The Balsam Lake Mountain Fire Tower can be accessed by three distinctly different trails. The route above is very likely the most popular. The trailhead is located on Mill Brook Road in the Dry Brook Valley. The blue-blazed Dry Brook Ridge Trail continues for 2.2 miles where it will intersect with the red-blazed Balsam Lake Mountain Trail. This will take you to the summit after another 0.75 miles of hiking. Join the Catskill Center on a 'virtual hike' of Balsam Lake Mountain, or to see a trail profile, click here.

For a shorter, steeper climb, follow the blue-blazed Dry Brook Ridge Trail from its beginning, south of Balsam Lake, on Beaver Kill Road. After 1.1 miles, follow the red-blazed Balsam Lake Mountain Trail past a lean-to for 0.85 miles to reach the tower.

The third, and longest option for this climb is to begin at Alder Lake. From the lake, the Alder Lake Loop Trail (red markers) will lead 0.75 miles to the yellow-blazed Mill Brook Ridge Trail. This interesting trail will lead 5.85 miles (within a tenth of a mile of the summit), connecting to the red Balsam Lake Mountain Trail.

If you would like a copy of the Catskill Forest Preserve Map & Guide that highlights the Balsam Lake Mountain Wild Forest, please call the NYS DEC Region 3 office at (845) 256-3000 and request one.