Whiteface Veterans Memorial Highway
Wilmington, NY
A toll road climbing to a stone castle just below the summit of Whiteface Mountain, with an elevator or a rocky path to the top. Open roughly late May to mid-October; views reach Lake Placid and Lake Champlain.
The 12.8 km (8 mile) road up Whiteface Mountain was completed in 1935 and formally opened by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on September 14, 1935; since 1985 it has been dedicated to the veterans of all wars. From the toll house it climbs more than 700 m (2,300 ft), with nine pull-offs for taking in the view. The summit stands at 1,483 m (4,867 ft), making Whiteface the fifth-highest peak in New York State.
At the end of the road is the "Castle," a building of native stone with a café and shop. From there an elevator built into the mountain takes you up to the summit and its 360-degree view. Trailers and campers are not allowed on the road, and RVs only as space permits. The road is open only in the warmer months; in 2026 the season ends on October 12 (as of October 2026). At the bottom, the Lake Stevens Tree Trail makes a 10-minute loop.
- Nearest town
- Wilmington, NY
- Category
- Scenic viewpoints
- GPS
- 44.3657, -73.9030
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually June–August. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and September. Cold, short days in November–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Wilmington Notch CampgroundCampsite2 mi from Whiteface Veterans Memorial Highway · 54 pitchesTentsCaravansShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Draper's Acres CampgroundCampsite9 mi from Whiteface Veterans Memorial Highway
- Taylor Pond CampgroundCampsite10 mi from Whiteface Veterans Memorial HighwayTentsDrinking waterToilets
- Meadowbrook CampgroundCampsite10 mi from Whiteface Veterans Memorial Highway
- Wilderness Campground at Heart LakeCampsite13 mi from Whiteface Veterans Memorial Highway
- Buck Pond CampgroundCampsite14 mi from Whiteface Veterans Memorial Highway
All campsites in New York · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Whiteface Veterans Memorial Highway?
Whiteface Veterans Memorial Highway is in Wilmington, NY, at GPS 44.3657, -73.9030. It is about 7 mi from Lake Placid.
Can you camp near Whiteface Veterans Memorial Highway?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Wilmington Notch Campground, about 2 mi away; within 25 mi there are 30 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Whiteface Veterans Memorial Highway?
Whiteface Veterans Memorial Highway is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Adirondacks: Lake George, Ticonderoga, Whiteface and Old Forge and Maple red, birch gold and lobster buoys – by camper through New England’s Indian summer.
What is there to see near Whiteface Veterans Memorial Highway?
Places worth a stop nearby: Lake Placid (7 mi), Ausable Chasm (24 mi), The Wild Center (28 mi) and Shelburne Museum (33 mi).
When is the best time to visit Whiteface Veterans Memorial Highway?
The most pleasant months are usually June–August. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and September. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)