Snowshoeing

Snowshoe the Adirondacks

Plentiful trails and paths for your winter adventure

Snowshoeing opportunities await

The Adirondacks is seemingly in a New Yorks State snow-belt; can't find snow, come here!  As a region we thrive on snow, love snow, welcome snow and we're not afraid to admit it. Snowshoeing is a very popular past-time and a great way to extend your hiking season to an all-year activity. Did you know a Raquette is a snowshoe? That's right, we have a lake, village, and river named after one of the most popular Adirondack sports.

This winter, strap on some snowshoes and head to the Adirondacks to enjoy our mountains and forests like never before. Snowshoeing is one of the easiest winter sports to master, and works all different kinds of muscles, helping you stay in prime condition all-year round. Here, we have snowshoe trails to fit all user types, of all abilities, and fitness levels.

Beginner trails

Offering many, many miles of beginner trails that loop around through the preserve, along river bends, that circumnavigate lakes and ponds, even those that are groomed for easy access and use. These trails would be perfect to designate for family outings as well. Head back to Rock Lake near the Town of Indian Lake and look out over a pristine area with Blue Mountain in the background. You can visit Watch Hill for an outstanding overlook near Snowy Mountain. Maybe you wish to stay on the rolling hills, follow a lightly used trail back to Callahan Brook. Maybe you find these trails to be a bit easier than expected and you want a bit more of a challenge? Step it up a bit and try some of our intermediate trails.

Intermediate trails

With our intermediate trails you have a bit more of a challenge ahead of you and many more options for some outstanding views from our mountain tops. Intermediate trails might not be for everyone and young children may find them too difficult, so choose wisely. With slightly steeper terrain and longer distances you are opening up yourself to some outstanding backcountry adventures. For example, you can climb to the summit of Chimney Mountain and explore the summit crown for some of the coolest caves around, or snowshoe back West Mountain and climb high above Raquette Lake. Keep in mind if you want real winter snowshoe challenges you could step foot on to our advanced trails.

Advanced trails

Advanced might not be the perfect word for our more rugged backcountry trails, maybe you can come up with a better word. These trails are not always on the longer side but sometimes on the steeper and more aggressive. These trails are much better for those attuned to those conditions and longer days. Not typically recommended for out of shape hikers or young children, but something that can be worked up to for future outings. Snowy Mountain, Blue Mountain, and Owl's Head Mountain are three of the taller mountains in the region and require a bit more effort to accomplish. Longer hikes like the Northville/Placid Trail will access you into the backcountry and even bring you from town to town.

Find the right snowshoe gear

We don't want you to go without the appropriate gear to do the job. If you need something like snowshoes, trekking poles, winter jacket, hat, gloves, hand warmers, and/or a good pair of warm boots – oh and don't forget your map and guide book, we have outdoor gear shops with all the stuff you need and rentals too. Our New York State Guides can also help you get started by offering snowshoe trips into the region based on all types of skill levels, from a half day to a multi-day outing.

Leave No Trace and Love Your ADK

The magic of the Adirondacks is the result of previous generations taking a long view and protecting the mountains, lakes, and rivers within the Blue Line. That tradition continues today as we support and encourage everyone to practice Leave No Trace ethics, which help protect the lands and waters of the Adirondacks.

Leave No Trace 7 Principles

In winter, it is especially important to come prepared and practice ways to Love Your ADK; the best way to avoid emergencies is to properly plan and prepare for your trip.

Woods Lake, located in the Silver Lake...
Benson
12134
  
The scenic trail to secluded Jockeybush Lake...
Route 10
Arietta
‎12139
  
Wakely Mountain’s 70-foot tower is one of the...
Cedar River Road
Indian Lake
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Off South Shore Road in Lake Pleasant, a...
Speculator
12164
  
Hike across lands where the Nehasane Lodge...
Lake Lisa Access Road
Long Lake
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When it was created by the Adirondack...
Waterfront Park
Northville
12134
  
Snowy is one of the more demanding hikes in...
Route 30
Indian Lake
12842
  
Windfall Pond is a beautiful destination for...
Big Moose Road
Eagle Bay
13331
  
Third Lake Creek really has it all: hiking,...
South Shore Road
Inlet
13360
  
Owls Head Mountain is part of the Sargent...
Endion Road
Long Lake
12847
  
This incredible hike into historic French...
Cedar River Road
Arietta
‎12139
  
There is a small cascading waterfall formed...
Route 8
Arietta
‎12139
  
As of March, 2024, this trailhead is closed...
State Route 4
Indian Lake
12842
  
Known as the "Great Eight Lakes", this trail...
Big Moose Road
Inlet
13360
  
The Sargent Ponds Loop makes for an excellent...
North Point Road
Raquette Lake
13436
  
Catlin Bay is a 2.8 mile hike round trip...
Tarbell Hill Road
Long Lake
12847
  
This quick hike to Auger Falls along the...
Route 8/30
Speculator
12164
  
In a quiet corner of the Adirondacks sits...
Green Lake Road
Arietta
‎12139
  
In the Moose River Plains Wild Forest,...
State Route 28
Inlet
13360
  
Fern Park is a free, four-season, town of...
Loomis Road
Inlet
13360
  
A hidden backcountry gem, Wilson Pond Trail...
Route 28
Blue Mountain Lake
12812
  
The Rock River Trail passes through a...
7965-7940 NY-28
Indian Lake
12842
  
Not to be confused with the waterfall in...
North Point Road
Long Lake
12847
  
Chub Pond has incredible potential for...
Maple Lodge Road
Blue Mountain Lake
12812
  
