Fort Ann

Fort Ann brings together waterside paths, hiking routes, and traces of history. The Champlain Canalway Trail, paddling opportunities on Halfway Creek, and the story of the Battle of Fort Ann give the town a variety of highlights. You can plan your trip around whether you want to focus on nature experiences or local history.

Canal Paths and Experiences on the Water

The section of the Champlain Canalway Trail through Fort Ann begins at Baldwin Corners Road on the Fort Ann Towpath Trail. The Champlain Canalway Trail follows a purpose-built path to its endpoint and starting point on Ann Street in Fort Ann Waterfront Park. These named locations give you specific reference points for incorporating the trail into your trip plans.

The Waterfront Park at Fort Ann Landing has an Empire State Trail trailhead, a pavilion, a picnic shelter, boat docks, and a kayak launch. The park offers a range of amenities by the water and places to take a break outdoors. For another paddling route, consider Halfway Creek: from the canal, you can paddle almost 1.4 miles upstream.

Hiking Routes with Specific Distance and Elevation Details

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 an elevation gain of 1,300 feet. If you’re considering this hike, take into account both the stated elevation gain and the loop format, as well as the distance.

A 2.3-mile trail with an elevation gain of 1,038 feet leads to the summit of Sleeping Beauty Mountain. The details for Shelving Rock and Sleeping Beauty Mountain describe different routes and elevation gains; when comparing them, it’s worth considering both figures together. This lets you assess the hiking options based on the specific route details, rather than just the destination’s name.

Discover Fort Ann’s History

The Battle of Fort Ann was fought on July 8, 1777, during the Saratoga Campaign of the American Revolutionary War. It is an official “Path Through History” site. If you’re interested in the region’s history, this gives you a clear connection to an event from the Revolutionary War.

Another way to explore local history is the Old Stone House Library. Built in 1825, it serves as a public library and as the home of the Fort Ann Historical Society. It is also listed on state and national registers of historic places. The building, its current functions, and its historical context offer concrete points of interest for anyone interested in cultural history.

Choose the Right Focus for Your Trip

When looking for a vacation rental in Fort Ann, your preferred focus for the trip can be a helpful starting point: waterways and the Waterfront Park, the hiking routes described here, or Fort Ann’s history. If you’d also like to explore the wider region, the Shelving Rock Area of Lake George Wild Forest has primitive campsites along Shelving Rock Road and Dacy Clearing Road. Paddling is permitted on all bodies of water in Lake George Wild Forest. These natural attractions are part of the wider region and complement the Fort Ann trails and historical sites with a broader perspective.

More Destinations

If you’d like to include other places in your trip plans, you’ll also find Argyle, Whitehall, Fort Edward and Eagle Bridge here.

For the broader travel overview: Washington County.