Editor’s note: This story was originally written in 2021, but the information remains relevant for 2022. (The reservation system is in place through Oct. 31). We updated the questions list below to include questions specific for the 2022 season.
By Gwendolyn Craig
The state Department of Environmental Conservation and the Adirondack Mountain Reserve (AMR) have provided more information on a pilot hiking reservation system set to start on May 1.
The permit website went live at hikeamr.org and hikers can now make an online profile to sign up for a time slot. The reservation is free. Time slots do not appear available yet, and DEC has said that will go live starting April 15 for those interested in hiking May 1 through Oct. 31. A reservation is not needed before that.
The time slot reservations could be tricky, as some of these hikes take a number of hours to do. The reservation system takes hiking time slots starting at 5 a.m. and ending at 7 p.m., so hikers getting a later time slot will need to plan their trip carefully. The time slots are approximate, however. Camping is not allowed on the AMR.
RELATED: Get more updates about the AMR permits and related information
The DEC and AMR announced the pilot program on Monday for the gateway to popular Adirondack hikes including Indian Head, Rainbow Falls, Noonmark Mountain, Round Mountain and Gothics Mountain. The AMR is a 7,000-acre reserve privately owned by trustees, who are also members of the Ausable Club. The public is allowed access through a conservation and foot-traffic easement with the state.
AMR records show that since the start of the easement in 1978, hiking traffic has increased dramatically. Ausable Club trail registers, for example, saw fewer than 5,000 hikers in 1978 but 25,000 in 2017.
The AMR parking lot is off State Route 73 in Keene Valley, one of the most popular thoroughfares in the High Peaks region and a public safety concern for government officials and AMR trustees alike.
But Monday’s announcement left many questions, some of which have now been answered by both DEC and AMR. Here is an overview:
How many hiking spots are available and who needs a reservation?
The AMR parking lot has space for 70 vehicles, but even hikers getting dropped off or arriving by bicycle will need a reservation. Walk-ins will not be allowed. The AMR is allowing 70 reservations per day, but each reservation is good for up to six hikers. That means there could be up to 420 hikers allowed per day. There could be more, however, through a bus alternative.
Are there other trails in the High Peaks region that require a reservation?
Only hikes originating from the AMR property need permits for hiking.
How does the bus alternative work?
The DEC and AMR have said those arriving in Keene Valley via Greyhound or Trailways bus lines may hike on the AMR. You do not need a hiking reservation, but you do need a valid bus ticket from within 24 hours of your arrival. The DEC said the nearest bus stop is the Noonmark Diner. Both DEC and AMR said they “will be monitoring hikers arriving to AMR by bus and if we detect evidence of system abuse during this pilot, we will re-evaluate and take steps as needed.”
Who will enforce the reservation system? If it is the AMR, what authority do they have for enforcement and what are the consequences for breaking the system?
The DEC and AMR said forest rangers and AMR security staff “will provide enforcement assistance as needed and consistent with the laws and regulations governing use of state and private lands. Visitors without a reservation will be directed to move on to Marcy Field or, once open, the visitor center at Mt. Van Hoevenberg to find information on alternate destinations.”
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Is DEC concerned about the possibility of hikers using other means to get onto the AMR?
The DEC said both forest rangers and AMR security staff “will monitor and enforce violations as appropriate.”
Will holiday weekends have the same limits?
“The reservation limits will remain the same for all days,” the DEC and AMR wrote. “Part of the goal of this pilot is to level use to a more manageable number from a safety, monitoring, and resource impact perspective.” Records show the AMR generally sees less than 420 hikers per day, as this maximum will allow through the reservation system.
When can I access the AMR parking lot?
It will only be accessible between 5 a.m. and 7 p.m. daily, though there are exceptions for overnight parking. (Update: There is now an automatic gate in place for people getting back late to their vehicles.) Those who walk or bike into the reserve before 5 a.m. “will be asked to provide their reservation upon exit of the AMR gate,” according to the DEC.
More AMR updates
We’re posting more updates as we get them
I am a Keene or Keene Valley resident. Does this all apply to me?
The DEC said “residents of Keene and Keene Valley will retain the same local privileges as in years past. Please contact AMR directly for more information.”
Are Ausable Club members separate from the reservation system, or do they also have to get a pass?
“Ausable Club members are separate from the reservation system,” according to the DEC and AMR.
Will there be any way to account for people who make a reservation but do not show up?
The DEC and AMR said “the system allows for cancellations and individuals who need to cancel are encouraged to do so in advance to enable others to make a reservation.”
How many reservations can I make?
“Individuals can only make one reservation per day (time slot) and two per week (time slots) no more than two weeks in advance,” according to the DEC and AMR.
