Adirondack Mountains / Adirondack Park

I can't add to the things to do / see list, our favorites have already been covered. But for a full hookup site we've stayed at North Pole Resort in the 100 Acre Woods side in Wilmington near Whiteface. Full hookups, 50A, and pull-through sites.

KMP44, we had a hybrid and got a short TT for the same reason. We prefer the State DEC campgrounds and some of our favorite sites would be tight with a 30'+ TT.

DW likes Lake Placid but parking can be a real pain.

We travel to the Adirondack once or twice a year as it's one of our favourite locations to explore that is close by for us.

I would second going up the I-81 then over to Old Forge on the 28, then up to Long Lake and Tupper Lake over to Lake Placid. Lake Placid is a pretty central location you could use to explore with the Jeep. The KOA just outside Lake Placid is one of the best KOA's we have ever stayed. Take the trip up Whiteface with the Jeep if you can.

I would also recommend taking Hwy 73 east out of Lake Placid to the I-87. This was one of the best highways to travel for a mountain experience which I suspect you are looking for. You can then go to Lake George and over to Vermont, or go north to Plattsburg and over to Vermont. You should also make sure you visit New Hampshire on the way to the coast. This is another amazing mountain experience area, take the Jeep up Mount Washington in the White Mountains, even better than the Whiteface NY trip ;)

As much as I would love for you to come to Canada to visit our area, you will get much more out of the NY,VT,NH,ME route. You will enjoy the Canadian maritime's though, its a great location, especially Cape Breton, Halifax and PEI.

Enjoy your time :)

There are several things one should see going north to the ADKs, Cooperstown, the farmers museum on route 28 just north of town, take 81 north to 88, get off at the route 28 exit just north of Oneonta NY and go north on 28 to route 8 don't miss the Big Moose community chapel one of the most beautiful buildings in America. it took 25 years to build they tied the trees over to grow the rafters. and of course fort Tie, and Ausable chasms

USMC46 wrote:
Jack: Is there a "central" location you would recommend where we can park, and explore in our Jeep ? Or is it just too big an area for that approach ?

I would not disagree with KMP44's suggestions. Old Forge is a beautiful area with a lot to do. It really depends on what your interests are.

If you look at a NYS map you'll see that I-81 runs up the West side of the Adirondacks and I-87 runs up the East side. Personally I would take I-81 to I-90 as suggested, then head East to the Rome Exit. It is the jumping off point for Route 8 and what I think is the most scenic run through the Adirondacks. Take Route 8 to Speculator, then turn North on 30 to Indian Lake where you would pick up 28. Stop at the Adirondack Museum (http://www.adkmuseum.org/) in Blue Mountain Lake, then visit the "Wild Center" (http://www.wildcenter.org) in Tupper Lake.

In Tupper Lake you switch to Route 3 for Saranac Lake. A nice small town with great Summer theatre. In Saranac you can pick up 73and visit Lake Placid (http://www.lakeplacid.com/do/family-fun/olympic-sites) where I would recommend you see the Olympic Bobsled runs (you can actually ride the 1932 run in Summer) and also stop at the Olympic Ski Jump Complex. Our young skiers practice all Summer long and is something to see. John Brown's Farm is nearby and there are a couple of outstanding horse shows in the Summer. Lake Placid is a vibrant Town year-round. You can drive to the top of Whiteface Mtn nearby or visit the original Santa's North Pole (Upper Jay, NY).

From Upper Jay take route 9N to Keeseville and then rte 9 to Ausable Chasm (http://www.ausablechasm.com/) or I-87 North into Canada.

If you decide on a route and what you would like to see I will try and help you with campgrounds. The State Parks are nice but without hookups and they can be cramped for your size rig.

Hope that helps,

Jack

We camp all over in the Adirondacks. Main reason we bought a hybrid was to have a short trailer for easy access to the state parks in the ADK's. Love the lake front sites.

Depending on your route from PA, I would recommend a couple options. I-81 north all the way to Watertown, you could even hit the 1,000 islands (Wellsley Island SP, Association Island KOA or our favorite Cedar Point SP) and then do Route 3 across the northern ADK's. Lake Placid KOA would be on that route.

My favorite though, is I-81 to Syracuse, then I-90 to Utica. From there, Route 28 north to Old Forge. This is the hub for the southern ADK's. Tons of things to do. We stay at the Old Forge Camping Resort 3-4X a year. Big rig friendly, but sites are fairly close. Can do the train, rent kayaks, mountain bikes, hike, shop, fish... From there you go through Racquette Lake, Blue Mountain Lake, Tupper Lake, and on to Lake Placid which is a good spot in the High Peaks. You can see the Olympic venues.

A slight variation of this route is from Utica take Route 30 to Speculator and then north to Lake Placid. Lewey Lake or Moffit Beach State Park are great.

Third route is I-90 toward Albany and then I-87 to Saratoga Springs / Lake George. Then north to Lake Placid and on to Canada. This is a popular area, but we don't spend much time out that way.

If you aren't in a rush and want to see the true ADK's, I would recommend the central route of 28 & 30 through Old Forge. Two lane roads, but mostly in good shape. There are not a lot of private cg's, but there are dozens of state parks. Sites are listed on Reserve America by length and there are some 40ft sites. No hookups at any of them, but easy access to water to fill up.

Hope that helps - let me know if you want more details on anything.

Jack: Is there a "central" location you would recommend where we can park, and explore in our Jeep ? Or is it just too big an area for that approach ?

Born and grew up in the Adirondacks and we Workamp in the Lake George Area each Summer. There is much to see and do from Forts' Ticonderoga and Crown Point to lunch or dinner cruises on Lake George to Ausable Chasm, Whiteface Mountain and the Lake Placid venues of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics. You can also explore the one-of-a-kind Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake. There are several nice "loops" beginning and ending on I-87 the Adirondack Northway that runs North/South from Albany to Plattsburgh and the Canadian Border. Many campgrounds can handle big rigs and most have all the amenities and activities that you would find at any other nice campground in the USA,