Peninsula Nature Trails

  • Brewster Peninsula Rd, Lake Placid

The Brewster Peninsula Trails are located on the shores of Lake Placid and are tucked back on a dirt road. The DEC has worked to use old access roads and selected new trails to develop this year-round destination for short, fun afternoon outings. A destination for cross-country skiers, snowshoers, mountain bikers, trail runners, hikers, family picnics and fishing – you shouldn’t be surprised to see all kinds of recreationalists. Young and old, novice to experienced – this is a great spot to stretch your legs.

How to get there

From the intersection of Routes 73 and 86 in Lake Placid, follow Route 86 toward the center of town and Saranac Lake. Continue to follow it as it swings left and climbs a short hill. Turn right on Peninsula Road — it looks like the entrance to a hotel, but you’ll see a large DEC sign for the trails — and follow it, bearing left at the next intersection. The trailhead and parking are on the left.

Bridge Closure Notice

Beginning Monday, June 17, 2024, the bridge over the Lake Placid lake outlet will be closed to accommodate dam repairs. The closure is expected to last 6-10 weeks.

Hiking, trail running, mountain biking

There are a variety of trails here! Find information on them below:

Corridor Trail: This trail is the initial trail that accesses the trail network. From the gate you descend slightly to a trail register. The trail continues to descend and eventually flattens out as it accesses the other three trails. It ends at the start of the Ridge Trail. It is 0.75 miles in length, one way.

Lake Shore Trail: This trail is exactly what it says. It follows the shore of Lake Placid before ending at a dam. The trail is much rockier and uneven than the rest of the trail, but is a highlight of the system. It is 0.4 miles in length, one way.

Boundary Trail: This trail is can also be considered a connector trail. It is relatively flat with little change in elevation. It is 0.9 miles in length, one way.

Ridge Trail: This trail is one of the favorites, and that might be because of the name kind of sounds like adventure. The trail starts from the end of the Corridor Trail and climbs steadily to the top of a long ridge. The trail then drops suddenly about 20 feet before moderately descending through a very attractive forest to the Boundary Trail. It is 0.7 miles in length, one way.

Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing and fat tire biking

All trails are open to snowshoeing and skiing, though the Lake Shore Trail is not recommended for skiing. It seems to hold less snow than the other trails because it is mostly under an evergreen canopy; you need good conditions and much more snow to make this trail a good ski.

Birding

The Brewster Peninsula Trails are part of the NYS Birding Trail. This trail is not a physical trail, but a "connection" between outstanding birding locations in regions across the state. 

Here, you'll find common species, such as Black-capped Chickadees and nuthatches, and, in spring/summer, a wide variety of warblers.