Fall
The Adirondack Hub is an area known for its pristine lakes, wild evergreen forests, and mountainous backdrop. Classic lakeside villages and cute Adirondack towns dot the region. Explore the fun attractions, inhale fresh mountain air, and get outside and enjoy the vibrant fall foliage.
Day 1:
Visit the Natural Stone Bridge and Caves.
Go spelunking! Explore the largest natural marble cave entrance in the eastern United States and view the massive stone bridge arch among an incredible display of ancient Adirondack geology.
Take the self-guided, almost a mile, mostly above-ground nature trail to Mills site waterfalls, potholes, and deep pools. You'll see many unique rock features including grottos and gorges and you can stop to enjoy the scenery at the many benches along the walk. Most of the areas are accessible by foot, but some require cave exploring gear. The tour and map are number coded for easy navigation. Plan on about an hour for the tour.
Other park activities include gem stone mining, a dino dig, a gold rush mine, a crystal quest mine, Frisbee challenge disc golf, and the caveman challenge bouldering wall. There is also an Adirondack museum and playground, picnic areas, and snack bar.
Ride at the Circle B Ranch.
Mount your horses! Experience the thrill of horseback riding through the Adirondack wilderness at the Circle B Ranch. The property is comprised of over 500 acres of wooded trails, tranquil forests, and grassy fields, all with breathtaking views of the surrounding terrain.
The ranch has all types of work and riding horses, from big draft horses to little ponies. You can touch them and learn about their everyday care. The ranch hands provide guidance and detailed instructions for riders of all experience levels so that your ride is safe and memorable. Whether you opt for a trail ride or a carriage ride, there's no better way to see the beautiful fall foliage and breathe the crisp fall air!
Day 2:
Go Whitewater Rafting.
If you're visiting the Adirondack Hub before Columbus Day, don't miss a rafting adventure on the Hudson River, considered one of the best whitewater rafting trips in the United States. You'll enjoy 17 miles of Class III thrills as you splash down the Hudson among scenic fall foliage. The guide service will provide highly skilled, licensed, and fun river guides along with all the gear to keep you comfortable on your trip.
Hire a Wilderness Guide.
A trip to Schroon Lake during the fall season wouldn't be complete without a scenic outdoor excursion. Hire a licensed wilderness guide to share the region's best kept secrets and show you the ropes. For great day hikes, check out the State Forest Preserve Land and the Pharaoh Wilderness and Hoffman Notch Wilderness areas. Mt. Severance offers a short hike into Gull Pond, while Pharaoh Mountain or Macomb offer longer, more challenging climbs. Others include Spectacle Pond, Bailey Pond, Marion Pond, Crane Pond, Goose Pond, Big Pond, and North Pond. Grab a map and hit the trail!
Winter
As winter descends on the Adirondacks, the Adirondack Hub readies for another season of outdoor activities among the serene and snowy landscape. Whatever type of adventure you seek, whether it entails hot chocolate and window shopping, a roaring fire and a favorite book, or an outdoor excursion, there is plenty to see and do in the charming Adirondack towns of the Adirondack Hub.
Day 1:
Go Snowmobiling.
Nestled between two wilderness tracts, the Adirondack Hub offers wild wooded forests and miles of maintained trails. You can tour the Adirondacks, meet fellow sledding fanatics, and visit historic hamlets along the way. Spend a day, an afternoon, or an overnight—and enjoy each classic Adirondack town.
Go Ice Fishing.
Grab your fishing lures and set up your shanty! Schroon Lake and Paradox Lake are brimming with salmon, smallmouth and largemouth bass, lake trout, and great northern pike, among others. Nearby ponds and streams also hide hungry populations of rainbow, brown and speckled trout, and small and largemouth bass. Plan your trip for the 20th annual Schroon Lake Ice Fishing Derby and enjoy a full day of fun, friendly competition and prizes.
Day 2:
Ski or Ride Gore Mountain.
Family-friendly Gore Mountain boasts 428 skiable acres, more than any other mountain in New York state. The mountain features 94 trails including 19 glades, serviced by 13 lifts. Skiers and riders can enjoy 2,537 feet of vertical and a variety of beginner-to-expert terrain for skiers and riders of any skill level. Take a group or private lesson, or pack up your equipment and enjoy plenty of cruisers, steeps, and glades. There are also 8 snowshoe and cross-country ski trails available if downhill isn't your forte.
Ski or Snowshoe Wilderness Trails.
Stay in the Adirondack Hub and you can head outside and hit the trail. The region is home to miles of maintained trails and plenty of mountains for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing adventures. Try the southern approach to Pharaoh Lake—it is one of the most popular. The route follows an old road offering a pleasant wilderness walk for snowshoers and skiers. Take in the scenic views along the way, inhale fresh mountain air, and look forward to the destination. Pharaoh Lake is one of the largest lakes entirely within the Forest Preserve, and it is home to six lean-tos.
Summer
The Adirondack Hub shines during the summer season. Home to some of the Adirondacks' sandiest beaches, pristine waterways, and scenic mountains, the region embodies all that a classic summer resort destination should. The area offers a thriving arts community, a quaint Main Street in Schroon Lake, historic small towns, and a refreshingly simple atmosphere.
Day 1:
Experience the Adirondack outdoors.
The Adirondack Hub is a recreational paradise. Spend a day outside and enjoy a hike through the Hoffman Notch Wilderness, Severance Hill, or Pharaoh Lake Wilderness—all offer spectacular views of the surrounding landscape.
Pharaoh Mountain is the dominant mountain in the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness and is noted for its unique summit. At the top you'll find five distinct viewpoints including views of the High Peaks and the famous Pharaoh Lake.
Try the Hoffman Notch Wilderness and Severance Hill areas for a day hike. With modest pitches, bubbling brooks, waterfalls, and streams along the way, they afford a scenic yet manageable adventure.
Take in some arts and culture.
See a performance by the acclaimed vocalists at the Seagle Music Colony. It's one of the oldest vocal training programs in the country and hosts some of the nation's most gifted singers. During the summer, local favorites include arts and entertainment from the Schroon Lake Arts Council and concerts and workshops featured at the Boathouse Theater and bandstand located on the picturesque shores of Schroon Lake.
Day 2:
Make a splash.
Go swimming, boating, or fishing. The Adirondack Hub features pristine waterways and several freshwater lakes including 9-mile long Schroon Lake and 5-mile long Paradox Lake. Each offers sandy beaches and lifeguards all summer. Consider renting a boat, kayak, canoe, or bring your own.
Visit a classic Adirondack town.
Stop in the Village of Schroon Lake and explore the old fashioned Main Street. Have lunch at a favorite local haunt, visit an authentic general store, and shop with local merchants to bring a piece of the Adirondacks home with you.