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.
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Getting in outside in the Adirondack
What you need to know
Find your next Adirondack adventure
Bloomingdale Bog: An ideal outing in any season
Explore the unique ecology, feed the friendly birds while hiking, biking or skiing
Exploring the Long Valley Trail
Wadhams trail is long on views of New York's Champlain Valley landmarks
Baldface Mountain offers scavenger hunt of marvels
Bushwhack near Debar Mountain gives opportunity to work on compass skills
Discovering the Moose River Plains: A journey of mountain biking, friendship, and fear
Mountain biking in the Moose River Plains comes with a fist pump
Hiking in William West Durant’s ‘stomping grounds’
Hiking through history on Sawyer Mountain, located halfway between Indian Lake and Blue Mountain Lake
After 2-year closure, Lows Lake access is back for paddlers
Next summer paddlers will once again have full access to miles of wilderness paddling.
From elk herds to muddy trails: The mystery of Debar Meadows
Exploring unmarked trails on two wheels near Meacham Lake
Northern lights put on a show over the Adirondacks
Check out photos by the Explorer's multimedia reporter Mike Lynch