This Quiet New York Town Is An Underrated Gem For Nature Lovers
Lake Placid is a town that many people can recognize. It was the stage for the 1980 ‘Miracle on Ice, as well as two Winter Olympic Games. However, this small village in Essex County is perhaps one of the most well-connected and best-positioned communities for nature lovers to explore the grandeur of some of New York’s most celebrated and beloved natural attractions. The combination of the quaint, walkable community, the surrounding wilderness, and the unique history makes this a town that is well worth a visit as the state’s best underrated gem for nature lovers.
Why Many Overlook This Small Town
There is not much to the tiny village of Lake Placid, as it is only home to around 2,200 people. All in all, there is barely a square mile of land the town exists in, so those who know of its existence still might not believe there is much of a reason to set aside time for a visit. Yet it is one of the premier outdoor destinations for nature enthusiasts because it sits within the vastness of the Adirondack Park. This is a 6,000,000-acre protected land, one of the largest of its kind in the nation. Unlike many forested areas of the country, this protected park appears as it has since the clause was written to protect it in 1894. Lake Placid sits in the center of this expanse that includes more than 3,000 lakes, 30,000 miles of streams, which become about 6,000 miles of river.
The Base Camp for the Adirondacks
The Adirondack High Peaks draw in hiking enthusiasts from all over the world. Many of these dedicated individuals want to get into the Adirondack Forty-Sixers Club, a distinction earned when a hiker completes each of the 46 individual peaks, most of which sit above 4,000 feet in elevation. The tallest of these is Mount Marcy, at 5,343 feet. Lake Placid is a natural base camp to reach nearly all of these. The trails range in skill level required, though the payoff is well worth the climb. Mount Marcy, for example, is also home to the Lake Tear of the Clouds, which is cited as the highest source of the Hudson River and a lake sitting roughly 4,300 feet above sea level.
The Forever Wild designation of the region and the Adirondack Park surrounding the village means that this portion of New York has the most diverse wildlife found anywhere else. Creatures roam the region, such as black bears, moose, and beavers. Birders are drawn here for the stopover flocks of rare birds migrating through the many lakes and waterways of the park to where they belong, such as boreal chickadees and gray jays.
The Wealth of Water Wonders
Mirror Lake is one of the centerpieces of living in or visiting Lake Placid. This body of water is right in the center of town, and it is a popular spot for canoeing and kayaking in the warmer months of the year. The winter stays pretty active, too. When the lake starts to freeze over, visitors and locals can enjoy dog sled rides across the solid surface or ice skate in designated areas.
Even beyond the centrally located lake, there are many places for interested people to find fun in the waterways. The Ausable River weaving through the Whiteface Mountain region, is an excellent destination for fly fishing, especially for those looking to snag cold water trout. Lake Placid is also roughly an hour’s drive from Lake Champlain, sharing a border with Vermont. This is one of the most heavily visited bodies of water in the Northeast for swimming, boating, fishing, and camping.
Whiteface Mountain
One of the greatest natural wonders connected to Lake Placid is Whiteface Mountain. This formation rises nearly 5,000 feet and becomes one of the finer ski areas in the northeastern United States during the winter. In the summer and fall, reaching the summit means gorgeous panoramic views of changing leaves, the far-off Lake Champlain, and even the Green Mountains in Vermont on clear days. Whiteface Mountain is the most visited part of the Adirondack peaks.
Planning a Visit to Lake Placid
Knowing when to come is a big part of making the most of a trip to this centrally located, hidden gem for nature lovers. While the summer and fall can offer a lot in the way of recreation and hiking through the connected park outside of Lake Placid, the winter is the season the village is most famous for, and when it is likely to come the most alive thanks to the skiing and snowshoeing happening through the forest trails.
During the visit, be sure to check out some of the attractions within the town, such as the Lake Placid Olympic Museum, with authentic pieces of the game’s history, including one of the bobsleds used and actual artifacts from the 1932 and 1980 games hosted here. For being a small town, food is easy to come by. One of the popular stops for the locals that visitors should plan to check out is the Luna Restaurant, with comforting foods like steak, pasta, seafood, and sandwiches.
Let the Games Begin
While Lake Placid might be famous for its amazing stories as a two-time host of the Olympic Winter Games, the real prize for visitors is access to some of the best natural wonders in New York State. While the village is only home to around 2,200 people, its placement among the thousands of lakes, the dozens of peaks, and other draws across the millions of acres protected by the Adirondack Park. The village is important to visit to truly experience the gorgeous scenery, impressive peaks, and countless lakes of Essex County.
