Saranac Lake, NY
Saranac Lake Islands Camping
Paddle-in island camping on the Saranac Lakes with 87 primitive sites. Paid entry. Best from about age 5. Plan to stay overnight.
- Camping
- Ages 5+
- Overnight
- Paid
Adventures for Teens and Tweens in New York
We pulled these 19 teen-worthy adventures out of our full catalog of kid-friendly spots in New York. Every listing has the ages it suits, what it costs, how long to budget, parking notes, and what to pack.
19 adventures found
Blue Mountain Lake, NY
Blue Mountain Trail
Popular fire tower hike with panoramic views over Blue Mountain Lake. Free. Better for ages 6 and up. A half-day trip. Dogs welcome.
- Hiking
- Ages 6+
- ~4h
- Free
Buffalo, NY
Sail Buffalo Sailing School
A nonprofit sailing school on Buffalo's Outer Harbor running week-long Lake Erie camps for kids, sorted by ability. Paid. Ages 8 to 17.
- Sailing
- Ages 8+
- ~7h
- Paid
Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY
Storm King State Park
Rugged Highland trails with dramatic Hudson River panoramas. Free. Better for ages 7 and up. A half-day trip. Dogs welcome.
- Hiking
- Ages 7+
- ~4h
- Free
Fort Ann, NY
Sleeping Beauty Mountain
Moderate summit hike with one of the best Lake George panoramic views. Free. Better for ages 6 and up. A half-day trip. Dogs welcome.
- Hiking
- Ages 6+
- ~4h
- Free
Geneva, NY
Seneca Sailing Academy
A nonprofit school on Seneca Lake with Opti weeks for little kids and free public First Sail days off Geneva. Ages 7 and up.
- Sailing
- Ages 7+
- ~7h
- Paid
Gowanda, NY
Zoar Valley Multiple Use Area
Wild 600-foot gorge with old-growth forest and deep swimming holes. Free. Better for ages 8 and up. A half-day trip. Dogs welcome.
- Hiking
- Ages 8+
- ~4h
- Free
Indian Lake, NY
Indian Lake Islands Campground
Paddle-in island camping on scenic Indian Lake in the central Adirondacks. Paid entry. Best from about age 5. Plan to stay overnight.
- Camping
- Ages 5+
- Overnight
- Paid
Indian Lake, NY
Snowy Mountain Trail
Challenging hike to the tallest peak in the southern Adirondacks with fire tower summit. Free. Better for ages 8 and up.
- Hiking
- Ages 8+
- ~6h
- Free
Ithaca, NY
Merrill Family Sailing Center
Cornell's public sailing center on Cayuga Lake, running youth camps, classes and family fleet access. Paid. Ages 8 to 17.
- Sailing
- Ages 8+
- ~7h
- Paid
Keene, NY
Cascade Mountain
The most popular Adirondack High Peak with stunning 360-degree summit views. Free. Better for ages 7 and up. Easily a full day.
- Hiking
- Ages 7+
- ~5h
- Free
Keene Valley, NY
Indian Head and Rainbow Falls Trail
Epic hike past a 150-foot waterfall to the iconic Ausable Lakes cliff-top view. Free. Better for ages 8 and up. Easily a full day.
- Hiking
- Ages 8+
- ~7h
- Free
Lake George, NY
Lake George Islands Camping
Boat-access island camping on pristine Lake George. Paid entry. Best from about age 5. Plan to stay overnight. Dogs welcome.
- Camping
- Ages 5+
- Overnight
- Paid
Long Lake, NY
Forked Lake Campground
Mostly paddle-in shoreline campsites on a quiet Adirondack lake, a real step up from car camping for families who can paddle gear in
- Camping
- Ages 6+
- Overnight
- Paid
Newcomb, NY
Camp Santanoni Historic Area
Carriage road hike or bike to a historic Great Camp on pristine Newcomb Lake. Free. Best from about age 5. Easily a full day.
- Hiking
- Ages 5+
- ~5h
- Free
Pilot Knob, NY
Buck Mountain Trail
Challenging summit hike with sweeping Lake George views from 2,334 feet. Free. Better for ages 7 and up. Easily a full day.
- Hiking
- Ages 7+
- ~5h
- Free
Saranac Lake, NY
Ampersand Mountain
Challenging hike to a bald summit with 360-degree Adirondack panorama. Free. Better for ages 8 and up. Easily a full day.
- Hiking
- Ages 8+
- ~5h
- Free
Schroon Lake, NY
Pharaoh Lake Wilderness
Pristine wilderness lake with backcountry camping far from the crowds. Free. Better for ages 7 and up. Easily a full day.
- Hiking
- Ages 7+
- ~6h
- Free
Shandaken, NY
Slide Mountain Trail
Hike the highest peak in the Catskills at 4,180 feet. Free. Better for ages 8 and up. Easily a full day. Dogs welcome. Moderate effort.
- Hiking
- Ages 8+
- ~5h
- Free