Adirondack Park
Explore a vast mosaic of mountain wilderness, lakes, towns, and working land.
Artwork inspired by Harold Weston
Adirondack Park covers about six million acres across northern New York, but it is not one fenced state park. Public Forest Preserve, private property, villages, lakes, and recreation facilities share the area inside the Blue Line. The High Peaks draw ambitious hikers, while gentler walks, paddling routes, and towns offer entirely different visits.
Choose a particular public destination before driving. Check the DEC land designation, trail conditions, parking rules, and whether the land is actually open to visitors; a park boundary is not permission to enter private parcels. High-elevation weather changes quickly, and some heavily used trailheads require advance planning. The map link identifies the region, not a usable arrival address.
- Scale
- About 6 million acres
- Public preserve
- About 2.6 million acres
- Plan
- Pick a trailhead
Quick guide
- Choose a destination
- The park is a region, not one entrance.
- Check land status
- Public and private parcels coexist.
Know before you go
- Read the Blue Line
- The park includes communities and private parcels.
- Match your ability
- Lowlands and High Peaks require different preparation.
- Check the forecast
- Mountain weather can change rapidly.
- Respect access
- Use only signed public routes.
Good to know
The linked Google listing marks a region, not a usable arrival address. Choose a named public access point.
Notice these
- High Peaks
- lake country
- Forest Preserve