Paddle the Essex Chain of Lakes

Beginning in the Town of Newcomb, there is a sign for the Essex Chain of Lakes at the intersection of Route 28N and Pine Tree Road. Follow Pine Tree Road until you see a right for Goodnow Flow Road. Follow this road for 4.3 miles then take a right on Woody's Road. Take this road for 1.5 miles until it ends. Then, turn left onto Cornell Road and follow it for about 4.5 miles to the parking area. These roads are pretty bumpy and are single dirt roads so be gentle with your car!

The Essex Chain of Lakes just previously opened to the public in 2014 and are identified as a Primitive and Pristine Wilderness Area. Although camping is allowed, campfires are not. Paddlers can spend the day or camp at one of the designated sites. Campsites along the lakes and ponds require a (free) permit. To make a camping reservation, contact the Adirondack Interpretive Center (AIC) in Newcomb at (518) 582-2000 or email at aic@esf.edu for a free permit.

Once parked, a quarter-mile carry will bring you to Deer Pond. A quick paddle across Deer Pond and you'll make another short half-mile carry on a dirt road to Third Lake - the largest of the Essex Chain of Lakes. From here, you can access Second, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Lakes by boat and First Lake by a short carry. There are plans to add a carry to Eighth Lake in the near future!

Fishing is optimal in all the lakes and it's almost a guarantee that you'll encounter some sort of wildlife, as there are few humans that have access to these beautiful and remote newly-opened lakes.