Recreation
Come and play in the beautiful Speculator Region! Our scenic Adirondack
communities of Speculator, Lake Pleasant, Piseco, Morehouse,
Arietta and Wells offer a wide variety of opportunities for recreation
and relaxation, as well as the kind of "hometown" service
and hospitality that will make you come back for more.
Whether you're new to the area or looking to spend an enjoyable
day in the Adirondack Mountains, we've got plenty of recreational
activities. Snowmobiling, cross-country
skiing, snowshoeing, ice
fishing, skiing and snowboarding are favorite pastimes during the
winter months, while warmer weather welcomes numerous outdoor activities
including hiking, fishing & boating, mountain
biking, canoeing,
camping, golfing and bird
watching. Your "to do" list
will only get longer as you discover the Speculator Region!
Birding Watching
Birdwatchers and nature lovers, grab your binoculars to see what
feathered friends can be found in the Speculator Region. Take
a leisurely walk into the Perkins Clearing area to see several
species of warblers, including the Mourning Warbler, Wood Warblers
and the Blackpoll Warbler, along with many other mixed woodland
habitat species. Or hike the Northville/Lake Placid Trail into
a beautiful wetland area where you may see nesting waterfowl
such as Great Blue Heron, Common Loons and several duck species.
Habitats include forest woodlands, marshland, meadows and ponds.
Paddling along the Kunjamuck River may reveal waterfowl such
as Great Blue Heron, several duck species and Osprey along the
shoreline. Call the Chamber office at 518-548-4521 for a free
Birding Guide and map.
Boating
The Speculator Region’s many lakes and rivers offer boating
excitement of all kinds. Water ski, fish, swim, or just float
quietly watching a magnificent Adirondack sunset. Boaters can
access the lakes from launches located at state campgrounds and
from unpaved town launches. Boat rentals
are available as well.
Canoeing & Kayaking
Rent a canoe or bring your own; the Speculator Region has miles
of streams, lakes and rivers to explore. Fish, watch wildlife,
catch some rapids, or glide across a glassy lake. Licensed
guides are available to make your trip safe and enjoyable.
Grab a paddle and have an adventure. More.
. .
Camping
There are countless ways to sleep beneath the stars in the Speculator
Region. Choose between public campgrounds or privately owned campsites
and RV parks. From fine fishing and secluded wooded sites, to
water sport opportunities and lakeside picnics, you’ll always
be a happy camper in the Speculator area. For
list of campgrounds, click here.
Cross-Country
Skiing
Our groomed cross-country ski trails offer fun for people of all
ages and ability levels. Whether you want easy to moderate trails
or day long treks into the backcountry, the Speculator Region
has something for you. You can also enjoy a day of skiing at Lapland
Lake Nordic Vaction Center. They have 50 km of trails, 38
km of which are snowcat groomed for all ability levels and also
offer lodging and dining on site. More.
. .
Downhill Skiing
Enjoy a beautiful Adirondack winter day on the slopes at Oak
Mountain Ski Center. With 14 trails, a quad chair, 2 T-bars, night skiing,
lessons, rentals, cafeteria, and a new restaurant with bar –what
more could you ask for!
Fishing/Fly Fishing
Fishing licenses are available at
these local locations.
Our region offers a great variety of waters with many species
to pursue. For the casual summer fisherperson, we have outstanding
smallmouth bass fishing in the major lakes. For the more serious
lake angler, the major lakes contain trout, salmon and walleye.
Or for a different fishing experience, try one of our many area
trout ponds. There are several excellent rivers in the area suitable
for both fly fishing and spin fishing. Whether you hope to catch
dinner or are only into catch and release fishing, the Speculator
Region is the perfect place to drop a line. More.
. .
Golfing
Our local public 9 hole, par 35 golf
course comes with breathtaking views of the Adirondack mountains.
In the fall, the lush green trees that lined the fairways in the
summer turn bright yellow, red and orange. You may find that you'll
spend as much time taking in the scenic vistas as you do concentrating
on your game.
Hiking
From family walks along a pathway to more strenuous climbs, the
Speculator Region will exceed your expectations. We’ve mapped
them out with specific descriptions here. More…
Hunting
Wild game is abundant in the Speculator Region. Black bear and
whitetail deer are among the favorites and wild turkeys are plentiful.
Ruffed grouse, woodcock and snowshoe hare add to the thrill of
game hunting in our area. Nonresident hunters must hold a hunting
license in their home state or a hunting safety certificate in
order to purchase a NYS Hunting License. Hunting
licenses are available at these local locations.
Ice Fishing
There is nothing like walking on a frozen lake, carving a hole
and pulling up elusive fish from the mysterious depths below.
The Speculator Region lakes offer winter anglers brown trout,
landlocked salmon, and lake trout, just to mention a few. Fishing
licenses are available at these local locations.
Ice Skating
During the winter season, we convert our town’s covered pavilion
into a wonderful free outdoor skating rink.
Mountain Biking
Hit the trail in Speculator, where you can bike “The Speculator
Loop” which was featured in the Adirondack Life 2003 Annual
Guide. The trail system consists of two bike loops which are wide,
hard-packed logging roads that vary in terrain. More…
Snowboarding
The excitement and freedom of snowboarding is only minutes away
at Oak Mountain Ski Center.
Snowmobiling
*Trail
Condition Reports*
Traverse over 650 miles of free groomed snowmobile trails that
wind through spectacular mountains and over scenic lakes. The
Speculator Region is a snowmobiler’s paradise with lodging,
restaurants and merchants along the way. Pick up a free trail
map at the Chamber office or at several area businesses. Download
a trail map here. Snowmobile
rentals are available as well. For accurate weather forecasts
visit www.ilsnow.com.
More...
Snowshoeing
Experience the quiet, snowy woods without having to learn to backcountry
ski. The Speculator Region offers a wide range of terrain for
every snowshoer. More. . .
Snow Tubing
Snow Tubing at our local family ski center, Oak
Mountain, is a
great way to experience the fun of winter recreation from a whole
new perspective. No experience is necessary, simply grab a tube
and let the fun begin!
