Plan Your Visit | Official Adirondack Region Website

Plan Your Visit to the Adirondacks

The Adirondack Park is one of the most spectacular natural attractions in New York and lies within a day's drive for much of the Northeastern United States, as well as Ontario and Quebec. Once you visit – you'll always return.

Breweries & Wineries

Campgrounds

Hiking Trails & Destinations

Hotels & Motels

Kayaking & Canoeing

Scenic Drives

Discover why the Adirondack Mountains are like no other place on earth. There are no park fees to enter, no gates that close at night, just a boundless natural preserve and the promise of adventure. Explore the hiking trails of the famed Adirondack High Peaks . Choose your own camping adventure under the stars. Unwind on the pristine lakes of an Adirondack paradise.

To make planning your visit to the Adirondacks easier, we offer a variety of FREE brochures available for download, with information about hiking across the region, scenic drives that include easy access to shopping and restaurants, as well as information about the best fishing spots and paddling. Additionally, our sample itineraries provide practical travel tips on where to go for leisurely exploration or extreme adventure, and where to find celebrated art museums and cultural exhibitions in the Adirondacks.

Featured Listing

Experience Wild Walk

Wild Walk reopens May 2018. Eight years in the planning, it's a towering trail across the treetops. All part of an eye-opening experience at the 115-acre Wild Center, already called 'glorious' by The Wall Street Journal and 'stunning' by The New York Times

Learn More

Discover the Adirondack Mountains

Explore more than 100 towns and villages, each offering their own off-the-beaten path treasures — from gastro-pubs and Olympic sports, to centuries-old winter carnival celebrations, and boutique shops selling hand-crafted Adirondack furniture and goods.

Find lodging packages at luxury resorts tucked away on pristine mountain lakes, and a variety of family-friendly accommodations offering access to an array of attractions in any season. Search an extensive list of Adirondack vacation rentals to find unique places to stay — from yurts to condominiums, luxury cabins to comfy cottages.

The Adirondacks are a top destination for camping in NY, providing opportunities for island camping, back-country treks, guided Glamping excursions and handicap accessible lean-tos at campgrounds such as John Dillon Park in Long Lake. The Adirondack Region is a wilderness destination that everyone can access and enjoy.

The Adirondack Regions

The Adirondack Regions feature over 100 welcoming communities, mountains, lakes, verdant valleys and steep cliffs. Spanning more than six million acres, the Adirondack Mountains are home to the largest protected natural area in the lower 48 of the United States. Like a patchwork quilt, the Adirondacks are made up of twelve distinct regional destinations, each offering their own brand of Adirondack adventure. From the endless canoeing and kayaking in the Saranac Lake and Tupper Lake regions, to the extensive hiking trails of the High Peaks Wilderness in the Lake Placid Region - discover an area as diverse in geography as it is in activities and events. Bicycle between wineries on the Adirondack Coast, or dive to sunken shipwrecks in the Adirondack Seaway near the Canadian Border. You're invited to explore the Lake George Region's family-friendly attractions and discover the Adirondack Tug Hill Plateau's one-of-a-kind recreation opportunities.

