Black Kettle Trail.
Black Kettle Trail is a short 1.1-mile route in the Adirondacks, suitable for a quick out-and-back or loop depending on its configuration. At under two miles, it's accessible for most hikers and can be completed in under an hour. Check locally for current trailhead information and any seasonal conditions that might affect access.
- Leg-stretcherShort and nearly flat — an hour or less
- Family-friendlyShort, easy, and gentle enough for young legs
- Good for snowshoeingNon-technical grade that carries a snowshoe track
- Peak foliage window — color starts up high and works down the valleys through mid-October.
Seasonal pattern for this trail · tops out ~512 ft · live closures appear above
- GroundSurface
Read the line before you walk it.
What the trailhead is doing today.
Where the hike begins.
Guides, outfitters & shuttles.
If you’re already out here.
Keene.
The corner of the Park this trail calls home — its hamlets, waters, lodging, and the rest of its field record.
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Make a weekend of it.
Closest editorial picks for a meal, a scoop, a pint, a bed, and a sight worth your time.
Eat.
4- Turtle Island Cafe6.1 mi
Turtle Island Cafe is a full-service restaurant in Willsboro, NY, offering bistro-style food, wine, beer, and cocktails in a casual and friendly environment. It has been named Best Burger in the Adirondacks by Adirondack Life Magazine for…
- F.I.G's Riverside Pizza Cafe9.4 mi
A casual pizza cafe on the Boquet River in Elizabethtown serving pies, sandwiches, and cafe fare.
- The Deer's Head Inn Restaurant9.6 mi
The Deer's Head Inn is a historic Elizabethtown tavern and restaurant — among the oldest inns in the Adirondacks — serving pub fare and regional dishes.
- Forty Six17.9 mi
A small fine-dining room on Route 9N in Keene at the Dartbrook Lodge campus, with a seasonal menu that rotates regularly and elegant plating. Reservations recommended.
Sip.
4- Life Church Cafe9.4 mi
Life Church Elizabethtown is a local church dedicated to connecting lives and building community.
- Pleasant Valley Cafe9.5 mi
A local cafe in Elizabethtown serving breakfast, lunch, coffee, and comfort food in the heart of the Boquet Valley.
- Counter Space9.6 mi
A casual cafe in Elizabethtown serving coffee, espresso, and light bites — a local gathering spot in the Essex County seat.
- Adirondack Mountain Coffee Cafe17.9 mi
Adirondack Mountain Coffee Cafe is a coffee shop in Upper Jay, NY, serving fresh, slow-roasted coffee, breakfast, and lunch daily. Located near Whiteface Mountain and the Adirondack State Park, it also offers local beer and cocktails, with…
Sweet.
4- Sugar House Creamery18.0 mi
Sugar House Creamery is a farmstead creamery located in the Adirondacks, producing artisanal cheeses from the milk of their own cows. They offer a variety of cheeses, showcasing the quality of their local dairy.
- Black Rooster Maple18.1 mi
Pure Adirondack Maple Syrup, Maple Cream, Bourbon Barrel Maple Syrup
- Cedar Run Bakery & Market18.5 mi
Cedar Run Bakery & Market offers scratch-made baked goods, deli items, fresh menu options, and take & bake meals, alongside a selection of wine and spirits. They are open Friday through Monday from 8 AM to 6 PM.
- Whitebrook Dairy Bar21.6 mi
A classic roadside drive-in on Route 86 in Wilmington, five minutes from Whiteface — creamy soft serve (try the peanut-butter dip) plus footlongs and the Wilmington burger. Opening day is a local rite of spring.
— 18.0 mi to the nearest scoop; save it for the ride home.
Drink.
4- The Knock ADK6.5 mi
The Knock ADK is a restaurant and bar in Westport, NY, offering a plant-based dinner menu alongside classic and craft cocktails. They provide dinner reservations on non-show nights and welcome walk-ins on show nights.
- The Old Mine15.6 mi
The Old Miners Tavern is a historic Adirondack tavern in Moriah, NY, offering classic bar food like juicy burgers and chicken wings, a full bar with rotating craft beers, and a welcoming atmosphere for friends to gather.
- Tavern on Main16.8 mi
Tavern on Main brings a Chicago-style modern upscale gastropub to the historic Crown Point square — the closest sit-down dining to the Crown Point State Historic Site and the Lake Champlain Bridge crossing.
- R.F. McDougall's Pub21.7 mi
The casual sibling of the Hungry Trout Restaurant, sharing the same Adirondack riverside property next to Whiteface. Pub food, regional beers, and the same view of the West Branch Ausable at a more relaxed price point.
Stay.
4- Hilltop Motel6.1 mi
Hilltop Motel offers clean, comfortable lodging conveniently located at I-87 Exit 31 in Westport, where the Adirondack Mountains meet Lake Champlain. Guests enjoy easy access to a vast array of outdoor activities and attractions.
- The Inn in Westport6.6 mi
Set on the shore of Lake Champlain, this charming, waterfront inn is a 1-minute walk from local hiking trails and Ballard Park. High Falls Gorge is 33 miles away. Quaint, country-chic rooms with individualized decor are named after literary figures and of
- The Olde Mill Inn Bed and Breakfast9.2 mi
An eight-room historic B&B inside Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, with an authentic 1700s log cabin, a king-sized suite, and homemade breakfast. EV charging on site.
- The Deer's Head Inn9.6 mi
The Deer's Head Inn in Elizabethtown, NY, is the oldest tavern in the Adirondacks. Reopened in August 2016 as an eatery and inn, it features tavern dining with a changing, seasonal menu focused on local, regional, and sustainably produced…
See.
4- Adirondack History Museum9.4 mi
The Adirondack History Museum in Elizabethtown tells the story of Essex County and the Adirondacks — pioneer life, mining, tourism, and mountain heritage.
- Hurricane Mountain Fire Tower14.6 mi
Perched atop Hurricane Mountain, this historic fire tower provides hikers with unparalleled 360-degree views of the Adirondacks, Lake Champlain, and Vermont's Green Mountains.
- Ausable Chasm17.2 mi
A sandstone gorge attraction on US 9 in Ausable Chasm, with rim trails, walkways through the gorge floor, and add-on tubing and rafting on the Ausable River. Open seasonally, roughly mid-May through Columbus Day.
- Upper Jay Art Center and Recovery Lounge18.0 mi
The Upper Jay Art Center and Recovery Lounge is a vibrant venue dedicated to presenting music, theater, and visual arts in Upper Jay, NY. It serves as a community hub for various cultural events.
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Frequently asked.
- How long is the Black Kettle Trail?The Black Kettle Trail is approximately 1.06 miles (1.7 kilometers) — a short out-and-back suitable for most fitness levels.
- How long does it take to hike the Black Kettle Trail?Most hikers complete the Black Kettle Trail in about 35 minutes at a steady pace with roughly 190 feet of elevation gain. Allow extra time for rest stops, photos, weather, and trail conditions.
- How difficult is the Black Kettle Trail?Based on its length and elevation gain, the Black Kettle Trail is an easy hike (190 ft of climbing over the route) — gentle grades suitable for most fitness levels and families. This is an estimate from route data, not an official trail rating — check current DEC advisories before heading out.