In-depth guide · CampingSpirit
A round trip of around 600 kilometres through the largest park in the eastern USA: high-mountain lakes, spruce forests and towns that twice hosted the Winter Olympics.
The spirit of the route
Adirondack Park is not a wilderness behind a fence, but a patchwork of public Forest Preserve and villages, around six million acres in size. On the drive north from Lake George, the mountains of the High Peaks rise out of the forest, the Cascade Lakes lie like dark mirrors beside NY-73, and in Lake Placid the ski jumps still hang above the village. In the morning mist lies over the water, loons call, and by the charcoal grill it smells of spruce. Further west the roads get emptier: Saranac Lake, Tupper Lake, Long Lake, Blue Mountain Lake, with boats, canoes and landing stages everywhere and forest, bog and rock in between. The nights are cool even in summer, and in September the autumn colours begin. Drive slowly and you will see moose at the roadside, but also many motorhomes squabbling over the best spots by the lake.
Stage-by-stage plan
1Stage 1: Lake George to Lake Placid (approx. 155 km)
- The drive
- From Lake George, take I-87 (Adirondack Northway) north to Exit 30, then US-9 and NY-73 via Keene Valley and the Cascade Lakes to Lake Placid. The Northway is wide and fast (mostly 65 mph), NY-73 narrow, winding and with climbs; there are sections without a hard shoulder, and many hikers and cyclists at the roadside. Pure driving time is about 2.5 hours. Mobile reception is weak on parts of the route.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Cascade Lakes on NY-73: two long, narrow lakes between steep rock walls, with pull-offs for photographs; parking is scarce.
- Keene Valley: a village in the valley of the East Branch Ausable River, the starting point for many hikes in the High Peaks; check the park rules on the spot and, where applicable, reservations for trailhead parking.
- Lake Placid: site of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics; the Olympic Center with the arena of the “Miracle on Ice”, Mirror Lake and small shops on Main Street.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Meadowbrook Public Campground (NYS DEC) near Ray Brook, about 10 minutes from Lake Placid: sites in the forest, some with electricity; check the facilities, vehicle lengths and availability in the DEC reservation system. At the start of the tour, Hearthstone Point Campground (DEC) on Lake George offers sites by the water; likewise clarify lengths and facilities beforehand.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): In the Adirondack Forest Preserve, camping outside campgrounds is allowed without a permit for groups of up to nine people and for up to three nights, but not closer than 150 feet (about 45 m) to roads, trails and water, except at designated sites. With a motorhome this is hardly usable in practice; check the rules with the DEC.
- Insider tip for campers
- At weekends in summer and autumn NY-73 is full of hikers; the trailhead car parks (such as Cascade, Roaring Brook Falls) fill early. Fill up and shop in Lake George or Warrensburg before the drive.
2Stage 2: Lake Placid to Wilmington (Whiteface Mountain) (approx. 60 km)
- The drive
- A short round trip from Lake Placid on NY-86 to Wilmington and back; the road runs through Wilmington Notch along the West Branch Ausable River, winding and with climbs, mostly 45–55 mph. Pure driving time is about 1 hour, plus the ascent of Whiteface Mountain.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Whiteface Veterans Memorial Highway: a toll road from Wilmington to the summit car park of Whiteface Mountain (1,483 m / 4,867 ft); the road is open seasonally, so check dates, toll, vehicle lengths and weather with the operator (ORDA) beforehand. Narrow and steep for large motorhomes.
- Wilmington Notch: the gorge of the West Branch Ausable River with waterfalls; on NY-86 there are lay-bys and viewpoints.
- Olympic venues near Lake Placid: ski jumps and Mt. Van Hoevenberg with its bobsled and skeleton track; in summer, rides on wheels are offered, so check dates beforehand.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Wilmington Notch Campground (DEC): sites right on the river in the gorge, without hook-ups; check the facilities, lengths and availability in the DEC booking system. Booked out early in summer.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): In the Forest Preserve the general rules for camping without a permit apply (maximum three nights, distance from roads and water, groups under ten people); practically unsuitable for motorhomes. Roadside camping is only at designated sites, such as in the Moose River Plains (stage 5).
- Insider tip for campers
- The ascent of Whiteface is only worthwhile in clear weather; at the summit it can be 10–15 °C colder than in the valley. If you are travelling with a long motorhome, it is better to park in the valley and use a shuttle or hike.
