Adirondack Park Old Forge to Inlet Sand Plains Track
Glacial sand plains between Old Forge and Inlet
This forgotten track cuts through the ancient lakebed of glacial Lake Algonquin, crossing miles of open sand plains dotted with jack pine and blueberry barrens. The route follows old tote roads between Thendara and Inlet, passing the ruins of Camp Uncas and crossing the infamous “Singing Sands” section where your tires whistle through deep, loose sand. The trail threads between private camps and state land, requiring careful navigation through unmarked junctions near the Fulton Chain outlet.
Moderate difficulty demands high-clearance 4WD for the sand sections and occasional mud holes. Summer months offer the best conditions, though black flies are brutal until August. No permits required, but respect posted private property boundaries. Stock up on fuel in Old Forge — it’s 28 miles of remote country with no services. Dispersed camping available on state land. This route rewards with solitude and a taste of the Adirondacks’ glacial geology.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry |
| Surface | Sand |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote |
| Length (miles) | 28 mi / 45.1 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 1820 ft |
| Best season | June-October |
| Minimum vehicle | 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Old Forge, NY |
| Land manager | New York State Department of Environmental Conservation |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
No recent condition reports. Be the first to post one.
Log in to post a condition report.
Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle the sand plains sections without airing down?
No. The glacial sand here is deep and loose in spots — you will get stuck running street pressure. Air down to 15-18 PSI before you hit the sand and carry a recovery board or traction mats as backup.
When does this trail become impassable, and is it accessible in early spring?
Best window is June through October. Spring thaw turns the sand sections into soft, saturated traps well into May, and early spring also triggers DEC seasonal closures on many Adirondack backcountry roads to protect the surface. Don't gamble on an April run.
Do you need a permit to run this trail or camp in the area?
No permit is required to drive the trail, but dispersed camping in New York State Forest Preserve land is regulated — you must camp at least 150 feet from water, trails, and roads, and stays are limited to 3 consecutive nights at one spot. No fee, but the rules are enforced.
What's the hardest section and what makes it technical?
The deepest sand plains mid-route, roughly between the historic logging camp remnants, are the crux — extended stretches of loose glacial sand with no hard base underneath. It's not rock-crawling technical, but momentum management and tire pressure discipline are what separate people who drive through from people who dig out.
Is there any place to top off fuel between Old Forge and Inlet, and how far is the nearest gas?
There is zero fuel on the trail itself — it's 28 miles of backcountry with no services. Old Forge has gas at the trailhead end and Inlet has a station at the far end, so top off before you start and know your rig's range. Cell service is nonexistent out there, so a breakdown without fuel is a long wait for help.
Trail track
No GPX track for this trail yet. If you've driven it and have a track, contribute below.
Log in to contribute a GPX track.