Moss Lake is a beautiful place for a picnic,...
327 Big Moose Rd
Inlet
13360
  
Don't be afraid of the name. This short hike...
Route 28
Raquette Lake
13436
  
There are three bridges to cross and an...
Indian River Road
Inlet
13360
  
Follow this short, gentle path through the...
Route 10
Lake Pleasant
12108
  
The William C. Whitney Wilderness Area is a...
901C Sabattis Rd
Long Lake
12847
  
With many good parking spots around the Red...
Hunt Club Road
Inlet
13360
  
A short, but enjoyable hike down to the banks...
North Point Road
Long Lake
12847
  
The Nature Trail at the Hamilton County...
Lake Pleasant
12108
  
See several quiet bodies of water along this ...
Green Lake Road
Piseco
12139
  
This rugged Adirondack trail to Spruce Lake,...
Military Road
Speculator
12164
  
The Old Dam Nature Trail loop, located near...
Limekiln Lake Road
Inlet
13360
  
Chain Lakes Road South allows access to a...
Chain Lakes Road South
Indian Lake
12842
  
This short trail offers a quick jaunt for a...
State Route 8/30
Indian Lake
12842
  
A small mountain with big views, Watch Hill...
Indian Lake
12842
  
The Pathway is a 1.5 mile long boardwalk...
State Route 30
Speculator
12164
  
This area is ripe with hiking opportunities,...
Route8/30
Wells
12190
  
*Until further notice, parking and access to...
Big Brook Road
Indian Lake
12842
  
This pond is located in the Siamese Ponds...
195 Lakeview Dr
Indian Lake
12842
  
As seen from the summit of Blue Mountain,...
3464 State Route 28
Blue Mountain Lake
12812
  
For the better part of the last century, Blue...
Route 30
Blue Mountain Lake
12812
  
Sawyer is one of the more popular routes in...
Route 30
Blue Mountain Lake
12812
  
Located on picturesque Sacandaga Lake, the...
Rte 8
Page Street
Speculator
12164
  
Take a walk beneath towering old growth pines...
Wells
12190
  
It's a short half-mile climb to Rocky...
Route 28
Eagle Bay
13331
  
Follow this secluded trail with towering...
Crotched Pond Road
Indian Lake
12842
  
This mountain, named after civil rights...
Route 30
Long Lake
12847
  
This little used trail is the perfect spot to...
Rondaxe Road
Inlet
13360
  
Beaver Brook Bog is a birding area located...
Uncas Road
Raquette Lake
13436
  
While not part of the Hamilton County Fire...
Rondaxe Road
Inlet
13360
  
As far as views go, this is one of the best...
Route 30
Long Lake
12847
  
Goodnow is a very prominent peak when seen...
Route 28N
Newcomb
12852
  
John Pond is a scenic destination in the...
Indian Lake
12842
  
This loop goes through the Lake Eaton...
HC01 Route 30
Long Lake
12847
  
This moderately difficult trail follows a...
Route 28
Inlet
13360
  
Public access to the parking area for this...
Big Brook Road
Indian Lake
12842
  
This mostly flat trail takes you through...
North Point Road
Long Lake
12847
  
This is one of the most popular destinations...
Maple Lodge Road
Blue Mountain Lake
12812
  
OK Slip Falls is one of the highest...
Route 28
Indian Lake
12842
  
West Mountain is a former fire tower peak,...
Brown's Tract Road
Raquette Lake
13436
  
Lake Eaton is one of the most attractive...
Endion Road
Long Lake
12847
  
Located off of Uncas Road, this is a short...
Browns Tract Road
Inlet
13360
  
Lake Lila is located in the William C....
Lake Lila Access Road
Long Lake
12847
  
From Long Lake, drive 12 miles north on Route...
Route 421
Long Lake
12847
  
This is a very mysterious cave that keeps...
Elm Lake Road
Speculator
12164
  
So close the falls can be heard from the...
Route 30
Speculator
12164
  
This wonderful hike has it all: beautiful...
Big Moose Road
Inlet
13360
  
In 1933, a fire tower on Buck Mountain was...
South Sabattis Road, County Route 10
Long Lake
12847
  
Biking or walking the 2 miles of biking and...
Mt. Sabattis Pavilion, 46 Pavilion Way
Long Lake
12847
  
This interesting hike in the Raquette Lake...
Raquette Lake
13436
  
This interesting loop around Sagamore Lake...
Raquette Lake
13436
  
Pillsbury Mountain is one of those peaks that...
Lake Pleasant
12108
  
The trail to Sis and Bubb lakes is very...
Inlet
13360
  
Discover Echo Cliff on Panther Mountain! This...
Piseco
12139
  
Cascade and Stephens ponds are two beautiful...
Blue Mountain Lake
12812
  

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