit 28 in Schroon Lake follow I-87 north for one exit to exit 29, North Hudson. From here take a left and follow Blue Ridge road for 2.5 miles to the small Hamlet of Blue Ridge. Parking is on a dirt pull off above the river on the left.