“The ability to make reservations closes 24 hours in advance of each time slot for the following day,” according to the reservation website.
What about larger groups?
According to the reservation website, for reservations of groups larger than six for day use, you will need to make multiple reservations. However, group sizes in the High Peaks are not allowed to be greater than 15 people.
Is parking not allowed on the pull-offs on Route 73?
“Parking along Route 73 except in designated parking spaces has always been illegal and will continue to be enforced to protect public safety,” the DEC said.
Is the DEC concerned that this system will further populate hikes like Cascade and Giant mountains? How will that be monitored?
The DEC said it is working with partners to highlight other hikes and promote sustainable trail use. Trails on Mount Van Hoevenberg and Cascade Mountain are being rebuilt, the DEC added, to allow for more sustainable hiking use.
Considering this pilot system might take time for the public to get used to, what measures are in place to ensure safe traffic flow around the AMR lot?
The DEC said it “continues to work with DOT (the state Department of Transportation) on road safety improvements including signage. Reservations are booked by timed periods to further help distribute hiker attendance across a given day and prevent congestion on Route 73.”
What other regulations and rules are there on the AMR?
For a complete list, go to dec.ny.gov/lands/100916.html.
2022 FAQs
DEC and AMR are waiting to assess the potential impacts of the opening of Canadian border crossings prior to proposing changes to the program. Last year was a great start, but probably not a true indication of what we’ll see when we get back closer to traditional peak demand, much of which comes from Canada.
AMR and DEC made changes last year throughout the inaugural season to reduce no-shows and we look forward to seeing how this season goes with a full implementation of those changes prior to considering opening up same-day reservations. We will evaluate the effectiveness of these changes in improving no-show rates and simultaneously, will continue to listen to users and the community and consider additional options and adapt as necessary.
While we don’t have scientific data at this point, anecdotally we received feedback from many people directly and on social media that out-of-state hikers and people who live farther away felt they had better access to the peaks through the AMR gate and having a parking spot reserved.
For planning in advance, the hiking public that does not have internet access can always go to a local public library to access the internet. Another option is to send a letter to Adirondack Mountain Reserve, Attention: Hiker Safety, 137 Ausable Road, Keene Valley, NY 12943 and we will grant them access. The letter must be received prior to your arrival. It may be best to send with tracking information.
Part of the reason we implemented the parking reservation system is to alleviate traffic and public safety issues in the Route 73 corridor. To ensure it is inclusive to hikers not traveling by car, the program is open to those who may have traveled by bus or other means. If we allowed for everyone to just drop off hikers, it wouldn’t do much to address traffic in that you’d have people backed up trying to get into and out of Ausable Road. That would defeat the purpose of the parking reservation system in the first place. It includes those being dropped off who may have traveled to the region via bus, etc.
DEC partnered with SUNY ESF to assess visitor experience, recreational interests, and other factors. Data from last year is being finalized and additional information will be collected this year. Results will be shared once the study is completed.
Keene Valley is home to the High Peaks, but you don’t have to climb the biggest mountains to get a knockout view. For “12 Short Hikes Near Keene Valley,” the Adirondack Explorer newsmagazine selected a dozen hikes that won’t take all day or sap all your strength.
They lead to small peaks and lookouts with breathtaking vistas These are ideal outings for families and novice hikers—or anyone who wants a quick dose of wilderness.
What hours will the reservation system be available each day? Thank you!
“Residents of Keene and Keene Valley will retain the same local privileges as in years past. Please contact AMR directly for more information.” In other words, even though this is a State easement, obtained in exchange for the State bailing out the Ausable Club by purchasing 7,000 acres for $745,000 in 1978, local people get special privileges for accessing State land. The State also pays the town property tax on the purchased land. State taxpayers get to pay while the Club and the townees get to use it.
I Don’t understand why the reservation system has to close 24 hours in advance – if there are spots, why can’t someone decide to do a hike at the last minute?
Also, why the 70 slot limit? Can’t the system be flexible enough so that there are more slots if the parties are smaller than six?
The entire point of the permit system is to make it as difficult as possible to limit the use as much as possible. As far as they are concerned, the more onerous the system the better.
Thank you, Gwen Craig, and other reporters for following up with this Q&A from the public and private landowner. Online info. flow is very important at this pre-registration phase and especially so after April 15.
Nothing like a golf course to manage your rights in state land! Why pay taxes then? For them? Should be able to fish lower and upper ausable lake also with permit at this point.
I’m unclear about the parking hours. It says the lot is only accessible from 5am to 7:00. I often time long day hikes to end around dark, plus or minus a bit. What happens if I get back to the car after 7:00? Is it still possible to leave or am I stuck for the night?
