Balsam Lake Mountain Wild Forest 📍

Located in the southwest corner of the Catskill Park, Balsam Lake Mountain Wild Forest contains more than 13,500 acres of “forever wild” Forest Preserve. With an extensive trail network to several ponds, this wild forest is ideal for hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, backpacking, canoeing and cross-country skiing.

The Balsam Lake Mountain Wild Forest is located 8 miles south of Margaretville (Route 28) and 18 miles north of Livingston Manor (Route 17). It lies mainly within the western Ulster County town of Hardenburgh, with small appendages in the towns of Middletown and Andes in Delaware County.

The terrain is a combination of high mountain ridges, steep sided valleys, numerous brooks and ponds, with elevations ranging from a low of 1,740 feet along Mill Brook to a high of 3,723 feet at the summit of Balsam Lake Mountain.

🗺️ Maps 🖼️ Photos

Pond Prior to Sunrise

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The fog rises above the pond. It looks perfect for taking photos, so I decide to hop in the kayak, and go for a paddle.

Sunday August 29, 2010 — Big Pond
Map: Normans Kill Ravines Preserve
Map: Big Alderbed Lake Trail

Paddling

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The mountain in the background is Barkaboom Mountain. The place I camped was on the shore a little ways from here.

Saturday August 28, 2010 — Big Pond
Map: Empire State Topography
Map: Empire State Topography
Map: Watts Wildlife Management Area
Map: Severence Hill Trail

Canoe

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This lake is popular with fishermen who like to fish it both from shore and by canoe. I saw two people in canoes on this particular day.

Sunday May 16, 2010 — Balsam Lake Mountain Wild Forest
SVGZ Graphic: High Hazard Dams in Poor Condition