Winding through varied terrain for just over seven kilometers, this red-disk-marked route leads into a quiet corner of the Adirondacks where a chain of ponds offers respite from more heavily traveled destinations. The trail, maintained by the state's Department of Environmental Conservation, is reported to traverse mixed forest and wetland edges before reaching the namesake waters. Those willing to commit to the round-trip distance will find what many describe as a rewarding sense of remoteness, the kind that has become increasingly rare in the more accessible portions of the park.
Preston Ponds Trail runs 4.6 miles (7.4 km) with about 1,141 feet of elevation gain — a demanding hike, with a gentle, rolling grade, about 3 hours on the trail. NYSDEC maintains the route.
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.
+24 more on the map above
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Sunrise on the dock, a cairn at the summit, a bend on the trail. Your camera roll, our archive.
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