So what is the alternate route for those wanting to to hike the Great Range?
All of this info is helpful, thank you! But it leads to even more questions in some cases.
First, if registration opens for the entire date range at once, what’s to stop people from completely booking months in advance for a hypothetical trip, and then forgetting to cancel? For example, Labor Day will book completely on 4/15 even though a quarter of those booked can’t confirm travel and maybe won’t remember to free up their space. I agree heartily with the posters who note that it’s annoying that the 70 slots are metered for 6 people each, because most groups are smaller. Further, it’s absolutely true that you’ll have no-shows, and last minute hikers really miss out.
Also, it’s true per the above that it’s not reasonable for someone to book a 2pm slot for a hike to most of these peaks. But do you get around that by showing up at the lot at 4:45 in the morning and showing your ticket when you leave? The 1pm-5pm range is quite silly, and might even indirectly encourage SARs for people that don’t realize or aren’t prepared for the distances they’ll need to cover when it might be dark.
If the slots are a straight “only 10 at 5am, only 10 at 6am, only 10 at 7am” – that’s gonna be a disaster. I really hope they think that idea through.
Finally, perhaps I’m just not aware of how the following is done, but how is a Greyhound rider dropped off at Noonmark Diner gonna get the several miles down a busy highway without a shoulder to the trailhead? That also doesn’t really make sense.
The reporting here is great but the info given doesn’t inspire confidence, unfortunately. 🙁
Expecting the general hiking public to understand this mess (if they even learn about it before showing up) is hopeless, no matter how much explaining you do. Look at all the experienced hikers trying to figure out how it is supposed to work. Hint: if you have to explain how an online signup system works it will not work. People will be trying to do this on smartphones at the last minute.
Seems pretty simple to me. Get your reservation, then adapt your hike to fit. If that doesn’t work, try another date. Requires advance planning – not necessarily a bad thing. Perhaps it will cut down on midnight rescues.
Does this AMR permit/reservation apply to Mount Marcy as well or just the mountains listed above?
What happens if you get back after 7 pm? Is your car stuck in the parking lot over night? Does it get towed?
What happens to your automobile when returning after 7 pm to the parking lot?
Just another example of the unfriendly attitude of the Ausable Club and of government control of taxpayer access to things their tax dollars are subsidizing. Glad I am no longer able to go there to be mistreated by the privileged members of the club, but sad that many others will be denied access to this outstandingly beautiful area.
I think this is the first step in AMR shutting down public access through its property altogether. Let’s face it, they don’t want lowly hikers passing through. There is alternate access to all of the major peaks without having to traverse their property, albeit more difficult. This is a shameful move by AMR, with DEC complicit for letting it happen. Assuming they receive a tax reduction for the current easement, it should be revoked immediately as they are reneging on the original deal made with NYS.
If the AMR is shutting off access, revoke any tax abatements!
..And if everyone is so worried about speeding vehicles hitting hikers why not reduce the speed limit??? Designate parts of Rt73 as a “Recreational and Scenic Highway and reduce the speed to 40 (or less).
Overall, I think the people doing this “Big Plan” aren’t so perceptive. They have only their narrow objects in mind.
“But mom, what if…..!”
Lordy, what a bunch of whiners. Wait and see if AMR and DEC can fine tune the plans as needed.
Where does this evident sense of self-entitlement come from?
From paying taxes to administer these lands. WE(NYS taxpayers) purchased an easement to be able to access the high peaks summits across this property. They, AMR, have now rescinded that. It’s a violation of the easement agreement.
They deliberately closed one of the large parking lots. Then they bitch about all the cars parking along the road for a few weekends a year. THEN, they say oh for gosh sakes all these cars are a hazard(even though no car/car accidents or car/pedestrian accidents.
This is ALL manufactured to CONTROL PEOPLE- JUST LIKE THE PLANDEMIC !!!!!!
Interesting to note that as BIPOC peoples desire to explore the high peaks and ADK’s in general, suddenly it becomes necessary to “limit” the number of people and restrict access. Hmmm. How many people of color on these boards of trustees, and environmental groups. People of color are the ones most egregiously affected. Thanks AMR
In the text of the easement document, it states that the easement remains in perpetuity, meaning forever, except in times of natural disaster like floods or fire. In order for them to restrict access, BOTH parties (the State of New York and the AMR) must agree on the restrictions. This did not happen people! The State of New York is not just a few reps from the DEC, it is all of the people of the state, meaning there must be referendum prior to any restrictions. There has been NO REFERENDUM, therefore this hiker reservation system should cease and desist immediately.