Fuel up, hit the road, and fall in love with the Adirondacks

There’s something special about a fall road trip: winding roads, golden leaves overhead, and the thrill of discovering someplace new. This season, take your autumn adventure beyond the usual East Coast routes and venture into the wilder side of autumn. The Adirondack Hub offers a perfect extension to any foliage-filled journey, inviting travelers to explore quiet forests, glassy lakes, and welcoming small towns in the southern Adirondacks. Here, you’ll find the vibrant colors you crave without the crowds. With wide-open spaces, peaceful trails, and off-the-beaten-path charm, this is fall at its most authentic.

This mini road trip features four unforgettable stops—Schroon Lake, North Hudson, Newcomb, and Minerva—each offering its own blend of outdoor adventure, cozy dining, local shopping, and places to rest your head. Paddle past peak-colored trees, hike to scenic overlooks, and explore welcoming towns full of locally owned shops, bakeries, and character. Fall in the Hub is all about slowing down and soaking it in. So hit the road; it’s time to experience autumn where the wilderness meets laid-back mountain life.

Schroon Lake

Located along the shores of its namesake lake, Schroon Lake is a perfect kickoff for your fall adventure, a charming destination that’s easily accessible for travelers coming from New England or downstate via I-87. Stay in comfort at Lodge at Schroon Lake, just minutes from downtown, or embrace the season with a cozy campsite. There are plenty of campgrounds dotted along the shores of Schroon Lake, offering lakeside views. 

Schroon Lake is the ideal first stop on your road trip to stretch your legs and enjoy a walkable downtown made for a day of exploring, shopping, and dining. Discover unique local shops along Main Street, such as Pine Cone Mercantile, Schroon Lake Department Store, or Tamilia Peppercorn. Enjoy comforting, seasonal meals at favorites such as Sticks and Stones, Flannigan’s Pub, or Pitkin’s Restaurant.

For outdoor adventure enthusiasts, Schroon Lake offers plenty to explore. Take on the scenic Mount Severance hike for stunning panoramic views, or paddle your way through the Schroon Paddle Challenge, which highlights the lake’s vibrant fall scenery. For those seeking deeper wilderness, the nearby Pharaoh Wilderness Area provides quiet trails and a true escape into nature’s beauty, making Schroon Lake an ideal base for both relaxation and adventure.

North Hudson

Just 15–20 minutes north of Schroon Lake, North Hudson is a peaceful next stop on your fall road trip. The drive itself is part of the adventure, with vibrant fall foliage lining the scenic route as you hop from charming town to town. Stay at Elk Lake Lodge or camp at the family-friendly Spacious Skies Adirondack Peaks Campground, offering RV, tent, and glamping options. With stunning autumn views, quiet trails, and cozy lodging, it’s the perfect place to unwind, explore, and soak in the season’s colors before your next stop.

After settling in, take time to explore the local scene. Paradox Brewery is a must-stop for crisp craft beers and tasty bites, served up with mountain views. For those who love a good thrifting vibe, Hayfield’s Antiques offers an ideal browsing experience packed with unique, vintage finds.

Looking for adventure? Hammond Pond Wild Forest offers fall scenery and water views along the Hammond Pond Trail, perfect for a day hike. For experienced and well-prepared hikers, the Dix Range offers a demanding challenge. This rugged 15-mile round trip includes over 5,000 feet of elevation gain and should only be attempted with proper planning and gear. The payoff? Summiting five of the Adirondack High Peaks—Dix, Macomb, Hough, Carson, and Grace—along a remote, wild route that delivers stunning views and serious bragging rights.

Newcomb

As part of your fall road trip adventure, head to Newcomb, a paddler’s paradise, home to some of the Adirondacks’ best waterways that become even more stunning with autumn colors. From Henderson Lake and the Essex Chain Lakes to the winding Opalescent River and pristine Boreas Ponds, these waterways offer unforgettable views of the distant High Peaks, making every paddle a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Expect sparkling waters, lots of loon calls, and stunning vistas worth every portage. Many of these paddling spots feature backcountry campsites where you can immerse yourself in wilderness away from the crowds. And while the lakes and rivers are breathtaking, the drives between them are just as beautiful as the waterways themselves, turning even a short journey into a fall highlight.

If history is more your jam, visit the Santanoni Preserve to explore one of the first Adirondack Great Camps and learn about the region’s rich heritage. For hikers, the Adirondack Interpretive Center (AIC) offers a variety of day trails, including the popular Goodnow Mountain, where you can climb a historic fire tower and take in breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding wilderness.

Bonus detour: Take a scenic side trip to Long Lake for even more Adirondack charm, back roads, and road trip scenery. This inviting village offers great lodging and dining options perfect for relaxing after a day of fall adventure.

Minerva

Round out your fall mini road trip through the Adirondack Hub with a stop in Minerva, a small town that’s big on outdoor adventure. Anglers will love casting a line on crisp autumn mornings, as Minerva’s ponds, streams, and stretches of the Hudson River make for excellent fall fly fishing. If hiking is more your style, the climb up Moxham Mountain rewards you with sweeping foliage views, while the Blue Ledges Trail offers a gentler walk that leads to dramatic cliffs and a serene stretch of the Hudson, perfect for soaking in the season.

And if your autumn adventure isn’t complete without water views, you’re in luck. For a peaceful, close-to-town option, head to Donnelly Beach, where you can take in the brilliant foliage reflected across Minerva Lake. Surrounded by vibrant colors, the water is an awe-inspiring sight that perfectly caps off a fall day in the Hub.

After your time on the water or trail, please take a little while to explore Minerva itself. From quiet backroads painted with fiery colors to the welcoming, small-town feel, Minerva is a picture-perfect way to end your fall adventure in the Hub.

Plan Your Fall Road Trip to the Adirondack Hub

No matter where your road trip takes you, whether it’s paddling Newcomb’s quiet waters, wandering the colorful trails in Minerva, or exploring the towns in between, the Adirondack Hub shines brightest in autumn. The crisp air, bright foliage, and endless opportunities for adventure make fall the perfect time to slow down, soak it all in, and create memories that last well beyond the season. Pack your hiking boots, grab your favorite sweater, and see why fall in the Hub is simply unforgettable.