Saranac Lake Travel Guide

Nestled in the Adirondacks region of northeast New York State, the scenic village of Saranac Lake is popular with tourists into the outdoors scene. The village actually lies within the Adirondack State Park and is made up of parts of the towns of Harrietstown, St Armand, and North Elba.

Saranac Lake is just a few miles from Lake Placid and forms the so-called Tri-Lakes region, along with nearby Tupper Lake. One of Saranac’s most popular events is the Bud Light Can Am Rugby Tournament, which is held annually in the village.

Set on the shores of Lake Flower, the village itself is very attractive and contains some well preserved old architecture. As you would expect, there are several quality art shops in the village, along with many book stores and some unique bars. For a self-tour of Saranac Lake, have a wonder along the lake front, through the village center for a coffee and then perhaps try the River Walk through the rest of the village.

Highlights

Summer activities: canoeing, boating, hiking, and climbing are all popular summer activities here and there are many quality campgrounds.

Winter activities: due to its altitude, Saranac Lake receives lots of snow and the Mount Pisgah Downhill skiing center and Dewy Mountain X-country Skiing provide great skiing options.

Adirondack Scenic Railroad: this seasonal tourist attraction starts at the village train depot and goes to the beautiful Lake Placid.

Robert Louis Stevenson’s cottage: walking tours of the village reveal lots of old architecture, including the museum that used to be the home of the famous writer.