Camp only in designated sites so visual and environmental impacts are restricted. Rangers may ticket and fine campers who do not comply with Forest Preserve regulations. Fires may only be built in fire circles at designated campsites. Fire restrictions may be imposed in the Marcy Dam - Lake Colden corridor. Drinking untreated water can lead to severe cramps, diarrhea and nausea.
Dehydration sometimes leads to death.
Boiling water on a backpacker stove for three full minutes is generally considered a safe way to kill contaminants, however some resources recommend boiling water for a full ten minutes. When nature calls, prevent additional water quality problems by moving at least 150 feet from water sources and burying wastes under at least 4 inches of soil. Never wash dishes or yourself in streams or lakes. If you must bathe, jump in for a swim, then soap up well away from the water's edge and rinse using a cooking pot. Weather Weather in the Adirondacks is changeable.