Best Adventures at Ausable Chasm: The Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks

Best Adventures at Ausable Chasm: The Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks

The Adirondack Mountains are a stunning destination, no matter the season. With nearly 100 peaks and over 3,000 lakes and ponds, it’s the perfect spot for a summer adventure.

Our main mission? Exploring Ausable Chasm, a breathtaking vertical-walled canyon crafted by Mother Nature herself. This natural wonder features 500-million-year-old Potsdam sandstone and is bisected by the scenic Ausable River, perfect for tubing and rafting on a small section.

We rolled into the park late in the afternoon, just before closing at 5 PM, so we split our adventure across two days. Thankfully, as long as you keep your wristband, you’re good to go!

We opted for the $55 per person Explorer package, which included the Basic Trails, Riverwalk, and Scenic "float" tour. Highly recommended are the Riverwalk, which involves crossing a thrilling narrow suspension bridge, and the water rafting. Rafting lets everyone enjoy the experience together, stay relatively dry, and snap plenty of pictures. If you’re feeling brave, give rappelling and the ropes course a try.

This place is packed with awe-inspiring, picture-perfect moments.

Other points of interest in the area include Whiteface Mountain, a ski resort and one of the highest peaks in the Adirondacks. For $25 per person, we took the Cloudsplitter Gondola Ride up the face of the mountain for sweeping views of Lake Placid, Mirror Lake, and endless peaks.

Looking for more adventure? Burlington, VT is just a ferry ride across Lake Champlain, Montreal, Canada is a mere 70 miles away, and the town of Plattsburgh, NY is only 16 miles down the road.

For a casual, dockside dining experience, check out "The Naked Turtle" in Plattsburgh on Lake Champlain. It’s the perfect spot to relax with live music at night.

And don’t miss the sunsets in Peru, NY at Ausable Point State Park. For some gorgeous views, pull over when you first see water on both sides of the road before paying park admission.

 

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