Spruce Mountain Trail.
942 feet in 1.4 miles makes this one of the steeper climbs per mile in the Park. The trail doesn't waste time—expect 70 minutes of sustained uphill on natural ground, more grunt work than scenery stroll. It's demanding in the technical sense: short enough to knock out before lunch, steep enough that your quads will remember it tomorrow.
- Peak foliage window — color starts up high and works down the valleys through mid-October.
Seasonal pattern for this trail · tops out ~1,995 ft · live closures appear above
- GroundSurface
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What the trailhead is doing today.
Where the hike begins.
Guides, outfitters & shuttles.
If you’re already out here.
Great Sacandaga 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- Nettle Meadow at The Hitching Post12.4 mi
A tavern and dining spot tied to Nettle Meadow Farm, the noted goat-and-sheep creamery, serving farm-to-table fare in the Lake Luzerne area.
- The Local13.9 mi
Fine-dining restaurant in the Great Sacandaga Lake region.
- Klippel's Kozy Korner Cafe14.1 mi
India’s largest Food Delivery, Dining and Restaurant Discovery Service. Better food for more people.
- The Log Jam Restaurant15.2 mi
The Log Jam Restaurant is an authentic log cabin restaurant in Lake George, NY, offering comfortable, casual Adirondack-style dining. It features stone fireplaces and serves American fare, including steaks and a large salad bar.
Sip.
3- ADK Blend13.9 mi
Northville smoothie & açaí-bowl spot in the Great Sacandaga Lake corridor.
- Caffe Vero17.9 mi
Breakfast, baked goods, sandwiches & house-roasted coffee in a comfy, earth-toned cafe.
- Uncle Carl's Coffee24.1 mi
Uncle Carl's Coffee serves expertly crafted coffees, artisan teas, pastries, and light savory bites. They also offer daily quiche and bagels, along with homemade soups, frozen meals, local meats, and cheeses.
Sweet.
4- Cree-Mee Freeze11.8 mi
A summer soft-serve stand near Northville on the Great Sacandaga Lake shore, with twists and specialty sundaes.
- The Village Scoop14.0 mi
A walk-up ice cream shop on Northville's Main Street at the north tip of Great Sacandaga Lake — hard ice cream and soft serve with a wide flavor selection.
- Martha's Dandee Creme14.4 mi
The definitive gateway ice cream stand into the Adirondacks, marked by its towering rooster sign on Route 9 in Queensbury. Towering swirls of soft serve in dozens of handmade flavors plus a grill menu, spring through early fall.
- Lake George Baking Company18.0 mi
A bakery with two locations in Queensbury and Lake George, offering custom cakes, breads, rolls, and the original Fudge Fancy. Off-season hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Drink.
4- South Shore Dive9.7 mi
South Shore Dive: Casual dining on Great Sacandaga Lake. Made-to-order meals, craft cocktails, lake views. Book now in upstate NY!
- The Long Horn Restaurant & Pub12.8 mi
The Long Horn Restaurant Pub Lake Luzerne, The Long Horn Restaurant Pub Lake Luzerne Online ordering, online order accepting credit card, The Long Horn Restaurant Pub Fast, Relaxed, Healthy and stylish dining experience., Catering and Gi…
- Sport Island Pub14.5 mi
Sport Island Pub offers great food, refreshing drinks, and friendly entertainment on the Great Sacandaga Lake. This family-run restaurant, with three generations of service, invites you to enjoy exquisite dishes for dine-in or take-out.
- Adirondack Pub & Brewery17.5 mi
Comfortable brewpub offering craft beers & American comfort food amid rustic, lodge-style surrounds.
Stay.
4- Saratoga Escape Lodges & RV Resort5.5 mi
Casual resort offering basic wood cabins with kitchens, plus mini-golf, a water park & a lake.
- Rockwell Falls Inn and Wine Bar8.6 mi
A Victorian-era inn in Lake Luzerne, south of Lake George, with 12 rooms (all with private baths, gas fireplaces, and jacuzzi tubs) and a wine bar open to the public Thursday through Saturday evenings.
- Ponderosa Pines Campgrounds and Bar9.8 mi
Ponderosa Pines Campgrounds offers waterfront cabin rentals and RV site lots on Great Sacandaga Lake. Amenities include a private beach, dock rentals, on-site bar, and various recreational activities.
- Luzerne Court Motel9.8 mi
A renovated roadside motel on Lake Avenue in Lake Luzerne, 7.5 miles south of Lake George and 25 miles north of Saratoga, with a seasonal pool, nightly campfires, and pet-friendly rooms.
See.
4- Historic Copeland Covered Bridge10.4 mi
The Historic Copeland Covered Bridge is a 35-foot Queenpost truss bridge built in 1879 by Arad Copeland in Edinburg, Saratoga County. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it is the only covered bridge remaining in Saratoga C…
- Tubby Tubes River Co.12.6 mi
An outfitter for lazy-river tubing on the Lower Hudson in Lake Luzerne, with guided trips, tubes, life jackets, and shuttle included. Ages 2 and up. Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day.
- Lake George Expedition Park16.6 mi
Lake George Expedition Park is a place of adventure, discovery, and excitement for attendees of all ages. Located in Lake George, NY. Open Memorial Day - Labor Day.
- Lake George Battlefield Park17.6 mi
Visitors to the Lake George Battlefield can see the sites of the Battle of Lake George (1755), which was part of the siege of Fort William Henry (1757) and a major military camp throughout the French and Indian War (1754-1763).
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Frequently asked.
- How long is the Spruce Mountain Trail?The Spruce Mountain Trail is approximately 1.39 miles (2.2 kilometers) — a short out-and-back suitable for most fitness levels.
- How long does it take to hike the Spruce Mountain Trail?Most hikers complete the Spruce Mountain Trail in about 1 hour 15 minutes at a steady pace with roughly 942 feet of elevation gain. Allow extra time for rest stops, photos, weather, and trail conditions.
- How difficult is the Spruce Mountain Trail?Based on its length and elevation gain, the Spruce Mountain Trail is a demanding hike (942 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.