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Walk-UpThru-Hike

Northville-Placid Trail Permit

Adirondack Park (NY) · New York

The Northville-Placid Trail runs about 138 miles through the Adirondack Park's Forest Preserve, from Northville to Lake Placid. All lean-tos and tent sites are free and first-come, first-served; this page gives sourced trip info.

“A 138-mile thru-hike across the Adirondack Park, from Northville to Lake Placid.”

Plan your Adirondack Park (NY) trip here, then get your permit from the agency.

Walk-up permit

How to get Northville-Placid Trail

Free, first-come lean-tos and tent sites on state Forest Preserve land; nothing to scan.

Official permit page

Planning another trip? See the permits we alert on.

Northville-Placid Trail permit season

route distance, point to point
138.36mi

Northville-Placid Trail elevation profile

Northville (southern terminus) to Lake Placid train station (northern terminus)
Trailhead

Northville (southern terminus)

Trail begins at the arch on South Main Street in Northville.

Mile 0 of 138.36
0 Northville (southern terminus)138.36 Lake Placid train station (northern terminus)
Mile
0
Elevation
≈805 ft

Northville-Placid Trail landmarks

Map of the Northville-Placid Trail, Northville (southern terminus) to Lake Placid train station (northern terminus)

3 of 3 places in this section

This device cannot draw the interactive map.

Water · Piseco – West Canada Lakes

Fall Stream

MI ≈43.6 · ≈2,145 ft

Popular camping area

Sources

Terrain USGS 3DEP · Water USGS NHD · Trail © OpenStreetMap contributors

Explore all 39 landmarks, sources and coordinates

How to get a Northville-Placid Trail permit

No reservation. You get the permit when you arrive.

  1. Arrive in person

  2. Get your permit

    Free, first-come lean-tos and tent sites on state Forest Preserve land; nothing to scan.

  3. Head out

Adirondack Park (NY) trailheads

  • Northville
  • Lake Placid train station

The two Adirondack Park (NY) trailheads in full

  • Primary

    Northville
  • Lake Placid train station

As of September 2026, Northville-Placid Trail in Adirondack Park (NY), New York requires a permit issued via walk-up. Northville-Placid Trail rates 4/10 on PermitSnag's demand index. The Northville-Placid Trail route covers 138.36 miles.

Type
Thru-Hike
Location
Adirondack Park, New York, NY

How this permit is issued

Official permit page →

  1. Step 1: How this permit is issued

    Free, first-come lean-tos and tent sites on state Forest Preserve land; nothing to scan.

  2. Step 2: Check the agency page before you go

    Fees, hours and closures change. Confirm the current process at nptrail.org before your trip.

  3. Step 3: Have backup plans

    Office hours move, ground closes, and popular trailheads get busy. Know an alternative route or date before you drive out.

Official permit page at nptrail.org
Learn more:

More on Northville-Placid Trail: Live availability activityNorthville-Placid Trail permit itinerary

The Northville-Placid Trail hike

Distance
138.36 miles
Route Type
Point to Point
Duration
8-10 days

A 138-mile thru-hike across the Adirondack Park, from Northville to Lake Placid.

About this permit

The Northville-Placid Trail crosses the Adirondack Park's Forest Preserve in nine sections. All lean-tos and tent sites along it are free and first-come, first-served.

The route

From the arch on South Main Street in Northville, the trail passes Benson at mile 12.32, Whitehouse, Piseco at mile 41.7, West Canada Lakes, Wakely Dam, Lake Durant at mile 85.5, Long Lake, Shattuck Clearing at mile 113.3, and Duck Hole at mile 125.1, before reaching the Lake Placid train station at mile 138.36.

The feeling

The trail runs through nine sections between Northville and Lake Placid, past West Canada Lakes deep in the wilderness, a ranger station at Wakely Dam, and the village of Long Lake along the way.

How hard the Northville-Placid Trail hike is

  • Physical DemandFitness and endurance required5/5
  • Technical SkillClimbing, scrambling, or specialized skills1/5
  • NavigationRoute finding and trail clarity1/5
  • CommitmentDifficulty of bailing out mid-route4/5

Best for: Experienced hikers with excellent fitness and relevant technical skills.

Recommended experience: Should have completed 10+ mile day hikes with significant elevation gain.

When to hike Northville-Placid Trail

Weather Forecast

Trailhead (5,000 ft)

Today

☁️

63°

53°

Wed

🌫️

65°

54°

Thu

☁️

67°

56°

Fri

🌧️

76°

55°

48%

Sat

☀️

65°

44°

Sun

☁️

66°

43°

22%

Mon

☀️

56°

37°

View full NWS forecast →Mountain weather changes rapidly. This forecast is a guide—always be prepared for worse conditions.

Northville-Placid Trail photography guide

Classic Shots

  1. West Canada Lakes
  2. Lake Durant
  3. The Lake Placid train station

Northville-Placid Trail rules, gear and safety

Safety & planning

Emergency Info

Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Northville-Placid Trail.

Food Storage

Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.

Gear Checklist: Required and recommended gear for Northville-Placid Trail · Shuttle Services: Trailhead transportation options · Guide Services: Experienced wilderness guides

Some links may be affiliate links. Purchases support PermitSnag at no extra cost to you.

Northville-Placid Trail FAQ

Do I need a permit for the Northville-Placid Trail?

Not for a normal thru-hike. You only need a DEC Forest Ranger permit if you plan to camp more than 3 nights in one spot or hike in a group of 10 or more.

Can I reserve a lean-to on the Northville-Placid Trail?

No. Every lean-to and tent site is first-come, first-served and cannot be reserved.

How long is the Northville-Placid Trail?

138.36 miles according to the trail's own maintaining organization, nptrail.org, running from Northville to Lake Placid.

How many lean-tos are on the Northville-Placid Trail?

16 lean-tos plus 28 primitive tent sites along the trail and its connectors.

How long does it take to thru-hike the Northville-Placid Trail?

Most thru-hikers take 8 to 10 days.

What towns can I resupply in along the Northville-Placid Trail?

Northville, Piseco, and Long Lake all sit on or very near the trail; Lake Placid is the finish.

Northville-Placid Trail trail conditions and trip reports

Trail Conditions

No active conditions reported

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Trip Reports

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