trail with mountains in the background and fall foliage
State Land

Adirondack Rail Trail

On this page
Map of Adirondack Rail Trail
  • Open for interim recreation: Year-round. Trail segments under active construction will be closed to public use.
  • Fee: Free
  • Contact Information:
    • DEC Region 5 Ray Brook Office: 518-897-1200; [email protected] (M-F, 8:30am to 4:45pm)
    • Backcountry Emergencies: 1-833-NYS-RANGERS (1-833-697-7264) (24/7) or 911
    • Enforcement Matters: 1-844-DEC-ECOs (1-844-332-3267) (24/7) or 911
  • Location: Lake Placid, Essex County; Town of North Elba, Villages of Saranac Lake; Village of Saranac Lake, Franklin County; Towns of Santa Clara and Harrietstown; Town and Village of Tupper Lake
  • Maps: Overview Map (GeoPDF) - GeoPDF Instructions || Lake Clear to Tupper Lake Map (PDF) || Lake Placid to Lake Clear Map (PDF) || DECinfo Locator

Trail Status

NOW OPEN: 34 miles of beautiful, scenic travel from Lake Placid to Tupper Lake.

The Adirondack Rail Trail connects the communities of Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, and Tupper Lake through a 34-mile accessible trail that highlights the unique charm and amenities of each community while providing access to miles of breathtaking trails, numerous campsites, and abundant waterways in the Adirondack Forest Preserve.

The Rail Trail is an all-season, world-class recreational opportunity. In winter months, users can enjoy 34-miles of trails groomed by snowmobile club volunteers. Snowmobilers share the winter trail with cross-country skiers and even fat tire bike riders. Spring through fall, the trail is open for bicycles, hikers, runners, birders, and more. The trail moves through communities, along remote lakes and ponds, near popular DEC campgrounds, and even provides spectacular fall foliage viewing opportunities. The Adirondack Rail Trail is your destination for all-season outdoor recreation in the Adirondacks.

Please note DEC's Adirondack Backcountry page for regional updates on trail conditions, including notices related to the Adirondack Rail Trail. Recreationists along the Adirondack Rail Trail are advised to use caution with potentially unstable, muddy, and washed-out portions of the completed trail as heavy rains, high water, and subsequent erosion can occur.

If you notice hazards or unsafe trail conditions, please report details to [email protected].

Report Trail Issues

Featured Activities

General information on hiking includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules & regulations.

Trail conditions include a mixed variety of surfaces ranging from large, crushed stone, pavement through the Saranac Lake area, and small crushed and compact stone.. You may encounter occasional rail tie fragments and small metal pieces remaining from the rail infrastructure or construction of the trail. Just like all Adirondack Forest Preserve trails, portions of the trail may be muddy, temporarily washed out, or have weather-related hazards such as downed branches or trees. If you notice hazards or unsafe trail conditions, please report details to [email protected]. 

Plan Ahead and Prepare:

  • Wear stable footwear like shoes and boots when walking on the trail.
  • Trekking poles help with balance on unstable surfaces.
  • Review the map ahead of time to know where approved parking locations and trail access points are, what's nearby, and trail surface conditions.
  • Users should always practice Leave No Trace™ while recreating on the corridor by carrying out what they carry in, being prepared for the risks and challenges of a dynamic trail, respecting wildlife, and being considerate of other users and adjacent private property.

General information on backcountry camping includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules & regulations.

Camping and campfires are prohibited along the Remsen-Lake Placid Corridor which includes the 34-mile Adirondack Rail Trail. There are a range of camping opportunities nearby on both undeveloped state land and campgrounds.

Nearby State Campgrounds:

Nearby Primitive Camping Areas:

General information on fishing includes fishing tips with links to seasons, rules and regulations. Ensure continued good fishing opportunities in the future by fishing responsibly. If you have never been fishing but want to try, it's easy to learn how to fish.

There are an amazing variety of angling opportunities that can be accessed by the rail trail, from remote brook trout ponds to large lake trout and land-locked Atlantic salmon lakes, to largemouth and smallmouth bass waters, and some excellent stream fishing for trout. Waters adjacent to the Adirondack Rail Trail contain great examples of what the Adirondacks has to offer in terms of fishing. Lake Colby is particularly popular fishery that can provide excellent angling opportunities. Note that no fishing is allowed on Little Clear Pond.

Please be aware that the use of baitfish is prohibited in some of these waters (check the fishing regulations) and that care should be taken to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.

