Buttermilk & Bear Slides Lake Luzerne, New York

06/16/2026

I recently finished creating a history packet on the Buttermilk using many sources, including the 1992 and 1993 River Stewards reports. During my research, I came across some very interesting information about recreation in the area.

According to the reports, Bear Slide continued to be one of the recreation area's most popular attractions and was identified as the second most popular destination in the park. Visitors were drawn to its scenic beauty and natural rock waterslide. River Stewards noted that many visitors continued to slide down the smooth rock surface despite concerns about slippery conditions and the potential for accidents.

The reports also documented tubing as one of the most popular activities along the recreation area's stretch of the Hudson River. During the summer months, families and groups regularly floated the river on tubes and rafts between access points within the park. River Stewards observed that tubing was especially popular because water levels later in the season often became too shallow for easy canoe travel. Swimming and wading in the Hudson River were also common recreational activities.

I will have these history packets available free of charge at the Morgan Duke Conservation Society booth during River Fest this week. Stop by and pick up a copy if you are interested in learning more about the history of the Buttermilk and the surrounding area.

06/15/2026

When hiking, the early bird gets the face full of spider webs. Bring a tall friend and let them lead.

You are the tall friend? Awkward. Across the country, thousands of miles of hiking trails are waiting for you to explore, each one offering its own views, surprises, and occasional “surprise brush with nature.” Remember, planning and preparation are key to staying safe and making the most of the journey. Check your gear, know your route, stay hydrated, and stay alert out there.

Umm… there’s something on your back.

06/04/2026

There have been rumors circulating almost every year that the road going into Buttermilk is going to be paved. Based on the information currently available, this appears to be just another rumor.

I regularly watch Town of Lake Luzerne board meetings and have not heard any discussion about a paving project in Buttermilk. I also checked the DEC Forest Preserve Project Work Plans website and did not find any project related to paving the road.

If paving were ever proposed in Buttermilk, it would likely involve review and coordination by multiple agencies, including the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), and potentially other state agencies depending on the scope and location of the project.

Thank you all for your support

06/03/2026

I want to apologize to everyone who has signed up to volunteer and has not heard back from me yet. I have been extremely busy preparing for the Morgan Duke Conservation Society booth at Riverfest on June 20.

Thank you for your patience and interest in volunteering with us. I will be reaching out to everyone tonight. 🙂

We truly appreciate your support and look forward to working with you!

06/01/2026

The Mary Walker Adirondack Conservation Fund

The Mary Walker Adirondack Conservation Fund was established after the passing of Mary Walker, Director of Community Outreach for the Morgan Duke Conservation Society, who passed away in September 2023 following a battle with small cell lung cancer.

Mary was a passionate conservationist who dedicated much of her life to protecting the Hudson River Special Management Area in the Lake Luzerne region of the Adirondack Forest Preserve. As a teenager living on Old Stage Road in Lake Luzerne, Mary frequently visited the Hudson River Special Management Area when the land was owned by Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation. She often shared memories of visiting the area with her school teacher, Mr. Abbit, and participating in litter cleanups with her classmates.

Through the Morgan Duke Conservation Society, Mary worked tirelessly to protect public lands and natural resources. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she strongly advocated for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to restore additional Forest Ranger staffing after the area was reduced from two Forest Rangers to one. She believed that increased stewardship and protection were essential as environmental challenges continued to grow.

Mary and her son, James Sullivan, who serves as a Volunteer Steward, spent countless hours camping and volunteering in the Hudson River Special Management Area. Together, they met with local business owners and community members to discuss conservation efforts and the mission of the Morgan Duke Conservation Society. Mary could spend hours talking about the importance of trees, wildlife, clean air, and protecting the natural environment for future generations.

She especially loved the area's wildlife, including the owls she often heard during camping trips. Mary would actually talk to the owls, and they would often call back to her from the forest. Those moments brought her great joy and reflected her deep connection to nature and the wildlife of the Adirondacks.

