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Visiting the Newcomb VIC Area

Geographically, the Adirondack Park Agency Visitor Interpretive Center (VIC) at Newcomb is in the heart of the Adirondack Park and in the southern end of Essex County. What makes Newcomb so special is its remoteness, far removed from the hubbub of busy villages such as Lake Placid. In fact, the only thing that separates Newcomb and Lake Placid is a large chunk of state land called the High Peaks Wilderness Area. Home to the popular southern High Peaks trailhead called the Upper Works and the headwaters of the mighty Hudson River, Newcomb has a rich history of outdoor recreation. It is a paradise for hikers, backpackers, snowmobilers, skiers, snowshoers, canoeists, kayakers, bird watchers, hunters and fishermen. The Newcomb VIC is on State Route 28N, on a scenic byway called the Roosevelt-Marcy Trail. With Long Lake 12 miles to the west, North Creek 27 miles to the south, and Schroon Lake 30 miles to the east, the Newcomb VIC can easily be your launching point for an unforgettable outdoor excursion.

Visitor Information
Hours: Building and trails open 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily, except Thanksgiving and Christmas
Address: 5922 State Route 28N, Newcomb, N.Y. 12852
Phone: (518) 582-2000
VIC Front Desk: Stop by the Newcomb VIC's front desk for the latest traveler information, including brochures, maps and visitor guides to all counties of the Adirondack Park.

Activities

WILDLIFE WATCHING. The Newcomb VIC is one of the featured wildlife watching destinations listed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. A number of mammal, bird, insect, amphibian and reptile species may be seen on our 236-acre property. Moose sightings have increased over the past several years, and people have seen red fox, mink and pine marten while walking on our trails. Stop by the Wildlife Watch Center in the VIC lobby to learn more about animal species in the Adirondacks.

BIRD WATCHING. Essex County features an excellent variety of natural communities, where bird species thrive. Get a start on your birding hobby at the Newcomb VIC, where experts lead trips and offer live bird demonstrations programs year round. Or learn all about birds of prey during the VIC's annual Adirondack Raptor Celebration in October. VIC naturalists can show you where to see boreal birds, such as the boreal chickadee, black-backed woodpecker, Bicknell's thrush and spruce grouse. Or catch a glimpse of more popular birds in the area: the common loon, the broad-winged hawk, the bald eagle and the great blue heron.

PADDLING. Ply your canoe, kayak or Adirondack guideboat through the larger bodies of water, such as Long Lake, Big Tupper Lake, Little Tupper Lake, Forked Lake, Lake Lila, the Fulton Chain of Lakes, Blue Mountain Lake, Raquette Lake, Indian Lake, Schroon Lake, Lake Champlain or Lake George. Explore the meandering waterways of our rivers, including the Hudson River, the Raquette River, the Schroon River, the Moose River and the Indian River. A number of outfitters and New York State licensed guides in Essex County and nearby Hamilton County are ready to help you plan an enjoyable and safe paddling trip in the Adirondacks.

FISHING. Use the countless waterways of Essex County to catch your favorite fish, from trout to northern pike to bass. Fishing gear and licenses are available in local outdoor supply stores. Licensed guides are extremely helpful in locating the fish of your dreams. Ice fishing is a popular pastime in the winter.

HIKING. There are hundreds of miles of backcountry trails in the region. Walk to a lake or to the summit of a mountain, such as Goodnow Mountain in Newcomb. Or simply get out and enjoy nature, no matter where the trail leads you. The Newcomb VIC has a safe network of scenic, bark-surfaced, interpretive trails that are great for families just learning about the Adirondack backcountry. Outfitters, guides and outdoor supply stores can help with gear and advice. The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation offers HIKING & CAMPING TIPS for state Forest Preserve land.

CAMPING. There are privately owned and state-owned campgrounds throughout Essex County and nearby Hamilton County. Some are more formal, with hookups for campers, and some allow you to get back to nature in a lakeshore campsite or a riverside lean-to.

SKIING/SNOWSHOEING. The Newcomb VIC offers 2.5 miles of snowshoe trails but does not offer cross-country skiing on the property. The Newcomb VIC loans snowshoes to the public for free (to be used on VIC property only). Nearby nordic skiing opportunities include the 10-mile round-trip to historic Great Camp Santanoni in Newcomb, the Northville-Placid Trail, the Abanakee Loop XC Ski & Snowshoe Trails in Indian Lake, the Verizon Sports Complex in Lake Placid, the Jackrabbit Trail in Keene, the Garnet Hill Lodge in North River, and hundreds of miles of backcountry trails. Nearby downhill ski centers are located at the Town of Newcomb T-bar slope, Gore Mountain in North Creek, the Ski Bowl in North Creek, the Indian Lake Town Ski Hill, McCauley Mountain in Old Forge, Oak Mountain in Speculator, Mount Pisgah in Saranac Lake and Whiteface Mountain in Wilmington. Goodnow Mountain in Newcomb is a popular snowshoe trip destination. Skis or snowshoes are required on state land in the winter.

SNOWMOBILING. Essex County and nearby Hamilton County are both well known for their snowmobiling trails. Contact the Adirondack Regional Tourism Council, the Long Lake Parks & Recreation Department or Hamilton County Tourism for more information on snowmobiling in the region.

ADIRONDACK HISTORY. Essex County residents are proud of their Adirondack Mountain heritage: the logging towns, the mining towns, the grand hotels of the Gilded Age. Nearby heritage sites include historic Camp Santanoni in Newcomb; the historic mining village of Adirondac in Newcomb; the Natural History Museum of the Adirondacks, aka The Wild Center (Tupper Lake); the Historic Beth Joseph Synagogue (Tupper Lake); the Hudson River Railroad and North Creek train station museum in North Creek; the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake; Great Camp Sagamore in Raquette Lake; and the Raquette Lake Navigation Company boat tours. North of Newcomb are the historic villages of Tupper Lake, Saranac Lake and Lake Placid, home of the 1932 and 1980 Olympic Winter Games. East of Newcomb are heritage sites in the Lake Champlain valley, including Fort Ticonderoga, the Penfield Museum in Ironville and the Crown Point State Historic Site. South of Newcomb are the historic villages of Lake George and North Creek. And west of Newcomb are historic sites in Hamilton and Herkimer counties.

GOLFING. Try the excellent golf courses in the region, including Newcomb's own nine-hole High Peaks Golf Course. There are nearby courses in Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Warren and Herkimer counties.

Directions to Newcomb VIC

Helpful Links

Adirondack Regional Tourism Council - The No. 1 travel web site for the Adirondack Park! [leaving VIC site]

Adirondack Base Camp - The No. 1 travel blog for the Adirondack Park! [leaving VIC site]

Visit the Town of Newcomb

Lake Placid/Essex County Visitors Bureau

Hamilton County Tourism

Visit the Town of Long Lake

Tupper Lake Chamber of Commerce

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

NYS DEC Campgrounds