The 79,000 acre Saranac Lakes Wild Forest is located in Franklin and Essex Counties near the communities of Tupper Lake, Saranac Lake as well as Lake Placid.  The area is a very popular tourist destination as well as a popular outdoor recreational area.  The popular outdoor activities in the area include hiking, camping, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, skiing, mountain biking, canoeing, kayaking, hunting, and fishing.  Although it's a popular destination, you should be able to find solitude in the area.

Fish Creek Pond State Campground is a very popular camping destination located right off NY 30 and is usually one of the first state campgrounds to open in early spring and the last to close in the Adirondacks.  Fish Creek Pond Campground offers a natural sand shoreline and water access for most campsites.  The campground is considered the finest and most attractive of all the state owned Adirondack campgrounds.  Many miles of trails begin right from the campground, with two of the most popular include the Otter Hollow Loop and Floodwood Loop.

Rollins Pond State Campground is popular for those interested in canoes, rowboats, paddle boats or kayaks. However you'll find hiking trails nearby the campground.  Saranac Lake Islands State Campground is available for visitors looking to use their boat to access their campsite.

For those looking for a more primitive camping experience can try the roadside campsites along the dirt Floodwood Road. These camp sites are available for free on a first come basis, however those planning to stay for more than three days will need to receive a permit from the NY DEC. See the map below.

Many hikers looking to conquer the Seward Mountains normally use Corey's Road off NY 3 to a parking area for the trailhead of the Wards Brook Truck Trail.  Four summits needed to become a member of the 46er ADK High Peaks club are located off this trail.  The summits include Seward Mountain, Donaldson Mountain, Mount Emmons and Seymour Mountain. All four summits are without marked trails and require a bushwhack to reach or following unmarked herd paths.  The parking area is located in Saranac Lakes Wild Forest, however as soon as you start off on the trail you're entering the High Peaks Wilderness.

Look below for a list of destinations as well as a few maps to help assist in planning your adventure in this wild forest.

Destinations in Saranac Lakes Wild Forest

Panther Mountain	Scarface Mountain	Floodwood Mountain
Fernow Forest Nature Trail	Middle Saranac Lake	Trombley Landing
Deer Pond	Lead Pond	Hoel Pond
Clear Lake	Seymour Mountain	Hemlocks
Lead Pond	Floodwood Loop	Otter Hollow Loop
Green Pond	Follensby Clear Pond	Little Green Pond

Deer Pond Trail off NY 30