Our blog this week is about the top 5 free activities in Lake Placid and vicinity.
For the better part of the past two centuries, people have been drawn to the Adirondack region to seek adventure and reap the benefits of the clean, mountain air. Since the mid-1800’s, men and women would travel from the southern reaches of New York State to hunt, fish, trek, canoe and otherwise take in the majesty of what has since become the Adirondack Park.
Later, as tuberculosis rates rose from urban industrialization, the Adirondacks became a haven for those afflicted, to heal their lungs away from the scourge of the industrial revolution.
Whether, for health or recreation, Lake Placid and the Adirondacks have historically been and continue to be, the ultimate destination for those looking to escape into nature.
Though some of the activities have evolved over the past 200 years, the spirit of finding time to refresh physically and mentally in nature has not. Let’s dive right in and take a tour of the top free activities in Lake Placid and its surrounds.
Hiking
Hiking is virtually synonymous with the Adirondacks. The legend goes that Teddy Roosevelt, then Vice President to President William McKinley, was hiking Mt. Marcy when he received the news that President McKinley had passed away. This led to a multi-day mad dash to get the “newly” President Roosevelt to Buffalo to be inaugurated.
Though not every trip into the Adirondack High Peak’s region ends in tales of presidential intrigue, the memories you make will certainly last a lifetime. From short day hikes, to multi-day backpacking adventures, Adirondack hiking can take you deeper into “true wilderness” than almost any other place on the continental United States.
No matter the intensity of the adventure, Adirondack hiking is the ultimate way to disconnect and lose yourself in the majesty of nature.
Paddling
In the 1800’s before the establishment of extensive road and trail networks, the easiest way to get from point to point in the Adirondacks was on its’ waterways. With over 3,000 lakes connected by 30,000 miles of streams and rivers, to say that you could spend a lifetime paddling the Adirondacks is no understatement.
From Lake Placid, one only need drive a few minutes in any direction to find a place to launch their canoe, kayak or paddle board; that is to say, if Mirror Lake or Lake Placid are not enough of an adventure for you.
With so much territory to explore, one can paddle for hours without ever seeing another boater, allowing for true solitude on the water.
Fishing
As long as people have been traveling to the Adirondacks, they have been fishing its’ beautiful waters. Though not technically “free” for adults (there is a small cost for a license), children under 16 do fish for free across New York State.
Almost any type of freshwater fishing can be found within the Adirondack Park, from Panfish to Musky and Salmon, one just needs know where to look and have a little bit of luck to achieve a great day on the water.
Directly within the village of Lake Placid, are Lake Placid, Mirror Lake, the Chub River and the legendary Ausable River, so one doesn’t have to go far to find a great spot to fish. There are several fishing shops in the area so if you’re interested in some more information, stop by, hear a great fishing story, and get the scoop on where to wet a line.
Road Biking
Biking has been a part of the Lake Placid culture for many years, however, road biking as an activity took a major jump in popularity after the inaugural Ironman race in 2000. Nearly 20 years later, you can hardly drive 10 minutes within the Adirondack Park without crossing paths with a road biker. The reason for this is simple – the Adirondacks are an amazing place to ride a bike.
The majority of the roads are winding country routes with limited traffic, the scenery is unparalled, and like any place that has a biking culture, there is a mutual respect between riders and drivers.
Whether, you come to ride the Ironman route, climb the highway to the top of Whiteface Mountain, or just want to cruise along the Ausable River, road biking is a prime sport of the Adirondacks.
Mountain Biking
Finally, mountain biking is the latest activity to see a renaissance and explode in popularity in the Lake Placid region. Although, there has been mountain biking in the area for many years, the trails were generally repurposed cross-country ski trails, hiking paths and old service roads that you could ride during the summer.
Since 2010, the Barkeater Trail Alliance has been on a mission to modernize the trail systems in the Lake Placid, Wilmington and Saranac Lake areas. With this came purpose-built and specifically engineered mountain bike trails that are a blast to ride and rival any other system on the East Coast.
Although, technically free, the Barkeater Trail Alliance is user funded, so if you really like the riding and want to see more of it, consider buying a trail map or making a small donation to support the maintenance and construction of these trails.
The Adirondacks and the Lake Placid region have long been the “go to” place to get out and experience nature in the Northeast. Whether it is high adrenaline bike sports or relaxing days on the water you’re after, what we have to offer up here will be sure to leave you fulfilled and refreshed.
Photos courtesy Whiteface Region, ROOST, Gary Marchuk
Text by Andrew Weibrecht