Adirondack Park, New York

About

The Adirondack Park is a vast and unique wilderness area located in eastern upstate New York. Established in 1892, it is the largest publicly protected area in the contiguous United States, covering approximately 6 million acres. The park is a mosaic of public and private lands, with about 48% owned by the state as part of the Forest Preserve and the remainder being private property used for forestry, agriculture, and open space recreation. It is not a National Park but a National Historic Landmark, known for its diverse landscapes, including mountains, forests, and waterways. The Adirondack Park features over 3,000 lakes, 30,000 miles of rivers and streams, and a variety of habitats like old-growth forests and wetlands. It is home to 46 High Peaks, including Mount Marcy, and supports a wide range of wildlife. The park is inhabited by about 130,000 year-round residents and sees millions of visitors annually. The Adirondack Park Agency manages both public and private lands to conserve natural resources and maintain the park's open-space character. This blend of natural beauty and human settlement makes the Adirondacks a distinctive conservation model.