West Canada Lake Wilderness Area

West Canada Lake Wilderness is a large protected area with swamps, mountains, and more than 200 natural lakes and streams scattered across the land. The terrain is mostly undeveloped, with primitive tent sites and simple shelters for visitors who want to camp or hike.

The land served as hunting grounds for Native American tribes for generations before European settlers arrived and started logging in the early 1900s. The forests have since recovered and returned to a wild state.

The neighboring towns of Indian Lake and Inlet run visitor centers where people learn about long-standing outdoor traditions and how locals have used these mountains and waterways for generations. The centers show how seasonal activities shape life in the Adirondacks today.

You can explore the area on foot or by canoe using trails and waterways that run through the wilderness. Groups of more than ten people need a permit, as do visitors planning to stay longer than three nights at the campsites.

The Northville-Placid Trail cuts 23 miles through the wilderness and is one of the longest hiking paths in the region that most visitors never tackle. Much of the route passes through land accessible only on foot, far from roads.

Location: New York

GPS coordinates: 43.59030,-74.61880

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:49