Lake George Military Road
Revolutionary War supply route to Lake George
The Lake George Military Road traces the original 1755 colonial supply route built by British forces during the French and Indian War, connecting Fort Edward to the southern tip of Lake George. This historic 16-mile track follows high ground east of the Hudson River, passing stone foundations of colonial-era supply depots and the ruins of Fort George. The route includes several creek crossings and climbs through mixed hardwood forest, with interpretive markers noting where General Howe’s troops marched toward their defeat at Ticonderoga.
Easy to moderate difficulty suitable for stock high-clearance vehicles, though spring runoff can make creek crossings challenging. Sandy soil sections may require momentum in wet conditions. Best traveled May through November when hunting seasons don’t restrict access. No permits required on the designated route, and several primitive camping spots exist near historical sites. This trail offers a unique combination of American history and Adirondack foothills scenery rarely experienced by casual visitors to the region.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Easy |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Historic Route |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 16 mi / 25.7 km |
| Duration | 6-8 hours |
| Max elevation (ft) | 650 ft |
| Best season | May-November |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Fort Edward, NY |
| Land manager | NY State Forest |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Decent |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| 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 Jeep Wrangler or 4Runner handle this without any mods?
Yes. Stock high-clearance is all you need — this is a dirt forest road with 400 feet of elevation gain over 16 miles. No rock crawling, no extreme grades. Even a stock Tacoma or Wrangler runs it comfortably.
When does the trail open after winter, and is it passable in late fall?
Best window is May through November. Spring mud can make sections soft in early May, and late November brings early snow at elevation. Stick to that window and you'll have no issues.
Do I need a permit to drive or camp on this trail?
No permit required for driving the route. Dispersed camping is allowed on NY State Forest land — no fee, no reservation, follow the 150-foot setback rule from water and the road.
What's the hardest section, and what should I actually expect?
There's nothing technically demanding here — it's a historic wagon road, not a rock trail. The water crossings are the main variable; after heavy rain they can get muddy and soft, but nothing that'll stop a high-clearance vehicle. Expect a slow, scenic drive, not a challenge run.
How far is it from Fort Edward to the first gas station if I'm coming in from the south, and is there water on trail?
Fort Edward has gas before you head in — top off there. Water crossings exist on trail but treat any water you take from them; no potable sources are marked. Cell service is decent for most of the route if you need to pull a weather check mid-drive.
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.