Birds of the Adirondacks:  Scarlet Tanager. Photo by Larry Master. www.masterimages.org  Used by permission.

Birding Festivals in the Adirondacks:
2016 Great Adirondack Birding Celebration
Where to Stay


This site is no longer being updated with current information on birding activities at the VIC. For current information on the events planned for the 2017 Great Adirondack Birding Celebration, visit: http://www.paulsmiths.edu/vic/gabc/schedule/. For information on birding in the Adirondacks, visit: Adirondack Wildlife: Birds of the Adirondacks.

Great Adirondack Birding Celebration attendees from outside the region can find lodging within a few miles of the VIC or in one of the Trilakes resort towns of Saranac Lake, Lake Placid, or Tupper Lake.  Visitors will find a wide range of lodging options in the area, ranging from nearby campsites to affordable motels to five-star hostelries. 

Close to the VIC:

Charlie's Inn:  Reasonable rates in nearby Lake Clear, about seven miles from the VIC. P.O. Box 304, 44 Junction Road, Lake Clear, NY 12945. Phone: 518- 891-9858.  

Lake Clear Lodge and Retreat:  Lakeview chalets, suites, and rooms in nearby Lake Clear, about 8 miles from the VIC. 6319 State Route, Lake Clear, New York 12945.  Phone: 518-891-1489

White Pine Camp: Classic Adirondack lodging at an historic great camp, about four miles from the VIC.  White Pine Road, P.O. Box 340. Paul Smiths, New York 12970.  Phone: 518-327-3030

Saranac Lake:  Saranac Lake is a village located about 13 miles southeast of the VIC.  Lodging options range from luxurious lodges to rustic cabins to budget-minded motels.  A sample:

Birds of the Adirondacks: Bobolink.  Photo by Larry Master. www.masterimages.org Birds of the Adirondacks: Bobolink
The Birding Across the Adirondacks trip and the field trip to Heaven Hill Farm provide the best opportunities to observe this species.

Hillman's Cottages:  Across the road from Lake Colby.  Lake Colby Road, Saranac Lake, NY 12983.  Phone:  518-891-2263.

The Nook and the Studio: Comfortable accommodations at reasonable rates with an easy walk to downtown Saranac Lake shops and restaurants. 238 Broadway, Saranac Lake, NY 12983. Phone: 518-354-2425.

The Doctor's Inn: A traditional guest house in a wooded setting three miles north of Saranac Lake. 304 Trudeau Road, Saranac Lake, NY 12983. Phone: 518-304-3763.

Lake Flower Inn: Comfortable lake-front Adirondack motel. 234 Lake Flower Avenue, Saranac Lake, NY  12983.  Phone:  888-628-8900.

Sara-Placid Motor Inn:  Motel rooms with mini-kitchens, log cabins with fireplaces. 445 Lake Flower Avenue, Saranac Lake, NY 12983. Phone:  800-794-2729.

Adirondack Motel: Lake front rooms and cottage suites.  248 Lake Flower Avenue, Saranac Lake, NY 12983. Phone: 518-891-2116. 

Best Western Mountain Lake Inn:  Motel rooms across the road from Lake Flower. 487 Lake Flower Avenue,  Saranac Lake, NY 12983.  Phone: 518-891-1970.

Complete list of lodging options in Saranac Lake

Lake Placid: Lake Placid is a resort village located about 23 miles from the VIC and close to several birding festival field trips: the Heaven Hill Farm/Henry's Woods/John Brown Homestead and Whiteface Mountain field trips. Lake Placid is home to a variety of luxury hotels and resorts, as well as affordable motels and bed and breakfasts. A sampling of the many lodging options:

Boreal Birds of the Adirondacks:  Yellow Warbler.  Photo by Larry Master. www.masterimages.orgBoreal Birds of the Adirondacks: Yellow Warbler
The Madawasda Flow and the Birding the Saint Lawrence Vallley field trips offer a chance to observe Yellow Warblers.

Hampton Inn & Suites Lake Placid: Lakeside hotel with views of Mirror Lake. 801 Mirror Lake Drive, Lake Placid, New York, 12946. Phone: 518-523-9500.

Econo Lodge: Reasonable rates a short drive from downtown. 5828 Cascade Road, Lake Placid, NY 12946. Phone: 518-523-2817.

Town and Country Motor Inn: Motel rooms and suites. Moderate rates. 2200 Saranac Avenue, Lake Placid, NY 12946. Phone: 518 523-9268.

Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort: Rooms and suites overlooking Mirror Lake in downtown Lake Placid. 2559 Main Street, Lake Placid, NY 12946. Phone: 518-523-3353.

Cascade Inn. Reasonable rates, just outside of Lake Placid on Route 73. Cascade Road, Lake Placid, NY 12946. Phone: 518-523-2130.

TMax-n-Topo's Hostel: Very affordable hostel just outside Lake Placid on Route 73. 5046 Cascade Road, Lake Placid, NY 12946. Phone: 518-523-0123.

Complete list of lodging options in Lake Placid

Tupper Lake:  Tupper Lake is a village about 28 miles southwest of the VIC.   It offers a number of reasonably-priced motels and cabins.  Some examples:

Boreal Birds of the Adirondacks: Bicknell's Thrush.  Photo by Larry Master. www.masterimages.orgBoreal Birds of the Adirondacks: Bicknell's Thrush
Sign up for the Whiteface Mountain trip for a chance to see this rare and threatened species.

Shaheen's Motel: Affordable rooms close to downtown and the Wild Center.  314 Park St, Tupper Lake, NY 12986.  Phone: 518-359-3384.

Park Motel and Cabins of Tupper Lake:  Family-owned motel and cabin rooms near the village center. 336 Park Street, NY 3 & 30, Tupper Lake, NY 12986.  Phone: 518-359-3600.

Red Top Inn: Affordable lake-front motel rooms and cabins.  1562 State Route 30, Tupper Lake, NY 12986. Phone:  518-359-9209. 

Sunset Park Motel: Reasonably-priced waterfront rooms on Tupper Lake. 71 Demars Blvd. Tupper Lake, 12986. Phone: 518-359-3995.

Faust Motel: Affordable motel and cabins in downtown Tupper Lake. 151 Main St. Street, NY 3, Tupper Lake, NY, 12986. Phone: 518-359-9088.

Complete list of lodging options in Tupper Lake

Campgrounds:  Camping options include both private campgrounds and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) camping facilities.  Both offer affordable rates. Make reservations for DEC campgrounds through ReserveAmerica

Birds of the Adirondacks:  Indigo Bunting.  Photo by Larry Master. www.masterimages.orgBirds of the Adirondacks: Indigo Bunting
The best opportunities to see this species are the Birding Across the Adirondacks and the Birding the Saint Lawrence Valley field trips.

Charlie's Inn Campground:  Tent and RV hookups about seven miles from the VIC. Camping fee: $30. P.O. Box 304, 44 Junction Road, Lake Clear, NY 12945. Phone: 518- 891-9858. 

Meacham Lake:  The DEC campground about 9 miles north of the VIC on State Route 30.  The campground represents the only development on this 1,203 acre lake. All types of camping units can be accommodated from small tents to large recreational vehicles. Camping fee: $20. 119 State Camp Road, Duane, NY 12953.  Phone: 518-483-5116.

Buck Pond: The DEC campground about 12 miles northeast of the VIC.  Camping equipment from tents to 30 foot RVs can be accommodated.  Camping fee: $20.  1339 County Route 60, Onchiota, NY 12989.  Phone:  518- 891-3449.

Meadowbrook:  The DEC campground about 17 miles southeast of the VIC, near Lake Placid.  Camping fee: $18. 1174 NYS Route 86, Ray Brook, NY 12977.  Phone: 518- 891-4351.

Fish Creek Pond:  The DEC campground about 17 miles southwest of the VIC.  Accommodates all camping equipment from tents to 40' RVs. Camping fee: $22. 4523 State Route 30, Saranac Lake, NY 12983.  Phone: 518-891-4560.

Rollin's Pond: The DEC campground about 20 miles southwest of the VIC.  Accommodates all camping equipment from tents to 40' RVs. Camping fee: $20. 4523 State Route 30, Saranac Lake, NY 12983.  Phone: 518-891-3239.


Explore the VIC

The Paul Smiths VIC offers a wide variety of programs throughout the year to educate and inform Adirondack Park residents and visitors about the natural wonders of the Adirondack Mountains. You can help support these programs by joining the Friends of the VIC. More information on Friends of the VIC memberships

Explore the Trails

The VIC trails are free and open to the public, from dawn to dusk, spring through fall. In winter, the trails are open to cross-country skiers and snowshoers for a fee. Day or season passes may be purchased.