Appalachian National Scenic Trail - Drinking Water Conditions

Drinking water along the AT in both New Jersey and New York may be limited due to drought conditions.

Some water sources have dried up or are reduced to a trickle. Some have become polluted. Hikers along the AT should check ahead on water availability by reading register logs, inquiring at park offices and other information points along the Trail. In New Jersey, hikers may be able to inquire with the seasonal Ridge Runners, should you meet one on the trail. They have been monitoring conditions along the AT in that state. Be prepared to treat any water source if you are not confident that it is potable.

Appalachian Trail-wide Water condition updates can be found at: www.appalachiantrail.org/updates 

Location Date Status
New Jersey    
Nat'l Parks Visitor Center 8/21/2011 Faucet in pavilion area
Dunnfield Creek Parking Lot 8/21/2011 Pump handle has been removed
Holly Springs Trail, 0.2 miles east of AT 8/21/2011 Very slow
Sunfish Pond Run-off 8/21/2011 Good Flow-Reliable
Garvey Spring 8/21/2011 Infrequent Flow-Don't plan on it
Yards Creek Run-off, 1 mile N of Sunfish Pond 8/21/2011 Good Flow-Reliable
Mohican Outdoor Center-0.3 miles off of AT 8/21/2011 Faucet by garage across from office
Rattlesnake Spring, 50-150 feet 8/21/2011 Good Flow-Reliable
Blue Mountain Lakes Road 8/21/2011 Pump-Working
Boy Scout Bridge, 0.3 miles north of Rattlesnake Mountain 8/21/2011 Good Flow-Filter&Purify
Brink Road Shelter Spring 8/21/2011 Good Flow-Reliable
Gren Anderson Shelter Spring 8/21/2011 Good Flow-Reliable
Mashipacong Shelter 8/21/2011 No water source, but trail angel leaving water 
Iris Trail Stream, N of Mashipacong Shelter 8/21/2011 Slow Flow-Filter&Purify
Rutherford Shelter Spring 8/21/2011  Slow Flow-Reliable
High Point State Park Office, Route 23 8/21/2011 Faucet by office
Monument Shelter, High Point 8/21/2011  Good Flow-Reliable (right off of first bridge)
Secret Shelter, 5.5 miles N of HP Shelter-Goldsmith Rd 8/21/2011 Faucet from well-Private property
Unionville, NY via Lott Rd & NJ Avenue 8/21/2011  Faucet at town park, next to post office
Just north of Lake Wallkill Rd 8/21/2011  Faucet at back of house, sign on the AT
Pochuck Shelter 8/21/2011  No water at the shelter
Trail angel 1.8 miles north of Pochuck Shelter 8/21/2011 South of AT to bear box w/water (trail angle)
Heaven Hill Farm 8/21/2011 Faucet at farm, and Ice Cream
Wawayanda Shelter, blue blazed trail off of AT to park office 8/2/2011 Faucet on park office&maintenance buildings
New York    
Wildcat Shelter   Spring
Little Dam Lake    
Island Pond    
Fingerboard Shelter   No water - Lake Tiorati 0.5 mile east
Arden Valley Road   Water May-November 0.3 east at Tiorati Cicle ranger station
Brien Shelter   Spring - may fail in dry weather
Palisades Interstate Parkway   Vistor Center 0.5 north
Beach Bottom Brook    
West Mountain Shelter   No water
Bear Mountain Inn (currently closed)   water at drinking fountains
Bear Mountain Zoo    
Hemlock Spring Campsite 2011 Slow but reliable spring
Coppermine Brook 2011 DO NOT USE - mine drainage - possible heavy metal contamination
Appalachian Market Rt 9/403 2011 24 hour deli
Graymoor Ballfield campsite 2011 May-October water faucet
Stream just South of Canopus Hill Road 2011 Reliable - but treat heavily - nearby houses
Dennytown Road - Group Campsite 2011 Faucet on stone building 100' west - seasonal
Sunk Mine Road 2011 Stream just north of road - swamp water - reliable - treat
Rt 301 - Canopus Lake - Campground 2011 Campground 1m east
Canopus Swimming area 2011 Seasonal 0.25m east
Shenandoah Tenting Area 2011 Well pump - treat water
RPH Shelter 2011 Well pump - treat water - irony
Rt 52 2011 Deli 0.5 mile  south of trail crossing
Morgan Stewart Shelter 2011 Well pump - treat water
Nuclear Lake 2011  Treat - many beavers
Telephone Pioneers Shelter   Unreliable stream
Swamp River 2011 Treat
Wiley Shelter 5/2011 Well pump - currently broken, nearby cistern unreliable dry season
Dual Hollow Brook 2011 Treat - nearby horse farms, houses