Woodhull Lake
Wolf Lake Landing Road

 

Woodhull Lake is one of the most popular and one of the easiest destinations to reach in the Black River Wild Forest. There is a good dirt road that leads to the lake that is open to vehicles. You'll find a popular lean to located 0.5 miles along a hiking trail that sits on the shore of the scenic lake. It's a popular boating and fishing destination. This area is also popular because of the numerous hiking and camping opportunities.

 

The dirt road, shown as trail #99 on the map below and known as Wolf Lake Landing Road, is open usually mid May to mid November to motor vehicles. The road is 5.1 miles long and most cars can travel on this well made dirt road. There are primitive campsites scattered along the road as well as trailheads for hikes to Bear Lake, Remsen Falls and Woodhull Mountain. The road can be quite busy with vehicles on summer weekends and the end of the road near the lake can be choked with parked cars.

 

To reach the Woodhull Lake Lean To, drive toward the end of Wolf Lake Landing Road and find a parking spot along the shoulder of the road. You can either take a boat 0.2 miles by water to the lean to or hike 0.5 miles to the shelter. You'll see a gate for the Woodhull Road Trail (trail #105 on map below) with signs for the lean to, for those hiking to the shelter. This is located on the right of Wolf Lake Landing Road, about 500 feet from the end of the road.

 

This is a popular hike to the lean to and its suitable for all members of your family, even some small children. This is one of the easiest hikes in the Adirondacks to reach a lean to. From the yellow gate, the old road gradually descends before reaching a bridge and a trail junction at 0.3 miles. The trail on the right travels to Bloodsucker Pond and then on to Bear Lake (trail #100 on map below). The Bear Lake Lean To was constructed in March 2011 and most maps do not have it listed.

 

After crossing the bridge, a trail on the left travels to the lean to. The last 0.2 miles the trail winds around to end up behind the lean to. This lean to is double the size of most other shelters in the Adirondacks and can easily accommodate at least a dozen or so campers. Look below for directions, some pictures and two maps featuring this popular hike. Look below for points along Wolf Lake Landing Road.

 

Points of Interest along Wolf Lake Landing Road

0.0 miles - Wolf Lake Landing Road veers right from McKeever Road, 0.2 miles from NY 28 next to an old train station. There is no winter plowing past this point along the road.

0.5 miles - Large parking area, known as the McKeever Trailhead. There is a kiosk with trail map and register for those entering the area. There are two gated forks from the parking area. The left fork is the Woodhull Mountain Trail (not suited for vehicles) and the right fork is the continuation of Wolf Lake Landing Road.

1.6 miles - Campsite and trail junction of the Bear Lake Trail on the right. Minimal parking available.

3.7 miles - Remsen Falls Trail and parking area. This parking area is used by hikers going to Woodhull Mountain.

5.0 miles - Woodhull Road Trail is on the right.

5.1 miles - Gate near end of road at Wolf Lake Landing. The road does a loop near the lake shore.

 

Directions:

From Utica take NY 12 North to NY 28 North at Alder Creek. In Woodgate at the blinking continue on NY 28. In McKeever, turn right on McKeever Road at DEC sign. In 0.2 miles veer right on Wolf Lake Landing Road near the old train station. In 0.5 miles reach a large parking area and veer right (if gate is open). Drive 4.6 miles to near the end of the road and find parking along the shoulder of the road. The GPS coordinates for shoulder parking near the start of the trail is N43 36.152 W75 01.298.