Adirondack/Lake Champlain Fishing provides information on fishing in the Adirondacks and links to top fishing waters, stocking lists, public fishing access and waters open to ice fishing listed by county.

Help Protect Native Adirondack Fish; populations of brook trout, round whitefish and other native Adirondack fish species have severely declined due to introduced fish.

General information on cross-country skiing includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.

The Adirondack Rail Trail makes an excellent cross-county ski adventure when there is adequate snow cover. The wide, level pathway provides miles of scenic travel. Winter use is shared with snowmobilers, fat-tire bicycles, and even foot traffic such as walkers or snowshoers, so be cautious and follow the yielding tips below.

Be considerate of others on the trail:

  • Ski single file to leave space for other users.
  • Stay to the right and pass on the left. Always look before changing positions on the trail.
  • Yield the right of way to those passing from behind.
  • If traveling at night, wear proper reflective gear, a head lamp and a flashing light on your back to ensure visibility by snowmobilers.

General information on snowshoeing includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.

The Adirondack Rail Trail makes an excellent snowshoe adventure when there is adequate snow cover. The wide, level pathway provides miles of scenic travel. Winter use is shared with snowmobilers, fat-tire bicycles, cross-country skiers, and walkers on foot, so be cautious and follow the yielding tips below.

Be considerate of others on the trail:

  • Snowshoe single file to leave space for other users.
  • Stay to the right and pass on the left. Always look before changing positions on the trail.
  • Yield the right of way to those passing from behind.
  • If traveling at night, wear proper reflective gear, a head lamp and a flashing light on your back to ensure visibility by snowmobilers.
  • If possible, avoid snowshoeing in ski tracks.

General information on snowmobiling includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.

Safety Tips:

  • Comply with all signs and respect barriers.
  • Avoid trails with inadequate snow cover.
  • Keep speeds low around populated areas, road intersections and staging areas. Follow all speed limit signs.
  • When riding at night, use extra caution, wear reflective clothing and reduce your speed.
  • Buddy up with two or three riders, reducing your vulnerability if you have an accident or breakdown.

Be considerate of others on the trail:

  • Ride single file, keep to the right and pass on the left only when the trail is clear.
  • When stopping on the trail, pull your snow machine as far right and off the trail as possible.
  • Yield the right-of-way to skiers, snowshoers and other non-mechanized forms of travel, as well as those passing or traveling uphill.

General information on animals includes links to information about birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians and insects that inhabit or migrate through the state.

Discharging a firearm from or across the trail is prohibited.

The Adirondacks contain large tracts of wildlife habitat with some boreal, bog, alpine and other unique habitats. Many species of birds and mammals are unique to the Adirondacks or are mainly found here. More than 50 species of mammals and hundreds of species of birds inhabit or pass through the Adirondacks at one time of the year or another, so you might catch site of wildlife during your trip.

More information on Adirondack flora and fauna (leaves DEC Website) from the SUNY ESF Adirondack Ecological Center.

You can protect wildlife and wildlife habitat when viewing them.

Wildlife Commonly Found in the Adirondacks

General information on bicycling includes how-to and safety tips with links to rules & regulations.

Trail conditions include a mixed variety of surfaces ranging from large, crushed stone, pavement through the Saranac Lake area, and small crushed and compact stone. You may encounter occasional rail tie fragments and small metal pieces remaining from the rail infrastructure or construction of the trail. Just like all Adirondack Forest Preserve trails, portions of the trail may be muddy, temporarily washed out, or have weather-related hazards such as downed branches or trees.

Plan Ahead and Prepare:

  • Bikers should be extremely cautious and be prepared with tools in case of a flat tire.
  • Fully stop at all road crossings to check for oncoming traffic and remember that visibility may vary on vehicle, weather, time of day, and your location – it is safest to assume road traffic will not stop.
  • Use caution when crossing bridges.

Be considerate of other trail users:

  • Slow down and yield to walkers.
  • Bike on the right, single file to allow space for other users.
  • Pass on the left then move back to the right for travel.
  • Users should always practice Leave No Trace™ while recreating on the corridor by carrying out what they carry in, being prepared for the risks and challenges of a dynamic trail, respecting wildlife, and being considerate of other users and adjacent private property.

