Star Lake, NY 257 acres Visitor Guidelines Download Map

A wilderness preserve within the Adirondack Park.

Just north of the Five Ponds Wilderness Area of the Adirondack Park lies the Little River Wilderness Preserve. Located just to the south and east of the hamlet of Star Lake, New York, this 257-acre property is defined by its vast open wetlands and other water features.

With over 70 acres of wetlands, miles of streams, and approximately a half mile of the Little River all within the holding’s boundaries, Little River Wilderness Preserve supports a wide range of species who inhabit these diverse wetland and stream habitats.

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Wetlands, streams, and more

Fortunately, this property has been left largely undisturbed for many decades, meaning that the forests and wetlands found here are in very good condition. The largest wetland on the property spans nearly 40 acres and has been left in its natural condition for over 50 years.

Over time, under Northeast Wilderness Trust’s forever-wild stewardship, these sensitive habitats will continue to grow older and wilder. Pink wintergreen, a perennial wildflower threatened in New York, was identified on adjacent lands, highlighting the ecological importance of this area’s connectivity.

The property’s wetlands are surrounded by stunning and diverse upland forests, which have also been left largely undisturbed for many decades. As a result, these forests are in exceptional condition, with a high canopy, many large old trees, and diverse growth layers from the forests’ ground to their crown.

mushroom_little_river

A wild landscape, forever

Little River Wilderness Preserve is one piece within a vast network of existing forever-wild conservation land. The 107,000+ Five Ponds Wilderness Area, one of the largest and most remote of the state-protected wildlands of the Adirondack Park, sits on the property’s southern boundary. Little River Wilderness Preserve will strengthen regional habitat connections and further enhance the wild character of state-protected lands within the Adirondack Park. Northeast Wilderness Trust’s Bear Pond Forest, an inholding within the Five Ponds Wilderness Area, is another example of how public agencies and nonprofit organizations can work together to promote wildland conservation.

On an even larger scale, Little River Wilderness Preserve falls within the Algonquin to Adirondacks (A2A) wildlife corridor. Connecting the Adirondack Park of New York and the Algonquin Park of Ontario, the corridor has been recognized as one of the few remaining large-scale habitat linkages in the East.

The A2A is vital to the movement of wide-ranging species such as moose and many songbirds. Due to its profound importance as one of the Northeast’s key wildlife corridors, the A2A region has been identified as a priority for the Wilderness Trust’s conservation work.

Little River Wilderness Preserve at a glance

Size: Approx. 257 acres

Context: Situated adjacent to the the northern edge of the 107,000+ Five Ponds Wilderness, one of the wildest and most remote parts of the Adirondack Park, the Wilderness Trust’s acquisition of Little River expands the acreage in this area protected as forever-wild.

Location: Star Lake, St. Lawrence County, New York

Objective: Forever-wild ecological preserve with high biodiversity.

bee on a flower
leaning rocks at little river
ghost pipe
two mushrooms next to moss

Photography by Shelby Perry.

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Visitor Guidelines
Little River Wilderness Preserve is open to the public for quiet exploration and enjoyment. If you have access questions please contact the NY Land Steward at 802.224.1000 ext 117.

Please respect the plants and animals who live here, show consideration to wildlife, other visitors, and neighboring landowners, know and obey the law, and leave the natural environment as you found it. Enjoy your visit and respect the following guidelines while on the land:

Welcomed Activities

  • Walking, hiking, snowshoeing & cross-country skiing
  • Photography, wildlife observation & nature study
  • Swimming, fishing, paddling & non-motorized boating. Contact the NY Land Steward for launch information.
  • Hunting on the Preserve requires a permit, available at newildernesstrust.org/hunting

Prohibited Activities

  • Motorized vehicles (ATVs, dirt bikes, 4x4s, snowmobiles, or other motorized or mechanized vehicles) except snowmobiles are allowed on posted, club-sponsored trails
  • Bicycles
  • Dogs, horses or pack animals
  • Camping, fires & fireworks
  • Loud music or radios
  • Trapping, hounding, or predator hunting
  • Cutting or damaging plants or trees
  • New trails or unauthorized trail maintenance
  • Launching & landing drones

Click here to read NEWT Preserve & Sanctuary Visitation Guidelines

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NORTHEAST WILDERNESS TRUST
17 STATE STREET, SUITE 302
MONTPELIER, VT 05602

802.224.1000

info@newildernesstrust.org

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NORTHEAST WILDERNESS TRUST
17 STATE STREET, SUITE 302
MONTPELIER, VT 05602

802.224.1000

© The Northeast Wilderness Trust 2024    TERMS OF USE    PRIVACY POLICY

Learn more about our Green Guarantee.

Logo for Accredited Land Trust.
A one over a two, meaning one half.
Logo for the Global Rewilding Alliance.
A platinum Seal of Transparency.