The Adirondack Mountains's 7 Most Underrated Towns to Visit in 2024
The Adirondack Mountains are some of the most diverse natural formations in the Northern US, and while desirable for nature fans and the active, this large playground stays unnoticed within its small towns. Leaving so much ground to explore, it is the untapped gems that offer the most pristine nature in sparkling lakes and rushing rivers through the wilderness.
Each town has a unique personality, coming alive with vibrant festivals like the Great Adirondack Moose Festival and Indian Lake Winterfest in Indian Lake. Long Lake has a rustic feel downtown, with many storefronts to shop and try out what you buy over nearby outdoor adventures. Old Forge is a foodie heaven with an art-laden streetscape, while Wells, full of opportunities for dips and to picnic in the waterfall mist, is home to the heartwarming Sacandaga River Sculpture Park.
Cranberry Lake
Among the many lake towns in the region, Cranberry Lake is a real haven for watersports and fishing enthusiasts, being stocked with trout to encourage the sport. Actually, one of the largest lakes in the Adirondacks, the hamlet on the north shore stays pristinely quiet and preserved, which is mostly under the ownership of the State of New York. Home to around 136, it attracts adventurous souls to hit the trails and find solitude in the Adirondack embrace, by the serene Cranberry Lake waters after a hike like the Cranberry Lake Waterfall Tour.
Cranberry Lake is perfect for enjoying access to the 2,000 acres of snowmobile trails in the west and hiking on Bear Mountain to the eastern side. The hilly landscape with many ponds features the Cranberry Lake 50 Trailhead. Strenuous only in longevity, this trail stretches around the lake for 50 miles! Often overlooked for its bigger neighbors, the small town with an adorable name beckons to cast a rod, enjoy some good lazy paddling in pretty views, or perfect your watersport skills without crowds, be that boating, rafting, kayaking, or canoeing. With all its amenities and a small marina, Cranberry Lake Campground is extremely popular in the summer.
Indian Lake
Quaintly underrated, the town of Indian Lake is an authentic Adironacks community, dubbed "The Whitewater Capital of New York State." Visitors flock to the villa for a little adrenaline rush and receive an education on its vibrant heritage with unique country stores alongside the unique museum on Blue Mountain Lake, an "Adirondack Experience" with fascinating glimpses into its crown jewel. The eponymous 12-mile-long lake, with unparalleled fishing and boating, features swimmable waters against a stunning natural backdrop. Indian Lake also offers easy access to the Siamese Ponds Wilderness Area and Cedar River Flow under breathtaking views.
Boasting a restaurant scene for every palate, visitors will stay full while checking out many of the 300 miles of hiking trails with unique wildlife and overlooks. The picturesque villa comes alive twice a year during its biggest events, the annual Great Adirondack Moose Festival and Indian Lake Winterfest, while the year-round Indian Lake Theater offers entertainment for the evening after, like movies and live performances. The trek to the fire towers features sights like moose and resident Bald Eagles.
Long Lake
Hidden away in the center of Adirondack Park, Long Lake is often overlooked but is well worth a visit. With access to massive waterways and acres of natural beauty, this quaint town delivers a refreshing escape with exactly what is in its name and a rustic downtown feel. As if frozen in time, the many storefronts suit every taste and comfort from the bustle of the city, with boundless nature nearby to try out your purchase or pack for a picnic. From the nearby invigorating Buttermilk Falls to serene relaxation along the long beaches, there is always an opportunity to explore the area.
Boasting a striking profile against the natural vistas, Long Lake is the definition of tranquil ambiance where the 14-mile lake offers exceptional fishing, paddle kayaking, and swimming. The serenity extends onto the nearby hiking trails leading deeper in, like Sargent Ponds Wild Forest and Blue Mountain Wild Forest, which open into a breathtaking panorama over the towering mountainscape.
Old Forge
Seeking natural adventure, a foodie heaven, and an art-laden streetscape? Old Forge is one of the most fun and lively of the underrated towns in the Adirondacks. The town, home to the View Arts Center and the Strand Theatre, a great restaurant scene, and its very own Enchanted Forest Water Safari, feels miraculous. This state's largest water theme park features over 50 rides and attractions, while competitive paddlers should not miss the annual 90-mile Adirondack Canoe Classic. As a year-round adventurer's paradise in the southwestern region of the Adirondacks, soaked in mountain-fresh air, visitors can enjoy summertime camping and snowmobiling in the winter. Trails start for meandering hikes to relax by a lake, with nearly 200 crystal-clear lakes in the area guaranteeing solitude.