Accessible Features

Fowler's Crossing Parking Area's wheelchair accessible features include:

  • Rail Trail
  • Accessible parking spaces
  • Seasonal accessible porta-potties

Union Depot Parking Area's wheelchair accessible features include:

  • Rail Trail
  • Accessible parking spaces

The Rail Trail is a 34-mile corridor connecting Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, and Tupper Lake. The trail has a shallow grade (typical slope 2%, max. slope 5%), wide tread (typical width 5'), and firm surface of compacted stone and pavement. 

DEC Parking Areas

Trailheads and parking areas may not be plowed during the winter months. Trail users should anticipate unplowed parking areas and consider alternative parking options to best fit their needs. There may be alternative parking areas maintained by municipalities or businesses that allow for rail trail parking – the list below shows the DEC-managed parking areas. When more parking agreements are finalized, DEC will update this list.

All coordinates provided are in decimal degrees using NAD83/WGS84 datum.

  • Ray Brook Road parking is located at 254 Ray Brook Road, Ray Brook, NY (44.295083°N, -74.086269°W) Google Maps
  • Fowler’s Crossing is located at the intersection of the trail and State Route 86 just east of the Village of Saranac Lake. Parking is provided on both sides of the road. (44.305311°N, 74.111220°W)  Google Maps
  • Union Depot Parking Lot is located at 42 Depot Street, Saranac Lake. This is a larger lot with approximately 30 spaces for vehicles, no trailers. No overnight parking is permitted. Please note that the Depot building is undergoing renovations and recreationists should exercise additional caution around the site when there is active work on site. (44.331196°N, 74.132707°W)  Google Maps
  • McMaster’s Crossing is located at the intersection of the trail and Mc Master Road, 2.3 miles south of State Route 186 in Lake Clear, or 1.3 miles north of Forest Home Road. This is a small parking area. (44.353251°N, 74.215672°W) Google Maps
  • Station Road, Santa Clara is located at the dead end of Station Road, 0.5 miles from State Route 30 off of Fish Hatchery Road. This is a small parking area. (44.354535°N, 74.289044°W) Google Maps
  • Floodwood Road Parking Area is located on Floodwood Road 4.0 miles from State Route 30 in the St. Regis Canoe Area. Parking is limited, especially during the height of paddling season. This road is seasonally-maintained and unpaved. (44.339355°N, 74.405760°W) Google Maps
  • Washington Street Parking Area is located on Washington Street, 0.6 miles from State Route 3. This parking area can accommodate snowmobile trailers.  (44.251593°N, 74.4685936°W)  Google Maps 

Distances from Mile 0.0, Station Street, Lake Placid

Miles from Station Street, Lake PlacidLocation / Road
0.0Station Street, Lake Placid
0.5Old Military Road
5.2Ray Brook Road Pull Off (does not cross road)
7.2Fowler's Crossing, State Route 86
7.8Southern Gateway Trail to Will Rogers Drive
8.3North Country Community College Sparks Athletic Complex 
8.6Brandy Brook / Pine Street Intersection
9.2Triangle Park
9.5Saranac Lake Union Depot, 42 Depot Street
9.9Broadway, Saranac Lake (crossing just after Cedar Street)
10.7Lake Colby Causeway
14.1McMasters Crossing, Mc Master Road
15.4State Route 186, Lake Clear
15.7State Route 30, Lake Clear
17.6Conley Road
18.7Station Road Parking Area, Santa Clara
19.8Rat Pond
21.7Hoel Pond / Turtle Pond Causeway
25.1Floodwood Road Parking Area
27.1Floodwood Mountain Road (foot access to Floodwood Mt. Trailhead)
30.6Lead Pond Road
33.2Washington Street DEC Parking Lot
33.6Tupper Lake Depot, 37 Depot Street

Rules, Regulations, and Outdoor Safety

Love Our New York Lands and help DEC protect and care for the Adirondacks and the people who enjoy them. While enjoying these shared spaces, be respectful of other visitors, share the trail, treat people with kindness, and leave things as you found them for others to enjoy.  

All users of the Adirondack Rail Trail must follow all State Land Use Regulations and should follow all Outdoor Safety Practices for the safety of the user and protection of the resource. 

