Adirondacks State Park

The Adirondack Region is larger than many states. It is not a homogenous area. In fact, it jumps up and down: some of the highest mountains in the eastern seaboard as well as lower lying valleys and hilly terrain in between. Getting a handle on what's actually in the Adirondacks can be daunting. Even most New Yorkers just have a vague idea of what's there (but then, most New Yorkers only have a vague idea about what's on the next block).

One way to visualize the Adirondacks is as a slack, multi-poled tent—the kind a kid would pitch using an old tarp and an odd collection of found sticks. The highest points are in the middle with the lower points around the edge. The slackness of the tent causes a myriad of pockets of water to collect, with rivulets draining on all sides.

The tallest sticks would throw up the jutting High Peaks, the most famous area in the Adirondacks. This is where you'll find the highest mountains set against some of the most dramatic lakes in the range. In some ways this is the heart of the Adirondacks. It's been the stomping ground of generations of mountaineers, including Theodore Roosevelt. Related in character, but with softer and lower peaks, the Central Adirondacks offer equally fine hikes and views, arguably better paddling, and fewer crowds. The plants and animals of the high mountains are similar to those of Canada's North Woods, with conifers predominating, especially red spruce and balsam fir. Tiny alpine pockets crown the 11 highest peaks.

The high mountains are surrounded by lower mixed hardwood forests and boggy wetlands, with pockets of farmland here and there. Moving clockwise around the mountainous interior, the Northwest Lakes Region has some of the wildest areas in the Adirondacks. Even though much of this region is privately owned, it is still sparsely developed, mostly because it's sodden and cold. The Champlain Lake Valley to the east is historic and bucolic. It is also the most heavily farmed and industrialized section of the Adirondacks. The South is the area of the juvenile Hudson, some good whitewater and fine wilderness hiking at the park's southeast corner. The rolling Western Foothills complete the circuit, with more scenic farmland as well as wild hardwood forests.

The High Peaks
The High Peaks Region of the Adirondack Park offer an endless array of possibilities for hiking—from an afternoon saunter with the family to a week of wilderness backpacking. The term "high peaks" refers to the high heart of the Adirondacks, where there are 46 of the region's highest peaks. There is a (very) loosely organized club whose members have climbed all 46 high peaks. Mount Marcy is the highest.

Hiking
High Peak Trails
Mt. Marcy
Saranac Lake

Paddling
Saranac Lake
Tupper Lake
Paul Smith's


Central Adirondacks
Popular area. South from the high peaks and lower, meaning the climate is gentler. While it's still quite hilly, it's the lakes that stand out here. Long Lake, Indian Lake—Siamese Ponds Wilderness, North Creek—Hudson River Gorge, Racquette Lake

Blue Mountain Lake

Moose River

Northwest Lakes
The northwestern section of the park is flat and wet—St. Regis Canoe Area, Tupper Lake.

Cranberry Lake

Western Foothills
The western foothills of the Adirondacks are built up and populated. Fulton Chain—lakes separated by long ridges. Paddling. Bald Mountain—good views though only 600 feet high.

Raquette Lake—one of the largest lakes in the Adirondacks, with 99 miles of waterfront. Home to Sagamore, built by Durant and bought by the Vanderbilts. Prototypical Adirondack Great Camp. Four other great camps, Camp Pine Knot, Camp Echo, Bluff Point, North Point.

Old Forge/Brantingham Lake
Stillwater Reservoir

Lake Champlain Valley
About 25 percent of the Adirondacks lies within the Champlain Valley. Lake Champlain is the largest freshwater lake in the U.S., surpassed only by the Great Lakes. It is 110 miles long and covers 490 square miles. Many historic towns: Ticonderoga, Crown Point, Port Henry, Westport, Elizabethtown, Plattsburgh, and maybe the loveliest of all—Essex. Generally, this is an area for people who like their outdoor recreation to be gentle and bucolic, with lots of human interaction and historical interest.

Lake George and Schroon Lake Divers note—Battleship preserve. Hudson River Recreation Area.

Hiking Hadley Mountain—good views.

Hiking Buck Mountain—views of Lake George, Lake Champlain, the Adirondacks, and Vermont's Green Mountains.

Sacandaga River is popular with whitewater paddlers.

Lake Luzerne—dude ranches.

Schroon Lake
Lake George