Hiking in the Adirondack Mountain Reserve

Akwesasne has a large contingent of hikers – from young children to active elders, they all take off to the mountain for a short hike or a long grueling trek. Hiking the Adirondacks is free, following some basic essential rules and you’re all set. Going further into the Adirondack mountain range this year, you’ll have to be a bit more prepared than just wearing the proper clothing, staying on the trail, and taking out what you bring in. While most trailheads in the Adirondack Park are first come, first served, a handful require extra steps to access. If you plan to travel beyond the High Peaks Region for a hike – you’ll have a make a reservation to hike trials in the Adirondack Mountain Reserve.

The 7,000-acre Adirondack Mountain Reserve (AMR) consists of private lands around the Upper & Lower Ausable Lakes and the upper reaches of the East Branch Ausable River. The lands lie between two sections of the High Peaks Wilderness in the Adirondack Park. An easement allows the public to hike, ski and snowshoe on designated, marked roads and trails within the reserve. The public is prohibited from entering the clubhouse, camps, buildings, lands and waters outside of the designated, marked roads and trails in AMR.

The AMR trail system has more than 27 miles of trails. The majority of the trail system consists of the Lake Road and the trails west of the road. The numerous trails access waterfalls and scenic lookouts of the Ausable Lakes, the valley and surrounding mountains; waterfalls and scenic overlooks just outside AMR lands and trails that lead into the two adjacent wildernesses.

The AMR is perhaps most famous for Indian Head, a rocky knob that offers expansive views of the Upper and Lower Ausable Lakes and their neighboring mountains. It is also the primary access point for five high peaks: Blake, Colvin, Dial, Nippletop, and Sawteeth. Though all five summits are on state land and can be accessed via alternative routes, the trails that start on AMR property are the most accessible in terms of location and mileage.

Other destinations in the AMR include Beaver Meadow Falls, Rainbow Falls, Noonmark Mountain, and Round Mountain. Hikers can also find alternative routes to Gothics, Armstrong, and Upper and Lower Wolfjaw.

An important part of planning ahead and preparing for outdoor adventures is researching your destination in advance. One thing of particular importance is the parking situation at your trailhead of choice in the Adirondack Mountain Reserve (AMR). The AMR requires a reservation to park at and access between May 1 and October 31 every year.

DEC and AMR are now in the third year of this pilot reservation system developed in partnership to provide reliable access and address public safety along a particularly crowded stretch of Route 73 near Ausable Road. The reservation system, operated by AMR, facilitates safer public access to trailheads through the AMR gate as well as the Noonmark Mountain and Round Mountain trailheads accessed through AMR lands and improves visitors’ trip planning and preparation by ensuring they have guaranteed parking upon arrival.

The Adirondack Backcountry Information pages for the High Peaks provides general information regarding backcountry and seasonal conditions; specific notices regarding closures and conditions of trails, roads, bridges, and other infrastructure; and links to weather, state land use regulations, low impact recreation and more.

Advance reservations are required and can be made as early as two weeks in advance at hikeamr.org Walk-in users without a reservation will not be permitted. Visitors can make reservations for day or overnight use, including overnight parking. Entrance to the AMR parking lot is available between the hours of 5 a.m. and 7 p.m. daily. An automatic one-way gate allows for departure at any hour.

Keep in mind, advance reservations for parking, daily access, and overnight access to trailheads accessed through the AMR are required May 1 through Oct. 31.