Tug Hill Plateau Military Road

The old military training road cuts through the heart of Tug Hill Plateau, New York’s forgotten wilderness that catches more snow than anywhere else east of the Rockies. This 18-mile route links abandoned Fort Drum training areas and connects to active logging roads, passing through dense hardwood forest and crossing multiple creek beds that turn into seasonal mud bogs. The road traces ridgelines offering glimpses of Lake Ontario to the north, while skirting the edge of the Salmon River headwaters.

This is moderate-difficulty terrain requiring high-clearance 4WD, especially during spring melt and after heavy rains when creek crossings become technical. The route is best run late summer through early fall before hunting season kicks in. No permits needed, but respect active logging operations and private property boundaries. Dispersed camping is possible along several ridge sections, and you’ll find solitude that’s rare in the Northeast—just you and the occasional black bear.