The eastern half of the route passes through the Fort Drum limits.

The origins of the route date back to the 1930s when it was first designated as part of NY 3.

It continues across a small canal and past a chemical plant before turning eastward and leaving the Deferiet village limits.

The route heads on through the town of Wilna, passing through a small, unnamed community built up around CR 37 and little else before entering the limits of Fort Drum.

[3] All of NY 3A is maintained by Jefferson County; as a result, it is co-designated and co-signed as CR 36.