Our Stay in Tupper Lake, NY

New York

May - June 2025

From Maine to the Adirondack Mountains

After we said our farewell to the Airbnb in Pownal, ME, we set off early, around 8:45 a.m., knowing we had a long drive ahead. After spending two and a half weeks exploring Maine, our journey was taking us to New York State, specifically, Tupper Lake, a small community nestled in the Adirondack Mountains.

The route took us through the picturesque landscapes of New Hampshire and Vermont, and by around 2 p.m., we crossed into New York. A few hours later, we arrived at our Airbnb, where check-in was smooth and easy.

A Lakeside Stay in the Adirondacks

The Airbnb location was conveniently close to downtown yet right on the edge of the lake, offering the best of both worlds. After settling in and having dinner, we stretched our legs with a walk along the shores of Tupper Lake through Flanders Park, where the stillness of the evening and the calm lake made for the perfect welcome to Tupper Lake.

A Day with Rainy and Stormy Skies

The next morning, we woke up with dark skies. The forecast looked grim, so we decided to just get our runs in. We’d read about the Junction Pass rail-to-trail, and after my husband had considered it safe, I set out for my run as well. The trail itself was perfect, but the weather was relentless.

By the time I returned home, I was soaked and chilled. However, a warm shower and dry clothes later, I felt rejuvenated; nothing ever feels better than that.

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In the evening, the rain had stopped. From the window, I had seen the clouds parting and the sun breaking through; ideal photographic circumstances. Eagerly, I took my camera to capture the lake’s unique, almost haunting beauty.

Revisiting The Tupper Lake Junction Pass Rail Trail

During the rest of the week, I completed a few more walks and hikes on the Tupper Lake Junction Pass Rail-Trail, part of the larger Adirondack Rail Trail. The trail follows a former railroad bed where trains once carried timber and travelers through the heart of the Adirondacks. What I loved most about this path was how it beautifully combines Tupper Lake’s industrial heritage with its natural beauty.

One of the largest and most storied enterprises along the trail was the Oval Wood Dish Factory (OWD). Founded in Ohio in 1883, the company moved operations to Tupper Lake in the late 1910s. For decades, it produced wooden plates, bowls, tongue depressors, ice cream spoons, and even bowling pins. The woodenware operations ceased in 1964, and the complex later housed plastics and other industries until about 2008. Today, a major redevelopment effort is underway: the OWD site is being transformed into mixed-use housing and commercial facilities with green spaces connected to the Junction Pass trail.

My turning point on the trail was the Tupper Lake Train Station, built in 1892. Passenger trains returned to Tupper Lake in September 2022, more than half a century after service ended in 1965. Restoration efforts are now in full swing, and once completed, the station will serve as a hub for both the Adirondack Railroad’s scenic trains and the expanding Adirondack Rail Trail. I hope the station’s revival brings new visitors and vibrant energy to this charming town surrounded by the Adirondacks’ beautiful mountains and lakes.

Eight Days in the Heart of the Adirondacks

We loved our action-packed days in the expansive Adirondack Mountains! This state park is enormous, equal in size to Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Everglades, and Great Smoky Mountains National Parks combined.

We truly treasured the lake in front of our Airbnb. Whether the water was shimmering on a sunny day, dark and moody in the rain, or glowing at sunset, the view never got boring. So, when it was time to check out, we thanked our cozy Tupper Lake home-away-from-home and reluctantly said goodbye.