Skip to main content

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.  

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

  • Can I hunt in the Adirondacks

    Absolutely. The Adirondacks has some of the finest hunting for bear, deer and small game in the country. The New York State DEC requires all small game hunters over the age of 12 to carry a license, and all big game hunters over the age of 16 to carry a license. All trappers must be licensed regardless of age. All first-time hunters must complete a 10-hour hunter safety course. For more information, check the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's website's 2022 hunting licenses page.

  • Where can I get a NYS fishing license?

    No matter what kind of fishing you do, you must have an Official New York State Fishing license (<--click to get one online) if you are 16 and older. Most sporting goods stores throughout the Adirondacks sell fishing licenses. You will need your driver's license number or some form of identification when purchasing a fishing license.

    New York State offers free fishing licenses to active members of the U.S. Armed Forces, resident patients at U.S. Veterans Administration hospitals, members of the Shinnecock or Poospatuck tribes and the Six Nations living on a New York State Reservation.

    For more information, check the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's website or their Fishing Regulations page.

  • 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's the entrance to the Adirondacks?

    There isn't one - at least in the way you might think. There's no ticket, no toll booth you need to go through, or a gated entrance. When you arrive at the park's boundaries - delineated by a blue line on your map - a brown and yellow sign will welcome you to the Adirondack Park. No fee, no ticket - just continue on your way.