Scenic Byways and Scenic Drives
Scenic Byways
View these items on the Interactive Map, or request a map including routes listed below by calling 1-800-365-1050.
-
Central Adirondack Trail: The
spectacular 140-mile Central Adirondack Trail can be traveled by car and canoe. Beginning at
the Cooper's Cave Bridge in Glens Falls, the trail runs northwest through the heart of the
Adirondacks following historic waterways and passing a myriad of lakes as it proceeds south
to Rome, NY where the trail ends.
-
Dude Ranch Trail: This is the
land of the Adirondack cowboy. Beginning and ending in the Village of Lake George, the Dude
Ranch Trail is a 40-mile loop passing horse ranches, lakeside resort villages, theme parks
and services.
-
Lakes To Locks Passage: "The
Great Northeast Journey" is your ticket to a unique American experience. North America's
first inter-connected waterway - the Upper Hudson River/Champlain Canal, Lake George, and
Lake Champlain - shaped the nation-building activities of the U.S. and Canada. By bike,
foot, boat or car, Lakes to Locks Passage provides access to over 200 miles of this historic
watercourse, is used by migratory birds and native peoples, explorers, armies, commercial
enterprises and now, diverse recreational activities. Brochure, 800-365-1050; lakestolocks.com
-
Roosevelt-Marcy Trail: Follow
the route of Teddy Roosevelt's wild ride from Mount Marcy to the North Creek Train Station,
where he learned that he was to become the 26th President of the U.S. This 40-mile jaunt
runs from North Creek to Long Lake.
Scenic Drives
- Rt 9N, Lake George to Hague & Rt 8, Hague to Brant Lake: I-87 Exit 22 to Rt 9N north. Drive along shoreline of Lake George thru Diamond Point and Bolton Landing. Turn right at Bolton Library (Rogers Memorial Park Drive) for spectacular dockside scenery of lake. Continue north on Rt 9N over Tongue Mt to Silver Bay; stop at overlook for a wonderful view. Continue north to Village of Hague and stop at Town Park. Advance north and view Rogers Rock and grand vistas of northern Lake George. Return to Hague and drive west on Rt 8 through hamlet of Graphite and Dixon Forest, enjoying spectacular views of Adirondack High Peaks. Drive Brant Lake shoreline to I-87 (Exit 25). Drive time: 2 hours round trip plus stops.
- Rt 28, Warrensburg to Gore Mt, Indian Lake: I-87 Exit 23, north on Rt 9 thru Warrensburg to junction Rts 9 & 28. Take Rt 28 thru Wevertown and North Creek along Hudson River to North River. Four informational kiosks located along Rt 28 from North Creek to North River, highlight different themes including the Adirondack Park and forest preserve, The Hudson River watershed, fun on the river, Hamlet of North River and the history of log drives and log jams. Enjoy overlooks & villages along the way. In autumn, stop at Gore Mt Ski Area to enjoy fall foliage from a ride on the Northwoods Gondola or a scenic train ride in the village of North Creek. Continue on Rt 28, leave Warren County and drive upward through the Siamese Ponds Wilderness Region to the picturesque Village of Indian Lake, passing Lake Adirondack and Lake Abanake. Turn left (south) onto Rt 30 thru Speculator to Rt 8. Turn left (east) onto Rt 8 along the East branch of Sacandaga River, thru the hamlets of Griffin and Bakers Mills, back to Wevertown and then Warrensburg. Drive time: 3.5 hours plus stops.
- Rt 9, Lake George to Chestertown: I-87 Exit 23, north on Rt 9 thru Warrensburg to Chestertown (about 7 mi past junction Rts 9 & 28). Enjoy beautiful forest scenery on the way. Stop in Chestertown to explore this quaint and charming village. At junction of Rt 8, turn left on Rts 8 & 9; stay on Rt 9 around picturesque Loon Lake. Continue toward Pottersville and I-87 Exit 26. Drive time: 3/4 hour 1-way plus stops.
- Rt 9N, Lake Luzerne to Stony Creek to Warrensburg via Rt 418: I-87 Exit 21, south 11 mi. on Rt 9N to Lake Luzerne. Enjoy Lake Vanare, Fourth Lake and Lake Luzerne on the way. First right after high school onto Mill St, left onto Main St, then right onto Bridge St. Stop at parking area for view of Rockwell Falls, then cross bridge into Hadley; 1/4 mi. to right turn on Stony Creek Rd. Approx 10 miles to Stony Creek, with views of Hudson River and surrounding mountains. In Stony Creek, turn right onto Warrensburg Rd for 12-mi trip to Warrensburg with more river views. At Thurman Station, continue on Rt 418 to Warrensburg. Turn right on Rt 9 for I-87, or turn left for the Lake George-Chestertown tour (above). Another option: just before Thurman Station, turn left on Athol Rd. From Athol, take Mountain Rd and Valley Rd to Garnet Lake Rd South for access to Crane Mountain and Garnet Lake. Drive time: 1 hour 1-way plus stops.
- Prospect Mt Veterans' Memorial Parkway and 100-Mile View: I-87 Exit 21, 1 mile north on Rt 9 to State Highway entrance on left. 100-mile view from 2,030' summit. A 5.5 mile 2-lane highway leads to parking lot; enroute are spectacular views of Vermont's Green Mts, New Hampshire's White Mts, New York's Adirondack High Peaks and on a very clear day, the Laurentian Mts of Canada. From parking lot take continuously running viewmobile to summit for more spectacular views. Picnic at summit. Daily mid-May to - mid-Oct. Hiking trail access from Lake George Village. Drive time: 10 min 1-way to parking lot plus stops. $ 668-5198; dec.ny.gov
- Day Trip to Lake Placid: A beautiful drive through the Adirondack High Peaks. Take I-87 north to Exit 30, to Rt 73 west to Lake Placid. Olympic Venues open to public, some with fee.
