Adirondacks State Park

Camping & Lodging

The Adirondacks has 42 public campgrounds administered by the State of New York. These range from fairly rustic to facilities built during the golden age of public works. Most of these campgrounds lie off the the main roads, and are marked on many road maps. Or you can get a complete list by contacting the Department of Environmental Conservation. You can sign up to camp on your own island in the Adirondacks at one of three official island camping areas: Saranac Lake Wilderness, Indian Lake Wilderness and Lake George. Again, contact the DEC for more information on making reservations.

Many hiking trails feature lean-tos and campsites built by the site or by various hiking clubs. Individual trail descriptions will let you know what's going on. On official Wild Forest land or Wilderness, you can pitch your tent anywhere as long as it's more than 200 feet from a road or trail.

The towns and villages of the Adirondacks have a full range of lodging, from homely B&Bs; to 60s motels to luxurious hotels. The main tourist centers include Lake George, Lake Placid and Luzerne.

Weather

Even though the Adirondacks are in New York, think northern Vermont— not the relatively balmy New York City area or even the Catskills. The hiking and paddling season in the Adirondacks extends from May to October. But the key word is unpredicability. A sunny day can turn into a rainy one; the thermometer can climb to the low 90s in May before trees at certain altitudes have even leafed out.

The snows start in September. Even still, warm days can extend until October. Rather than planning a long trip after mid-September, short day hikes with the possibility of retreating to a cozy lodge if he weather gets unpleasant.

Transportation

No major airports serve the Adirondacks. The closest would be in Albany. There is a commercial airport ouside of Saranac Lake.Amtrak operates daily between New York and Montreal, with stops in Saratoga Springs, Glens Falls, Fort Ticonderoga, Port Henry, Westport, and Plattsburgh. Take this train trip during the day: the scenery is spectacular. (800) 872-7245.

For those devoted to the bus, the Adirondacks Trailways provides service throughout the mountains, and major cities and towns in the area, including New York City, Albany and Schenectady.

The auto roads in the Adirondacks are well maintained and usually quite scenic. Our scenic driving information and overview map will give you a good idea of alternatives.