Skip to main content
Be prepared with helpful travel tips!
  • See & Do
    • See & Do
    • See all
      • See all
      • Seasons
        • See all
        • Spring
        • Summer
        • Fall
        • Winter
      • Accessibility
      • Arts
      • Attractions
      • Downtown
      • Health & Wellness
      • History
      • Live Music
      • Parks
      • Shopping
      • Stories
      • Weddings
  • Outdoors
    • Outdoors
    • See all
      • See all
      • Hiking
        • See all
        • Nature Walks
      • ADK Guides & Tours
      • Birding
      • Boating
      • Camping
      • Cross-Country Skiing
      • Cycling
      • Downhill Skiing
      • Fishing
      • Golfing
      • Ice Fishing
      • Mountain Biking
      • Paddling
      • Snowmobiling
      • Snowshoeing
  • Eat & Drink
    • Eat & Drink
    • See all
    • Cafés & Coffee Shops
    • Craft Beer & Cocktails
    • Restaurants
  • Events
    • Events
    • See all
    • Adirondack Snowshoe Fest
    • ArtWorks ArtMarkets
    • Can-Am Rugby Tournament
    • Celebrate Paddling ADK
    • First Night Saranac Lake
    • Plein Air Festival
    • Winter Carnival
    • 3rd Thursday Art Walks
  • Stay
    • Stay
    • See all
    • Cabins & Cottages
    • Camping
    • Inns, Lodges, Bed & Breakfasts
    • Resorts, Hotels, Motels
    • Vacation Rentals
  • First Time Visitors
    • First Time Visitors
    • See all
      • See all
      • Accessibility
      • Downtown
      • Getting Here
      • Greater Region
      • Stories
      • Seasons
        • See all
        • Spring
        • Summer
        • Fall
        • Winter
  • Local
    • Local title-header
      • Live Here
        • See all
        • Meet the Locals
        • Real Estate
        • Town of Harrietstown
        • Town of North Elba
        • Town of St. Armand
        • Village of Saranac Lake
      • Do Business Here
        • See all
        • Chamber Job Board
        • Essex County IDA
        • Franklin County Economic Development Co.
        • Professional Services
        • Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce
      • Community Initiatives
        • See all
        • Arts & Culture Master Plan
        • Downtown Revitalization Initiative
        • Saranac Lake Brand
        • Village Community Development Department
What can we help you find?
  • See & Do
      1. See & Do
      2. See all
        1. See all
        2. Seasons
          • See all
          • Spring
          • Summer
          • Fall
          • Winter
        3. Accessibility
        4. Arts
        5. Attractions
        6. Downtown
        7. Health & Wellness
        8. History
        9. Live Music
        10. Parks
        11. Shopping
        12. Stories
        13. Weddings
  • Outdoors
      1. Outdoors
      2. See all
        1. See all
        2. Hiking
          • See all
          • Nature Walks
        3. ADK Guides & Tours
        4. Birding
        5. Boating
        6. Camping
        7. Cross-Country Skiing
        8. Cycling
        9. Downhill Skiing
        10. Fishing
        11. Golfing
        12. Ice Fishing
        13. Mountain Biking
        14. Paddling
        15. Snowmobiling
        16. Snowshoeing
  • Eat & Drink
      1. Eat & Drink
      2. See all
      3. Cafés & Coffee Shops
      4. Craft Beer & Cocktails
      5. Restaurants
  • Events
      1. Events
      2. See all
      3. Adirondack Snowshoe Fest
      4. ArtWorks ArtMarkets
      5. Can-Am Rugby Tournament
      6. Celebrate Paddling ADK
      7. First Night Saranac Lake
      8. Plein Air Festival
      9. Winter Carnival
      10. 3rd Thursday Art Walks
  • Stay
      1. Stay
      2. See all
      3. Cabins & Cottages
      4. Camping
      5. Inns, Lodges, Bed & Breakfasts
      6. Resorts, Hotels, Motels
      7. Vacation Rentals
  • First Time Visitors
      1. First Time Visitors
      2. See all
        1. See all
        2. Accessibility
        3. Downtown
        4. Getting Here
        5. Greater Region
        6. Stories
        7. Seasons
          • See all
          • Spring
          • Summer
          • Fall
          • Winter
  • Local
      1. Local
        1. Live Here
          • See all
          • Meet the Locals
          • Real Estate
          • Town of Harrietstown
          • Town of North Elba
          • Town of St. Armand
          • Village of Saranac Lake
        2. Do Business Here
          • See all
          • Chamber Job Board
          • Essex County IDA
          • Franklin County Economic Development Co.
          • Professional Services
          • Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce
        3. Community Initiatives
          • See all
          • Arts & Culture Master Plan
          • Downtown Revitalization Initiative
          • Saranac Lake Brand
          • Village Community Development Department

