Sand Lake Trail.
A substantial backcountry route in the Adirondack wilderness, this trail extends just over eleven kilometers through terrain that is reported to shift between dense forest cover and more open passages. The path, maintained within the larger network of wild forest trails, offers hikers a measured day's journey with opportunities for solitude and quiet observation.
- Half-day hikeA few hours round trip
Seasonal pattern for this trail · tops out ~1,896 ft · live closures appear above
- lwnNetwork
Read the line before you walk it.
What the trailhead is doing today.
Where the hike begins.
What the route itself carries.
Summits reached, waters touched, and the lean-tos along the way — read it like a cue sheet, mile posts ascending.
Guides, outfitters & shuttles.
If you’re already out here.
Raquette Lake.
The corner of the Park this trail calls home — its hamlets, waters, lodging, and the rest of its field record.
Read the Region→
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- Big Moose Station Restaurant17.8 mi
Website under development
- The Tavern21.9 mi
Located at 5520 state route 28 in Eagle Bay, NY.
- Mountainside Smokehouse & Grill22.0 mi
Mountainside Smokehouse & Grill offers delicious smoked meats, homemade BBQ sauces and desserts, with smoking done on-premise using apple wood. They also provide catering and meeting space.
- The Lean-to at Great Pines22.2 mi
The Lean-To is our casual lakeside restaurant, open to guests and the public. It offers a full-service bar and a craft beer menu, along with a food menu inspired by local ingredients and regional influences.
— 17.8 mi to the nearest table out here; plan the drive to dinner.
Sip.
2- Tamarack Cafe23.4 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 House23.4 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…
— 23.4 mi to the nearest pour to this spot; pack a thermos.
Sweet.
1— 23.9 mi to the nearest scoop; save it for the ride home.
Drink.
3- Daiker's22.7 mi
Daikers is an Adirondack pitstop in Old Forge, NY, offering seasonal and local dining with a deck overlooking Fourth Lake. Their caring and committed staff ensure a fantastic experience for guests.
- Raquette River Brewing24.6 mi
A family- and dog-friendly taproom pouring year-round craft beer alongside four permanent food trucks, from wood-fired pizza to Carolina barbecue.
- Lakeview Lanes & The Foul Line Sports Bar24.7 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.
— 22.7 mi to the nearest pint; appoint a driver.
Stay.
4- Norridgewock Lodge11.9 mi
NORRIDGEWOCK LODGE, an oasis in the Adirondack Mountains. Our lakeside resort is the perfect remote vacation in the wilderness of the Beaver River. Book online!
- The Waldheim17.2 mi
A rustic resort with log-cottages featuring porches with lake views, plus 3 included meals a day.
- Covewood Lodge18.2 mi
A Great Camp-style lodge on Big Moose Lake in Eagle Bay, with 19 housekeeping cottages and Main Lodge apartments and rooms. Open May through October, with kids' programming and weekly campfires from late June to Labor Day.
- The Lodge at Seveys20.4 mi
The Lodge @ Seveys is a spacious and recently remodeled facility that serves as the perfect family getaway in the heart of the Adirondacks. With seven bedrooms accommodating up to fourteen people, the lodge features a fully equipped…
See.
3- John Dillon Park22.4 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…
- Raquette Lake Navigation Cruise22.7 mi
Raquette Lake Navigation Company offers dining, sightseeing, and special event cruises on Raquette Lake in New York. This family-owned and operated business has been providing scenic experiences aboard the W.W. Durant since 1991.
- Camp Pine Knot23.2 mi
William West Durant's 1877 compound on Raquette Lake — the camp that invented the Adirondack Great Camp style. Now SUNY Cortland's Huntington Memorial Camp, an outdoor-education center with occasional public programs.
— 22.4 mi to the nearest sight on file; fold it into the drive.
Add to the record.
Free, takes thirty seconds. Yours forever.
Every page on this site gets better when readers contribute. Mark a peak you’ve climbed, drop a photo, file a field note, or flag a correction — every addition makes the next visitor’s page better.
Add a shot.
Sunrise on the dock, a cairn at the summit, a bend on the trail. Your camera roll, our archive.
Add a photo →File a report.
Trail conditions, water level, bug pressure, blowdown. The kind of detail that helps the next person plan.
Write a field note →Spot something off?
Wrong elevation, outdated access notes, a coordinate that's drifted. We'd rather hear it than miss it.
Suggest an edit →
Frequently asked.
- How long is the Sand Lake Trail?The Sand Lake Trail is approximately 6.90 miles (11.1 kilometers) — a typical day-hike length.
- How long does it take to hike the Sand Lake Trail?Most hikers complete the Sand Lake Trail in about 3 hours 45 minutes at a steady pace with roughly 820 feet of elevation gain. Allow extra time for rest stops, photos, weather, and trail conditions.
- How difficult is the Sand Lake Trail?Based on its length and elevation gain, the Sand Lake Trail is a demanding hike (820 ft of climbing over the route) — sustained climbing best suited to fit, experienced hikers. This is an estimate from route data, not an official trail rating — check current DEC advisories before heading out.