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Plan Your First Visit to the Adirondacks

Within a day's drive of the U.S. Northeast, Ontario and Quebec, the Adirondack Mountains are like no other place on earth.

Adirondack Peaks

Over six million acres, 3,000 lakes and ponds, 2,000 scenic trails AND 30,000 miles of rivers and streams all add up to one simple reason why you should visit the Adirondack Park. It’s spectacular. Wind along forested paths. Seek out cascading waterfalls. Plant your feet on summits with 360-degree views that extend as far as the eye can see. Camp under the stars. Unwind on pristine lakes. The Adirondacks provide the best place to visit in New York State.

Looking for things to do on your trip? Plan Your ADK Vacation. Download our free guides for comprehensive travel information on hiking, fishing, paddling and scenic drives.  

Explore The Adirondack Regions of New York

The Adirondack Region boasts over 100 welcoming communities, scenic mountains, lakes, valleys, and cliffs across six million protected acres, making it the largest natural area in the U.S. outside Alaska. Its ten unique regions each offer a distinct Adirondack adventure.

Map Out Your Adventure

Whiteface Ledge

Top Scenic Hikes

Adirondack Recreation

Outdoor Recreation

Whitewater Rafting

Whitewater Rafting

North Forest Light

Events & Festivals

Adirondack Ski Mountain

Ski + Snowboard

Hiking Trail

Hiking Challenges

Glamping

Glamping

Lake George Minni-ha-ha

Boat Tours

Top-Rated Adirondack Mountain and Lake-View Hikes for Beginners

Auger Falls Loop: (Waterfall): Speculator, NY 1.25 miles round-trip
Lampson Falls: Clare, NY 2.4 miles round-trip with 100-foot waterfall
Silver Lake Mountain: Au Sable Forks, NY 1.9 miles round-trip
Owl's Head Mountain: Long Lake, NY 6.3 miles round-trip
Sawyer Mountain: Indian Lake, NY 2.1 miles round-trip
Swede Mountain Trail with Fire Tower: Hague, NY 1.8 miles round-trip
Great Camp Sagamore Lake Trail: Raquette Lake, NY 3.8 miles round-trip
Severance Mountain: Schroon Lake, NY 2.4 miles round-trip
Whetstone Gulf wraps around a 3-mile gorge: Lowville, NY 5.39 miles round-trip
Trail hike with a dog

Favorite Adirondack Attractions for First-Time Visitors

  1. High Falls Gorge: Wilmington, NY – Whiteface Region
  2. Ausable Chasm: Au Sable, NY – Adirondack Coast Region
  3. Adirondack Experience Museum: Blue Mountain Lake, NY – Adirondack Experience Region
  4. Olympic Center Facilities / Museum: Lake Placid, NY – Lake Placid Region
  5. Six Flags Great Escape & Splashwater Kingdom: Queensbury, NY – Lake George Region
  6. Revolution Rail Co.: North Creek, NY – Lake George Region
  7. Paradox Brewery: Schroon Lake, NY – Adirondack Hub Region
  8. Frederic Remington Art Museum:  Ogdensburg, NY – Adirondack Seaway Region
  9. The Wild Center: Tupper Lake, NY – Tupper Lake Region
  10. Titus Mountain Family Ski Center: Malone, NY - Adirondack Frontier Region
  11. Nicandri Nature Center, Massena, NY - Adirondack Seaway Region
Adirondack Experience Canoe Ride

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is there a fee to enter the Adirondack Park?

    This question is more common than you might think and the answer is no. There's no fee to enter the park. However, there are fees at public and private New York campgrounds within the park.

  • Where is the entrance to the Adirondacks?

    There isn't one. There's no ticket, fee, toll booth to pass through or gated entrance. You'll know that you have arrived at the park's boundaries when you spot a brown and yellow sign welcoming you to the Adirondack Park. The park's boundaries lie within ten distinct regions, collectively referred to as “The Adirondacks.”  Each region offers their own brand of Adirondack adventure. Plan your first trip and explore!  

  • Can you recommend where to go hiking in the Adirondacks?

    Home to more than 2,000 miles of paths winding through forever wilderness, it can be hard to know where to begin. Our free, downloadable Adirondack Hiking Guide and Map is a great resource for hikers regardless of skill level. Find the perfect hike for you and your companions, whether it's a leisurely stroll near a quiet lake or a more advanced trail along a waterfall. Additional information can be found on our Hiking page. Get ready to hit the trails!

  • Do I need a permit to hike in the Adirondacks?

    Reservations are only necessary for hiking trails on the Adirondack Mountain Reserve, a privately owned 7,000-acre land parcel located in the Town of Keene Valley that allows for limited public use and consists largely of trails to high peaks. Reservations are free but must be made in advance to avoid crowds. For information on trails that do not require a reservation and cater to a wider range of hiking abilities and interests, see our free, downloadable Adirondack Hiking Guide and Map.  

  • Can I bring my dog hiking in the Adirondacks?

    Yes! Unless specifically posted with a no-dogs sign, most of the Adirondack Park's 2,000 miles of hiking trails are pet-friendly, and require dogs to be on a leash. 

    If you plan to hike with your dog, there are certain precautions we recommend to ensure that you, your furry companion, and fellow hikers stay safe. This information as well as tips on the best dog-friendly trails and the ADK9 Challenge — a hiking challenge for pups and their people — can be found here

  • Where can I operate a drone in the Adirondack Park?

    In the Adirondack Park, it is legal to launch a drone anywhere the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) allows, except on state lands classified as “Wilderness,” “Primitive” or “Canoe” by the Adirondack State Land Master Plan.

    This interactive map provided by the New York State Adirondack Park Agency can serve as a tool to see land classification boundaries. If you are unsure if it is okay to use your drone in certain areas, contact the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.