Discover Fort Ann

For a stay in Fort Ann, trails along the Champlain Canal, hiking routes, and local history offer practical points of reference. There are also waterfront destinations, including Waterfront Park and a paddling route on Halfway Creek.

Trails and getting oriented along the Canal

The Fort Ann section of the Champlain Canalway Trail begins at Baldwin Corners Road on the Fort Ann Towpath Trail. The trail follows a purpose-built path to its endpoint and trailhead on Ann Street in Fort Ann Waterfront Park. This identifies both the start of the section and the trailhead at the park. The names Baldwin Corners Road and Ann Street give you reference points for planning along the Champlain Canal.

At Fort Ann Landing, Waterfront Park has an Empire State Trail access point, a pavilion, a picnic shelter, boat docks, and a kayak launch. Here, a connection to the trail comes together with facilities for a break and activities on the water. Check local conditions before your visit.

Along Canal Street, the remains of the old Champlain Canal Locks 16, 17, and 18 are visible north and south of Ann Street. The lock numbers and their locations on either side of Ann Street make it easier to pinpoint these historic traces along the road.

Hiking and paddling

For a hike, you can compare two routes with stated distances and elevation gains. Shelving Rock is in the Town of Fort Ann and can be reached from the Hogtown Road Trailhead. The Shelving Rock Trail is a 7-mile loop with 1,300 feet of elevation gain. A 2.3-mile trail with 1,038 feet of elevation gain leads to the summit of Sleeping Beauty Mountain. The trail lengths differ considerably, while the stated elevation gains are closer. One route is identified as a loop, while the other is described by its summit destination.

On Halfway Creek, you can paddle almost 1.4 miles upstream from the canal. The starting point, direction, and distance give this water route its own planning scale. Unlike the hiking trails, the focus here is on a distance on the water; the land-trail details, by contrast, give both distance and elevation gain.

Local history and historic sites

The Old Stone House Library was built in 1825 and serves as a public library and the headquarters of the Fort Ann Historical Society. It is also listed on state and national registers of historic places. Its year of construction and present-day functions go hand in hand: the historically listed building is used as a library and serves as the Historical Society’s headquarters.

The Battle of Fort Ann was fought on July 8, 1777, during the Saratoga Campaign of the American Revolutionary War. It is one of the official “Path Through History” sites. The event adds a different historical timeframe to the Old Stone House’s architectural history: the battle is associated with a date and campaign, while the building is associated with its construction in 1825 and its present-day institutional use.

More regional natural areas

In the wider region, the Shelving Rock Area of the Lake George Wild Forest has primitive campsites along Shelving Rock Road and Dacy Clearing Road. Paddling is allowed on all waters in the Lake George Wild Forest. These details offer an additional regional perspective on nature and water, alongside the specific trails, park, and historic sites in Fort Ann.

Discover more destinations: Eagle Bridge, Whitehall, Fort Edward, Argyle.

For the broader travel overview: Washington County.