Meet the Towns Along the Adirondack Rail Trail

To begin your journey on the Adirondack Rail Trail, start in Lake Placid! With access to the trail located just a short walk from Main Street, its a no-brainer to call this area home for a night while you get your bearings. On Main Street, you'll find endless things to do. With a mix of boutiques and gear shops, bookstores to bakeries, and a rich dining scene as the cherry on top, you can pack all kinds of fun into your stay before the trek. 

One last stop before the Rail Trail, the Olympic Museum! The Lake Placid Olympic Museum is a multi-exhibit monument to the Olympic heart and soul of Lake Placid. With multi-media exhibits and memorabilia displays, transport yourself into the region's iconic athletic past as you peruse Olympic torches, pins, uniforms, equipment, and testimonies, all from the 1932 and 1980 Lake Placid Winter Olympic Games. 

Whether you travel on foot, bike, or Class 1 e-bike, you're in for a treat when you take the Adirondack Rail Trail from Lake Placid to Saranac Lake. This stretch of the trail is characterized with lakes, wetlands, and mountain views that make this journey distinctly wild, all while traveling on a finished trail! On your way, you may spot some fishermen and women on the bridges, taking advantage of the flowing rivers below. 

It's not a summer adventure without some ice cream! Luckily, Ray Brook is the perfect stopping point between Lake Placid and Saranac Lake, offering a chance to rest your legs and cool down with a cone. The Pine Cone in Ray Brook is a staple for post-hike celebrations, but in this case, a mid-journey snack is just the fix. Here you'll find soft-serve, milkshakes, and their flavor of the day. Pro tip: pile it all into one of their pretzel cones. 

From Ray Brook, continue on the trail until you reach Saranac Lake. To get into town, there are a few access points ready, depending on where you'd like to drop in. Choose from Union Depot (42 Depot Street), Fowler's Crossing on Route 86, and McMaster's Crossing in Lake Clear. 

Once in town, spend the evening on Main Street. It's here you'll find restaurants with patio seating, art galleries with doors open, and live music to frame it all. If you're in town earlier, you might catch the weekly farmers' market in the park! In need of bike maintenance or a gear update mid-journey? Saranac Lake is home to gear shops for any of your outdoor needs. 

Start Day 3 at Charlie's Inn, a hotspot for adventurers since 1891. Tuck in for lunch at this local gem with pub fare and cozy atmosphere, then get ready to continue on to Tupper Lake, a journey that will take you along the shore of Lake Clear itself.

If you're in need of gear and you find yourself in the middle of the trail, no need to fret. Floodwood Outpost is right off the trail and provides all the supplies you need, including bug spray, water, and sunscreen. Note: Floodwood Outpost is closed Monday through Wednesday, so plan accordingly. 

Finally, you've arrived in Tupper Lake, the end of the Adirondack Rail Trail. You'll be greeted by the Tupper Lake Train Station, perfect for photo ops to commemorate your accomplishment. In town, there's a whole world of options awaiting you. Tuck in for dinner with outdoor seating, catch live music at the park, or take your seat at the stadium for a River Pigs Baseball game. Looking to get further into town? Take the Crossroads Junction Pass Trail to make your way to more eats, breweries, and sights.