New York
Nature|Hiking

Just About Anyone Can Tackle The Fun Summit Hike At Cranberry Lake Campground In New York

Cranberry Lake Campground in New York offers a perfect blend of camping, hiking, and nature activities, highlighted by the scenic Bear Mountain Trail.

Updated May 6, 2024

Written by 

E Jamar

Cranberry Lake Campground in New York is one of the many natural and gorgeous places to escape in the Empire State, and it deserves a place on your bucket list. Cranberry Lake Campground is an incredible spot to go camping in the Adirondacks and has all of the amenities you need, as well as some unforgettable outdoor activities. Besides being a wonderful place to explore, this remote lake is home to a hike that will take you to the summit of Bear Mountain. This journey exposes folks to gorgeous nature views and feels miles away from it all. After taking Bear Mountain Trail, take a dip in Cranberry Lake for the ultimate New York nature experience. Next time you're looking for a fun summit hike that just about anyone will love, head to Cranberry Lake and then spend the night at Cranberry Lake Campground.

Welcome to Cranberry Lake Campground!

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Lisa Przepiora/AllTrails

This incredible campground in the Adirondacks is home to the one and only Cranberry Lake.

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The rugged property has become a destination for nature enthusiasts because there are so many outdoor activities from which to choose.

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william hill/AllTrails

Besides camping in New York and relaxing by the fire, this campground is home to many hiking trails, miles and miles of wilderness, fishing spots, and, of course, Cranberry Lake.

One of the best hikes in Cranberry Lake is Bear Mountain Trail.

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Mackenzie Hall/AllTrails

This breathtaking hike starts at Cranberry Lake Campground and takes you 3.7 miles up the mountain.

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Along the way, you'll find a variety of terrain, incredible views of the forest and quite a few vistas.

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Rui Li/AllTrails

Since this lake is one of the most remote in the area, it's not unlikely that you'll have the trail all to yourself as well.

Bear Mountain Trail should only take you about thirty minutes to an hour to complete, and the views are second to none.

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Greg Bronson/AllTrails

There's nothing quite like hiking to the summit of a mountain, and Bear Mountain is no exception. At the top you'll find many flat rocks to sit and take in the lake views.

After a hike back down from the summit, there's no better way to relax than to take a dip.

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Marty Desilets/Google Local

Swimming in Cranberry Lake offers a refreshing respite from the summer heat - which we appreciate. If you don't feel like getting in, boating is also permitted.

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Whether you want to relax, take an adventurous hike, or take a dip in cool waters, Cranberry Lake Campground has it all.

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Jennifer M/Tripadvisor

And Bear Mountain Trail is one of the best ways to view all that this gorgeous campground has to offer.

Next time you're looking for a fun summit hike when staying at Cranberry Lake Campground, don't pass up on Bear Mountain Trail.

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Aubri Drake/Google Local

This summit hike is perfect for just about any nature lover!

Cranberry Lake Campground in New York offers more information on its web page. Have you ever taken Bear Mountain Trail while camping at Cranberry Lake Campground? How were the views? We'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.

If you need some help, check out our Ultimate Hiking Packing List.

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/usa/must-have-hiking-accessories/

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Nature|Hiking

The Stunning Top-Secret Natural Spring in New York Nobody’s Ever Heard of

The best hidden waterfall in New York is found in a small Central New York wilderness along a challenging but beautiful trail.

Published Sep 28, 2024

Written by 

Raymond Goldfield

New York's waterfalls and springs are famous around the world - especially when you talk about a certain one up north! But New York is actually a big state, and there are some fascinating spots far off the beaten path that are well-worth exploring. You just might have to put some work into getting there. I was surprised to find the best-hidden waterfall in New York was located near the tiny town of North Creek, in the little-known Siamese Ponds Wilderness. That's where you'll find the Shanty Brook Trail, a 1.3-mile trail rated moderate. While it's a short trail, it does pack some unique challenges into its half-hour hike - but we think it's well worth the challenge.

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Joe Helt/AllTrails

The Shanty Brook Trail is one of New York's hidden gems, found in a deeply remote area of the state with no major towns around. While it's rated moderate, it will require you to venture off well-maintained trails and into some challenging terrain.