5 Paths to Winter Adventure in Saranac Lake

Watch Video
Be prepared with helpful travel tips!
ADK Blogger
November 01, 2018

Saranac Lake calls to people in different ways. Yes, there’s art, music, good food, and good people here. There are also events like Winter Carnival that bring visitors and residents together for a blockbuster, two-week celebration of all the things that make this village so unique.  It’s a quirky place that draws the adventurous, the curious, and the creative, but when all of those things are pushed aside there’s one thing about Saranac Lake that endures: It’s surrounded by mountains.

For the uninitiated, the array of outdoor options here can seem daunting. What’s the best trail for a first-time snowshoer to tackle? Is there a place to learn to cross-country ski? How about downhill skiing and snowboarding? Do I need to hike 5 miles to go ice fishing? Perhaps one of the most beloved aspects of Saranac Lake lies in its proximity to woods and waters, meaning any of these activities can be started via a short walk or drive from downtown.

1. Lakeside ramble

There’s no better way to get a lay of the Saranac Lake landscape than a leisurely stroll along Lake Flower, the long waterbody you probably saw on your way into town. From downtown, walk to the intersection of Main Street and Route 3, then cross the road to get to Riverside Park. Follow the sidewalk to the Lake Flower boat launch (if it’s Winter Carnival time you can explore the ice palace here), then retrace your steps to find a spot for lunch or dinner.

While you’re at Riverside Park, take a moment to enjoy the view. From left the mountains are Baker, McKenzie, Haystack, and Scarface. Those are four of the mountains required to earn the highly coveted Saranac Lake 6er patch. Keep that in mind as you plan your next adventure!

2. Mountain trail

How about those mountains? We know it’s exciting to imagine standing on the tallest peak around, but we recommend working your way up to that. The trailhead for Mount Baker is a short walk — and an even shorter drive — from downtown, and the view of the High Peaks from the summit ledge is outstanding. It’s only 0.9 mile to the 2,452-foot summit, but there are some steep sections on the way, so give yourself plenty of time if you’re new to snowshoeing.

3. Cross-country ski and snowshoe centers

Leave downtown by taking a right on Route 3 and you’re about a minute away from Dewey Mountain Recreation Center. This town-owned facility has enough variety to keep beginners and seasoned cross-country skiers busy. The easier trails stick to the lower part of the mountain, while the more difficult paths go to the top. They all begin at the base lodge, where skis and snowshoes can be rented and tuned up.

4. Downhill skiing and snowboarding

Mount Pisgah Recreation Center, located on the outskirts of the village, is a mellow mountain with a commanding view, and a great place to try snowboarding or skiing. It’s small, cheap, lit up at night, family friendly, and the large base lodge is a cozy place to warm up. In the summer, Pisgah becomes a magnet for mountain bikers who like steep climbs and short downhill plunges.

5. Ice fishing

Since lake is in our name, it stands to reason there’s water here, right? Well, if you’re into ice fishing you've come to the right place! Simply pull over at Lake Colby — it’s on the left just before you leave town. The parking area is basically on the shore, meaning you’ll be dropping a line in no time. If you’d rather get off the beaten path, head to the St. Regis Canoe Area, an expansive region dotted with lakes and ponds where it’s easy to find a little solitude and lots of good fishing.


Ready for winter adventure? Start planning your trip today!

