The Clarkson Woods (The "Back 40")

What is it? The Clarkson Woods or the "Back 40" is a 400 acre forest on campus that has  a variety of hiking, cross country skiing, and mountain bike trails. The Bill Vitek Observation Deck overlooks a large beaver pond and is a popular destination for people who use the trails. 

Trail System: There are many different apps available to you for free that you can use to access all the trails in the Back 40. For mountain biking, one of the best apps to use is Trailforks. Click here to go to the Trailforks page for this location. AllTrails is another app, more for hiking, that also includes the trail system in the Clarkson Woods. Click here to go to the AllTrails page for this location. 

What a physical map? Click here to access the map that is provided on the Back 40 kiosk that is available for download to be printed.

MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS
There is an extensive mountain bike trail network at Clarkson University both on our hill campus and at Seven Springs. These trails are not included on our main kiosks and maps which were created to be more user friendly / simple. To access mountain bike trails visit:
•    TrailForks trails in Potsdam, NY: Our mountain bike club uses trailforks. Use this site, or download the app, to view an electronic version of mountain bike trails and to follow your location via a smartphone. 
•    The old Clarkson woods kiosk includes the mountain bike trails. 

CLARKSON FOREST (The "Back 40")
•    AllTrails: This web based link and app will allow you to follow your location in the Clarkson Forest via a smartphone.
•    Popularly called the "back 40," Clarkson manages a 400 acre forest on campus with hiking, cross country skiing, and mountain bike trails. The Bill Vitek Observation Deck overlooks a large beaver pond and is a popular destination.
•    View the map kiosk here. 

MUNTER TRAIL
•    AllTrails: This web based link and app will allow you to follow your location on the Munter Trail via a smartphone. 
•    The Munter Trail was built by John Munter '59. He received a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Clarkson University. He went on to earn his master's degree in management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1967. In the fall of 2012, Clarkson celebrated the dedication of the Munter Trails, which provide the campus and local community with spectacular views of Fall Island. The trails also offer convenient access to the Raquette, enhancing an overall sense of connection with the river. John played a critical role in this project, as he spent countless hours working on the trails with equipment loaned by Munter Enterprises (the general contracting construction company based in Middle Grove, New York, that he founded in 1972). John has generously supported Clarkson in several areas. He is a longtime member of Clarkson's leadership giving society, The Roundtable Society. He also received the University's most prestigious award, the Golden Knight Award, in 2014.
•    View the Munter Kiosk here
•    Clarkson Mountain Bike Club facebook
•    St. Lawrence Mountain Bike Association

SEVEN SPRINGS
•    Clarkson property and a mere 15 minute drive away, Seven Springs has great Mountain Biking, Skiing, Sledding, X-C Skiing, Camping, and Fishing. Believe it or not, Clarkson used to operate a ski hill here complete with a rope tow, a lodge, and night skiing. Unfortunately, that's all gone now, but it is still great fun! Clarkson only owns the land you can see from the pond, but there are many great trails leading back onto public land from the top of the hill and farther down the road.
•    It's located near Highflats State Forest. The coordinates are N44° 34.772′ W74° 51.656′.

START YOUR DAY AT THE OUTDOOR LODGE
•    The Outdoor Lodge is open for use 10:00 am - 10:00 pm daily during the academic semesters.
•    First Floor · Bathrooms · Water · TV · Computer for Clarkson Users · Wireless Internet
•    Basement · Equipment Rental · Ski Tuning · Bike Tuning
•    Second Floor · Outdoor Recreation Office

Clarkson Forest Kiosk
Old Trail Map
Very old Trail Map