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Joe Helt/AllTrails

The most challenging part of this trail comes right at the start, as you'll have to cross the Sacandaga River. This is usually a fairly slow-moving and shallow river, so all you'll need is a good pair of wading boots - but be careful to not take this trail after heavy rain.

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Han Ng/AllTrails

From there, it's a quick but challenging hike uphill until you reach the titular Shanty Brook - a twelve-foot waterfall that makes for amazing photo opportunities. The best part is that the challenging approach means you'll likely have this area all to yourself.

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Chris Caprood/AllTrails

Although far from New York's tallest waterfall, the Shanty Brook Waterfall is an incredible sight and can be walked right up to. While this isn't a suitable place for swimming, it is a great place to cool off before heading back!

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Chris Caprood/AllTrails

There are actually eighteen trails in the immediate area of the wilderness, many moderately challenging and remote, making exploring this area this the perfect day of adventure.

Have you hiked the Shanty Brook Trail to see this magical hidden waterfall in New York? Let us know about your hike in the comments section, and you can visit the AllTrails trail listing for more details and pictures. If you want to know more about the Siamese Ponds Wilderness, check out its page on the NY DEC website. This is the kind of hike AllTrails + was made for - the point-by-point directions are incredibly useful in a remote, fast-paced hike like this. And if you're looking for a memorable stay in the area, this Victorian-style B&B is about an hour away in the Lake George area.

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Nature|Hiking

The 25.7-Mile Hiking Trail in New York That Is a Fall Foliage Wonderland

The best and definitely the longest fall foliage hike in New York, the Catskill Scenic Trail is almost 26 miles of adventure.

Published Sep 21, 2024

Written by 

Raymond Goldfield

I don't know about you, but there might be no more beautiful place for fall foliage than the Catskills. These mountains, which are a popular summer vacation spot and turn into a top ski destination when the snow starts to fall, are in their "Goldilocks Zone" right now - there are still people coming, but the crowds are much smaller, and that means there's plenty of space to enjoy the fall colors. That's good, because this area is home to the best fall foliage hike in New York - if you can call it a hike! The Catskill Scenic Trail is a whopping 25.7-mile trail on what used to be a railroad, taking you all the way from Bloomville to Roxbury and past some of the most beautiful forests, farms, and small towns in the state. You can take just a small part of it, or if you have a bike and a lot of fortitude, embark on the best fall journey in Central New York.

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James Francis Halloran/AllTrails

The fall foliage in the Catskills is truly unparalleled, and there's a spectacular way to see it on the Catskill Scenic Trail. This 25.7-mile trail is one of New York's most famous hikes, and it gets a moderate rating from AllTrails. Many areas of it are highly accessible to beginner hikers.

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Joe Chinea/AllTrails

The area used to be a railroad, so many areas of the trail are paved, with small bridges to make it easy to pass over water features. This gives it the feeling of a peaceful boardwalk hike - one that keeps going and going!

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Joe Chinea/AllTrails

If you do want to take on the whole hike, though, you should be prepared for some more out-of-the-way destinations. This is a very popular biking trail, which is a lot easier than walking or running it - unless you're a marathon-runner! Dogs are welcome on the trail as long as they're on a leash.

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Karen Rowe/AllTrails

One of the best things about the Catskill Scenic Trail is that it goes on so long that you'll come across not just nature, but small-town charm. You never know when you'll pass by a farm's pumpkin patch...

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James Francis Halloran/AllTrails

Or pass through a small town in the Catskills! This doesn't need to be a one-day adventure either - you can plan stops along the way, spend a night in a charming small town with a great restaurant and a cute motel, and then continue on your way down the best fall foliage trail in New York.

Have you taken the Catskill Scenic Trail before? Whether you've only seen a small part or conquered the whole thing, let us know about your adventure in the comments section! You can learn more about the trail on the Catskill Scenic Trail website, or see more pictures on the AllTrails trail listing. With a trail this long, a subscription to AllTrails + can help you keep on the right path with downloadable trail maps that work even if cell phone service is spotty in the region. And if you make it all the way to Roxbury, consider rewarding yourself with a night at the quirky Roxbury Motel.

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