Discover Clear Pond Trails

Remote foot trail connecting three pristine glacial ponds with an accessible campsite and facilities at the trailhead.
TRAIL ACTIVITY
LENGTH
6.50 miles, Network
DIFFICULTY
Easy, Moderate
TOWN
Parishville
SURFACE
Dirt/Forest Floor, Gravel/Crushed Stone, Ungroomed Snow
PETS
Permitted
FEES
No

Description

Clear Pond Trail travels 5.6 miles south from the trailhead at Clear Pond to its terminus on a gated forest road 0.6 miles west of Joe Indian Road. Along the way, the trail passes three remote glacial ponds, Clear Pond (0.1 miles), Long Pond (2.3 miles), and finally Lilypad Pond (4 miles).

The nearly five mile round-trip to Long Pond is a popular day hike. This middle pond is lined with hemlock and stands of white pine and is an excellent year-round destination. For hikers seeking a shorter excursion, the primitive trail that loops around the south side of Clear Pond makes a 1.4-mile loop hike when connected with the Clear Pond Trail.

The Clear Pond Trailhead also features numerous accessible facilities, including an accessible path to the water's edge and designated accessible parking, and an accessible tent camping site across the road. The campsite features an accessible privy, a large area with a hardened surface, and an accessible picnic table with a great view of the pond.

Other Information

Primitive campsites are located at each pond, one each at Lilypad and Long Ponds, and several surrounding Clear Pond.

Trail Manager

The Clear Pond Trails are located in White Hill Wild Forest, which is managed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. 

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Potsdam Sub-Office

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Potsdam Sub-Office
190 Outer Main Street - Suite 103
Potsdam, NY 13676
Phone: 315-265-3090
information.r6@dec.ny.gov
View website

Nearby Businesses

Trail Tips

Slippery when Wet
Some trails will be slippery after a rain or if they are covered in fallen leaves. Watch your step!
Legend
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Trailhead Information

The Clear Pond Trailhead is south of Parishville at the end of Clear Pond Road, 2 miles off of White Hill Road.

Clear Pond Road is an unplowed snowmobile trail in the winter. For winter access, park at White Hill Road and travel 2 miles down Clear Pond Road to the trailhead.

Click on a parking icon to get custom directions
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jakobp99
May 22, 2022
Spent the day looking for trout. Great day to be paddling and wind was strong enough to keep the bugs off
jakobp99
March 05, 2022
Great trail system for all sorts of outdoor activities will camping sites on multiple sides of clear pond. I think Lilly pad pond is the best out of the 3 ponds in this system , it’s a good spot to swim and skate on skis in the winter. Park at clear pond rd entrance in the winter and you can park almost at clear pond it’s self in the summer. Great place to bring the family. Sometimes buggy in the summer.
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