OutsideJun 8, 2026
Hit 3 of the Adirondacks' Best Mountain Towns on This New Rail Trail
A newly completed multi-use path in country's largest state park in the Lower 48 connects several small adventure towns. Here’s how we navigated the four-day trek with our dog.
29 things in this story
- Adirondack Rail TrailTrail34-mile, year-round, multi-use recreational trail
- Lake PlacidNeighborhoodtown famous for hosting the Olympics twice
- Saranac LakeNeighborhoodless-touristy swap for Lake Placid
- High Peaks Wilderness AreaNeighborhoodarea with 46 peaks over 4,000 feet
- Mount JoSighttwo-and-a-half-mile round-trip sunset jaunt
- Heart LakeSightbody of water with a tragic love story
- Big Slide BreweryRestaurantpatio for shrimp tacos and crisp Dorada
- Mirror LakeSightlake with intense pinks and violets reflected
- Lake Placid-North Elba Historical SocietyMuseumlocal history museum in the old train station
- Soulshine BagelRestaurantdog-friendly spot for lunch to-go
- Bike Lake PlacidPlaceThe Adirondack Rail Trail in Lake Placid is a picturesque route that winds through the stunning Adirondack Mountains of…
- Placid PlanetPlaceShop for Specialized, Santa Cruz, Trek, Cervelo, Juliana, Intense, Pinarello and S-Works.
- High Peaks CycleryPlaceYour destination for all things cycling, hiking, backpacking, nordic skiing, backcountry skiing, telemark skiing,…
- Bike ADKPlaceoffers dog-friendly trail shuttle services
- John Brown Farm State Historic SiteSighthistoric site
- Lake Placid Winter Olympic MuseumMuseummuseum about the Winter Olympics
- Ski Jumping ComplexSightOlympic ski jumping venue
- Golden Arrow Lakeside ResortHoteldog-friendly resort overlooking Mirror Lake
- River Trail BeerworksRestaurantdog-friendly space with Detroit-style pizza
- McCauley PondSightpond with trailside picnic views
- Lake Clear LodgeHoteldestination for putting aching feet up
- Nori's Village MarketMarketgrab a trail lunch
- Silver Birch CyclesPlacespot to rent a bike
- The Adirondack Loon CenterMuseumcenter dedicated to loons
- Saranac Lake Laboratory MuseumMuseumlocal museum
- Tupper LakeNeighborhood
- Henry Van HoevenbergPlace
- Adirondack LojHotel
- Chubb RiverPlace