To Explore Choose a Region

10 Best Adirondack Towns for First Time Visitors

Lake Placid – In the heart of the High Peaks, Lake Placid was the site of the 1932 & 1980 Winter Olympics. Visitors can enjoy visiting the sites of those events, including the ski jumps, the speed skating oval, and hockey arenas. Bring your cross-country skiing gear and head to Mt. VanHoevenberg, where you can glide through the trails and get an up-close look at the Olympic Bobsled track. Each summer, Lake Placid hosts an Ironman race, and have even expanded to include the half Ironman in September. With its close proximity to so many mountains, there are lots of hiking trails for all ability levels.
Lake George – Located in the Southeastern part of the Adirondacks, the "Original Vacation" spot Lake George holds many annual events year-round for visitors to enjoy. Get a history lesson at Fort William Henry or go on a shopping spree at the Factory Outlets on the outskirts of the village.
Saranac Lake – Saranac Lake is known as the heart of the Adirondacks. This picturesque American town is host to one of the most iconic Winter Carnivals around, complete with an enormous Ice Palace on the shore of Lake Flower. Winter fun continues in Saranac Lake at Mt. Pisgah, the local skiing, tubing, and snowboarding center. For those seeking adventure and a challenge, the 6 mountains that surround the town have been dubbed the Saranac 6, and hikers are challenged to climb all of them to become a Saranac 6er.
Speculator – As their welcome sign says, Speculator is an all season vacationland with many lakes for paddling and boating, Oak Mountain for skiing and snowboarding, and an abundance of hiking trails including the loop to Auger Falls.
Long Lake – Do you love rustic, country stores that offer everything you need for an Adirondack vacation? Hoss's in Long Lake is waiting for you. Take a scenic flight over the vast, beautiful lake or hike out to a beautiful Adirondack waterfall, Buttermilk Falls, and enjoy a picnic lunch.
North Creek – North Creek may be a small town, but it is full of unique Adirondack adventures. Hop on a railbike and take a scenic tour by peddling your way along an old railroad track with Revolution Rail Co or take to the water for an epic whitewater rafting excursion. Gore Mountain is the perfect place for winter skiing, or take a ride on the gondola in the summer for outstanding views of the lower Adirondack region.
Inlet – The Fulton Chain of Lakes runs right through Inlet, a quaint little village with many family-friendly attractions to discover. Awesome groomed trails make this part of the Adirondacks perfect for snowmobiling. And for those into road-cycling, the Black Fly Challenge Bike Race held in early summer is a one-of-a-kind man vs. nature event that locals and visitors look forward to each year.
Tupper Lake – Head to Tupper Lake for an out-of-this-world stargazing experience at the Adirondack Public Observatory or walk above the trees at The Wild Center. Little Wolf Beach is one of the best public beaches in the Adirondacks, complete with swim areas, a floating dock, and lots of sand for building massive sand creations.
Ticonderoga – Perhaps its most known attraction, Fort Ticonderoga offers visitors a look back into American military history, as well as fun educational activities such as the massive corn maze that requires guests to participate in a trivia game to find their way out. Space enthusiasts will love taking a set tour of the Original Star Trek Series. And waterfall chasers with enjoy viewing Falls of the La Chute up close from a kayak or paddleboard.
Cranberry Lake – If you're seeking a low-key escape to the Adirondacks in a more secluded area, Cranberry Lake is a perfect spot. Camp under the stars, kayak or fish along the shores of the third largest lake in the Adirondacks, and hike to the tops of less-traversed mountains. If you want to get back in touch with nature, Cranberry Lake is a good place to start.

10 Best Adirondack Hikes for First Time Visitors

Auger Falls Loop (Waterfall): Speculator, NY 1.25 miles RT
Baker Mountain: Saranac Lake, 1.9 miles RT
Silver Lake Mountain: Au Sable Forks, NY 1.9 miles RT
Cobble Hill: Lake Placid, NY 2.2 miles RT
Chimney Mountain: Indian Lake, NY 2.6 miles RT
Crane Mountain: Johnsburg, NY 3.1 miles RT
Hadley Mountain (with a Firetower): Hadley, NY 3.4 miles RT
Great Camp Sagamore Lake Trail: Raquette Lake, NY 3.7 miles RT
Owl's Head Mountain: Long Lake, NY 6.3 miles RT
Buck Mountain: Lake George, NY 6.6 miles RT

10 Best Adirondack Attractions for First Time Visitors

High Falls Gorge: Wilmington, NY – Whiteface Region
Ausable Chasm: Au Sable, NY – Adirondack Coast
Adirondack Experience! Museum: Blue Mountain Lake, NY – Adirondack Experience! It
Olympic Center Facilities / Museum: Lake Placid, NY – Lake Placid Region
Six Flags Great Escape & Splashwater Kingdom: Queensbury, NY – Lake George Region
Revolution Rail Co: North Creek, NY –Lake George Region
Paradox Brewery: Schroon Lake, NY – Schroon Lake Region
Antique Boat Museum – Clayton, NY – Adirondack Seaway
The Wild Center: Tupper Lake, NY – Tupper Lake Region
Titus Mountain: Malone, NY - Malone Region

Real Adirondack Stories

The Adirondacks present first-time visitors with unforgettable experiences and stories to tell when their adventure ends. But that first adventure certainly won't be the last. There is so much to explore in the Adirondack Mountains, we know you'll come back again and again.

5 Must-See Sights on a Summer Scenic Drive in the Adirondacks

– Visit Adirondacks

Discover the Adirondacks' hidden gems not too far off the beaten path.

Read About It!

Five Crazy High Peaks Facts

– Rebecca Steffan

Trivia so wild, you're sure to ace your next game of Trivial Pursuit.

Read About It!

Adirondack Waterfalls

– Visit Adirondacks

The contour of the Adirondack terrain and steep topography coupled with rich lush forests and reliable precipitation make for spectacular waterfalls throughout the region.

Read About It!