Related Stories

Ampersand in Winter
It's Snowmobile Season
A Winter Hike Up Haystack
From the Adirondacks to the Olympics and Back
Ice Fishing in Saranac Lake
Dip into Winter on the Jackrabbit
Getting Back to Nature
Sweet Indulgences - Saranac Lake's Coffee Hotspots
'Tis the Season
Five Ideas for Winter Family Fun
Saranac Lake Adventure Travel
Three Fantastic Fall Hikes in Saranac Lake
Norman Ridge Ride
A Decidedly Different Fall Day in Saranac Lake
Lake Kushaqua, A Beautiful Place to Rest
Fall Fun in Saranac Lake
Mt. Pisgah: The Adirondacks’ Finest Uphill Bike Park
Decidedly Different Saranac Lake
Gravel biking at Kushaqua
Paddling Middle to Lower Saranac Lake
Finding Fun and Snowfleas at the VIC
A Day of Winter Indulgence
An Artist's Haven
Hardwater fishing, decidedly different!
Lodging to Fit Your Winter Travel Style
Cross-Country Ski The Jackrabbit Trail
Finding Winter Finches — and other Cold-Weather Species
Skiing from Placid to Saranac Lake
6 Must See Winter Carnival Events
Mt Pisgah: Local and Loved Ski Hill
First Day on the Bog
Saranac Lake's Snowshoe Centers
Snowshoeing at the VIC
A Quintessential Holiday Experience
The VIC's Black Pond Loop
Saranac Lake Winter Fashion
A century of playing in the snow
5 Paths to Winter Adventure in Saranac Lake
Hiking and Birding in Bloomingdale Bog
Rebuilding a Whitewater Park
Our Five Favorite Swimming Holes
Two Ways of Exploring the Natural World at the VIC
The VIC: it's luxury hiking!
Get down! The best low-elevation hikes in Saranac Lake
The Great Adirondack Birding Celebration!
Rejoice!! May Birding is Here!!
The Excitement of Early Spring Birding!
Family Paddling Day: Planned for You
WINTER IS COOL
So Much Snow! And Some Great March Skiing!
Let's Glide - Enjoy Fish Creek Park!
A Beautiful Ski on the Jackrabbit Trail
Top 5 tips for fishing on Lake Colby
Family Ski at Dewey
Canoodlers and Lawn Chair Ladies
Top Reasons to Visit Saranac Lake This February
Woods and Waters Trail, a great ski!
A Holiday Ski!
First Skis of the Season!
Downtown Holiday Shopping Guide
Getting First Night Ready
Get Acclimated!
Feeling Grateful
Detours are great!
Paddling Jones Pond in the Fall
A Fall Hike Up Mount Baker
An Evening Paddle on Lake Clear Outlet
Azure Mountain Adventure
A Fall Paddle on Little Green Pond
Fall Migration is in High Gear!
Fall Seasons Cold Water Paddling
An Evening Paddle on Middle Pond
Crossbills and Boreal Birds
Paddling and Birding along Quebec Brook
McKenzie Road Bouldering
Not just a walk in the park
Family fun that's free
Sprung!
Slow paddle to Oseetah
Skiing and Exploring the Jackrabbit Trail
Big Snow!!!!!
A Great Ski on the Jackrabbit Trail!
Dewey Mountain - Just Wild Enough
Treat Your Valentine With An Unforgettable Experience
Get out and snowshoe!
Ice Fishing First-Timer
Winter Carnival Invention: Arctic Golf
Counting Birds in the Olympic Region
Finding Birds on the Saranac Lake Christmas Bird Count
2016 Most Popular Blogs
We can dash through the snow
If self-care is naughty, I don't want to be nice
Get it together — First Night Saranac Lake
Make Holiday Memories at Moody Farm
Cross Country Skiing in Lake Clear
Early-Winter Skiing!
Enjoying Late Fall Cold Fronts And Their Migrants
A tree for the whole family
Great Fall Birding!
New Road Mountain
The thrill of snowmobiling
A Fall Paddle On Lake Clear Outlet
The Possibilities Of Fall Birding
A Fall Hike on Baker Mountain
Ampersand: A Family Tradition Realized
Village of Boulders
Zooming Around in the Fall
So many hikes, so little time
Searching for Philadelphia Vireo and other species
Tri to stay dry
Puppy's first mountain climb
A Rainy Day Birding Trip in Madawaska
