ADIRONDACKREGION.COM
AdirondackRegion.com

Opalescent River

The Opalescent River drains the western flank of the MacIntyre Range and flows north through Flowed Lands before joining the Hudson River near Lake Colden — one of the primary arteries of the High Peaks backcountry and a through-route for multi-day loops in the region. The river traces a corridor used by loggers, guides, and early explorers; its name comes from the mineral tint in the water, visible where the current runs over pale bedrock in shallow sections. Most backpackers cross it on suspension bridges or ford it as part of longer routes connecting the southern High Peaks to the interior lakes. No road access — this is foot-travel water, and the sound of it marks distance from the trailhead.

Add photos & video
Type
Stream
Surface
Max depth
Species
Loading map…
§ Closest essentials

Nearest, each within 25 miles

Coffee
Old Mountain Coffee Company
9.8 mi away
Restaurant
Noon Mark Diner
9.8 mi away
General store
East Branch Organics
12.5 mi away
Shelter
Feldspar Lean-to
0.1 mi away
§ At the water

Camping & access

Camping (120)
  • 120 designated campsites
Access (11)
§ Nearby parking

11 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.

+3 more on the map above

§ Nearby Points of Interest
Peaks (12)
Lakes & ponds (38)
Trails (25)
Shelters (1)
  • Johns Brook Lodge5.5 mi
Lean-tos (70)
  • Howard Lean-to5.9 mi
  • Beaver Point #21.3 mi
  • Calamity Lean-to1.9 mi
  • Flowed Lands Lean-to1.8 mi
  • Herbert Brook Lean-to1.5 mi
  • Cedar Point Lean-to1.2 mi
  • Beaver Point Lean-to #11.4 mi
  • McMartin Lean-to1.4 mi
Primitive campsites (120)
  • NYSDEC0.1 mi
  • Unnamed campsite0.2 mi
  • Unnamed campsite0.6 mi
  • Unnamed campsite0.6 mi
  • NYSDEC1.2 mi
  • Lake Colden East Shore Campsite1.2 mi
  • NYS DEC1.2 mi
  • NYS DEC1.2 mi
§ The Field Notes

Add to the record.

§ Reader account
Start your Logbook.

Free, takes thirty seconds. Yours forever.

Every page on this site gets better when readers contribute. Mark a peak you’ve climbed, drop a photo, file a field note, or flag a correction — every addition makes the next visitor’s page better.

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