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An aerial view of Lake Placid Mountains with colors of autumn/fall in Adirondacks, New York

Things to do in  The Adirondacks

New York at its wildest

Covering an astonishing 6 million acres, New York state’s Adirondack Park is the largest publicly protected area in the contiguous US—bigger than Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Glacier, and the Great Smoky Mountain National Parks combined. Outdoor enthusiasts will find no shortage of things to do in the Adirondacks: hiking through old-growth forests and to the summits of the 46 Adirondack High Peaks—mountains measuring at least 4,000 feet (1,200 meters—paddling around an extensive network of rivers and lakes, snowshoeing, skiing, and setting up camp on isolated islands.

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When to visit

The Adirondacks is a year-round playground for those who love to get outdoors. You could plan a winter visit to go cross-country skiing on groomed trails or try an Olympic-size ski jump in Lake Placid. Summer is best for getting out onto the waterways that lace the park, while fall is an excellent time to hike in the mountains painted in spectacular foliage. Spring, however, brings the drawback of muddy trails and black flies.

Getting around

The best way to get around the Adirondacks is by car, which allows you to soak up the scenery at your own pace. Public transportation is scarce, but buses connect the major communities of Lake George, Saranac Lake, Lake Placid, and Keene, while Amtrak’s Adirondack Line makes limited stops through the region. During peak hiking season in the fall, the Route 73 Hiker Shuttle transports hikers to trailheads to avoid often-full parking lots.

Traveler tips

The Adirondacks is known for the 46er hiking challenge, for which hikers set themselves the goal of climbing all 46 High Peaks. Less well-known are the region’s many other, more manageable hiking challenges, some of which can be completed in one day. If you’re visiting briefly and want to earn a patch and bragging rights, check out the Tupper Lake Triad or Saranac Lake 6 challenge.

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People Also Ask
Q:What is the prettiest part of the Adirondacks?
A:

Lake Placid is often said to be the prettiest village in the Adirondacks due to its serene setting around the well-named Mirror Lake. Any mountain summit within the High Peaks region offers stunning views, especially Indian Head, which overlooks the fjord-like Lower Ausable Lake.

Q:Are the Catskills or Adirondacks better?
A:

The Catskills and the Adirondacks both offer spectacular mountain scenery within easy reach of New York City (although the Catskills are closer to the city). Still, the Adirondacks offer a greater variety of things to do all year round, from skiing and dog sledding to paddling and fishing. The Adirondacks also boasts New York state’s highest mountain, Mount Marcy.

Q:What months are best for the Adirondacks?
A:

Unless your priority is participating in winter sports, May through October is the best for the Adirondacks. That said, summer can get crowded, so aim to visit in May or June when the weather is warming up, and the mud has gone, or September/October when the fall foliage is blazing across the mountains.

Q:What are the Adirondacks known for?
A:

The Adirondacks are known for pristine forests, clear lakes and rivers, and outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities. The park is also said to be the birthplace of the American vacation, thanks to a 19th-century guidebook that inspired New Yorkers to "vacate" their city apartments and flee to the Adirondacks.

Q:Which is better, Lake Placid or Saranac Lake?
A:

Both Lake Placid and Saranac Lake are charming villages that offer easy access to hiking trails and a choice of restaurants and entertainment. Lake Placid is the more touristy of the two, so Saranac Lake may be the better option if you want to avoid crowds.

Q:When is bug season in the Adirondacks?
A:

Black fly season in the Adirondacks typically runs from the middle of May through early July. If you venture into the outdoors during black fly season, whether by hiking, cycling, camping, or paddling, you should expect to be bothered by these persistent biting flies. Wearing long sleeves, a hat, insect repellent, and light colors can help repel the nuisance beasts.

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