"A Central Park for the World" Adirondack State Park by kucha

Adirondack State Park Travel Guide: 55 reviews and 115 photos

A Central Park for the World

Within an easy day's ride of our great city, as steam teaches us to measure distance, is a tract of country fitted to make a Central Park for the world. -

The New York Times editorial, August 9, 1864

"Forever Wild"

Gorgeous Autumn Leaves Near Ausable

Created by the New York State legislature in 1892, the Adirondack Park is HUGE!!! It covers 9,375 square miles, an area more than double the size of Yellowstone and Yosemite National Parks combined. The Park is a mosaic of 2.5 million acres of state-owned Forest Preserve intermingled with 3.5 million acres of private land. The private holdings vary from the vast properties of lumber and pulp companies to the town lots of year-round residents and locally owned businesses. The Adirondack Park is the largest park, federal or state, in the United States outside of Alaska!

In 1894 a state constitutional convention agreed to an amendment to the New York State Constitution containing the "forever wild" clause:

"The lands of the state, now owned or hereafter acquired, constituting the forest preserve as now fixed by law, shall be forever kept as wild forest lands. They shall not be leased, sold or exchanged, or be taken by any corporation, public or private, nor shall the timber thereon be sold, removed, or destroyed."

The Best of the Region

Lake Placid Lodge

So this area is big, really big! You could roam around here for weeks, in fact.

However, for a quick getaway, my ebst suggestion is to head to the High Peaks area in the heart of the Adirondacks. High Peaks includes Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, and Tupper Lake.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Beautiful, Peaceful and Off the Beaten Track for Many New York Visitors
Cons:Very Large, with Key Sites Often 1 Hour or More Apart
In a nutshell:The Perfect Outdoor Experience

Intro Updated Jul 20, 2006
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Reviews (45)

See the Summer White House - Adirondack State Park

See the Summer White House Things to Do (17)

Not far from our house, we discovered an amazing Great Camp, dating to the turn-of the century. It is White Pine Camp... more travel advice

Climb Mt. Arab Sports & Outdoors (6)

This is a really pretty hike to the top of a mountain just west of Tupper Lake. About a mile and you'll be at the... more travel advice

High Falls Gorge - Adirondack State Park

High Falls Gorge Things to Do (17)

This is a little bit touristy, but only because of the gift shop at the start and rather steep price to view a very... more travel advice

Climb Mt. Washington (by car) Things to Do (17)

Hiking Mt. Washington is a great experience, but if you have little time or little legs, driving up is a great... more travel advice

Nightlife (2)
See All Live Music Roadside
Hotels (7)
See All One of the "Ten Perfect Wilderness...
Off The Beaten Path (4)
See All Six Nations Indian Museum

Comments (4)

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MikeStarr5 Nov 5, 2007 at 3:08 PM

Your dog would love it where we live "Barking Town" haha -
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johncudw Oct 10, 2006 at 12:22 PM

Nice view from the top of the mountain. And beautiful leaves too.
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ExGuyParis Sep 25, 2006 at 12:46 PM

Ahhhh.... thanks for the memories! I spent a lot of summers of my life in /Saranac Lake. Your portrait of the region is very well done.
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animalvr Jul 24, 2006 at 10:07 AM

Tail O the Pup is the best place in the whole are for dinners!