Facility Overview

The Old Farm Clearing Trailhead Parking Area is a dedicated backcountry access lot situated at the terminus of Old Farm Road in Johnsburg, New York (Warren County). Managed in partnership with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC), this facility serves as one of the primary southern and eastern trailheads for the Siamese Ponds Wilderness inside the 6-million-acre Adirondack Park. The parking area features an open-air, unpaved gravel and packed-dirt clearing flanked by stone boulders that demarcate the vehicular turnaround from designated footpaths. Because the lot has an open-sky layout with no overhead structures, it comfortably accommodates passenger cars, full-size pickup trucks, SUVs, and high-roof adventure vans carrying rooftop tents, canoes, or kayak racks. Drivers should exercise caution during early spring thaw and severe winter conditions, where four-wheel or all-wheel drive is recommended due to unpaved road surfaces.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Positioned just minutes from pristine mountain waterways and alpine ridgelines, this trailhead is a central launch point for outdoor recreation in the central Adirondacks:

• Siamese Ponds Wilderness: Direct trail access right from your vehicle to routes leading toward Botheration Pond, William Blake Pond, Hour Pond, and the remote Puffer Pond lean-tos.
• Thirteenth Lake: Located just a 5-minute drive (under 2 miles) down 13th Lake Road, offering quiet-water paddling, shoreline launch sites, and scenic waterfront views.
• Gore Mountain Ski Resort: Approximately 15 minutes east (9 miles) in North Creek, hosting premier downhill skiing, mountain biking, and scenic gondola rides.
• Historic North Creek: Roughly 10 miles away, featuring Adirondack restaurants, gear outfitters, grocery stores, the North Creek Depot Museum, and rail biking with Revolution Rail Co.
• Hudson River Gorge: Short drive to river outposts along NY-28, known as one of the top whitewater rafting destinations in the Northeast.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Accessing the parking area is straightforward from NY State Route 28. Motorists turn onto Thirteenth Lake Road near North River, travel south for approximately 3.7 miles, and make a left onto Old Farm Road, continuing roughly one mile to the dead-end clearing. While Old Farm Road is maintained by the local municipality, it transitions into gravel and dirt as it nears the trailhead. Because this is a designated wilderness portal, no public transit, bus systems, or rail services reach the lot directly; private automobiles, carpools, or regional hiker shuttles are necessary. Cell service along Old Farm Road and at the trailhead can be sporadic, so drivers should save offline navigation data before leaving the Route 28 corridor.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• Free Trailhead Access: Open to the public with no parking fees, permit surcharges, or automated meter terminals.
• DEC Trail Register Kiosk: Features trail maps, wilderness boundary regulations, emergency contacts, and a sign-in register.
• Open Turnaround Geometry: Designed to allow large SUVs, trucks, and van conversions room to pivot and exit without backing down the approach road.
• Direct Trail Connectivity: Instant access to multi-use footpaths for three-season trekking, trail running, snowshoeing, and cross-country ski touring.
• Primitive Setting: True wilderness staging area; please note there are no electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, trash receptacles, or piped water services on-site.

Ideal For

• Day Hikers: Visitors trekking moderate loops to Botheration Pond, Elizabeth Point, or Peaked Mountain.
• Overnight Backpackers: Campers embarking on multi-day journeys deeper into the Siamese Ponds interior and lakeside lean-tos.
• Winter Sports Enthusiasts: Nordic skiers, splitboarders, and snowshoers seeking uncrowded, backcountry snow cover.
• Anglers & Paddlers: Fishermen hiking into secluded trout waters or staging gear near Thirteenth Lake.

Visitor & Driver Tips

To maximize your excursion and protect the resource, keep these guidelines in mind:

• Trail Registration: Always sign your group in and out at the official NYS DEC register box at the kiosk. It helps track trailhead usage and provides critical rescue data in an emergency.
• Considerate Parking: Space is limited to roughly 12 to 15 vehicles. Park nose-in along the perimeter boulders and avoid blocking the central turn zone or trailhead entrance.
• Winter Clearance: Winter plowing occurs, but heavy snowfall can leave icy ruts. Equip snow tires or high-clearance AWD/4WD during peak winter and spring mud season.
• Leave No Trace: This is a carry-in, carry-out facility. Pack out all food wrappers, trash, and pet waste, and observe wilderness fire safety regulations.