Northville-Placid Trail: Piseco to Lake Durant

West Canada Lake Wilderness, Moose River Plains, and Blue Ridge Wilderness, Adirondack Park (Piseco to Lake Durant)

North of Piseco, the Northville-Placid Trail enters the West Canada Lake Wilderness, which EMS’s Go East guide calls the second-largest wilderness in the Northeast, and the 44 Lakes regional site counts among the most remote parts of the Adirondack Park. This section runs from Piseco past Spruce Lake, the West Canada Lakes, and the Cedar Lakes to Wakely Dam, then north to Lake Durant near Blue Mountain Lake.

A 2015 Pure Adirondacks trip report describes going three days in this wilderness without seeing anyone.

The hike

EMS’s northbound mile points put Piseco at 43.02, the West Canada Lakes at 58.07, Wakely Dam at 74.23, and Lake Durant at 86.43, about 43.4 miles in all. Treeline Review’s Kate Riley, who hiked the trail northbound in August 2023, describes re-entering the woods at Haskell Road after the Piseco road walk.

The first big landmark is Spruce Lake, with three lean-tos. EMS calls it a spot with ample camping and lake access; Treeline says it is popular on weekends, and Riley stayed at Lean-to #3 on the lakefront. Beyond, the trail reaches the West Canada Lakes. EMS points to the South Lake Outlet bridge for its views, and ADK’s Albany Chapter notes the remains of the fireplace of “Adirondack French Louie,” whose name the French Louie Loop carries, a 22.6-mile backpacking loop that uses part of the NPT (44 Lakes).

This is also where the trail is wettest. DEC says the NPT has been rerouted around significant beaver flooding between West Lake and Mud Lake in the West Canada Lake Wilderness, and in June 2026 it published a proposal for a 0.4-mile reroute onto higher ground near West Lake. Riley found the trail underwater just past the West Lake Trail junction and called the log crossings hazardous. EMS warns of deep mud and flooded sections through the West Canadas and Cedar Lakes.

The Cedar Lakes have three more lean-tos. North of them, the trail drops to the Cedar River at Wakely Dam, with a short road walk on Cedar River Road (nptrail.org). Treeline describes marked primitive tent sites near a caretaker house, and EMS lists Carry and Stephens Pond among the lean-tos farther north. 44 Lakes describes Stephens Pond, with its single lean-to, as a day-hike destination as well.

The section ends at Lake Durant, a state campground off Routes 28 and 30. EMS and Treeline mention its showers, and Blue Mountain Lake, about 3.1 miles off-trail, is a resupply stop (Treeline).

The section before this one is Benson to Piseco; the trail’s northern end is covered in Long Lake to Lake Placid.

Tips

Expect wet feet. Beaver flooding and deep mud are the norm here (DEC, EMS, Treeline).
Follow the blue markers around reroutes rather than old tread.
Filter water away from beaver pond outflows (Treeline).
Carry a tent. Lean-tos are first come, first served.
Check road status before an off-season trip; DEC notes seasonal closures.

Camping

No permit is needed for the NPT (Treeline). DEC’s state land rules apply: camp at “Camp Here” sites or at least 150 feet from roads, trails, and water; get a ranger permit for groups of 10 or more or stays longer than three days in one place; share lean-tos; use only dead and down wood in existing fire pits. Bear canisters are not required outside the Eastern High Peaks, but DEC recommends one in bear country, and Treeline’s author carried a canister and an Ursack for the whole trip.

EMS lists lean-tos at Spruce Lake (three), West Canada Creek, South Lake, West Lake, Cedar Lakes (three), Carry, and Stephens Pond. Treeline notes that flat dispersed sites are rare, but tent sites are often near the lean-tos.

Inside Intel: In Adirondack Life’s 2020 “Favorite Lean-tos” feature, Ethan Bonner and Emily Evatt picked the South Lake Lean-to: “It’s the definition of remote, just doesn’t get the traffic” of busier areas. Treeline’s Kate Riley recommends Spruce Lake Lean-to #3 for its calm lakefront and loons, and a 2015 Pure Adirondacks trip spent nights at Spruce Lake #3 and Cedar Lakes #3.

Trail facts

Distance: About 43.4 miles (EMS mile points)
Route type: Point to point
Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous; long, remote, and wet
Campsites: Spruce Lake (3), West Canada Creek, South Lake, West Lake, Cedar Lakes (3), Carry, Stephens Pond lean-tos; Wakely Dam tent sites; Lake Durant State Campground
Water: Plentiful; filter all water, avoiding beaver outflows
Permits: None; ranger permit for groups of 10 or more
Bear and food storage: Canister recommended, not required
Trailheads: Haskell Road, Piseco (south) and Lake Durant, Routes 28 and 30 (north)
Last verified: October 17, 2026

The Lowdown

When the South Lake lean-to is taken:

Lean-tos in the West Canada Lakes are first come, first served, and flat dispersed sites are rare, so a small freestanding tent keeps your options open. See the backpacking tents testers like.

See the picks →

Where this comes from

This page draws on the sources below, along with other guides and trip reports. Links go to the original pages.

Before you go: This page is based on published trail guides, trip reports, and reviews, along with official park and agency information where we could find it. It’s meant to help backpackers discover new trails, not to replace current, official information. Conditions, closures, permits, campsites, and water sources change, and some details here may be out of date or wrong. Confirm everything with the managing agency and check current conditions before you head out, and don’t rely on this page alone for safety or navigation. Backcountry travel involves risk.