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.

Letting the Fire Do the Dishes For Me

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I've gotten smart over the years when camping. I now take all of the canned goods (baked beans, soup, etc.), double bag them in zip lock bags that can be burned at the end of the meal, and use styrofoam plates and disposable silverware that can all be burnt. That means a lot less dirty dishes and unburnable trash to haul back.

Taken on Saturday May 15, 2010 at Balsam Lake Mountain Wild Forest.

Fishing

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Man covers his eyes as he looks out across the water.

Taken on Sunday August 29, 2010 at Big Pond.