Wilcox Lake Wild Forest

Wilcox Lake Wild Forest is located in the southeastern part of the Central Adirondacks and is made up of approximately 140,000 acres of State Forest Preserve lands in Warren, Hamilton, Saratoga and Fulton Counties. Nearby communities include Stony Creek, Thurman, Bakers Mills, Day, Wells, Hope Falls, and Northville.

Wilcox Lake Wild Forest is bounded on the north by NY 8, on the east by the Hudson River, on the south by the Adirondack Park Blue Line, and on the west by NY 30. This wild forest offers many recreational opportunities, including hiking to the fire tower on Hadley Mountain, camping on Wilcox Lake, and ice fishing on Garnet Lake. With over forty-five miles of marked trails available, there are countless opportunities for hiking, skiing, and snowmobiling in the unit.

Campsite Five or Seven

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Camping during shoulder season in the Adirondacks on the East Branch Sacandaga River that’s something I frequently debate about. This time, like many I checked out both sites before settling on Campsite 5 close to the old Fox Lair Camp.

Campsite 5 Pros

  • More protected from the wind with higher trees
  • More screening from the road
  • Driveway to the road is downhill, so less likely to get stuck in deep snow
  • Near Fox Lair and East Branch Trail
  • Outhouse
  • Nice swimming hole across the way
  • Good firewood supply, especially if hunters leave left over wood

Campsite 5 Cons

  • Trees tend to shade out solar power
  • No cell service

Waiting for Darkness

Campsite 7 Pros

  • Good solar exposure for camp solar power
  • Limited cell service at times
  • Near Cod Pond and the trail back along Stewart Creek

Campsite 7 Cons

  • Driveway is flat, winding, greater chance of trees coming down blocking it
  • Not as private as campsite 5
  • More road noise

Nice Morning At Camp