Adirondack Park Old Military Road

This forgotten military supply route cuts through the heart of the Adirondack wilderness, following the same path Union forces used during the Civil War to move supplies between Fort Edward and the Canadian border. The trail winds through dense hardwood forests and crosses the Hudson River’s remote tributaries, with the most challenging obstacle being the Cedar River ford at mile 18 — a rocky, uneven crossing that can run waist-deep in spring melt.

This is solid intermediate territory requiring high-clearance 4WD and recovery gear for the water crossings. Best tackled May through October when stream levels drop, though mud season in April-May can turn sections into axle-deep quagmires. No permits needed on state land, but dispersed camping is allowed with multiple established sites along the route. You’ll earn solitude that’s hard to find in the increasingly crowded Adirondacks, plus genuine wilderness camping under stars you can actually see.