The Best 5-day Adirondack Fall Foliage Road Trip Itinerary

The US Northeast is world-renowned for producing the most vibrant hues of fall colors that blanket acres of wilderness every autumn. There are a lot of areas in the US Northeast perfect for a fall foliage road trip, and Adirondack State Park is one of them.

Adirondack Park is the largest state park in the country. It is known for its charming mountain towns, pristine lakes, Olympic sites, miles of scenic byways, and challenging hiking and biking trails winding through its 6 million acres. It’s a beautiful place to experience the fall colors and offers a lot of activities, from action sports and boating to relaxing and leaf-peeping.

With all the Adirondacks have to offer, you can easily span this trip into a whole week or more, enjoying fall festivals, outdoor activities, some R&R, and the best towns for leaf-peeping.

In this post, I’ll take you through my exact 4-night, 5-day fall foliage road trip itinerary listing the best areas to see, towns to explore, activities to experience, and locations to take photos at. I will also include my suggestions for extending your trip if four nights are not enough to make the most of your time in the Adirondacks.

How to Get to the Adirondacks

I began this road trip from Redwood, NY, near the Thousand Islands since I was already there visiting family, but you can start this Adirondack fall foliage road trip from many other convenient locations in New York or surrounding states.

If you are flying in, popular starting locations in New York with international airports include Syracuse (SYR), Albany (ALB), and Plattsburgh (PBG). The best regional airport is Adirondack Regional Airport at Lake Clear (SLK) near Lake Saranac.

If you are driving, there are no rules. The Adirondack Park is easily accessible via state roads and major interstates throughout NY that will easily allow you to circle back to your starting point.

I’ll be following the exact route (Redwood to Lake Placid to Lake George to Old Forge back to Redwood) I took for this fall foilage itinerary, but there are a lot of alternate routes you can take to create your own personalized Adirondack fall foliage road trip.

Best Time for Leaf Peeping

It can be hard to predict peak season as it changes every year and can be affected daily by Mother Nature. Usually, the leaves start to turn at the end of September into early October in northern New York. Once they start turning, they usually cycle out within two weeks, but sometimes, peak color only lasts a few days.

Peak season means colors are “at their peak” and leaves are still on the tree. Some leaves have fallen, but the colors are as bright as they are going to get. Past peak means most leaves are darker and begin to fall. Some trees will be bare, but you’ll still be able to see some beautiful colors even after peak.

Sign up for the Iloveny.com fall foliage newsletter to get the insider scoop on when and where the best colors will be. They start releasing their weekly fall foliage report in mid-September. If you can’t wait until then to book your trip, plan for early October. Even if you don’t hit peak season right on the nose, there will still be plenty of beauty to see.

Know Before You Go

It’s best to be flexible during your road trip and book hotels or campgrounds as you need them in order to ensure you are able to go where the leaves and weather are best. Visiting during the week will be easier to get last-minute accommodations, and hiking trails will be less crowded.

Alternatively, if you don’t want to risk missing out on your first-choice accommodations or only want to stay in specific hotels that may sell out, you can always pre-book your route for peace of mind for the first or second week in October. Either way, you’ll have a great experience on this Adirondack Fall foliage road trip!

This fall foliage road trip lends itself to being a great car camping road trip. There are a lot of campgrounds in Adirondack Park, which allow you to get closer to nature and enjoy the beautiful fall surroundings that much more.

Car camping is not for everyone, but it is a great way to save money and discover hidden gems you might have never seen along the way.

Adirondack Fall Foliage Road Trip Route Map

<

Day 1: Drive to Lake Placid 

Drive (3.5 hours, 200 miles) from Syracuse Airport to Lake Placid via I-81 N and State Rte 3 E.

It poured the whole way during this drive, so I skipped many planned stops, such as Cranberry Lake and Arab Mountain, but I did make a pit stop in Saranac Lake. It was still raining, so I missed out on the nature hikes but enjoyed the river walk, shopping on Main Street, and the scenic views from the town square.

