The state Department of Environmental Conservation has opened a public-comment window on a draft plan that would guide recreation across 38,233 acres of conservation-easement land in Hamilton County through Sept. 16, 2025.
The proposal covers three tracts—the Speculator Tree Farm, Perkins Clearing and Burnham Mountain—spread across the towns of Lake Pleasant, Wells and Arietta and the village of Speculator.
For campground and glamping operators who rely on winter sledders and shoulder-season hikers, the blueprint signals fresh demand that could flow directly into site nights, rental fees and package sales.
The easement blocks sit beside the Jessup River Wild Forest, Siamese Ponds Wilderness and West Canada Lakes Wilderness, all within a short drive of state Route 30. That proximity allows private parks to brand themselves as the closest full-service “base camp” for visitors moving between public trailheads and private lodging.
Key recreation proposals include a 3.8-mile East Mountain Loop for snowmobiles and a roughly 2.5-mile connector linking Fly Creek Road with the Pine Mountain Trail, according to the agency notice.
One mile of new road and parking on High Bank Road would reach a scenic overlook, while a reopened stretch of Jessup Falls Road would put anglers and waterfall seekers closer to the water. Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes are treated as motor vehicles and would be allowed only where public vehicles may travel.
Hikers would see improvements on the Pine Mountain and Jessup Falls trails, at the High Bank Overlook, and along portions of the North Country National Scenic Trail.
The plan also calls for upgrading three primitive campsites to accessible standards, adding three new campsites, building one accessible lean-to, improving car-top boat launches and exploring a mountain-bike network with nearby Oak Mountain Ski Center and community partners—changes the document labels as proposed upgrades.
For operators, the phased build-out is an invitation to post gateway signage and digital maps that steer riders directly from the East Mountain Loop or Jessup Falls to the nearest hookups, cabins or yurts. Bundled “stay-and-play” deals—pairing a site night with a sled pass, guided waterfall hike or kayak rental—can lift per-party spending without adding staff hours.
Snowmobilers and paddlers often arrive with long trailers, making gravel overflow lots and pull-through RV pads practical revenue enhancers. Cross-promotion with guide services, sled clubs and Oak Mountain can push occupancy deeper into the shoulder seasons, while foliage photos from the High Bank overlook shared in real time can spark last-minute bookings.
Because the plan treats e-bikes as motor vehicles and prioritizes accessible facilities, installing basic 120-volt charging outlets, clear rule signage and simple repair supplies can position a park as the go-to e-bike hub.
Replacing loose gravel with firm paths, adding raised picnic tables and giving staff a quick primer on adaptive gear further widen the guest pool and mirror the state’s accessibility goals outlined in the DEC guidance.
Written comments go to [email protected] or to Allison Buckley, Natural Resource Planner, PO Box 1316, Northville, NY 12134.
An in-person session is set for Thursday, Aug. 28, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lake Pleasant Central School Auditorium, 120 Elm Lake Road in Speculator; no registration is required, the document states.
The easements are intended to preserve open space, require sustainable forestry, protect sensitive habitats and support local economies through carefully managed recreation, according to the proposal.
The plan remains a draft, and its final shape will depend on public feedback. Campground owners, outfitters and community leaders who engage now stand the best chance of ensuring new trails, roads and campsites serve visitors—and bottom lines—year-round.