Early Spring Birding!
Wonderful Weddings in Cool Places
Springing!
Spring Ice on the McKenzie Mountain loop
Our Winter Waxwing
Cross-Country Skiing on the Bloomingdale Bog Trail
Yeah, we're cool - no matter what we're wearing!
Jones Hill and Blue Hill, a mighty duo
Gray Jays!
Snowshoeing: day to learn, lifetime of fun!
Fun with Ice: Saranac Lake Creativity
2015 Most Popular Blogs
First thing's first: An insider's guide to First Night Saranac Lake
Dewey Mountain Recreation Area: A Great Place to Enjoy Winter!
Five Great Wilderness Views
Winter Events You Won't Want To Miss
Trotting for Turkeys
Select seven: Family hikes under four hours
Dewey Mountain - satisfy that snow craving
Tubing: the sport to please the masses
Timeless Tubing at Mount Pisgah
Excellent October Birding!
Brighton: Dusk 'til Dawn
Paddling and Hiking Around Little Green Pond
Camping in the Cold (Disclaimer: This is NOT a How-To Guide)
A Cool Adirondack Adventure
Fall Warblers and Other Migrants!
Enjoying Late Summer Wildflowers!
Dog Days of Summer aka Beach Time!
Martha Reben: Staring down the Great White Plague
Seeing if the boot fits: Exploring the Bays
Lake Clear: Our Secret Paradise
Paddling and Birding Around Jones Pond
Paddling Middle Pond
Paddling in the Adirondacks for the First Time!
Hiking with the Crew up Baker Mountain
Riding the Rails, Adirondack style!
Keeping It Local
July is when things heat up!
Great Birding at Intervale Lowlands - It's that Time of Year!
Finding Lots of Birds Just by Taking a Simple Walk
Coming Home to Saranac Lake
Great Birding and Loads of Warblers in Madawaska!
Saranac Inn, golf with a taste of Scotland
Free Water Park Ride In Our Backyard
Early May Wildflowers: A Kaleidoscope of Color
A Spring Hike Up Baker Mountain
5 reasons we are the Lake Country
Learning to Love Every Season
Exciting Beginnings of Spring Migration!
In Defense of Mud Season
Skiing in April and on Easter - No Foolin'!
Boreal Birding In and Around Town
The Joy of Spring Skiing
Winter Birding with Signs of Spring
Adirondack Cure for Cabin Fever
Jackrabbit Trail: Lake Placid to Keene
Jackrabbit Trail - Day 2: McKenzie Pond to Lake Placid Pub & Brewery
Winter Birding: Saranac Lake and Paul Smiths
An evening snowboard session at Mt. Pisgah
Jackrabbit Trail: Paul Smiths to McKenzie Pond Road
Newbie Skier Tackles Titus
Memorable Firsts: Carnival & Cross-Country Skis
Friendly Snowshoe Up Baldface Mountain
Skiing the Fish Pond Trail
Two sides of the Trifecta
Wedding planning with the pros
Get ready to jam at Winter Carnival
Enjoying Winter Birding
A Winter Hike into the McKenzie Mountain Wilderness Area
Nordic Skiing - Five Great Places
A Century of Ice Palaces
Adirondack Traditions, then and now
Enjoying White Snow to Take Away the Winter Blues
Wellness Resolutions: Easy does it!
An Evening Sleigh Ride in the Adirondacks
An Adirondack You for 2015
Race, jam, dance and more in January
A Winter's Hike up Baker Mountain
Four Seasons of High Points
Hiking & Tracking Wildlife on Scarface Mountain
Extreme Ice Fishing
Skiing - and Falling - in a Winter Wonderland
Early Season Cross-Country Ski Destinations
Fly our Adirondack skies
Searching for Boreal Birds
St. Regis Canoe Area - An Interesting Ski Tour
Where to find hot beverages
The First Ski of the Season!
A picture's worth a thousand words - epic winter events
Birding Along Lake Colby
Saranac Lake Remembers the Great War
A Guide to the Great Indoors
New fun at Titus Mountain Ski Area
Doing the Doggie Paddle: Paddling the Adirondacks with your pet!
Learning to Identify Fall Leaves
The Horse Knows The Way
Mount Pisgah getting ready for winter ski season
