Recreation & Outdoor Adventure

The Adirondack North Country region's forests, fields, and waters invite you to explore the many outdoor and wilderness recreation activities in all four seasons. Whether you go solo or join with family and friends, the Scenic Byways offer a tremendous variety of recreational outlets to satisfy the interests of any age group. Those with beginner, intermediate, or expert abilities can pick from challenging physical pursuits to more passive pleasures.

During your visit be sure to explore all the alternatives for fun on both land and water. If you like the water, the Scenic Byways regularly will tempt you to park the car and get on or in the water, for a swim, paddle, raft, boat, or sail on the many sparkling lakes, ponds and streams. You can paddle a canoe or kayak, or travel by boat from community to community, following historic water routes used by first nation people, early guides, hunters and explorers. There also are a large number of paddling and boating events throughout the region, such as the 90-Miler canoe race.

For land lovers, select a season and there is plenty to do. Spring, summer, and fall invite you to spend your days bicycling, hiking, mountain biking, camping, fishing, birding, bouldering, and rock climbing. Winter delights include alpine and cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, ice-skating, ice climbing, and ice fishing. You can also trace the path of Olympic athletes by ski, sled, or skate at the 1932 and 1980 Olympic venues or follow the IronMan course as quickly, or slowly, as you like.

Fun for all ages and skill levels is the search for a geocache or a letterbox, of which there are many hidden in the region. Chambers of Commerce along the Scenic Byway routes can direct you to the best place and the best time to engage in other outdoor pursuits, including golf, tennis, and horseback riding. The Chambers can also help you find guides, instructors, rental equipment, shuttles and help you work out logistical details.

The Adirondack North Country Association encourages all Scenic Byway travelers to learn about how to protect their favorite natural resources. The Adirondack North Country Invasive Species Alert was created to help raise awareness of the problem and to empower each visitor and resident to do their part to help stop the spread of non-native species.

Adirondack North Country Scenic Byway Recreation & Outdoor Adventure attractions include:

For More Information on Recreation & Outdoor Adventure

• Adirondack Campground Association
• Adirondack Forty-Sixers
• Adirondack Mountain Club
• Jack Rabbit Ski Trail
• NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
• New York State Outdoor Guides Association
• Northern Forest Canoe Trail
• Olympic Regional Development Authority