3Stage 3: Lake Placid to Tupper Lake (approx. 75 km)
- The drive
- Take NY-86 via Ray Brook and Saranac Lake, then NY-3 and NY-30 to Tupper Lake; two lanes, through forest, lakes and villages, mostly 55 mph, 25–35 mph in towns. Pure driving time is about 1.5 hours. Filling stations and supermarkets are found in Saranac Lake and Tupper Lake.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Saranac Lake: a village on the Saranac chain of lakes with a historic centre, Stevenson Cottage (where Robert Louis Stevenson spent the winter of 1887/88) and the Saranac River; check opening times beforehand.
- Paul Smith’s College Visitor Interpretive Center near Paul Smiths: paths through bog and forest; check admission and opening times beforehand.
- The Wild Center in Tupper Lake: a natural history museum with the treetop walkway “Wild Walk”; check opening times and admission beforehand.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Fish Creek Pond Campground (DEC) on NY-30 between Saranac Lake and Tupper Lake: a large site on the lake with beaches, some with a dump station; check the facilities, lengths and availability in the DEC system. Meadowbrook Campground in Ray Brook is the alternative.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): In the Forest Preserve the familiar rules apply: three nights without a permit, distance from roads and water; motorhomes are rarely suited to this.
- Insider tip for campers
- Tupper Lake is the last larger town with a supermarket and filling station before Long Lake; top up with water and buy supplies. Canoe and kayak rental is available in Saranac Lake and Tupper Lake; check boats for invasive species before launching and clean them.
4Stage 4: Tupper Lake to Blue Mountain Lake (approx. 70 km)
- The drive
- Take NY-30 through Long Lake to Blue Mountain Lake; little traffic, mostly 55 mph, through forest and bog, along lakes and rivers. Pure driving time is about 1.5 hours. Moose occur in the region, especially on roads at dusk: drive slowly.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Long Lake: the bridge over the lake and the village centre; Buttermilk Falls is a short walk to a waterfall; check the length and directions beforehand.
- Adirondack Experience in Blue Mountain Lake: a museum on the history and culture of the region (formerly the Adirondack Museum), open seasonally; check opening times beforehand.
- Blue Mountain: a hike of about three miles there and back to the lookout tower at 1,145 m (3,759 ft), with views over many lakes; duration about three to four hours.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Lake Eaton Campground (DEC) near Long Lake: sites on the lake in the forest; check the facilities, lengths and availability in the DEC system. Lake Durant Campground (DEC) near Blue Mountain Lake lies on NY-28N/30; likewise check the facilities before booking.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): In the Forest Preserve the general rules for camping without a permit apply; motorhomes are rarely suited to this. Roadside camping at designated sites is available in Moose River Plains Wild Forest (stage 5).
- Insider tip for campers
- The region has few shops; shop in Tupper Lake or Long Lake. Mobile reception drops out in parts. In rain, hiking trails can be slippery.
5Stage 5: Blue Mountain Lake to Old Forge (approx. 60 km)
- The drive
- Take NY-28 and NY-28N via Raquette Lake and Eagle Bay to Old Forge; two lanes, winding, with climbs, mostly 55 mph. Pure driving time is about 1.5 hours. Old Forge has supermarkets, filling stations and shops.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Great Camp Sagamore near Raquette Lake: a historic Adirondack great camp of the Vanderbilt family, with tours; check reservations and opening times beforehand.
- Raquette Lake: boats and excursion vessels invite trips on the lake; check the timetable beforehand.
- Old Forge and the Fulton Chain of Lakes: the main town of the region with shops, lakes and the Adirondack Scenic Railroad in Thendara; check the timetable beforehand.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Golden Beach Campground (DEC) on Raquette Lake: sites on the lake; check the facilities, lengths and availability in the DEC system. Brown Tract Pond Campground (DEC) lies near Raquette Lake (access via Uncas Road, partly gravel) and is open only from about mid-May to early September; up to about 30 feet (9 m), with a dump station; clarify the facilities beforehand.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): In Moose River Plains Wild Forest south of Old Forge there are designated roadside tent sites along Cedar River Road; the road is unpaved and unsuitable for large motorhomes, and open seasonally. Check the rules and condition with the DEC.
- Insider tip for campers
- Fill up with fuel and water and empty your waste in Old Forge before heading back into the mountains. Reserve early for lake cruises.
