Your First Trip to the Adirondacks
Six million acres. 3,000 lakes. 2,000 miles of trails. Here’s everything a first-timer needs to know before they go.
6M+
Acres of Protected Land
3,000
Lakes & Ponds
2,000
Miles of Trails
13M
Annual Visitors
First Things First
The ADK Isn’t What You Think It Is
Most first-time visitors expect a traditional park with entrance gates and ticket booths. The Adirondacks will surprise you. The Adirondack Park is not a federally managed national park — it is a state park in New York, unlike any state park you’ve visited before.
The park encompasses about six million acres of both public forest preserve land and private land. More than 130,000 people permanently live and work within the park’s boundaries. There are no entrance gates and no admission fee — you simply drive in.
It is the largest protected natural area in the contiguous United States — larger than Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Everglades, and Glacier National Parks combined, and about one-third the size of New York State.
Plan Your Trip
Everything You Need, In One Place
We built this site for people planning their very first Adirondacks trip. Start anywhere below.
🗺️ Start Here
Everything you need to know before your first trip — what the park is, how to get there, when to go, and what to expect.
🥾 Best Hikes
Over 2,000 miles of trails await. We’ve picked the best routes for first-timers — stunning views without the mountaineering experience.
🏕️ Where to Stay
From lakeside cabins and historic inns to campgrounds under the stars — find the right base for your ADK adventure.
🚣 Things to Do
Paddling, rafting, skiing, fall foliage drives, historic sites — the Adirondacks are a year-round playground with something for everyone.
🍂 When to Visit
Summer swimming, fall foliage, winter skiing, spring rafting — each season in the ADK is magical. Here’s what to expect.
🎒 Packing List
Don’t leave home without the essentials. Our season-by-season packing list has you covered for every ADK adventure.
Get the Free First-Timer’s Packing List
Join our newsletter and we’ll send you our complete season-by-season packing guide — plus weekly ADK tips and hidden gems.