Your Summer Tupper Lake Checklist: Rail Trail, Trolls & Triads
Summer in Tupper Lake is packed with adventures to discover! Whether you're pedaling through the Adirondacks, hunting trolls, or tackling mountains, here's your guide to making the most of it.
1. Hit the Adirondack Rail Trail
The Adirondack Rail Trail is a 34-mile recreational trail connecting Tupper Lake, Saranac Lake, and Lake Placid. With a gentle grade of no more than 2%, it is accessible for most ages and abilities.
What to do: Hike, run, or bike while taking in the changing Adirondack landscape, from wetlands and forests to lakes and open views filled with wildlife and seasonal color.
A few tips: Bring layers, even in summer, as shaded stretches can feel cool, especially in the morning. Stay right, pass on the left, and always announce yourself before overtaking others (“on your left” works great). Wheels yield to heels. Most importantly, be kind and share the trail experience. Pack water and snacks for longer rides, as services are limited between communities.
What you’ll see: Wide open skies, clear waters, and diverse ecosystems ranging from wetlands to boreal forest. Keep an eye out for beaver activity, deer, migratory birds, and the occasional moose.
Parking and bathrooms: Main access in Tupper Lake is on Washington Street, a convenient starting point for the southern end of the trail, with additional access points in Lake Clear and Floodwood. Portable toilets are available at public parking areas, but plan ahead as amenities are limited along longer stretches.
As you make your way on the trail towards Saranac Lake, here are a few stops to check out along the way:
Located along the Rail Trail corridor at milepost 25.3, the Floodwood Outpost is a trailside stop for cyclists to rest, refuel, and resupply. You can pick up snacks and essentials, trail maps, and local knowledge from staff who know every mile of the route. Fun Fact! The owners of the Floodwood Outpost published the original Adirondack Rail Trail Map, which you can find in the store.
Charlie's Inn is a classic Adirondack stop just off the corridor, perfect for a hearty lunch or post-ride meal.
And don’t miss the Junction Pass, which connects you directly into the heart of Tupper Lake, where you’ll find local shops, restaurants, and community gathering spaces.
2. TROLLS: Save the Humans at The Wild Center
The Wild Center is hosting TROLLS: Save the Humans from June to October. Don’t miss out on this amazing outdoor exhibition by Danish recycling artist Thomas Dambo. There are six larger-than-life troll sculptures, each built from reclaimed materials, placed across the campus with the goal of rediscovering nature and becoming inspired to care for the earth. The trolls are hidden in various locations on The Wild Center campus, and visitors receive a booklet to mark them off as they find each one. The Trolls are included with general admission to The Wild Center; advance ticket purchase is recommended.
The Adirondack Troll Adventure (Beyond the Wild Center)
The fun doesn't stop at The Wild Center! Smaller trolls are tucked inside local businesses, attractions, and unexpected places throughout Tupper Lake and neighboring Adirondack communities. Curious how it works? Sign up for the digital passport, visit participating troll locations. Visit 6 troll stops to unlock exclusive prizes.
3. Conquer the Tupper Lake Triads
You have two great activities to choose from - paddling or hiking! Complete your Triad on March 21 and December 19 to earn the Summer Triad reward.
Tupper Lake Hiking Triad
This challenge is the perfect introduction to the Adirondacks. It includes three family-friendly peaks: Mount Arab, Goodman Mountain, and Coney Mountain. The trails are well-marked, manageable in distance, and can be completed over a weekend or spread out over a full trip.
Mount Arab: It’s probably the best-known of the three and offers a classic fire tower climb with stunning summit views.
Goodman Mountain: This hike offers a steady, moderate climb with a wide-open summit overlooking surrounding lakes and peaks.
Coney Mountain: While it may be the shortest of the three, don’t underestimate it. This quick climb leads to a rocky summit with some of the best 360-degree views in the Triad.
Together, the three hikes create a flexible challenge that works for beginners, families, or anyone looking to explore Tupper Lake.
Tupper Lake Paddling Triad
If you’d rather explore the Adirondacks from the water, the Paddling Triad offers a matching challenge made up of three scenic paddles across rivers, ponds, and lakes around Tupper Lake. Each route highlights a different side of the region’s waterways.
Stony Creek Ponds to Axton Landing: This route provides a peaceful, winding paddle through ponds and into the Raquette River, surrounded by wildlife and dense forest.
Raquette River Boat Launch to Tupper Lake Boat Launch: Take a gentle downstream paddle along one of the most scenic stretches of the river, with easy current and mountain views.
Raquette Pond to Setting Pole Dam: Check out this shorter, scenic paddle with views of the village, surrounding hills, and the transition between pond and river environments.
Along the way, paddlers can expect calm water, abundant wildlife, and plenty of places to stop and take in the scenery. Similar to the hiking version, the paddling triad doesn’t need to be completed all at once. You can take it route by route and earn your patch in one weekend or over several trips.
Don’t forget your Tupper Lake Triad reward! Once you’ve finished your routes, you can register them online so they're officially recorded. After registering, you’ll receive your commemorative patch and sticker set in the mail as a fun keepsake of your adventure.
There is a one-time $10 registration fee. Please note that patches may take up to three weeks to arrive.
If you prefer, you can also register by mail. Simply download and complete the Tupper Lake Triad registration form, include your $10 check made payable to ROOST, and send it to: Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism, Attn: TL Triad, PO Box 641, Tupper Lake, NY 12986.
After a full day of adventures, Tupper Lake makes it easy to settle in and relax. With options from casual bites to cozy local restaurants, there’s something for every kind of traveler. Make sure to carve out time to browse local shops so that you can bring home memories of your trip.
Start planning your Tupper Lake visit today!