ADIRONDACK WILDERNESS ADVOCATES: Dedicated to promoting the knowledge, enjoyment, expansion, and protection of the Adirondack Park’s wildest places!

Donate Today!

Now is the perfect opportunity to support what matters! This year, AWA has been working to protect the Adirondacks by advocating for your interests on the High Peaks Strategic Planning Advisory Group; creating a visitor use app to educate recreationalists and collect data for local land managers; and working to restore access to Cathead Mountain, an action which could lead to a significant boundary expansion of the Silver Lake Wilderness. But we can’t do this without you! Your gift will support our mission of promoting the knowledge, enjoyment, expansion, and protection of the Adirondack Park’s wildest places.

Knowledge

Sharing the benefits of wilderness to both human and natural communities.

Enjoyment

Promoting the enjoyment of all Adirondack lands and waters through responsible low-impact recreation.

Expansion

Advocating for the expansion of key wilderness areas in the Adirondack Park.

Protection

Serving as a voice for the protection of the Adirondack Park.

Remote Areas

Wild Thoughts Podcast #1: Remoteness

Knowledge

In the inaugural installment of AWA’s “Wild Thoughts Podcast”, some of our founding members discuss one of the most important attributes of wilderness: Remoteness.

EXPLORE! Ampersand Mountain

Enjoyment

Ampersand Mountain is a former fire tower summit that now stands guard over the northwestern corner of the High Peaks Wilderness. No tower is needed here for a view, because the bald rock knob that constitutes the summit provides an outstanding vista in all directions.

Ski Jenkins!

News

Beginning with the 2022-2023 winter season, the Jenkins Mountain Open Woods Ski Zone is open to backcountry skiers! These trails represent the first officially-maintained backcountry ski zone in the Adirondacks outside of Gore and Whiteface.

Meet AWA at Albany Winter Sports Expo

Events

Join Adirondack Wilderness Advocates at the 2022 Adirondack Sports & Northeast Ski Expo in Albany! AWA’s booth will provide information on many of our current advocacy efforts.

AWA to Attend Adirondack Sports Expo

Events

Join Adirondack Wilderness Advocates at the 2022 Adirondack Sports Expo in Saratoga Springs! AWA’s booth will provide information on many of our current advocacy efforts.

Visitor Use Management

Adirondack Wilderness Advocates is working with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, local governments, and other partners to push for a comprehensive visitor use management plan for the High Peaks Region.

Explore the Wilderness!

The wilderness areas of the Adirondack Park are huge and protect many distinct habitats. Get started on your next adventure by learning about each area! Download vintage topographic maps, read historical texts, learn about the management concerns — and more. New area descriptions added frequently!