Following Mary's passing, the Morgan Duke Conservation Society established the Mary Walker Adirondack Conservation Fund through Adirondack Trust Company. Donations made by individuals and businesses support conservation work in the Hudson River Special Management Area, including volunteer supplies, community cleanup events, stewardship projects, educational outreach, and other efforts to protect and preserve this important natural resource.

Anyone is welcome to support the Mary Walker Adirondack Conservation Fund. Donations may be mailed to:

Morgan Duke Conservation Society
C/O ADK Conservation
P.O. Box 192
Pine Bush, NY 12566

Every donation helps support conservation work in the Hudson River Special Management Area, including volunteer supplies, community cleanup events, stewardship projects, and other efforts to protect and preserve the Adirondack Forest Preserve for future generations.

Businesses that donate to the Mary Walker Adirondack Conservation Fund will be gladly recognized for their support. With permission, the Morgan Duke Conservation Society will display the business's logo on our website under our Donors and Supporters section. We are grateful for the support of local businesses that help us continue our conservation, stewardship, and community outreach efforts.

Mary's legacy continues through the conservation work she cared so deeply about and through the many people she inspired to protect the Adirondacks and the Hudson River for future generations.

05/31/2026

🌲♻️ Help Keep Our Public Lands Clean ♻️🌲

Over the past several years, Morgan Duke Conservation Society volunteers have noticed a significant increase in New York deposit bottles and cans being left behind at campsites in the Buttermilk area of the Hudson River Special Management Area in Lake Luzerne.

One of the reasons for this increase may be that many bottle and can redemption centers have permanently closed over the years, as the handling fee has not increased to keep pace with operating costs. As a result, campers and visitors often have fewer convenient options for returning their redeemable containers.

If you are visiting the area and looking for a place to return your bottles and cans, we encourage you to support MT Returnables, located at:

📍 71 Ohio Avenue
Queensbury, NY 12804

MT Returnables is owned by Jade Eddy, who is also a volunteer with the Morgan Duke Conservation Society. She is a wonderful community member who continues to support local conservation efforts.

💚 Want to make an even bigger impact?

When you bring your bottles and cans to MT Returnables, simply let the staff know that you would like to donate them to the Morgan Duke Conservation Society.

Funds raised through donated bottles and cans help us purchase supplies needed for our conservation work in the Buttermilk and Bear Slides areas, including litter cleanups, trail stewardship, habitat improvement projects, and other environmental initiatives.

Morgan Duke Conservation Society is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to conservation, environmental stewardship, and protecting New York's natural resources.

Every bottle counts. Every can helps. Together, we can make a difference.

MT Returnables Bottle Return Queensbury

05/24/2026

02/01/2026

2nd Annual Riverfest
A Celebration for the River and Community

Hosted and organized by the Adirondack Adventure Center.

Join us for a full day of music, food, and outdoor fun, with proceeds supporting the conservation and stewardship work of the Morgan Duke Conservation Society in the Hudson River Recreation Area (Buttermilk projects).

Date: June 20, 2026
Time: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: 331 Warrensburg Road, Stony Creek, NY

Riverfest features:
Live music
Local craft vendors
Food vendors
River tubing
Bounce house
Petting zoo
And much more

Bring your family, support local vendors, and help protect the river and recreation areas that are vital to our community.

01/10/2026

Happy New Year, everyone!

Each year, I receive many messages from residents and visitors asking how to obtain the gate code for handicap-accessible access.
Please note, the only way to receive the gate code for handicap access is by completing the required application. The individual must fill out their portion of the form, and their medical doctor must also complete and sign a section. The completed paperwork must then be submitted to the DEC for approval.
This process is part of the Motorized Accessible Program for People with Disabilities (MAPPWD).

The required forms are located here:
https://dec.ny.gov/places-to-go/accessible-recreation/mappwd
I strongly recommend starting this process now

The Motorized Access Program for People with Disabilities permit is a temporary revocable permit that provides motor vehicle access to certain state lands administered by DEC.