Buck mountain fire tower Trail.
A short, steep climb to one of the few remaining fire towers in the southeastern Adirondacks, Buck Mountain rises from the shore of Pilot Knob on Lake George. The 1.1-mile ascent gains roughly 2,000 feet, making it a condensed vertical push that rewards hikers with panoramic lake views from the restored cab. The trail typically takes 1.5 to 2 hours round-trip and sees heavy traffic during summer weekends.
Seasonal pattern for this trail · tops out ~2,402 ft · live closures appear above
- GroundSurface
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What the trailhead is doing today.
Where the hike begins.
Curated trailheads & parking near this route.
Editorial trailhead listings within roughly 3 miles — permit info, parking capacity, and access-road conditions.
Guides, outfitters & shuttles.
If you’re already out here.
Long Lake.
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- Northern Borne8.3 mi
Family-owned grocery and outdoor-supply store on Long Lake's Main Street, with organic, gluten-free, and vegan options plus a made-to-order deli counter. Camping and outdoor gear stocked alongside the grocery.
- Long Lake Diner & Owl’s Head Pub8.6 mi
Long Lake Diner & Owl's Head Pub has been proudly serving food, beverages, and memories since 2004.
- Long View Lodge Restaurant8.6 mi
Long View Lodge Restaurant on Long Lake offers a full-service dining experience with an award-winning chef. Known for its quality ingredients and an ever-changing menu in a warm, inviting Adirondack setting, no reservations are necessary.
- The Clubhouse at Tupper Lake Country Club10.0 mi
The Clubhouse Restaurant & Bar at Tupper Lake Golf Club offers a full bar, weekly specials, and hosts events and weddings. Open to the public, enjoy meals with a view of the golf course.
Sip.
4- Waypoint Cafe8.2 mi
Long Lake cafe at 1265 Main St. La Colombe coffee, homemade quiche, avocado toast, artisan sandwiches, salads, poke bowls, soups, and charcuterie. Closed Mondays; weeknight happy hour 4–6 p.m.
- Schoolhouse Grounds Coffee Shop14.4 mi
Seasonal coffee shop inside the 1895 schoolhouse that houses Blue Mountain Designs. Espresso, locally roasted coffee, loose-leaf tea, baked goods, avocado toast, sandwiches, and soups. May through October.
- Tamarack Cafe24.0 mi
Tamarack Cafe in downtown Inlet serves a wide variety of breakfast and lunch options, from traditional favorites and specialty bowls to creative salads, sandwiches, and burgers. The cafe also features an 18-hole mini-golf course.
- Blue Line Coffee House24.0 mi
Blue Line Coffee House offers Adirondack-inspired apparel, handcrafted mugs, and mountain-themed gifts, along with pre-packaged coffee and coffee accessories. Products are available for nationwide shipping, and local customers can order dr…
Sweet.
4- The Park8.6 mi
Trying to find a fast food restaurant in Long Lake? Pay a visit to The Park. We offer a range of burgers, sides, ice cream, drinks and coffee options.
- Custard’s Last Stand8.7 mi
Custard's Last Stand is a historic ice cream shop in Long Lake, established in 1958, serving a variety of soft frozen custard & hard ice cream, sundaes, specialty shakes, floats, and ice cream sodas. They also offer merchandise and gift cards.
- Skyline Ice Cream12.4 mi
A roadside soft-serve stand on Route 30 in Tupper Lake since 1985 — vanilla and black-raspberry twists, gelato, Dole Whip, and Michigans, now with an expanded burger-and-fries menu.
- Northern Lights Creamery Inc.24.2 mi
An Inlet institution for 40-plus years, a short walk from Arrowhead Park on Fourth Lake — soft serve, homemade gelato, floats, flurries, and specialty sundaes.
Drink.
4- Brookside Hops & Hoagies8.6 mi
Brookside Hops & Hoagies is a casual, family-friendly shop in Long Lake, founded in 2023, offering craft beers and hoagies made with fresh ingredients and Boars Head deli meats. It operates Wednesday through Sunday from 11 AM to 7 PM.
- Lakeview Lanes & The Foul Line Sports Bar11.6 mi
Lakeview Lanes & The Foul Line Sports Bar in Tupper Lake offers 8 lanes of bowling, an arcade, a sports bar, and outdoor seating with food and drinks for family fun.
- Raquette River Brewing12.4 mi
A family- and dog-friendly taproom pouring year-round craft beer alongside four permanent food trucks, from wood-fired pizza to Carolina barbecue.
- Hex and Hop Tasting Room - Blue Mountain Lake14.7 mi
Hex and Hop is a craft brewery and meadery located in Bloomingdale, New York. They offer full-flavored, high-quality craft beer and mead, made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, emphasizing community and craft.
Stay.
4- Adirondack Hotel8.3 mi
A 20-room hotel from the 1850s on Long Lake's main street, with a fine-dining room, a casual lakeview taproom, and a veranda that earns its keep from June through foliage.
- Motel Long Lake & Cottages8.3 mi
A family-owned lakefront property on Dock Road in Long Lake with 8 motel rooms and 18 cottages on 3.4 acres of frontage. Private beach, two boat docks, boat rentals, and walking distance to the hamlet.
- Sandy Point Motel8.5 mi
A seasonal lakefront motel on Deerland Road in Long Lake with 11 units (six standard rooms, five efficiencies), each with a private screened porch facing the lake.
- Journey's End Lodging8.5 mi
Four lakeview cottages (one, two, and three bedrooms) plus a two-story lake house sleeping eight, on the wooded shore of Long Lake a mile south of the hamlet. Open May through November.
See.
4- John Dillon Park4.3 mi
John Dillon Park, run by Paul Smith's College, is an accessible outdoor recreation area in Long Lake featuring a 3.5-mile accessible trail system, lean-tos, and fishing access. It is closed for the summer 2026 season for water system impro…
- The Wild Center12.8 mi
Live animals, hands-on exhibits & forest trails connect guests with the Adirondacks.
- Adirondack Experience — Museum on Blue Mountain Lake13.4 mi
More than 20 buildings across 121 acres hold interactive exhibitions on Adirondack life, from boat collections and photography archives to outdoor activities and a research library.
- Adirondack Railroad13.6 mi
Adirondack Railroad offers scenic train experiences through the beautiful outdoor scenery of New York, departing from stations in Utica, Thendara, and Tupper Lake. They provide various themed rides, including special events and multi-hour…
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Frequently asked.
- How long is the Buck mountain fire tower Trail?The Buck mountain fire tower Trail is approximately 1.13 miles (1.8 kilometers) — a short out-and-back suitable for most fitness levels.
- How long does it take to hike the Buck mountain fire tower Trail?Most hikers complete the Buck mountain fire tower Trail in about 50 minutes at a steady pace with roughly 549 feet of elevation gain. Allow extra time for rest stops, photos, weather, and trail conditions.
- How difficult is the Buck mountain fire tower Trail?Based on its length and elevation gain, the Buck mountain fire tower Trail is a moderate hike (549 ft of climbing over the route) — steady climbing that rewards a reasonable base of fitness. This is an estimate from route data, not an official trail rating — check current DEC advisories before heading out.