Paddling and Snorkeling Little Green Pond
A Red Phalarope at Little Clear Pond!
Searching for Fall Warblers and Other Songbirds
Boat Trip Massages: Two Roads to Wellness
Forks, Fests, and Flatwater: 3 Featured Fall events
Paddling Little Clear Pond
3 Short Paddles found in the St. Regis Canoe Area
Paddling Lake Clear Outlet
Hiking and Exploring Azure Mountain
An Evening Paddle on Moose Pond
A Great Place to Break Down
Adirondack Paddling, Choosing the Right Paddle
Adirondack Paddling - Choosing The Right Boat
Birding at the Spring Pond Bog
“One Particular Island” all to ourselves
The Great Adirondack Birding Celebration
Spring Paddling on Lake Colby
One Magic Canoe: The Seven Carries Canoe Route
Roadside Gems, Paddling the Saranac Lake Region
5 Hidden Gems for Hiking, Paddling & Trail Running
Our lakes were born for boating
Top 10 Spots for Paddling in Adirondacks
Get Ready For Fishing Season
VIC music sweetens a ski Sunday
Skiing Upper Saranac Lake Loops
Winter Foodie Scene
Thursday Night Music Jam
Paul Smith Visitors Interpretive Center
Night Skiing at Mt. Pisgah
Mid-Winter Events 2014
Winter Carnival means live music
Top Five Winter Break Activities
Best Ice Fishing Holes
Building the Ice Palace
Tubing Adventures at Mt. Pisgah
Skiing Before the Melt
Basics for Ice Fishing Gear
First Time Ice Fishing
Slip Sliding Away Winter Hiking
Silent Night
Snowshoe Shopping
Lost and Found
New Years Eve Saranac Lake NY
Short & scenic hikes
Mount Arab
Winter Family Events
First Ski of the Season!
Less than two weeks to Sparkle Village Craft Fair!
Debar Mountain and Black Peak
Ducks and Otters at Lake Colby
Saranac Lake Art Attraction Nov 22 - Dec 28, 2013
Muskrats!
Goodman Mountain
Ducks on the Pond
Saving Einstein
You Don't Paddle Into the Wind
Hiking St. Regis Mountain
Fall at the VIC
A Fall Paddle on Jones Pond
A Fall Hike Up Baker Mountain
Sparrows Along Lake Colby
Going to Church
Visitors in My Yard
A Hike Up Panther Mountain
Where the leaves are on fire with color
The Colors of Late Summer
Bloomingdale Bog Birds
Late Summer Yard Birds
Stomping out the Saranac 6 – Week 2 – St. Regis Mountain
FlavorFest at The Wild Center
Lows Lower Dam to Lows Ridge, A surf and Turf Adventure
The Osgood's
A Birding Trip in Madawaska
Black Pond to Bridge Brook Pond – A new trail
Local Family Friendly Swimming Spots
Take A Swim!
Ampersand Mountain
Hiking and Birding on Baker Mountain
Entertaining events will keep you hopping this weekend
A Birding Trip to Bloomingdale Bog
Blog on Bogs
Top 5 Family Friendly Activities in the Saranac Lake Area
Searching for Spruce Grouse
Camping in the rain - better known as "damping"
Safe Guiding Services with High Adventure!
Follensby Clear Pond to "Round Pond"
Trail Running the Deer Pond Loop
Birding in Spring Pond Bog
Hiking and Birding on the Jackrabbit Trail
Birding in Massawepie Mire
Lower Saranac Lake Path
Long Pond to Pink Pond's
The Amphibious Choirs of Spring
Little Clear Pond and Grass Pond, a Canoeing experience
The Kettle Trail
Hiking from the North End of the Bloomingdale Bog Trail
What can we help you find?
Sign up to receive more information.
Enter Email
Do•Stay•Eat•Shop•Events
Work Here•Contact Us•DEI•Media Kit•Privacy Policy
39 Main Street, Saranac Lake, NY 12983
Powered by the Regional Office of
Sustainable Tourism
THERE’S MORE TO EXPLORE
We’ve got the best ideas for things to do on your next Adirondack adventure, and we will deliver them right to your inbox! THANKS FOR SUBSCRIBING! Your next adventure awaits you in your inbox! Tell us more about what interests you, and we can help you plan your next trip.
MANAGE YOUR PREFERENCES