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Adirondacks, New York
Old Forge and the Fulton Chain
A lake town at the start of the Fulton Chain in the western Adirondacks: boat cruises up the lakes, an easy fire tower hike, a water park, a ski hill with a summer chairlift and the Adirondack Experience museum nearby.
Photo: Old Forge Pond, Guitarbogus, CC BY-SA 4.0
Old Forge sits at the foot of the Fulton Chain, a string of lakes numbered First through Eighth. It's a summer and snowmobile town, with motels, ice cream and a big hardware store.
Bald Mountain, between Old Forge and Inlet, is a short hike to a fire tower with views over Fourth Lake. Up you go.
Outdoors and nature
Trails, lookouts, waterfalls, beaches and time on the water come first.
Bald Mountain (Rondaxe) fire tower
A short, steep hike to a fire tower above Fourth Lake.
Fourth Lake and Inlet
The largest lake in the chain, with the village of Inlet at its head.
Sights and attractions
Museums, landmarks and the places people come here for.
Enchanted Forest Water Safari
A big water park in Old Forge.
Season Seasonal, check official site.
Adirondack Experience
The Adirondack museum on Blue Mountain Lake. About an hour east.
Season Seasonal, check official site.
Markets, shops and festivals
Main streets, markets and the dates worth planning around.
Book a tour or activity
Cruises, tours and experiences people book here. Each one goes to the operator's official page, and you can still add it to your trip.
Adirondack Railroad from Thendara
Scenic and themed train rides from Thendara station, near Old Forge.
Part of our Adirondacks guides.
Make it a weekend
Why stay the night
- A lake cruise and dinner in the village make the evening.
- Bald Mountain at sunrise, the beach in the afternoon.
- Blue Mountain Lake's museum is an hour east.
Nearby and worth the drive
Olympic sites and the High Peaks.
Lake Georgeabout 2 h 30 · Guide ↗The steamboats and the fort.
Ready-made trips with Old Forge and the Fulton Chain
Good to know
- Tourism: oldforgeny.com.
- State lands: Trails and campgrounds are run by the NY DEC: dec.ny.gov.
- We list only places we can check against an official source. Hours, seasons and prices change, so confirm before you go.
Photos on this page
Photo: Old Forge Pond, Guitarbogus, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: View from the Bald Mountain fire tower, Jesse Lee Tucker, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Fourth Lake at sunset, Anne LaBastille, Public domain
Photo: The road through Moose River Plains, Andy Arthur, CC BY 2.0
Photo: McCauley Mountain in Old Forge, B137, CC0
Photo: Blue Mountain Lake, Mwanner at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0