294 Necessary Dam Road

Lowville, NY 13367

(315)376-3521

accessibility@dec.ny.gov

Website

Summary

According to the agency website: "The Stillwater Reservoir, located in the western Adirondacks, offers a multitude of recreational possibilities. They include remote wilderness camping, canoeing, boating, fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing. The area receives considerable use during each of the four seasons.

In 1972, the Adirondack Park Agency was assigned to the task of classifying the different parcels of Forest Preserve lands into various land use categories. Surrounding the Stillwater Reservoir, there are two major classifications: the Five Ponds Wilderness Area and the Independence River Wild Forest. During recent years, popularity of the Stillwater Reservoir has greatly increased. In an effort to alleviate some of the problems and preserve remote camping opportunities, campers are now required to use only designated sites, along the shoreline or to camp at least 150 feet inland from high-water mark. The high-water mark is generally that point where the sand beaches end and the forested or vegetative area begins.

The Reservoir is 6700 acres, and provides undeveloped, remote camping on both islands and along the shoreline. Camping on sand beaches is no longer permitted. Camping within 150 feet of the high-water mark is limited to 46 sites designated and marked by the department. Camping beyond the 150 feet limit, as in past years, is relatively unrestricted. The intention here is to move camper use back from the water's edge to less fragile sites. The only exception is to the north of the Reservoir, which is the Five Ponds Wilderness, where group sizes are limited to nine people or less.

There are excellent flat water canoeing possibilities. There is questionable legal access beyond the eastern end of the reservoir towards Nehashane Lake. Because of its size and the fact that Stillwater lies east and west, high winds often cause wave conditions that give canoeists problems."

Description

Department Of Environmental Conservation Accessible Recreation Destination

Activities

Camping, Wildlife Observation

Stillwater Reservoir Map