The Adirondacks
Go for High Peaks hikes, lake days and small villages in northern New York. Lake Placid and Lake George are the main places to stay.
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The Adirondacks are a large region of mountains, forests, rivers and lakes in northern New York. Much of the land is state-owned Forest Preserve, and the rest is private property, with villages and towns scattered through it. The High Peaks, a group of 46 summits above 4,000 feet, draw most hikers. Many main trails start from roadside parking, so the trailhead you pick often sets the length of your day.
Lake Placid and Lake George are the best-known villages to stay in. Lake Placid hosted the Winter Olympics in 1932 and 1980 and sits close to several High Peaks trailheads. Lake George is a resort village on a long lake, with lodging on the shore and boat trips. Fall foliage runs through September and October. Plan at least four or five days, because drives between villages and trailheads take time.
The Adirondacks in five
- Pick a village base by activityLake Placid suits High Peaks hikes and winter sports, Lake George suits families and a classic lake town, and Saranac Lake suits quieter stays. Matching the base to the activity saves hours of driving.
- Check trailhead parking and reservation rulesPopular High Peaks lots fill early, and some areas use reservations or limits. Check the state's environmental conservation pages before you drive, and have a backup trail ready.
- Plan for bears and food storageBlack bears are active, and camping and some hiking areas have food storage and canister rules. Read the current state regulations before an overnight.
- Visit for foliage in late September or OctoberFall color is the busiest season, and rooms fill early. Summer lake days are the other peak, and black flies can be a nuisance in late spring.
- Add Burlington or the Hudson Valley by roadLake Champlain ferries link New York and Vermont, and the Hudson Valley is the route south toward the city.Burlington
Things to do in The Adirondacks
See all attractions in The Adirondacks
Need to know
- Airport
- Albany (ALB), Burlington (BTV) or Montreal (YUL), depending on the side
- Getting there
- Drive; the park is large and most villages are far from rail
- Getting around
- A car; trailheads, villages and lakes are spread out
- Best base
- Lake Placid for High Peaks; Lake George for families
- Time needed
- 3 to 5 days for one region; 7 days for a longer loop
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryDeep snow, ski
- FebruarySnow, ski
- MarchLate snow
- AprilMud, black flies
- MayGreen, blackflies
- JuneLake days
- JulySummer peak
- AugustSummer peak
- SeptemberEarly fall color
- OctoberFall color
- NovemberBare, cold
- DecemberSnow, ski
Right now in The Adirondacks
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
9
- Feels like
- 3°
- Humidity
- 44%
- Wind
- 20 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 4%
The Adirondacks
04:56 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today11°5°4%Monday: Fog. High 11°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Tue10°8°40%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 10°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 40%.
- Wed15°6°7%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 15°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 7%.
- Thu9°5°70%Thursday: Rain. High 9°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 70%.
- Fri10°4°55%Friday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 55%.
- Sat5°-1°53%Saturday: Snow. High 5°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 53%.
- Sun1°-2°43%Sunday: Fog. High 1°, Low -2°. Chance of rain 43%.
Updated 04:47 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Lake Georgea village lake dayBoat rides, beach and a classic lake town; busy in July and August.
- Lake Placida mountain village stopOlympic history, a village lake and access to High Peaks hikes.
- Burlington, Vermonta ferry or road link across Lake ChamplainA city on the lake with a waterfront and bike paths.Read the guide
Before you go to The Adirondacks
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Rules for The Adirondacks, checked
- Most of the park is private land. Check Adirondack Park Agency rules on land use and camping before you pitch a tent off official sites.Source
- Backcountry camping rules on state Forest Preserve land vary by area. Check the NY DEC rules for your trailhead before you go.Source
- Black bears live here. Store food, trash and scented items out of reach at campsites and in your car.
- Clean, drain and dry boats and gear before moving between lakes to stop invasive species. Check NY DEC boat rules.Source
- Fishing needs a New York State license. Buy one from a NY DEC license agent or online before you fish.Source
Plan around The Adirondacks
Vermont's lake city across Lake Champlain
Read the guideCatskillsAnother New York mountain region, to the south
Read the guideHudson ValleyRiver towns on the route toward the city
Read the guideNew YorkThe usual gateway for travelers from abroad
Read the guideBostonAn alternative city gateway for a New England loop
Read the guideESTA explainedWho needs it and how to apply before you fly
Read the guideAll of the USAParks, cities and trip planning for visitors
Read the guideThe Adirondacks FAQ
What is the best time to visit the Adirondacks?
Late September and October for fall color, July and August for lake days, and winter for skiing and snow sports. Spring is muddy and has black flies, so it suits few visitors.
Do you need a car in the Adirondacks?
Yes, almost always. The park is large, trailheads are remote, and public transport is thin. A rental car from Albany, Burlington or Montreal is the usual plan.
Where should you stay in the Adirondacks?
Lake Placid for High Peaks hikes and winter sports, Lake George for family lake trips, and Saranac Lake for a quieter small-town base. Match the village to the activity.
Are the Adirondacks good for a weekend trip?
Yes, if you stay in one village and do one or two hikes or lake days. Do not try to cover the whole park in a weekend, because drives between regions are long.
Do you need a permit for Adirondack hikes?
Many day hikes need no permit, but camping, group size and some trailheads have rules. Check the state's environmental conservation pages for current permits, parking and bear rules before you go.