Champlain Valley Military Road
Revolutionary War history along Lake Champlain
This 31-mile route traces the old Crown Point Military Road built by British forces in 1759, connecting Fort Ticonderoga to the ruins at Crown Point through rolling farmland and lake country. The well-maintained gravel road passes Ticonderoga’s restored stone fortress, then winds north through the Champlain Valley past markers where Benedict Arnold’s fleet fought the British in 1776. The highlight is the Crown Point Historic Site, where massive stone ruins overlook the lake narrows into Vermont.
Easy driving on maintained gravel with a few muddy sections in spring. Any vehicle with decent ground clearance can handle it – even loaded touring rigs run this route regularly. Open year-round but most scenic May through October when the lake isn’t frozen. No permits needed and plenty of established campgrounds along the route. Perfect introduction to New York backcountry driving with Revolutionary War history, lake views, and easy access to Adirondack adventures.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Easy |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Gravel |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 31 mi / 49.9 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 380 ft |
| Best season | May-October |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Ticonderoga, New York |
| Land manager | New York State Parks |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Good |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Official sources | parks.ny.gov |
| 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
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle this trail without any mods?
Yes, any stock high-clearance vehicle is fine. It's a maintained gravel road with only 600 feet of elevation gain — no rock crawling, no airing down required.
When is the trail accessible and does snow close it?
Best window is May through October. Winter access is unreliable due to snow and ice on the gravel sections, and some New York State Parks facilities along the route close seasonally.
Are there permits or fees to drive this route?
No permit is required to drive the road itself. If you stop at Fort Ticonderoga or certain state park sites along the way, those have their own entry fees — check parks.ny.gov before you go.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
There's no genuinely hard section — this is a scenic drive, not a technical trail. The gravel surface is well-maintained and the modest elevation changes are gentle. The biggest challenge is slow going if you stop at every historical marker, which you should.
Is there dispersed camping along the route or do I need to book a site?
Dispersed camping isn't available here — this is state park and private land along Lake Champlain. Book a site at one of the nearby New York State campgrounds in advance, especially on summer weekends when spots fill fast.
Trail track
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