Stops along Route 3 to Lake Placid

• Cranberry Lake: third largest lake in the ADK Park, watersports, beaches, swimming
• Mt. Arab for easy hiking to a fire tower 
• Tupper Lake; waterfall tours, breweries, art galleries
• The Wild Center; a science center

Things to do in Saranac Lake

• Hiking:
  • River Walk, easy and short
  • Baker Mountain; easy 1.7 mile loop trail
  • Bloomingdale Bog Hiking Trail; flat 3.7 mile out and back scenic trail
• Biking: 17 mile Split Rock Loop
• Main Street’s locally owned shops, restaurants, and art galleries
• Saint Regis Canoe Area

From Saranac Lake, take the scenic route NY-86 to Lake Placid and stay in Lake Placid for the next two nights.

I stayed at the Hampton Inn & Suites Lake Placid overlooking Mirror Lake. I wasn’t planning to spend two nights here, but it is a lovely hotel in a great location convenient to so many sights; one day wasn’t enough to explore Pluss; I had Hilton points to use up.

Spend the rest of the day driving around the area and stopping to enjoy the views every chance you get. There are some pretty pullovers along NY-86 overlooking rivers, mountains, and vibrant rees.

I took the Whiteface Mountain Memorial Highway to the summit and was treated to some amazing views. Access to the highway costs $15 a car + more for additional persons, which I thought was a bit steep for an 8-mile drive. There are nine viewing overlooks and a great view of Lake Placid but I wouldn’t pay for it again. 

I skipped this because of rain, but the 15-minute Cloudsplittler Gondola ride at Whiteface Mountain Ski Resort is another way to reach the top of Whiteface Mountain. The entrance is off NY-86 (separate from the Memorial Highway), and on a clear day, the views stretch for miles. 

Night 1:

Spend the night in Lake Placid (two nights)

There is so much to see and do around Lake Placid that I suggest staying here for two nights (or more). It makes a great base from which to explore the area’s top attractions.

Lake Placid lodging options

• Mirror Lake Inn
• High Peaks Resort
• Hampton Inn & Suites Lake Placid
• KOA Whiteface Mountain
• Draper’s Acres Campground

Day 2: Explore Lake Placid

Take another full day to soak in the beauty of Lake Placid. Go for a hike on one of the many high peaks, rent a kayak or canoe and float through the pristine lakes, shop at local boutiques and galleries, drive the scenic byways or just stroll through town admiring the beauty of autumn. 

Even though I woke up to scattered showers, I decided to hike Casada Trail. It’s a moderate 3.5-mile uphill hike with lots of boulders and rocks and takes about 5 hours to complete. I was only at the summit for five minutes before the cloud cover rolled in, and the rain started beating down. Although I wouldn’t recommend hiking in the rain, the 360 views at the top are really amazing, even though I only got them for a few minutes. It was an exhausting uphill hike, but I am glad I did it!

Things to do in Lake Placid

• High Peak Wilderness Hiking
• Olympic Parks
• Adirondack Loi Road
• Keene Valley
• Whiteface Mountain
  • Chairlift or Memorial Parkway
• Downtown Main Street for shoping and dining
• Adirondack Store and Gallery (I loved this place)
• Bike down Rapid Descent Trail
• Covered Bridge near Jay connecting Jay Road and Mill Hill Rd

Scenic roads near Lake Placid

• Route 86 between Lake Placid and Wilmington
• Route 73 between Lake Placid and Keene Valley
• Black Brook Scenic Loop Drive (14.5 miles)
• Whiteface Veterans Memorial Highway (8miles + fee)

Best photo spots in Lake Placid

• Mirror Lake scenic walk
• Pulloffs along White Face Mountain Memorial Hwy
• The road view on road 63, Fox Farm Rd
• High Falls Gorge area
• Entrance to Whiteface Mountain Ski Resort off of route 86
• Summit of Whiteface mountain via gondola ride (with good weather)

Spend some time driving around Keene Valley and up Adirondack Loi road for tree-lined streets, scenic byways, and plenty of hiking trailheads.

Finish the day with a stroll down Lake Placid’s Main Street, dinner at Jimmy’s 21 or Luna’s, and watch the sun illuminate Whiteface Mountain as it sets over the horizon, reflecting off of Mirror Lake. 

