Cranberry Lake Wild Forest
The Cranberry Lake region is one of the largest remote areas in the state. There has been only minimal encroachment of civilization on the lake itself. Just to the south of the lake lie thousands of acres of rolling hills, numerous lakes, ponds, and unbroken forest lands that show little or no marks of civilization.
Cranberry Lake, the northern gateway to the Five Ponds Wilderness Area, covers 11 square miles and has 55 miles of shoreline, of which more than 40 miles are state-owned. The original lake doubled to its current size in 1867 with the construction of a log crib dam for flow, navigation , and hydraulic power control. A concrete dam replaced the crib in 1916.
The lake was noted at one time for its fine trout fishing. DEC is again stocking brook trout to make it a popular fishing spot. Many of the ponds, streams, and rivers in the area now support excellent trout fishing.
On July 15, 1995, the area changed suddenly and dramatically. A violent windstorm blew down thousands of acres of trees south and west of Cranberry Lake. Virtually all trails in the Five Ponds Wilderness were blocked and access to the interior ended for the rest of the year. Ecological impacts will mean more young forest growth, which will work to the benefit of wildlife such as deer and snowshoe hare. This kind of event is not unusual in the Adirondacks, though it may happen only once in a human lifetime. Trails have been cleared, but travel off the trails will be a challenge for decades to come.
View of Cranberry Lake From the top of Bear MountainJust east of Cranberry Lake Village, DEC maintains a public campground and day-use area on the lake, which includes a picnic area, a beach, and bathhouses. Graded areas for tents or trailers, convenient water outlets, toilets, a trailer dump-out station, and showers are available. Also available are accessible campsites, an accessible picnic area, and an accessible fishing pier. A public boat launch is located on Columbian Road west of Cranberry Lake.
Primitive tent sites, designated with yellow markers, have been established for the convenience of campers. Forty-six of these sites line the shore of Cranberry Lake. Campers may locate these sites on topographic maps displayed at the Cranberry Lake boat launch. Forty-five numbered sites serve the canoe route between Lows Lake and Inlet. Campers may locate these sites on topographic maps displayed at Inlet. Forty numbered sites serve Lows Lake, Bog River Flow and Hitchins Pond.