Public Recreation Uses and Advisories:

  • Motorized vehicles, aside from snowmobiles and class one E-bikes, are prohibited on the entire corridor in all seasons. This will be enforced with gates, bollards, and law enforcement patrol and checkpoints.
  • Prohibited activities on the Adirondack Rail Trail include discharging a firearm from or across the trail, operating motorized vehicles (except as noted above), starting fires outside of provided fire rings, and equestrian activities. Winter recreation including snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, fat tire biking, and snowshoeing is permitted. Winter recreation including snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, fat tire biking, and snowshoeing is permitted.
  • Pedestrian and bicycling including class one E-bikes are permitted.
  • Trail users must keep dogs on leash and bag and dispose of dog waste on this public, high-use trail. These practices help reduce negative trail user conflict such as stepping in dog waste and unwanted interactions with dogs. Please respect your neighbors and fellow trail users.
  • Respect posted signage indicating trail work, construction, or maintenance, as well as private property notices posted by landowners.  
  • Obey posted speed limit signs of 15 miles per hour in Saranac Lake and Lake Clear.
  • Users should always practice Leave No Trace™ while recreating on the corridor by carrying out what they carry in, being prepared for the risks and challenges of a dynamic trail, respecting wildlife, and being considerate of other users and adjacent private property.
  • Exercise caution at all road crossings as road traffic may not stop.

The Beginnings of the Adirondack Rail Trail

rail trail with a new fence on the side

The rail trail is a key component of DEC’s recently completed 2020 Remsen-Lake Placid Travel Corridor Unit Management Plan (UMP) Amendment, which provides a blueprint for sustainably developing the picturesque 119-mile travel corridor as both a rail trail and a scenic railroad to bolster tourism and further recreation opportunities. The corridor follows the path of a once-thriving rail line constructed in 1892 and operated continuously until 1972. The line and its right-of-way were purchased by New York State in 1974. Following the removal of rail infrastructure from Lake Placid to Tupper Lake by a Department of Transportation (DOT) contractor, jurisdiction of that segment transferred to DEC in spring of 2022.

DEC and DOT are implementing the management actions outlined in the 2020 Unit Management Plan Amendment for the Remsen-Lake Placid Travel Corridor. DOT is rehabilitating and managing public access for the Remsen to Tupper Lake segment of the corridor.  

Jurisdiction of the Lake Placid to Tupper Lake segment of the corridor, the Adirondack Rail Trail, transferred to DEC in spring of 2022. DEC and the New York State Office of General Services (OGS) oversee construction of the Adirondack Rail Trail along this DEC-managed segment of the corridor. OGS is overseeing the trail's design and construction and working to ensure it will be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to the maximum extent practicable.

opened gate on the adirondack rail trail

Construction of the compacted stone dust surfaced trail was completed in phases. Construction on the Lake Placid to Saranac Lake segment of the trail began in fall of 2022 and concluded in December 2023. Work on Saranac Lake to Floodwood Road segment of the trail began in 2023 and concluded in August 2024. Trail construction of the final segment, from Floodwood Road to Tupper Lake, began in August 2024 and was recently opened.  This final trail section meets with DOT’s rehabilitated trail station in Tupper Lake, allowing for public access along the 119-mile corridor.  

With trail construction complete, DEC is now in the planning stages for the installation of a comprehensive signage project to help visitors understand the history of the railway, the cultures of adjacent communities, and the natural resources of surrounding lands and waters, creating a linear museum. The project will include interpretive signs, trailhead kiosks and maps, and additional wayfinding signs. 

Assessing Public Use

View this PDF to learn more about trail user numbers and how to get involved with your favorite trail!

Assessing Public Use of the Adirondack Rail Trail

Planning and Management

DEC manages these lands in accordance with 2020 Amendment to the Remsen-Lake Placid Travel Corridor (no appendices) (PDF). In addition to management objectives, the UMP contains detailed information on natural features, recreational infrastructure, geology, and natural and human history, habitats, wildlife, fisheries and much more.

For more information visit the Remsen-Lake Placid Travel Corridor - Unit Management Plan webpage.

Closed - Request for Information Submissions for Saranac Lake Depot - Submissions were accepted through Nov. 3, 2023

Thank you to all who submitted to the RFI with ideas and plans for use and public access to the historic Saranac Lake Depot building on the Adirondack Rail Trail in the Village of Saranac Lake, Franklin County, New York.

DEC looks forward to reviewing the submissions.

View the Request for Information (no appendices) (PDF)

Appendix A: 2020 Amendment to the Remsen-Lake Placid Travel Corridor (PDF)
Appendix B: 2022 Existing Conditions Study of Saranac Lake Depot (PDF)

Public Question and Answer Document (PDF)

Contact for this Page

DCEE, Region 5
1115 State Route 86 P.O. Box 296
Ray Brook, NY 12977

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