Night 2:

Spend the night in Lake Placid

I highly recommend the Mirror Lake Hampton Inn. It was very clean and roomy for a reasonable price and had great views of Mirror Lake in the lobby.

Road trip add on options

If you have extra time and want to extend your Adirondac fall foilage road trip add a few nights here and stay in Keene Valley. There are a lot of cabin rentals in the area that make great places to stay for those rustic fall vibes. Take some time to explore more of Dix Mountain Wilderness or head to Vermont. Route 7, one of Vermont’s best scenic drives is less than two hours away.

Day 3: Lake George

Drive (1.5 hrs, 80 miles) to one of America’s most beautiful lakes, Lake George. You can take NY 73 through Keene and hop on I-87 or add another hour or so to your trip by taking the scenic route NY 9N along Lake Champlain.

Stops along N9 or I-87 to Lake George

• Roaring Brook Falls (3miles return hike, easy but with some elevation gain)
• The historic town of Ticonderoga with a downtown park, covered bridge and waterfalls
• Fort Ticonderoga
• Natural Stone bridges and caves (Pottersville)
• Bolton Landing

There are a lot of activities to do around Lake George. It was pretty busy around the lake and parking was hard in the downtown area but I enjoyed the scenic Lake Shore Dr. and short waterfront walk.

After exploring downtown a bit, I visited with a friend for the day at her lake house near Bolton Landing. Bolton is a great place to explore and has lots of options for lake rentals, outdoor activities, and tasty eats in town.

Things to do in Lake George

• Boat tours and rentals
  • ADK Boat Tours
  • Love is on the Lake Boat Tours
  • Captain Bob’s Boat Rentals
  • Lake George Steamboat Company
• Fishing charters
  • Jeff’s Lake George Fishing Charter
• Bolton Historical Museum
• Highland Castle in Bolton (rentals available)
• Million Dollar Beach
• Adventure Center (whitewater rafting and Zip Lines)
• Prospect Mountain Highway  
• Road biking 17 mile Warren County Bikeway, Glen Falls to Lake George
• Top of the World Golf Resort

Best photo spots in Lake George

• Prospect Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway overlooks
• Sunrise at Bolts Landing at Rogers Park
• Sunset at Pilot Knob Preserve

Lake George always looks so beautiful in photos, but it was actually a bit more developed than I thought it would be. It was pretty congested and touristy at the base of the lake. To enjoy the best views and get a tranquil feel, you would have to book a stay at a nice resort property or private cabin in a more secluded area. I was lucky to spend the day at a private cabin surrounded by trees on a nearby lake which was a completely different vibe than the main downtown area of Lake George.

Night 3:

Spend the night in Lake George

I stayed at the Hampton Inn Lake George downtown. It was very basic but easy for one night. I woke up early to drive the Scenic Prospect Veterans Memorial Highway. It is a 5.8-mile road that ends at Prospect Mountain Peak. The entrance is off of US Route 9 in downtown. You can also hike to the peak on a difficult but beautiful 5.6 mile return hike. Trailhead parking is alongside Smith Street.

Lake George lodging options

• The Lodges at Cresthaven
• The Juliana Resort
• Scotty’s Lakeside Resort
• Lake George KOA
• Hearthstone Point Campground

Road trip add-on options

If you have more time to spare for this fall foliage road trip, this is a good time to add a few extra nights before moving on. There are many hiking trails in the Lake George Wild forest, and surrounding small towns that would make good day trips with Lake George as your home base. The Green Mountain National Forest in Vermont is less than an hour away. Historic Glen Falls is 20 minutes away and known as “Hometown USA” for its homey feel and big-city amenities with unique buildings from the 1800s and a rich history stemming from the Revolutionary War.

Day 4 Old Forge

Drive (1 hr 45 mins (86 miles) to Old Forge, the last stop on this 5 day Adirondack fall foliage Road trip itinerary. Old Forge makes a good base camp for exploring nearby Adirondack park and really gives off that cozy rustic mountain feel.

