Get an introduction to the Adirondacks at the Paul Smiths Adirondack Park Interpretive Center
Written: Oct 20 '08
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Great interpretive nature trails, Backcountry trail access, Beautiful location
Cons: A bit out of the way
The Bottom Line: I’d recommend the Paul Smiths Adirondack Park Interpretive Center be a stop for any visitor to the northern Adirondack Park area
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| jps246's Full Review: Paul Smiths Adirondack Park Interpretive Center |
If you are visiting the northern Adirondacks and you are looking for a good introduction to the Adirondack Park, the mountains history and ecology and you don't want to spend very much money, the Paul Smiths Adirondack Park Interpretive Center is probably a good place to stop.
This Interpretive Center (I'll call it the PSAPIC) is really what other parks would call a Visitors Center. The only real difference is that this one is located in what I would consider the center of the northern portion of the park and not exactly where most visitors would be traveling through.
That said, if you are in the Lake Placid or the Tupper Lake area, Paul Smiths is about a 45 minute drive. Saranac Lake is even closer and this does make for a good place to stop for a few hours to get a better handle on what the Adirondacks are and what the Adirondack Park is.
How do I get there?
The PSAPIC is located in the Town of Paul Smiths, on land owned by Paul Smiths College. It's about 45 minutes to the west and north of Lake Placid and 20 minutes or so from Saranac Lake. The PSAPIC is located on Route 30. There's plenty of free parking for the center and it rarely gets crowded.
What is there to look at?
I think the best part of the PSAPIC is the nature trails that surround the complex. They let you explore a marsh, the woodlands and a number of other things in the woods around the PSAPIC. There's signage along the trails to help explain what you are seeing and there are handouts you can bring along to learn even more. In total there are about 6 miles of interpretive trails at the PSAPIC along with about 8 miles of backcountry trails. You can literally park at the center and spend a day hiking.
Before those interpretive trails though, you need to get inside the center and check out the exhibits and the information that's presented there. The PSAPIC is a big building that seems to be a bit underutilized, but it offers nice views of the marsh below and the woods that surrounds it. As you come in there's a large lobby area with an information desk.
Beyond that is a great room that overlooks the marsh and has a few wildlife exhibits along with brochures for nearby attractions. There are also plenty of comfortable chairs to sit down and relax. Adjacent to that area is the main exhibit area where you go through and learn about the Adirondacks from their geology, to their protection to their human history. There's also a hall to the left of the entrance that contains a few more exhibits. When we were there, there was a small exhibit on wetlands.
Interesting?
The PSAPIC was designed for the new visitor to the park. For those people, there's plenty of useful information. You'll leave with a good idea of what created the mountains, why the Adirondack Park was created and what kind of human history there is in the Adirondacks, right up the present day.
For more seasoned visitors to the Adirondacks some of the information may feel a bit introductory, especially if you've visited the Adirondack Museum to the south in Blue Mountain Lake.
Even so, getting out on the interpretive trails is fun for anyone, regardless of their age or their familiarity with the Adirondacks. You have a chance to get out into the woods and not only take in the views, but you get a chance to see a number of different woodland dwellers. People have seen pretty much every animal that inhabits the Adirondacks in the area, so it's a great chance for some wildlife viewing.
Does it cost anything?
Nope, the PSAPIC is free to the public, as is the parking. There is a small gift shop that's open on the weekends if you want to buy something and there are vending machines if you want a snack or a drink.
When's it open?
The PSAPIC is open 9-5 most days. During the winter months it's closed on Sundays and Mondays. The trails around the center are always open to the public.
Final Thoughts
Even though I've been to the Adirondacks too many times to count over the years, I still enjoyed visiting the PSAPIC. It was neat to come back after I had been there at the official grand opening. At that time the trails hadn't yet been finished and they are a great addition.
My favorite part of the stop were those trails. My partner and I spent quite a bit of time walking the various loops, stopping and enjoying the views and just having a good time.
I think he enjoyed the center even more than I did as he has not been in the Adirondacks as much as I have been. It helped him learn some stuff he hadn't been aware of before.
Overall I'd recommend the Paul Smiths Adirondack Park Interpretive Center be a stop for any visitor to the northern Adirondack Park area. There's some useful information to be learned about the park and the interpretive trails surrounding the center are wonderful.
Recommended:
Yes
Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime
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