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Olivia Penrose
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The Adirondack Rail Trail is open in Tupper Lake! Here’s what you need to know

Finally, after hefty construction and love and care carved into 34 miles of trail; the Adirondack Rail Trail is complete this fall. That means gathering your e-bikes and binoculars and setting off into the backcountry stat!  But before you go, we’d like to offer some handy information to keep in your back pocket; I.E some important must-knows about where to park and where to find the shuttle. But also some really exciting information on where to eat and what trails you can find in your travels! It’s a whole new way to explore the backcountry, so let’s get prepared together.

A group of friends laugh and talk on a pier on a lake.

Where to park

Before you step foot on the trail, you’ll need to park your car first. Luckily, there are a few options for parking, lending to a stress-free day on the trail. The Adirondack Rail Trail Trailhead on Washington Street includes a large, paved parking area with direct trail access. In winter, this parking lot is plowed, perfect for towing a trailer with your snowmobile. 

Tupper Lake Waterfront Park on Demars Boulevard offers ample parking near the heart of town, accommodating trucks, trailers, and snowmobiles, with access to services and trailheads. The waterfront park location also includes a trail along Raquette Pond, letting you take advantage of more views before heading into the backcountry. 

On the opposite end of the Tupper Lake portion of the trail, parking is available at the Floodwood Outpost, a camping store in Saranac Lake that has lent its facilities to adventurers.  

A woman and her daughter sit at an open train stop in Tupper Lake.

Trips with distances

The Tupper Lake portion of the Adirondack Rail Trail encompasses 9 miles. Coming from Tupper Lake, recreators can enter the trail at the Tupper Lake Train Station, and exit at the Floodwood Outpost in Saranac Lake, or continue on the trail to venture into the villages of Saranac Lake and Lake Placid. 

A wooden shop in the fall.

Regulations and seasonal information

To keep everyone on the trail safe, please familiarize yourself with the regulations and information provided. 

  • The Adirondack Rail Trail is open year-round, 24 hours a day, from warm weather to cold weather recreation. 

  • A speed limit of 15 miles per hour applies where the trail passes through a village and at the area along Lake Clear. In winter, all snowmobile laws and regulations apply to the trail, including that snowmobiles cannot be operated within one hundred feet of a dwelling between 12 midnight and 6 a.m. 

  • Public uses not allowed include: camping, discharging a firearm from or across the trail, operating motorized vehicles (except snowmobiles and Class 1 e-bikes), and starting fires outside of provided fire rings. Horses are also prohibited from the trail. 

  • Since much of the trail is adjacent to private property, the public should only leave the trail at officially designated points or onto State Land, and in compliance with all rules and regulations. 

Two people ride bikes on a fall trail.

Shuttle services

Towing a bike? BikeADK offers a pre-arranged, one-way shuttle service from either the Lake Placid or Saranac Lake ends of the trail. The shuttle comes especially handy for groups who aren’t looking for an out-and-back ride. Complete details and booking form can be found here.

Two cyclists ride on a fenced in trail.

Connector trails

Tupper Lake and the towns surrounding it are covered in recreational trails, with opportunities spidering out every which way across the region. A few trails can be found just steps from the Adirondack Rail Trail, offering convenient (and scenic) entryways, and days spent outdoors.

Another recreation trail that calls Tupper Lake home is the Junction Pass and Crossroads Trail. A tight-packed gravel trail connecting "Uptown" and the "Junction," the route is a favorite for cyclists, and can add some miles to your next trip. Travel through the two distinct shopping districts in town, from pubs and breweries to donut shops and Adirondack gift stores. 

Around the Floodwood Outpost at the end of the Tupper Lake portion of the trail, you'll find Floodwood Mountain and Long Pond Mountain trails. Floodwood Mountain Trail can be accessed from a remote trailhead off Flood Wood Road. Follow a road closed to vehicle traffic for a little over half a mile before detouring off onto the Floodwood Trail, and begin heading uphill for a 3.4-mile hike with great views at the summit.

Long Pond Mountain Trail is another moderate hike, but with a twist. The trail can only be accessed by boat! There is a boat launch off Flood Wood Road for canoes to depart from. You will need to hand carry the boat from the parking area to the shores a short distance. After the paddle on Long Pond, you're in for a 2.9-mile hike with views of the surrounding mountains and lakes. 

For more trails and maps, visit the Adirondack Rail Trail Website. 

A woman looks at an orange maple leaf in fall.

Restaurants near the trailhead

After a day of biking, hiking, or strolling along the Adirondack Rail Trail in Tupper Lake, you’ve definitely earned a good meal—and you don’t have to go far to find it! Woodsmen's Tavern and Grill in the Grand Union Hotel is a local favorite, serving hearty comfort food with a welcoming, rustic vibe that feels just right after time outdoors. If you’re craving something classic and cozy, Main Street Restaurant offers homestyle dishes in a friendly, laid-back setting that makes you feel like part of the community. Whether you’re winding down with a hearty burger or sharing a plate of comfort food with friends, these local spots are the perfect way to refuel and wrap up your adventure.

A red restaurant surrounded by shrubbery and an open flag.

Gas/electric car charging stations

In need of gas off-trail? Tupper Lake is home to several gas stations. Near the northern terminus of the Adirondack Rail Trail, you'll find several handy fuel stops ideal for trail users and those on their way to the backcountry. The Exxon Mobil, also known locally as Nice N’ Easy, is located at 75 Main Street, offering gasoline and amenities like pizza, an ATM, restrooms, coffee, and supplies for snowmobilers, hikers, and campers. Just a short distance away, Larkin’s Junction Depot at 58 Main Street stands out as a one-stop shop that blends fuel services with deli fare. They provide gas, snacks, beer, ice, and hearty homemade breakfast sandwiches and baked goods—making it a cozy, friendly option for fueling and gearing up before your next trek. 

Back on Park Street in the heart of town, Stewart’s Shops offers not only fuel but also a full convenience store experience—think fresh coffee, iconic ice cream, fast food, free air, an ATM, and plenty of gas pumps. 

For electric car charging, stations can be found in a few spots around town. Find them at the Trailhead Hotel, at The Wild Center, and closer to the trailhead at the Faust Motel. 

A rustic lodge-style entryway to a gas station bakery and deli.

Join us on the trail this fall!

We couldn’t be more excited to trek on 34 miles of pristine groomed trails, and with connections to two of our neighboring Adirondack towns, the fun is just getting started! There are plenty of ways to get in on the action this season, and with the trail now finished, your adventures through the Adirondack wilderness just got a whole lot closer.