From Lake George, head west and hop on US 9 to NY-28 S. The drive is just under two hours, but you should definitely stop at Gore Mountain along the way.

Stops along NY 28

• Ok Slip Falls Trail
• Look out for oversized Adirondack Chairs along US 28 near Indian Lake
• Hudson Gorge Scenic views
• Gore Ski Mountain Resort (North Creek)

After driving up Prospect Mountain in Lake George and grabbing a bite to eat, I headed to Old Forge. Along the way, I spotted signs for Gore Mountain gondola rides and had to stop. It was a beautiful day and a fantastic way to see the beauty of fall surrounding me. The lifts cost $24 for a roundtrip ride. At the top, enjoy scenic hiking and biking trails or a picnic lunch.

After your pit stop, continue to Old Forge. You may want to stop again along the way to take photos of the beautiful scenery and pose with the oversized Adirondack chairs. I didn’t get to Old Forge until early evening (I stopped for a lot of photos), and it was raining, but I grabbed a snack and Chai Tea Latte from Ozzie’s Coffer Bar along US 28 downtown. Ozzie’s was one of my favorite food and latte stops on the entire trip.

Things to do in Old Forge

• McCauley Mountain Scenic Chairlift
• Hike Bald Mountain to a fire tower
• View center for arts and culture
• Downtown for shops and restaurants
• Old Forge covered bridge
• Boat tour of the Fulton Chain of Lakes
• Mountain Outdoor Supply Rentals
• Llama Trekking at Moose River Farms

Night 4:

Stay near Old Forge

I stayed with family outside of town, but there are a number of small inns, Bed and Breakfasts, hotels, and campgrounds near town that are perfect for a short stay.

Old Forge lodging options

• Adirondack Lodge
• Old Forge Camping Resort
• Great Pines Resort
• Pine Knoll Hotel Lakeside Lodge & Cabin

Unfortunately, it rained the entire time during my visit to Old Forge. I didn’t get to explore the town as I would have liked, but it was fun dodging the rain and going in and out of the “Main Street” specialty shops. They have everything from apparel to candy, vintage housewares, and wood art shops. If you have better weather, rent a kayak from Mountain Outdoor Rentals and explore Moose River, or for a really unique experience, head to Moose River Farm for llama trekking. How random is that?

Day 5 Head Home

Feel free to spend more time in Old Forge before ending your Adirondack fall foliage road trip. I headed back home after another stop at Ozzie’s for breakfast. I took NY 28 to NY 12 through Lyons Falls, Lowville, and Booneville, making a few pit stops along the way.

I love the treats at Nolt’s Country store. They have homemade baked goods and chocolate-covered everything. If you want to see the wind turbines up close, there are a ton of them along NY-26 near Tug Hill and Denmark, NY.

Stops along US 12

• Booneville Village
• Lyons Falls
• Lowville
• Carlowden Country Club
• Busted Grapes Winery
• Tug Hill Vineyards
• Nolts Country Store (off of 812)
• Windmill Farms off of NY 26 (Martinsburg, Denmark NY)

Road trip add on options

If you want to add a few more days to your Adirondack fall foliage road trip, there are some waterfront river towns in upstate New York worth a stop. Sackets Harbour, Cape Vincent, Clayton, and Alexandria Bay all rest along the St. Lawrence Riverway. The towns will be more relaxed during fall, and are no more than 2 hours from Old Forge. You can even continue further north into the popular 1000 Islands spanning across the US and Canada.

For an option closer to Syracuse, New York, head to Skaneateles Lake, a part of the Finger Lakes. Depending on how much time you have, you can spend another week in the Finger Lakes on another fall foliage road trip. Make sure to visit the charming small towns and relax at the world-famous wineries, enjoying the scenic fall views and delicious fall goodies.

***

This Adirondack fall foliage road trip was one of the best road trips I’ve ever taken, thanks to the vibrant tree-lined highways, misty lakes, rustic mountain towns, and epic peak views. I will never get tired of seeing fall foliage, and I am already planning a new route for next year!

If you have any questions, please let me know in the comments below. I’m happy to answer any questions and provide additional guidance if needed!