View southeast at sunrise
When the Adirondack Park was created in 1892 by the State of New York - this diverse mountain landscape was a wild place. Full of pristine waterways, boreal forests and the towering Adirondack Mountains. It was land ripe for cultivation or conservation, and it was already on the brink of wide-spread deforestation.
Clear cutting was a growing concern for many in the late 1800s, but it wasn't until 1894 that the Adirondack Forest Preserve was established and recognized as a constitutionally protected Forever Wild area. Of the Adirondack Park's 6 million acres, 2.6 million acres are owned by the state. The remaining 3.4 million acres are privately owned.
Within the Adirondack Region is the largest publicly protected area in the contiguous United States. It is also home to 105 towns and villages. There is often a misperception that the Adirondack Park is a national or state park, yet the region's mix of public and private land allow for conservation and civilization to thrive.
The Adirondack Park Forest Preserve
Verplanck Colvin, a lawyer, author, illustrator and topographical engineer, was the original surveyor of the Adirondack Park. Through his early work and appreciation of the Adirondack Mountains - he helped raise awareness for the need to create a Forest Preserve and ultimately, the Adirondack Park.
Colvin got his start at his father's law office in Albany, specializing in real estate law and gaining practical surveying experience. Colvin spent several years around the 1860s exploring in the Adirondacks and by 1869, he decided to do a geological survey of the region.
One year later, Colvin recorded his ascent of Seward Mountain - where he witnessed the widespread devastation of the logging industry - and presented his observations to the Albany Institute. This caught the ears of several state officials and was printed in the annual report of the New York State Museum of Natural History. In his report, Colvin argued that clear-cutting would lead to reduced water flow in the state's canals and rivers - main thoroughfares of commerce for New York City and beyond.
In 1872, Colvin applied for a stipend from New York State to cover the costs of a survey, and was presented with a budget of $1,000, and named to the newly created post of Superintendent of the Adirondack Survey. Over the next year, Colvin and his crews discovered Lake Tear of the Clouds - the source of the Hudson River, and many more Adirondack peaks. Through his work in the Adirondacks, Colvin was able to demonstrate the need for conservation of the state's wild spaces. Eventually, Colvin was appointed Superintendent of the New York State Land Survey, where his work led to the creation of the Adirondack Park Forest Preserve.
6 Million Acres Forever Wild
The Adirondack Park was created in 1892 by the State of New York amid concerns for the water and timber resources of the region. Larger than several states in New England, bigger even than Yosemite, Yellowstone, Glacier, Grand Canyon and the Great Smokies National Parks combined - the Adirondack Park contains the largest protected wilderness area east of the Mississippi.
Seven distinct geographical regions are located within the Adirondacks: the Adirondack Wild, Lake George Region, Adirondack Coast, Adirondack Lakes Region, Lake Placid Region, Adirondacks-Tughill and the Adirondack Seaway.
The boundary of the park encompasses more than six million acres, nearly half of which belongs to all the people of New York state and is constitutionally protected as a "forever wild" forest preserve. The remaining half of the park is private land including settlements, farms, timberlands, businesses, homes and camps.
The Adirondack Park boasts 3,000 lakes and ponds, and 30,000 miles of rivers and streams, therfore Adirondack waterways are vast, wild and primal -perfect for New York canoeing and kayaking. The 46 tallest mountains within the park are called the High Peaks. Mount Marcy is the highest point in the entire state of New York, towering 5,343 feet above the High Peaks Wilderness Area. Whether you're a "46er" or simply looking to take a nature walk in the lower elevations - the Adirondack Park has more than 2,000 miles of complex and beautiful New York hiking trails that cater to every skill level. Year-round recreation at alpine and cross-country ski centers is also a popular draw throughout the region.
Handicap accessible trails are offered in many regions so that everyone can enjoy the wilderness. For a hands-on glimpse into the history of the Adirondacks - from the logging industry to the distinctive architecture of the Adirondack Great Camps - the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake is the best place to go. The Wild Center Natural History Museum in Tupper Lake focuses on the environment and geology of the park. Celebrated for their experiential exhibits, these two museums are a must for first time visitors.
The Blue Line
When the first maps of the Adirondack Park in Northern New York were made by cartographers, blue ink was used to delineate the park's boundaries - a choice that has led many to refer to the Adirondack Park as being within the "blue line." Originally, the blue line was meant to guide the acquisition of future State Forest Preserve lands, but over the centuries, it has come to define the region - often resulting in legal impact on the public and private lands located within it.
The New York State Constitution necessitates that any land owned or acquired by the state within the blue line be kept "Forever Wild." Unless a special amendment is made for a development project, state Forest Preserve lands cannot be bought, sold or transferred - allowing Adirondack recreation opportunities to flourish.
Although it is known for offering incredible outdoor recreation experiences, the park offers an authentic and unique wilderness adventure within a day's drive for 60 million people. It's just hours from New York City, Boston, Burlington, Montreal and Ottawa. Discover the enduring legacy of this wild area during your next family vacation.