The Front Door Diner (the Back Door Bar) will cover you for the day and evening, while Billy's Italian-American Restaurant or Mountainside Smokehouse & Grill are great for a family dinner. Enjoy seafood and inspired pizzas at Tony Harper's Pizza & Clam Shack, and gather at Slickers Adirondack Tavern, Fulton Chain Craft Brewery, or Montezuma Winery for authentic Adirondack craft beverages. Featuring the cutest houses and crafts along the streets, Old Forge is an idyllic blend of nature and culture, with events like the Annual Arts Festival and the nearby Adirondack Woodsmen's Field Days. Tackle the Bald Mountain Trail and Moss Lake Trail in the shadow of the breathtaking mountains, and come back for swimming, boating, and fishing before a fun night out!
Schroon Lake
The hidden Schroon Lake deep within the Adirondack Mountains provides a tranquil and scenic escape to commune one-on-one with nature at any time of the year. As an underrated idyll around its centerpiece, a quaint 9-mile-long lake, the lakeside town is excellent for beating the summer heat over swimming, boating, and angling in a wild enclave. The trails start right in town and lead deep within to alluring natural wonders like the Hoffman Notch Wilderness Area for wild sights and open views of the Adirondacks Mountains.
Radiating warmth, Schroon Lake has all the comforts one desires on a family trip, like the popular Pitkins Restaurant. Join in the lively fun during the notable Adirondack Marathon Distance Festival along with the spirited Adirondack Folk Music Festival, with picnics by the lake late into the evening and stargazing experiences. The four-star Lodge at Schroon Lake overlooks the whole lake from the long staircase with a panoramic deck and lounging chairs to sip your morning coffee or wine in the evening. The Schroon Lake Marina offers boat rentals and a sightseeing cruise around the perimeter.
Tupper Lake
Nestled in the heart of Adirondack Park, Tupper Lake is perhaps the most underrated town in the Adirondacks due to its very popular next-door neighbors, Saranac Lake and Lake Placid. All together, comprising the Tri-Lakes region of Upstate New York, this is your chance to hit all three. The perfect geography allows easy access to aquatic activities such as kayaking, fishing, and paddle boarding along the serene expanse of Tupper Lake in the summer and wintertime ski resorts with plenty of snow just 30 miles from Lake Placid. Hit the entertainment scene in the lively towns after, or settle for dinner at one of the cozy cafes on site.
Full of character, Tupper Lake is a rural mountain experience like no other, with fresh air along the forested trails through the rolling hills to the mountains and opportunities to take a breather by one of the sparkling lakes. The locals enjoy access to its namesake lake on the south, Raquette Pond on the west, the Raquette River on the east, and Wolf Pond to the north. Offering the most pristine nature and a lively feel during the cultural events in all three towns, there are also great sites such as the Wild Center. Featuring diverse and interactive exhibits, its tree-top walkway is a thrilling experience for awe-inspiring sights of the woodlands’ appeal from above.
Wells
Named after Joshua Wells, an early settler, this oldest town in Hamilton County offers over 200 years of heritage since its establishment in 1805. This town in the Adirondack Mountains comprises the nearby hamlet along Route 30 and Lake Algonquin, a glacier lake that is no longer there. Attracting visitors with breathtaking views and its gem ghost lake, more natural wonders and recreation await through the surrounding state parks. Near the end of West River Road, find the sprawling Silver Lake Wilderness Area, a former hunting camp along with the Whitehouse, found along the river, and access to the Northville-Lake Placid Trail.
Its own Auger Falls is an easy hike-in, with more scenic overlooks like Griffin East Jimmy Creek, Tennant Creek, and Griffin Falls, just a hike away from the refreshing waters. Full of opportunities for dips and picnics in the mist, it is no wonder the town wakes up during the summer with those looking to beat the city heat in a serene Adirondacks atmosphere. The Sacandaga River Sculpture Park is also spectacular and a great visit after a heartwarming breakfast in town. There are also nearby golf courses and skiing slopes in winter, as well as snowmobiling trails and the nearby once-prosperous, now ghost town of Griffin.
Wells features two beautiful waterfalls, while Cranberry Lake and Long Lake both offer one as well. So when your soul craves to leave the bustle of the city, escape into the mind-boggling nature to refresh your mind, body, and soul without crowds throughout the Adirondack Mountains. So embrace the serene Adirondacks experience, and the mountains will embrace you right back in one of these underrated gems to set base and explore the serene natural heaven outward.
