The land of many rivers and lakes.
Dotting three pristine lakes, the Saranac Lake Islands are home to 87 campsites where you can view bald eagles, whitetail deer, great blue herons, otter and the occasional moose from your tent, canoe or lakeside trail before bedding down under the stars.
A gentle autumn raft ride through the Hudson River Gorge drifts you past foliage you won’t see from any roadway. Booking weekends through mid-October, Lake Placid’s Adirondac Rafting Company guides you safely past 17-miles of sights on waters ranging from gentle to swift during the fall.
The Ausable River offers some of the best catch-and-release fly fishing in North America and outfitters abound. Ledge Rock at Whiteface offers fly fishing packages through the end of October including lodging and guides.
It’s never too late for swimming at the Lake George Polar Plunge, November 17 at Shepard Park. Brave the icy waters, win prizes and raise money for Special Olympics. Plungers can even create their own Plunge Web Page for braggers rights. It’s a swim you’ll never forget.
Waterpark action continues through early November at White Water Bay, the Adirondack region’s only indoor waterpark attraction, at Six Flags Great Escape near Lake George. Over 38,000 square feet of splashes and spills await, from leisurely floats to white-water rafting, wave riding and tube rides. It’s always a balmy 80 degrees here so hit the beach.
After a busy summer, an autumn retreat to Lapland Lake is just the ticket. Book an Adirondack cabin at this private playland for motor-free kayaking, canoeing, rowing or leaf peeping among pristine woodlands and a 70-acre wilderness lake, or stake out a lakeside hammock. Fall packages are popular here so book early for stays through the end of November.
One of America’s oldest attractions, Ausable Chasm has been astounding visitors since 1870. Explore nature trails past scenic vistas and waterfalls, then raft or tube the Ausable River through breathtaking rock formations sculpted over eons. Nighttime Lantern Tours reveal the Chasm’s darker side with dramatic shadows. For braver souls, the Chasm’s newest adventure includes an 80-foot rappel and 200-foot traverse, 130 feet above the river.
Visit Adirondack Region for more information.
A free Adirondack fishing brochure is available at: www.fishadk.com; and, further information on fishing in the Adirondacks is located at: www.adirondacks.com/fishing.html.