Haystack Brook drains the northern slopes of the Great Range, running northeast through the Keene Valley backcountry before joining Johns Brook near the Garden parking area. The stream picks up volume in spring melt and after heavy rain — by midsummer it's a series of shallow pools and moss-covered cascades, the kind of cold-water trickle you cross on boot stones rather than wade. It's not a fishing destination and there's no formal trail that follows it end-to-end, but it shows up on USGS quads and you'll hear it before you see it if you're bushwhacking the ridges between Gothics and Haystack. The name likely references Haystack Mountain to the south, though the brook itself stays low in the drainage.
Closest parking lots within range, ranked by walking distance. Accessibility flags come from Google verified-data; surface and capacity from OpenStreetMap. Confirm hours and seasonal closures before you go.
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What to do, where to stay, and what's reopening across the Park as the snow melts and the calendar fills.
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Overnight, day, and trip camps in the Park — the camp belt, choosing the right fit, costs and financial aid, ACA accreditation, and the questions every parent should ask before they commit.