Outdoor Life – Trail Access in the Adirondacks
Hiking trails can be accessed from many locations in and around the Lake Placid area (Lake Placid, Keene, Keene Valley, etc). A lot of the trails can be accessed right from the road, and two of the main trailheads include the Adirondack Loj (Lake Placid) and The Garden (Keene Valley). The beauty of this trail system is that it's free. Yes, free. The only cost is parking, which is $10 per day.
If you plan to camp while on the trails of the Adirondacks, be aware that you can only camp in designated spots. Most of the sites have lean-tos (3 walled wooden shelters), which are extremely handy in wet or cold weather. These structures can house up to 8 people, and there's always space for a couple of tents at each campsite.
Even better, you don't have to book your campsites in advance, or at all. I love this because sometimes you aren't able to cover as much ground as you predicted or maybe you end up covering much more. The lean-tos are on a first come first serve basis, but you are required to share with another group if your lean-to isn't full. I always hope for the luxury of the lean-to, but I also bring my tent just in case.
Read more of my Adirondack Adventures:
- Spring Camping in the Adirondacks
- The Importance of Planning Ahead
- Solo Camping
- Solo Camping Tips & Tricks
- Discovering the Adirondacks
Kim Bowerman,
Nomadik Personal Fitness Expert
