Wilderness Adventure: Trips & Camping
ADK 46er’s
The Adirondacks are one of the oldest mountain ranges in America, with over six million acres of wild forests and pristine lakes. Hiking is a wonderful experience, and campers have the perfect opportunity to explore this beautiful wilderness through Adirondack Camp’s trip program. Within the Adirondack Park, there are forty-six major peaks over 4,000 feet, and campers are encouraged to hike them.
Through a series of day and overnight trips, campers have the opportunity to complete the peaks on their list. The peaks range in height and difficulty and are tailored to age groups and ability. We offer multi-day trips to accomplish several peaks in a range. Adirondack campers who hike all the peaks are eligible to register with the ADK 46-R Club to officially record their achievements. Trips into the Adirondack Park are limited to 4 campers and 2 Wilderness Certified trip staff per trip.
Fire Tower Challenge
Before the dawn of modern technology, park rangers built 23 fire towers. Strategically scattered through the mountains of the Adirondack Park, these monoliths of human effort can still be seen dotting the tops of the mountains. While no longer in use by rangers, they are open to the public and provide a great challenge and a great view of the park.
We offer campers the chance to take on the 23 towers, in a series of day and overnight trips. We rotate the hikes every season, allowing campers from each session to climb all of them within a few summers.
These hikes are larger and very popular, with 6 – 10 campers and 2 Wilderness Certified staff per trip. They are usually less strenuous than regular overnight trips. For those campers seeking more adventure, however, we also offer the Fire Tower Frenzy which is a rigorous 3 day, 3 tower challenge hike.
Campers who successfully climb all 23 fire towers are given a special t-shirt and publicly recognized for their achievement.
Wild Water Paddles
Hone your canoe skills as you portage from pond to pond in a search for a route that will take you home. Experience a quiet only found in a canoe and relax after a hard day’s paddle in this seldom traveled wilderness. These canoeing camp trips start with an easy overnight paddle around Putnam Pond and progressively increase in difficulty to include Lake Lila, Little Tupper Lake, St. Regis (Flood Wood Loop), Long Lake, Tupper Lake, St. Regis, Bog River – Oswegatchie River Traverse, and the Whitney Traverse.
Every trip is chaperoned by 2 – 3 Wilderness Certified trip staff. Canoe experience is a pre-requisite for these trips.
Lake George Paddles (Day Canoe Trips)
Our regionally renowned “fiddler extraordinaire”, Peter MacFarlane, leads this day paddle on Lake George in his hand made canoe and with his fellow lifeguards, campers, and Wilderness Certified Trip staff. Lunches are packed and enjoyed on nearby islands and campers are back in time for Lunch or an afternoon swim before dinner.
Northville-Lake Placid Trail (Hiking)
This is one of the premier hikes at our summer camp for kids. Experience the epic Northville-Lake Placed Trail, the longest foot-trail in the Adirondack Park. Each summer allows campers to tackle different sections. It’s a moderate trail and caters to hikers of all skill levels. Those with the iron will to succeed can complete the entire 114 miles in just a few summers. Sections include: The Silver Lake Wilderness (4 day backpack, 24 miles), West Canada (4 day backpack, 36 miles), Blue Mountain Saddle (3 day backpack, 17 miles) and Long Lake (4 day backpack, 37 miles).
Lake George Five Alive! (Day Hikes)
Our overnight summer camp sits on an amazing lake with five prominent peaks towering above the pristine waters. If dominating Lake George is for you, then climb the Lake George Five! These trips are offered as day hikes throughout the summer. Peaks include: Black Mountain, Buck Mountain, Cook Mountain, Cat Mountain, and Record Mountain.
5 Reflections (Flat day Hikes with No Elevation)
The 5 Reflections are “flat hikes” and coincide well with our nature walks. They include many local trails around the base of Black Mountain, Putnam Pond, and the “forever-wild” Glenburnie Nature Conservancy lands. These short trips are perfect for our youngest camp boys and camp girls and provide them the experience to take on other trips.