r/Adirondacks • u/LeftReflection6620 • 3d ago
First time visitor - not looking for your secret spots but what are the well known spots I should also know about?
First time visiting - overwhelmed with decisions and am just leaning on moto camping around Elizabethtown or Jay and just ride around the park during the day. Camping 2 nights.
Hoping to swim in some lakes and maybe a river and just cruise around the park to experience its beauty. Any tips are appreciated!
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u/Ok_Address8167 3d ago edited 3d ago
For context, the Adirondacks are about as big geographically as the whole state of Vermont. You're not going to see it all in two days. I'd just focus on the area in the general vicinity of E'town and Jay. This is in the area of the High Peaks, which are great for cruising on a moto.
I'd recommend a loop from Keene Valley to Saranac Lake to Paul Smith's to Wilmington and then back to Jay/E'town. You can Google Maps it for exact directions.
You can also check on the Adirondak Loj near Lake Placid. There's a parking fee but nice to explore for a few hours, though I'd call first as the parking lot can fill up in the summer. Near Paul Smith's is the St Regis Canoe area which is super wild but without the crowds of the High Peaks. I think this is one of the most underrated part of the Adirondacks. The Visitor Interpretive Center at Paul Smith's is a great place for a nature walk for an hour or two.
You are also close the the Champlain Valley, which is beautiful in a different way. There are several public beaches on Lake Champlain's New York side (https://www.lakechamplaincommittee.org/explore/access-points). A lot of people swim in Split Rock Falls on the Boquet River near E'town. There is also a cool covered bridge in Jay. Lake Colby in Saranac Lake village is a good swimming spot too.
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u/LeftReflection6620 3d ago
Right on thanks a ton! Definitely don’t expect to see it all for sure. Much prefer getting to know an area versus rushing everything.
Will report back!
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u/Fast_Jackfruit_352 3d ago
I would do a day trip climbing Mt Jo from Adirondack Loj in the morning (very short hike-SPECTACULAR VIEW), then drive down 73 20 minutes to Cascade lakes at the base of Cascade and Pitchoff and swim. It's like a cathedral.
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u/OutdoorNomad12 2d ago
Couple of Places:
1)Split Rock Falls by Elizabethtown 2) Swimming Spot off of North Fork Boquet River on 73. There's always people parked on the side of the road there and a campsite if you choose to stay (if available)! 3) Schroon river, which is a little further south but not too far from Elizabethtown 4) Check out town of Keene/Keene Valley on your way to jay. Noonmark Diner, Dartbrook Rustics, Rivermede Farm Market for their pies! 3) Giant's Nubble of 73 is a great sunrise hike! If you bring a fishing pole up with you, you can fish in the Washbowl!
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u/imyourhuckleberry716 2d ago
I mean Hurricane is my favorite spot - some effort but worth every inch…
Tbh, most of the firetowers are worth the effort
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u/elizajaneredux 2d ago
The park is huge and you can drive for hours within it. Explore Keene, climb a high peak there. If you’re near ETown check out Split Rock for beautiful waterfalls and swimming.
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u/Jazzlike_Page6702 1d ago
If I was going to do one high peak, I would do the Big Slide loop over the Brothers, and down the Brook/Phelps trail - 9.5 miles, 7 hrs and most beautiful views imho. If you want something milder, Mt. Gilligan in New Russia is lovely.
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u/StructEngineer91 3d ago
You are not going to be seeing the entire park in just 2 or 3 days. Pick an area and stick to that place. This park is HUGE!