Hope & Wells in the Great Adirondack Outdoors


30 Bridge over Lake Algonquin Bridge over Lake Algonquin/Sacandaga River on NY 30 Sacandaga River  NY 30 in HopeSacandaga River from NY 30 in Hope

Hope and Wells are the second two towns in Hamilton County, along the Sacandaga River upstream from where the river becomes Sacandaga Lake by Northville. The road follows the river closely on the east side and is very scenic. Hope is a small hamlet without even a speed zone. But the state wilderness areas, like east of Hope Falls, are very rugged and desolate. There are good, free, marked tent sites along East Stony Creek, on state land, before Hope Falls.

Wells is a nice hamlet stretching for about three miles along Lake Algonquin, a town owned lake that is yet another dammed up part of the Sacandaga River. There is a 40 now 30 mph speed zone, a real sidewalk on the west side of the road and a small but free sandy town beach at the foot of the bridge. Also the town maintains a free dock and boat launch on the west side of the lake. The town even provides public restrooms, but not in cold weather! A lot of small but interesting businesses are on NY Route 30 here, enough for the basics of outdoor Adirondack life! West of the hamlet, along a dead end town road, West River Road, is Whitehouse. There a famous old hunting camp used to be. All that is left is a lone chimney. Whitehouse chimney Now the state owns the land and it's open to informal car camping along the many tracks. If camping nearby with your family be sure to let the kids know that there is no wi-fi out here and they'll need to temporarily exchange their online games for the amenities of the great outdoors. This can include activities such as hiking and backpacking which is typically very popular with family members of all ages. The Northville-Lake Placid Trail can be accessed here. Warning, watch out for black bears, don't leave food around or act like they are tame animals! NY Route 8 comes in from the east three miles north of the hamlet. That way there are falls on the East Branch of the Sacandaga River a couple miles up the hill on the left. The NY Routes 30 & 8 part, heading to Speculator, goes through timber company land. You can use part of it for forest access, the river or east side downhill part, but they are more restrictive than the state. There is a trail open to motorized sports on the old route near the river for part of the way. There is NO CAMPING in the big clearing.

Augers Falls

Access to Augers Falls and the center branch of the Sacandaga River is located off of NY 30 & 8 going uphill towards Speculator. The lot is on the right hand side of the road about a 1 ½ north, uphill from the junction of NY 8. They finally put a sign out on the road to show you the way. Augers Falls
NY 30 Bridge over Lake Algoncquin looking SW NY 30 Bridge over Lake Algonquin looking SW,
Town Beach is left of the span on the other side
Wells Power Dam at South End of Lake Algonquin Wells Power Dam at South End of Lake Algonquin East Stony Creek from State Tent Sites off Hope Falls Road East Stony Creek from State Tent Sites off Hope Falls Road
Participating Establishments
Hope, Wells 12190 Zip Code 518 Area Code

Winter at the Cedarhurst
Webmaster Recommended Cedarhurst Motor Lodge NY Routes 8 & 30, Village Center
open year round, 24/7 service, free in-room coffee
Cable TV with HBO, great for snowmobilers
Free local calls, walk to the beach and x-country ski trails, downhill slopes < 1 mile away
Your Host, Bob Kuikens
Phone: 518-548-6064, 518-548-8427 email

Lapland Lake Nordic Vacation Center Lapland Lake Nordic Vacation Center Enjoy our Hospitality
139 Lapland Lake Road
Northville, NY 12134 in the Town of Benson
  • Groomed Cross Country Ski Trails
  • Housekeeping Cabins
  • Swimming, Kayaking, Canoeing in Summer
  • Open Year Round
Phone: 518-863-4974

Mountain Market in Speculator Mountain Market of Speculator Village Gas Station, Brick Oven Pizza, Deli, Beer, Wine Coolers, Groceries, Propane Exchange Tanks
NY Routes 30 & 8 Speculator Village Center
Open Year Round from 6:00 AM - 9:00 PM.
We serve hot breakfasts, lunches. dinners and pizza all day.
We are the only gas station on Route 8 between Chestertown + Poland, over 90 miles!
We have 91 octane ethanol-free gasoline and diesel fuel too
Phone: 518-548-4820  

Alicia C. Miller Real Estate, Inc. Deborah L. Abbot, Corporate Broker
1330 Main Street, NY 30, P.O. Box 328, Wells N.Y. 12190
Serving Southern Hamilton County
A Name You Can Trust since 1982 by Representing Southern Hamilton counties finest properties. Let us represent yours. We Cover Benson, Hope, Wells, Speculator, Lake Pleasant, Piseco, Morehouse and Indian Lake. Piseco & Oxbow Lake
PH: 518-924-4255   FAX: 518-924-4212
Alicia C. Miller Real Estate, Inc, in Wells.

Charlie Johns Supermarket Charlie Johns Supermarket "The Most Unique General Store in the Adiriondacks"
Junction NY Routes 30 & 8 West
Speculator Village Center
Store Hours: Monday - Saturday 8 AM - 8 PM | Sunday 9 AM - 6 PM
Full service deli and bakery, produce, meats
Camping supplies, gifts, ammo, tackle, DVD rentals
Best selection of Adirondack books
Phones: 518-548-7451 | 888-548-7455 | Email Us