Construction of the Adirondack Rail Trail was completed in fall 2025, including the final section connecting Lake Clear to Tupper Lake. The full trail now stretches from Lake Placid to Saranac Lake to Tupper Lake and is open to the public year-round. Visitors may still encounter occasional improvement projects along the trail, including work on parking areas, signage, kiosks, and other amenities designed to enhance the visitor experience. 

Visit the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation page for the most up-to-date trail conditions, notices, and information.

Motorized vehicles are not allowed on the Adirondack Rail Trail, with the exceptions of:

• Class 1 e-bikes (pedal-assist only, no throttle, maximum assisted speed of 20 mph)

• Snowmobiles during the winter season

• Authorized emergency, maintenance, and law enforcement vehicles

All other motorized vehicles, including ATVs, UTVs, dirt bikes, etc., are prohibited. 

Visitors accessing the Adirondack Rail Trail from Lake Placid can use the designated parking area on Old Military Road, which provides the most convenient access to the trail during ongoing construction activity in the Station Street area.

• Snowfields Parking Area: Adjacent to the Lake Placid Fire Department on Old Military Road.

Additional designated parking areas along the corridor include:

• Snowfields Parking Area: Adjacent to the Lake Placid Fire Department on Old Military Road.

• Ray Brook Road: 254 Ray Brook Road, Ray Brook

• Fowler’s Crossing: Route 86 east of Saranac Lake

• Union Depot Parking Lot: 42 Depot Street, Saranac Lake

• McMaster’s Crossing:  Lake Clear

• Station Road Parking: Santa Clara

• Floodwood Road Parking Area: St. Regis Canoe Area

• Washington Street Parking Area: Tupper Lake

Additional parking locations may be available. For the most up-to-date information, please visit the Adirondack Rail Trail App.

Yes. The Adirondack Rail Trail is one of the most accessible outdoor recreation trails in the Adirondacks. Built on a former railroad corridor, it features gentle grades (generally 2% or less), a wide trail, and a firm compacted stone-dust surface suitable for wheelchairs with outdoor tires, mobility scooters, adaptive bikes, and strollers. A paved section through Saranac Lake provides an even smoother experience, and primary trailheads and rest areas are ADA accessible.

Please note that weather conditions can affect trail surfaces. After heavy rain, some areas may become soft or experience minor washouts, so it’s always a good idea to check trail conditions before your trip.

Visitors can rent bicycles, fat-tire bikes, and class 1 e-bikes from local outfitters, including:

• High Peaks Cyclery (Lake Placid)

• Bike Lake Placid (Lake Placid)

• Placid Planet (Lake Placid)

• Silver Birch Cycles (Saranac Lake)

• Sled & Spoke (Saranac Lake)

Availability may vary seasonally.

The Adirondack Rail Trail spans a total of 34 miles between Lake Placid and Tupper Lake through the communities of Saranac Lake, Lake Clear, and Ray Brook. Multiple trailheads and parking areas allow visitors to explore shorter out-and-back rides or walks from different access points along the trail. Trail segment distances include:

• Lake Placid to Ray Brook: 5.2 miles

• Ray Brook to Saranac Lake: 4.3 miles

• Saranac Lake to Lake Clear: 6.2 miles

• Lake Clear to Floodwood: 9.4 miles

• Floodwood to Tupper Lake: 8.5 miles

Additional trail access points are available between many of these segments, making it easy to plan shorter rides or walks. Download the app to learn more.

Yes. The free Adirondack Rail Trail App makes it easy to plan your trip, find parking and trail access points, discover places to stay and eat, check out nearby events, and navigate the trail with offline maps. Best of all, it’s free! Download it at www.RailTrail.app.

Cell service along the Adirondack Rail Trail is often spotty, especially outside the more populated areas of Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, and Tupper Lake. Plan ahead and share your route before you go.

The Adirondack Rail Trail app can also help with navigation when downloaded ahead of time for offline use.

Yes, several local outfitters offer shuttle services to help you enjoy a one-way ride along the Adirondack Rail Trail. Availability may vary, so it’s best to contact providers directly to arrange details.

• Bike ADK

• St. Regis Canoe Outfitters

• High Peaks Cyclery

Before you head out on the Adirondack Rail Trail, take a few minutes to review these trail guidelines to help keep the experience safe, welcoming, and enjoyable for everyone:

• Know what’s permitted on the trail: Motorized vehicles are not allowed on the Adirondack Rail Trail, with the exception of snowmobiles and Class 1 e-bikes. Camping, campfires, and horses are also prohibited.

• Share the trail: Stay to the right and pass on the left.
  Announce when passing: A friendly “on your left” or the use of a bell helps everyone move safely.

• Wheels yield to heels: Slow down around walkers, runners, families, and in busy areas.

• Share the road safely: When crossing or riding on roadways, follow all traffic laws and share-the-road guidelines.

• For Lake Placid: https://www.lakeplacid.com/share-the-roads

• For all others: https://www.adirondacksusa.com/adirondack-road-safety

• Leave no trace: Carry out everything you bring in and help keep the Adirondacks clean and beautiful.

• Keep pets leashed: Please clean up after your pets as well.

• Stay on the trail: Respect marked routes and private property along the corridor.

• Follow posted signs and notices: This includes seasonal alerts, community speed limits, and trail updates.

• Respect wildlife: Observe animals from a distance and never feed them.

• Check conditions before you go: Weather and trail conditions can change quickly in the Adirondacks.

In an emergency, call 911 or DEC Forest Rangers at 1-833-NYS-RANGERS