Ideas for a spring road trip in the Lake Champlain Region

After a long winter, there is no better remedy for cabin fever than the sparkling blue horizon of the Champlain Valley. As the ice recedes and the valley greens up weeks ahead of the Adirondacks’ mountain interior, the Lake Champlain Region transforms into a corridor of historic charm, quaint main streets, and scenic landscapes. Whether you are shaking off the winter frost or looking for the first scent of spring air, a road trip to the Lake Champlain Region offers a refreshing pace and a glimpse into the deep roots of New York's maritime heritage.

If you’re wanting to make the most of your lake-tracing road trip, here are just some of the essential stops along your way.

Bicentennial Park & La Chute Riverwalk - Ticonderoga

If you are traveling north from Lake George and the Capital Region, make Ticonderoga your first stop on the journey. This community is uniquely positioned on the historic connection between Lake George and Lake Champlain, offering a double dose of waterfront beauty that has been strategically significant for centuries. Stretch your legs at Bicentennial Park, where the spring runoff makes the falls particularly thunderous and impressive this time of year. After witnessing the power of the water, take a stroll along the La Chute Riverwalk. This gentle paved path is an accessible way to follow the river that connects the two lakes, winding through the heart of the town’s industrial history and providing a serene environment to stretch your legs before heading further up the coast.

Crown Point State Historic Site - Crown Point

Crown Point State Historic Site is an open-air historic site, giving you vast views of the massive stone ruins set against the beginnings of the Adirondack Mountains. Visitors can explore the preserved remains of both British and French forts that once guarded this strategic narrow point of the lake. A highlight of the grounds is the Champlain Memorial Lighthouse, an architectural marvel featuring an authentic bronze bust by the famous sculptor Auguste Rodin. For those interested in modern engineering, the site also offers an incredible view of the Lake Champlain Bridge, which serves as the only land connection to Vermont for miles and stands as a dramatic landmark on the horizon. Stop in at the Lake Champlain Visitors Center while you’re here!

The Crown Point State Historic Site is just one of many stops on the Revolutionary Quest, part of the 250th Commemoration.

Belfry Mountain fire tower - Moriah

It’s shoulder season, which means trails will still be icy up high. By sticking to low elevation trails, you not only protect fragile vegetation, you also get to enjoy spectacular views of the big mountains from afar. Belfry is widely considered the most accessible fire tower hike in the Adirondacks, barring ones found in town parks and museums, like in Speculator, Elizabethtown, and Blue Mountain Lake. A short, gravel access road leads you to the summit where the fire tower stands ready for climbers. From the cab of the tower, you are treated to a 360-degree panorama that perfectly illustrates the region's geography: to the west, the snow-capped Adirondack High Peaks loom large, while to the east, the sprawling waters of Lake Champlain and the Green Mountains of Vermont dominate the view.

Westport Main Street & shops

Westport feels like a living postcard from the 19th century with its well-preserved architecture and rolling hillsides. The Main Street is lined with local boutiques, professional art galleries, and small businesses that begin to buzz with new life as the season turns. While you explore the local shops, keep an eye out for the town's most famous contribution to global leisure. Westport is the official home of the Adirondack chair, originally designed here in the early 1900s as the "Westport Chair." It was crafted by Thomas Lee to provide the perfect angled seat for relaxing on the town’s steep, scenic lawns overlooking the bay. Westport tip? Check out The Mill if you’re into art, culture, and a good speakeasy, or Jambs on Main if you want a quality cup of coffee.

Early spring golf at Cobble Hill - Elizabethtown

If coming from the Tri-Lakes area (Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, Tupper Lake), your entry point to the Adirondack coast should be Elizabethtown. Because this area sits at a lower elevation than the surrounding mountains, it often experiences an earlier thaw, making it a sanctuary for those eager to get back outdoors. This is most evident at the historic Cobble Hill golf course, where the milder valley climate often allows for early spring golf while mountain courses are still covered in snow. Even if you aren't hitting the links, the town offers a sophisticated blend of county history and mountain views that make it a perfect place to pause and regroup during your road trip. Mountain biking your thing? Check the trail conditions on the Barkeater Trails Alliance page, and bring your bike (or your hiking boots) to Blueberry Hill. More of a foodie? Check out the oldest tavern in the Adirondacks, The Deer’s Head Inn.

Essex Main Street & ferry

If you are coming across the water via the Vermont Ferry, you will land directly in the heart of Essex, a town that looks largely unchanged since the 1800s. Nearly the entire village is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, boasting one of the finest collections of Federal and Greek Revival architecture in the country. Take a walk to tour these sites! After departing the ferry, take time to walk the Main Street, where the historic storefronts house contemporary art galleries, specialty shops, and farm-to-table eateries like the Pink Pig Cafe. It is a town that encourages slow exploration, where you can watch the boat traffic on the lake while enjoying a meal made with ingredients sourced from the many nearby valley farms.

Noblewood Park - Willsboro

The Willsboro peninsula is a birder’s paradise, along with just being a great place to casually explore the outdoors. Noblewood Park, located at the mouth of the Boquet River, is a must-visit for nature enthusiasts during the spring months. The park’s main ecological feature is a unique sandy delta that serves as a premier destination for birdwatching as migratory species return to the valley for the season. Walking along the shoreline here provides a sense of the lake's true scale; the views across the "broad lake" toward the Vermont shoreline are expansive, and the deep, cold waters of the bay are a stark contrast to the quiet, winding river that feeds into it.

Ausable Chasm - Keeseville

Cap off your road trip at Ausable Chasm near Keeseville, one of the oldest natural attractions in the United States and a true marvel of Adirondack geology. Spring is arguably the most dramatic time to visit the Chasm, as the melting snow from the High Peaks funnels directly into the Ausable River. This massive volume of water creates thunderous, misty waterfalls and churning rapids that echo through the ancient sandstone walls. Whether you choose to walk the rim trails or descend into the canyon, the sheer power of the spring runoff provides a spectacular finale to your journey along the Adirondack coast.

Take these possible stops in the Lake Champlain Region and create your very own spring road trip! Get creative, find your perfect places to stay, and add some other attractions and activities to your to-do list. This region is made for a relaxing spring trip, let us help you plan it!