In Search of Serenity? Find it here.
Upper Saranac Lake is a large lake located in the Adirondack Mountains of Upstate New York. It is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, nature lovers, and those seeking a peaceful retreat away from the hustle and bustle of city life. The lake is known for its crystal-clear waters, pristine shoreline, and stunning views of the surrounding mountains. It offers a range of activities, including swimming, boating, fishing, and hiking, as well as opportunities for winter sports such as snowmobiling, ice fishing, and cross-country skiing.
Unique Features of the Saranacs
Nearby Activities & Attractions
- Each February, head into the Village of Saranac Lake to explore the Ice Palace and take part in the Winter Carnival.
- Pay a visit to Middle Saranac Lake, which has the warmest water in all of the Adirondack Park. Visit by boat, or park across from the Ampersand Mountain trailhead and follow the trail to the left of the parking lot for 0.6 miles until you reach a secluded beach (outhouses available).
- Hike up 2.5 miles to the top of Ampersand Mountain where you’ll be delighted with 360-degree views of the surrounding High Peaks Wilderness, McKenzie Mountain Wilderness, and Sentinel Range. For added adventure, hike up for sunset and stay until the sky becomes blanketed by stars. On a clear night, you’ll be able to see a light coming all the way from Fort Drum near the Canada-US border.
- Boat to dinner – wind your way through the Saranac Lakes into the Saranac Lake Chain of Lakes (Oseetah, Kiwassa, and Lake Flower) via a series of locks and dock at the Saranac Lake public docks (located where Route 86 and the eastern shore of Lake Flower begin to merge). Note that Oseetah is shallow, so be sure to plan ahead.
There’s no place quite like the Saranac Lakes to kick back and watch Mother Nature paint the sky hues of red, orange, and pink. Soak in the magic of the Adirondacks.
Among the hundreds of bodies of water in the Adirondacks, the Saranac Lakes offer some truly unique features – including a wide sandy beach on Middle Saranac Lake that will make you feel like you’re in the Caribbean. Middle Saranac connects the Upper and Lower Lakes and is where most day-trippers come to enjoy Saranac Lake island camping and fishing. Fish abound in these waters, and you could land a Bass, Pike, Trout, Perch or even Salmon on a good day. The lakes offer ample paddling, boating, and fishing opportunities, and are friendly canoes, kayaks, and motorized boats.
Boat rentals are available on Lower Saranac Lake at the Saranac Lake Marina, and canoe rental shops are located throughout the distinctive downtown. For a unique Adirondack adventure, travel through a series of hand-operated locks connecting Lower Saranac Lake with the Saranac Lake Chain of Lakes.
Great Camps
What began as a retreat from the dirt and fumes of New York City for Gilded Age tycoons with last names like Vanderbilt and Rockefeller, led to the creation of the Great Camp architectural style and an enduring legacy of summering in the Adirondacks.
By the time architects like William L. Coulter and William West Durant arrived in the Adirondacks, the Saranac lakes were well-established playgrounds among the glitterati of the age. Sprawling Great Camp compounds featuring elaborately decorated boathouses with slips for pleasure boats and hacker crafts lead to wooden walkways connecting to luxuriously appointed camps featuring bowling alleys, working farms to feed guests, and ample grounds to fish, hunt or paint.
One visit to these beautiful mountain lakes and you will see why generations have been calling Upper and Lower Saranac Lake their home.
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