ADIRONDACKREGION.COM
AdirondackRegion.com

Opalescent River

Eighteen miles of mountain river falling from Lake Colden through Flowed Lands and the Hudson Gorge to the upper Hudson — named for the iridescent labradorite crystals in the streambed, a signature of High Peaks geology. Native brook trout in the upper reaches, where the river is barely a stream above timberline. Wilder paddleable sections downstream through one of the most ecologically intact river corridors in the East. Hike-in only above Lake Colden; backcountry access throughout. The water actually shimmers in sunlight.

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River
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§ Closest essentials

Nearest, each within 25 miles

Coffee
Old Mountain Coffee Company
12.6 mi away
Restaurant
Salt of the Earth Bistro
12.2 mi away
General store
East Branch Organics
15.3 mi away
Shelter
Griffin Lean-to
1.1 mi away
§ At the water

Camping & access

Camping (84)
  • 84 designated campsites
Access (10)
§ Nearby parking

10 parking areas

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.

+2 more on the map above

§ Fishing

What’s in the water

Brook troutBrook troutSalvelinus fontinalisNative
§ Field guide
Species, regs & waters atlas →
Size limits, seasons, NY state records, and where to fish in the Park.
§ Nearby Points of Interest
Peaks (12)
Lakes & ponds (37)
Trails (25)
Lean-tos (69)
  • Beaver Point #22.1 mi
  • Calamity Lean-to1.3 mi
  • Flowed Lands Lean-to1.3 mi
  • Herbert Brook Lean-to1.8 mi
  • Cedar Point Lean-to2.1 mi
  • Beaver Point Lean-to #12.1 mi
  • McMartin Lean-to1.9 mi
  • Henderson Lean-to2.8 mi
Primitive campsites (84)
  • East River Trail Campsite0.5 mi
  • East River Trail0.5 mi
  • Calamity Brook0.9 mi
  • Calamity Brook Campsite0.9 mi
  • NYSDEC1.3 mi
  • NYSDEC1.4 mi
  • Livingston Point Campsite1.4 mi
  • Unnamed campsite1.8 mi
§ The Field Notes

Add to the record.

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Field notes and corrections are reviewed before they appear publicly. Photos and Logbook entries post immediately.§ Run an association tied to this water? Get in touch →
§ Nearby vacation rentals

Closest cabins, camps & lakefront rentals

§ More field guides

Continue exploring.

All guides
§ Frequently asked