6Stage 6: Old Forge to Lake George (approx. 210 km)
- The drive
- Back on NY-28 via Blue Mountain Lake, Indian Lake and North Creek to Warrensburg and on to Lake George; two lanes, winding, with climbs and descents, mostly 55 mph. Pure driving time is about 3.5 hours. Along the route there are filling stations in Indian Lake, North Creek and Warrensburg.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Indian Lake: a lake and village with an entry to the wilderness of the Moose River Plains; filling station and shops.
- North Creek: the starting point for rafting tours on the Hudson River and for Gore Mountain; check dates and weather beforehand.
- Lake George: the lake shore with Fort William Henry and steamboat excursions; check the timetable beforehand.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Lake George Battlefield Campground (DEC) or Hearthstone Point Campground (DEC) on Lake George: check the facilities, lengths and availability in the DEC system. Booked out early in summer.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): On Lake George there is no legal free camping for motorhomes; the lake is heavily touristed, and checks are usual. Use campgrounds.
- Insider tip for campers
- In Lake George there is a lot of traffic in summer; arrive early in the day. Before returning rental motorhomes, empty your waste and fill up with fuel beforehand; mind the height limits in multi-storey car parks.
Camping practice & local rules
Wild camping & overnight parking
- In the Adirondack Forest Preserve, camping outside campgrounds is allowed: groups of up to nine people for up to three nights without a permit, but not closer than 150 feet (about 45 m) to roads, trails and water, except at designated sites. For larger groups or longer stays, a permit from the Forest Ranger is needed. Check the current rules with the NYS DEC.
- On private land, camping without permission is forbidden; in Adirondack Park, much land belongs to private owners or timber companies.
- Overnighting in a vehicle in car parks, at viewpoints and on village streets is forbidden in most places; fines are possible.
- Wildlife: black bears occur throughout the park, so store food in the vehicle at night; moose, white-tailed deer and beavers are widespread. In the High Peaks, bear canisters are compulsory in the backcountry; this is not relevant for motorhome camping, but heed it on hikes.
- Insects: mosquitoes and black flies in early summer; ticks are widespread. Bring repellent and tick tweezers.
- Apps and sites: Campendium, iOverlander, The Dyrt, the DEC reservation system (ReserveAmerica) and the Adirondack Mountain Club for hiking rules.
Waste disposal & supplies
- Dump stations are found at several DEC campgrounds and at some filling stations; there is an overview at sanidumps.com. Check fees and opening times beforehand.
- Tap water is drinkable; filter or boil water from lakes and streams, as Giardia is widespread.
- Shopping: supermarkets in Lake George, Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, Tupper Lake and Old Forge; only small shops in Long Lake and Blue Mountain Lake.
- Propane at filling stations and DIY stores in larger towns; European bottles need adapters.
- Fuel: filling stations in all larger towns; only a few between Tupper Lake and Old Forge.
- Electricity: most DEC campgrounds have no hook-ups; plan for leisure battery and solar. Generators only at set times.
Vehicle size & traffic rules
- Speed limits in mph: Northway 65, country roads 55, built-up areas 25–35. Heed the signs; lower limits may apply for rigs.
- Toll: no toll on the route; the Whiteface Veterans Memorial Highway charges a fee; check the price and opening times with the operator beforehand.
- Firewood: in New York, untreated firewood may only be transported within 50 miles (about 80 km) of its origin, to slow invasive species; buy wood locally.
- Dimensions: DEC campgrounds have length limits; check before booking. Legal maximum height mostly 13 ft 6 in; watch for bridges and multi-storey car parks.
- Reservations: DEC campgrounds through the reservation system; book early in summer and autumn, and check deadlines beforehand.
- Weather and season: best time June to October; autumn colours from late September to early October; nights often below 10 °C even in summer. Winters have a lot of snow, with many roads and sites closed.
- Traffic law: turning right on red is allowed after a full stop unless a sign forbids it. Seat belts are compulsory for all occupants. Emergency number 911.
CampingSpirit packing & preparation checklist
- Warm layers, a rain jacket and a hat: it gets cool in the mountains even in summer, with nights often below 10 °C.
- Insect net and repellent: black flies, mosquitoes and ticks are widespread from May to July.
- Hiking boots and a day pack for Blue Mountain, Cascade and the trails in the High Peaks.
- Canoe or kayak gear, life jacket and a cleaning brush: lakes and rivers invite trips, and boats must be clean.
- Levelling wedges: sites in the forest are often uneven.
- Offline maps and a paper map: mobile reception is weak in large areas.
As of 2026-09. Closures, fees and booking rules change: check official sources before you go.
