Hello, My husband and I are going on our first road trip with our 5 year old daughter. We are starting in Chicago and heading towards Bar Harbor, Maine. I noticed the adirondacks were on the way, but we know nothing about them. We are outdoor people, like to bike, kayak and hike -- any suggestions on a good camping spot or cabin/hotel on our way? We want something safe, not too touristy and moderately priced.

Also, any other spots around there we should check out as we work our way towards Maine? We will be hitting Cape Cod and Philadelphia on our way back.

Thanks so much!!

Actually, the state campgrounds are by far the best campgrounds in the Adirondacks. All of them I've been to (and that's probably about 6 or 8 of them) have been in lovely areas. Reservations are encouraged.

http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/camping.html

(If you see one that interests you, I might be able to give you further information.)

Note that MOST have flush toilets and showers - but not all.


If you are interested in a hotel, please tell what route you'll be taking. The Adirondacks is a BIG place.

I would characterize the Adirondacks into several distinct regions. Each has it's benefits.

I don't think these are the terms generally used, but rather my own.

1. Western area, near Old Forge - less wilderness, (a lot of private/developed property) flatter (no high peaks), some nice lakes and connecting creeks, plus some stuff for kids to do (water park, mini golf, etc). There are hotels in OF, and some easy to access canoeing (probaly kayaks too) right in town (with pickup/drop off).

You can get there by taking Rt 12 North from Utica, then connecting with Rt 28 which loops all the way through the Adirondacks towards Lake George.

2. Mountain Lakes areas - Long lake/Blue Mtn Lake on Rt 28, and Tupper, Saranac, Placid further north. Much more wilderness. Good, but often longer canoeing esp in the Tupper/Saranac lake region (Many lakes are connected). Don't know about drop off/pickup - many people take several day canoe trips there. Also some good peak hiking (Mt. Ampersand). Fewer hotels (ex lake placid), so you'll have to search. You'll find more lodging at Long Lake than further north. Usually sleepy little places w/o lots of ammenities.

3. High peaks area - Mt Marcy and other mountains. The area south of Lake Placid and West of Lake George. Wilderness hiking and camping - probably not what you're looking for but very popular with outdoor enthusiasts.

4. Lake George area. Accessible from I-87. More built up, but beautiful lake. You can rent canoes (maybe kayak's too) in Bolton Landing, but the lake is large and can be windy / choppy. More commercial stuff in Lake George village - none of the low priced hotels gets high ratings, and the Sagamore is anything but low price.

Lots of good hiking nearby - Prospect Mtn for a 1/2 climb, or many other trails near the lake or nearby hills. I really don't like simple woods hiking. Either to/around a lake, by creeks, etc or up a mtn so I get a view. Just walking through bug filled woods doesn't do it for me.

If you are camping the NY State campgrounds are great, and very consistent quality - tent platform, bathroom/shower nearby (usually), etc.

I like the ones with a lake/beach/playground for kids, but there are also some simple more wilderness campgrounds on state land. You'll have to search the link posted above.

Have a great time.

That's a good description of the park -- except you missed my favorite area, which I guess I would classify as south-central Adirondacks. Includes towns such as Wells, Speculator, Lake Pleasant, Piseco, Indian Lake, Minerva, North Creek, Schroon Lake. It's a nice area - slightly more temperate than other areas (and so has an Oak, Beech tree type forest), less touristy feeling than Old Forge/Lake Placid/Lake George, and nice, undiscovered areas. Large areas of forest preserve such as West Canada Lakes Wilderness, Siamese Ponds Wilderness, and Silver Lake Wilderness.

Thanks for your responses! We will be coming up 90 (probably a stop to see Niagara Falls) and then heading towards New Hampshire. I'm guessing the Lake George area is closest on our route? I will definitely check out the state campground site.

You could actually take several routes through the Adirondacks park cutting up northeast from I-90 and eventually getting back onto I-87 so the mountain Lakes area is a possibility, too. Depends on how long you want to take in the Adirondacks and what route you want to take through Vt to NH and Maine.
The Adirondack museum in Blue Mt Lake is a very interesting open air museum if you get to that area.