Central Adirondacks
The launchpad to the best of the Adirondack Park.
The Central Adirondacks is a phenomenal jumping-off point to enjoy the many pleasures of the Adirondack region. North of the spectacular Lake George Area, this area has long been a playground for those seeking the ultimate in outdoor recreation.
Most villages in the Central Adirondacks are situated on substantial bodies of water. This is no accident; the earliest tourists to this area in the 19th and early 20th centuries gained access to the region's delights via its plentiful waterways. Visitors to the Central ADK come to experience whitewater rafting on the Hudson River, freshwater fishing, snowmobiling trails, backcountry camping and hiking in the Adirondack Park’s constitutionally protected forest preserves. Towns in the Central Adirondacks include:
Long Lake
Blue Mountain Lake
Indian Lake
Raquette Lake
Speculator
Wells
Among the Central Adirondacks' treasures is the Adirondack Experience at Blue Mountain Lake, which some have deemed the Smithsonian of the Adirondacks. Great Camp Sagamore is also a must-see in the area. This 27-building complex is a National Historic Landmark and allows visitors to immerse themselves in daily life in the Great Camps of the Gilded Age.
Our hand-picked recommendations on where to stay, eat, shop and things to do in the Central Adirondacks.
Search for Anything in the Central Adirondacks
The Adirondacks are delivering one of the busiest weekends of early summer.
Learn about the history, mission, and future of one of the region's most enduring cultural institutions.
Since 1958, Custard's Last Stand in Long Lake has been serving ice cream, shakes, sundaes, and Adirondack nostalgia.
A historic fire tower. Big High Peaks views.
Discover why the Stickley furniture exhibition at View Arts in Old Forge is drawing attention this summer.
Black fly season is back in the Adirondacks. Learn why they thrive here and the Adirondack-tested survival tips locals swear by
Memorial Day in the Adirondacks means boats, black flies, traffic… and the unofficial start of summer.
Northern Pike. Frozen lakes. A guide who reads the water like a map.
A curated list Adirondack events this weekend—from art shows to historic openings across the region.
Between Old Forge and Inlet, Eagle Bay House serves some of the most refined yet relaxed dining in the Adirondacks.
At dawn in the Adirondacks, the forest comes alive.
The call of a loon feels timeless—but it’s more fragile than you think.
What happens when college students trade Wi-Fi for wilderness?
AARCH is preserving Adirondack stories—one beam, brick, and barn at a time. Learn how you can take part.
Loons don’t just visit Adirondack lakes—they return to the same one year after year.
The story didn’t end at Big Moose Lake…Inside the Herkimer jail, investigators say something still lingers.
Easter in the Adirondacks blends snowy peaks, spring traditions, and family fun.
Meet Margaret Emerson, the matriarch of Great Camp Sagamore.
A rowboat. A promise. A murder in the Adirondacks.
The best lobster roll you’ve ever had in the Adirondacks.
Discover Lake Durant Campground in Blue Mountain Lake, NY.
Before Adirondack tourism took hold, Emma Camp Mead was already building a business in Indian Lake.
Cabin fever meets liquid gold.
Learn about women’s history in the Adirondacks on the ADK Talks podcast.
Six planets align on February 28, followed by a total lunar eclipse on March 3.
A year-round cocktail lounge and polished bar blends history, hospitality, and handcrafted cocktails.
Winter in the ADK: Listener questions answered.
Blue Line Coffee House in Old Forge, NY, is a must-visit Adirondack coffee shop.
Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation hosts Loon Zooms provide a lens into the life of the common loon.
Jeff Berry and Elena Lumby from Search and Rescue of the Northern Adirondacks share essentials for winter hiking.