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Plan Your First 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. 

Lake Clear in the Adirondacks in Upstate New York

Discover why the Adirondack Mountains are like no other place on earth to visit. There are no park fees to enter, no gates that close at night, just a boundless natural preserve and the promise of adventure.

More than 2,000 miles of the most scenic trails in the Northeastern United States wind along forested paths, skip along waterfalls, leading to summits with 360-degree views that extend as far as the eye can see.

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 guides 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.

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

  1. Auger Falls Loop (Waterfall): Speculator, NY 1.25 miles round-trip
  2. Baker Mountain: Saranac Lake, 1.9 miles round-trip
  3. Silver Lake Mountain: Au Sable Forks, NY 1.9 miles round-trip
  4. Owl's Head Mountain: Long Lake, NY 6.3 miles round-trip
  5. Sawyer Mountain: Indian Lake, NY 2.1 miles round-trip
  6. Chimney Mountain: Indian Lake, NY 2.6 miles round-trip
  7. Crane Mountain: Johnsburg, NY 3.1 miles round-trip
  8. Great Camp Sagamore Lake Trail: Raquette Lake, NY 3.7 miles round-trip
  9. Severence Mountain: Schroon Lake, NY 2.3 miles round-trip
  10. Buck Mountain: Lake George, NY 6.6 miles round-trip
hiking in the Adirondacks on Hurricane Mountain

Our 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. Antique Boat Museum: Clayton, NY – Adirondack Seaway Region
  9. The Wild Center: Tupper Lake, NY – Tupper Lake Region
  10. Titus Mountain: Malone, NY - Malone Region
water ride at Six Flags Great Escape

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.