An Adirondack Tradition: Lake Clear Lodge & Retreat
Welcoming guests in the Adirondack Tri-Lakes and High Peaks region since 1886.
Photos courtesy Lake Clear Lodge & Resort
The Lake Clear Lodge and Retreat doesn't fit neatly into vacation destination descriptions (which we find is fairly common in the Adirondacks).
Great lawn leading to Lake Clear.
This historic property, near the villages of Saranac Lake and Paul Smiths, dates back to the 1880s, when it was built as a stagecoach inn, post office, and trading post.
While the property has changed hands over the years, the current owners are directly related to the original proprietors. You can read more about it on their website.
Over the years, the property earned a well-regarded reputation for providing a high-quality experience for guests. The recipient of numerous lodging accolades, Lake Clear Lodge, is a worthy target in your search for an Adirondack getaway.
Property map (not drawn to scale)
Lodging options to suit guest preferences.
Lake Clear Lodge offers guests three types of lodging.
Birch, a room in the 1886 Main Lodge.
Stay in one of the Main Lodge’s three guest rooms – Birch, Pine, and Canopy – each individually decorated.
All have private baths
Guests have full access to the property's amenities and activities – beach and water sports; hiking, x-c skiing and snowshoeing trails; great lawn, fire pits, basketball court, etc.
The Main Lodge houses the resort’s restaurant
Live the Suite Life at the Lakehouse
The Lakehouse is the lodging option closest to the lake and offers spectacular mountain-lake sunset views.
The Eagle’s Nest suite offers beautiful sunset lake views.
The Lake House provides flexible options for families or groups. They can have individual lake-view suites at night and use interior doors for gatherings during the day.
Couples can enjoy separate suites in comfort, and friends can rent adjoining suites to stay close together.
There are four suites, each offering a variety of amenities – fireplace, jacuzzi, lake views, minifridges, etc.
These rooms all connect in the interior of the building, making it an ideal place for families who want adjoining rooms or groups that would like their own private ADK hide-away
And, as we pointed out earlier, guests are steps from the private beach and lakefront, a clear bonus during the summer
The fever to stay in a cabin, that is. Travelers looking for the ultimate in privacy might prefer to go the cabin route at Lake Clear Lodge.
The cozy Writer’s Cabin.
Experience privacy and romance in the property’s two one-bedroom cabins, handcrafted by three generations of the owner’s family.
Each cabin is built using wood milled from the property and designed in the classic Adirondack Great Camp style.
Cabins have energy-saving amenities and real wood fireplaces and are positioned to take advantage of passive sunlight or the natural shelter of the woods
Each cabin features a bedroom, living space, kitchenette, and outdoor space
Enjoy distant lake views from your cabin
Chalet interior.
Need more space? Check out the November, Sundown, or April Melody Chalets.
These accommodations have two bedrooms (a primary and a twin) and are located approximately a 3-minute walk to the main lodge or our picturesque beach.
Features include:
Wood burning fireplaces
Separate kitchen and living areas
Private bath
Pet friendly
Large deck
The “Gausthaus” is a labor of love of the Lake Clear Resort owners. And it shows. It is the home of the Woodsmoke and Loons Watch suites.
The Guesthouse suites combine Old World charm and ADK-style. We think it’s the prettiest of all the lodging options.
Features include:
Two bedrooms
Jacuzzi tubs
Separate living rooms and kitchens
Picturesque Lake Clear.
Seasons of fun on Lake Clear.
Lake Clear Lodge’s wine cellar.
The resort is offers guests different experiences depending on the season.
Experiences available on the property include:
Expansive swimming beach
Kayaking
Canoeing
Basketball court
Culinary Center for cooking classes
X-country skiing
Hiking and jogging trails
Snowshoeing
Beer tastings
Themed dining events
Horse-drawn carriage rides and more
Speak-easy experience
Check Lake Clear Lodge & Retreat’s website for the latest info on all the options available.
Adventures in dining.
Craft beer tasting.
As hinted above, Lake Clear Lodge is also known for its dining experiences. The dining spaces are not enormous, so guests must reserve early. If there is excess space in the dining room, the lodge welcomes patrons from off the property.
Be sure to check out their cooking classes, themed dining events and dinners available in unique settings. They source their ingredients from local purveyors and endeavor to create a true farm-to-table experience. Guests rave about The Lodge’s wine cellar and selection of internationally and locally brewed beers.
Lake Clear Lodge promises a great Adirondack adventure for all.
Disconnect and decompress in the Adirondacks.
Lake Clear Lodge offers a true escape into the woods where guests can destress and relax.
Lake Clear Lodge’s nordic ski trails.
To facilitate those goals, there is no WiFi, TVs, or phones in any accommodations to ensure a tranquil stay focused on relaxation, mindfulness, and making meaningful connections.
For those that may need to stay connected, the Lodge offers complimentary WiFi in the Main Lodge lobby and gazebo.
