What's the trail like?
Total Trail Length: 34 miles
Surface: Crushed stone suitable for biking, walking, running, and in winter, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling.
Note: There is a 2 mile section of paved trail in the Village of Saranac Lake
Accessibility: Generally flat and suitable for users of all abilities; trailheads and rest areas are ADA-accessible.
Chart of Trail Distances
| Distance from Lake Placid (eastern terminus) | location | Distance from Tupper Lake (western terminus) |
| 0 | Village of Lake Placid parking area (eastern terminus) | 34.05 |
| 0.87 | Crossing at Old Military Road | 33.18 |
| 4.69 | Private road crossing | 29.36 |
| 5.06 | Meadowbrook state campground | 28.99 |
| 5.32 | Scarface mountain trail crossing | 28.73 |
| 6.1 | Crossing at road to Ray Brook Federal Penitentiary | 27.95 |
| 6.38 | Oseetah Lake Road | 27.67 |
| 7.54 | State Route 86, Fowler’s Crossing | 26.51 |
| 8.14 | Will Rogers connector | 25.91 |
| 8.64 | North Country Community College gymnasium | 25.41 |
| 8.97 | River St crossing | 25.08 |
| 9.3 | Pine St Crossing | 24.75 |
| 9.86 | Adirondack Carousel | 24.19 |
| 9.87 | Union Depot, Saranac Lake | 24.18 |
| 10.22 | Route 86 crossing at Sled and Spoke | 23.83 |
| 10.87 | Beginning of Lake Colby Causeway | 23.18 |
| 14.48 | McMaster Road crossing | 19.57 |
| 15.77 | Route 186 crossing | 18.28 |
| 15.91 | Charlie’s Inn and Junction Campground | 18.14 |
| 16.1 | State Route 30 crossing | 17.95 |
| 16.36 | The Lodge at Lake Clear | 17.69 |
| 17.67 | Crossing of Lake Clear Outlet | 16.38 |
| 17.9 | Conley Road crossing | 16.15 |
| 18.8 | Station Road parking | 15.25 |
| 19.23 | Little Clear Pond Access road | 14.82 |
| 20.2 | Rat Pond | 13.85 |
| 20.88 | Rainbow Pond | 13.17 |
| 22.64 | Hoel Pond/Turtle Pond Portage | 11.41 |
| 24.64 | Tract Pond to Long Pond Portage | 9.41 |
| 25.84 | Floodwood road crossing | 8.21 |
| 27.51 | Floodwood Scout Camp road crossing | 6.54 |
| 31.05 | Private road crossing | 3 |
| 34.05 | Western terminus (Tupper Lake RR station) | 0 |
Where do I park?
Snowmobile trailers can be parked in lots on Old Military Road in Lake Placid, at Charlie’s Inn in Lake Clear, and Washington Street in Tupper Lake.
Do not park in undesignated areas; follow signage to respect private property.
Where can I find a map?
Printable maps with mileage markers– Lake Clear to Tupper
Printable map with mileage marker– Lake Placid to Lake Clear
BikeADK has a great Interactive map for biking
NYS Snowmobile Association has a great Interactive map for snowmobiling
Or purchase one from Rail Trail Press
Can I rent a bike/skis/ a snowmobile?
Bike Rentals
Bike Lake Placid, 455 Old Military Rd, Lake Placid, NY 12946 (518) 354-0777
High Peaks Cyclery, 2733 Main St, Lake Placid, NY 12946 (518) 523-3764
Placid Planet Bicycles, 2242 Saranac Ave, Lake Placid, NY 12946 (518) 523-4128
Sara-Placid Sled & Spoke LLC, 255 Broadway, Saranac Lake, NY 12983 (518) 205-7864
Silver Birch Cycles, 77 Main St, Saranac Lake, NY 12983 (518) 354-8497
Snowmobile Rentals
Farmhouse Snowmobiling and UTVs, 129 Hobart Road, Gabriels, NY 12939 (518) 586-1315
Sara-Placid Sled & Spoke LLC, 255 Broadway, Saranac Lake, NY 12983 (518) 205-7864
Ski and Snowshoe Rentals
High Peaks Cyclery, 2733 Main St, Lake Placid, NY 12946 (518) 523-3764
Dewey Mountain Recreation Center, 238 George H Lapan Memorial Highway, Saranac Lake, NY 12983 (518) 891-2697
Can I get a ride?
Where do I stay?
There are many lodging options near the Adirondack Rail Trail.
Where can I get something to eat?
There are many delicious places to eat and drink along the Adirondack Rail Trail, whether you’re looking to grab a quick bite or a multi-course meal.
Check out this map of places to eat and drink along the trail.
If I want to keep riding my bike or snowmobile, are there other trails nearby?
Yes!
Nearby mountain bike trails.
Nearby road rides.
BikeADK has a Cool route planning tool
Nearby snowmobile trails
Emergencies and Enforcement
NYS DEC Region 5 Ray Brook Office: 518-891-0235; info.r5@dec.ny.gov
Backcountry Emergencies: 1-833-NYS-RANGERS (1-833-697-7264) or 911
Enforcement Matters: 1-844-DEC-ECOs (1-844-332-3267) or 911
What if I see something wrong on the trail?
See a problem on the trail? Fill out this form to let us know.
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