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Open crags on the an overlook on the Blueberry trail system in Elizabethtown. Getting outdoors in the Adirondacks

Recreation in the Adirondacks

A long history of getting outside in the Adirondack Park

In his groundbreaking 1869 guidebook, “Adventures in the Wilderness, Camp-Life in the Adirondacks,” Boston preacher William H.H. Murray wrote that spending time recreating in nature rejuvenates both body and spirit for the city dweller: “I deem the excursion eminently adapted to restore impaired health. I most highly recommend a month’s experience among the pines.”

Since then, millions of people have sought “R&R” in the Adirondack region. With millions of acres of public land, containing hundreds of mountains to hike and thousands of miles of lakes and rivers to paddle, the Adirondack Park is a year-round destination.

Not sure where to get started? Pick a topic below or keep scrolling for some inspiration.

A person cross country skis across a wooden bridge

SKIING

WINTER SPORTS

Keene Valley, from the Baxter Mountain ridge.

WINTER HIKING

ice climbing

ICE CLIMBING

Getting in outside in the AdirondackS

What you need to know

AMR hiking permit graphic
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Find your next Adirondack adventure

Catamount Mountain in the background dominates the view from Fishhole Pond in the foreground

The Loon Lake Challenge

Hitting four scenic ponds in the Adirondacks in one day

Titusville Triad: Three hiking opportunities in a northern forest

Titusville, south of Malone, offers a triad of hikes including The Ledges, High Falls of the Big Salmon River trail and Elephant Head.

Two hikers on a trail

Hoffman Notch Trail: A rewarding, remote spring hike

An end-to-end jaunt on an understated route

Coon Mountain: Small, spring hike with big payoff in ephemerals, vernal pools

Act now before these short-season beauties are gone

little river

A big day on Adirondacks’ Little River 

Trip includes unexpected strong current, black bear sighting

couple paddling a canoe along the Northern Forest Canoe Trail

Northern Forest Canoe Trail marks 25th anniversary, 740 miles of scenic waterways

Organization that oversees the trail looks back on 25 years of paddling and progress

bike leaning against a tree with mountains in the background

Barkeater Trails Alliance to unveil new descent route on East Branch Trails in Keene

Mountain biking network open for spring riding

The 400-foot canyon south of Coot Hill.

Coot Hill: Short hike with big views in the Champlain Valley

Recently added to Champlain Area Trails, Coot Hill climb is less than a mile with minimal effort

Through its news reporting and analysis, the nonprofit Adirondack Explorer furthers the wise stewardship, public enjoyment for all, community vitality, and lasting protection of the Adirondack Park.

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