From a Father’s Day Car Show to a Fishing Derby (and Free Fishing Days!) there’s a lot of outdoorsy fun coming up in the Adirondacks, plus several updates with the Adirondack Mountain Reserve’s pilot reservation system.
Discover Area Events Going On & Mark Your Calendar
Here’s what’s happening:
- Adirondack Waters Exhibit at Tannery Pond Community Center: June 17 – 25
- Adirondack Jeep Invasion in Lake George: June 18 – 20
- Father’s Day Car Show in Old Forge: June 18 – 19
- BBAIII, ebird & Silver Lake Forest Hike: June 19
- Wilmington Whiteface Whiskey Run: June 19
- Bass & Pike Fishing Derby in Long Lake: June 19
- Little Clear Pond Field Trip in Saranac Lake: June 19
- Woods Walk on Aquatic Invertebrates at the AIC: June 19
- Adirondack Turtles at Paul Smiths: June 19
- The Longest Day 29 Peak Challenge: June 20
- Sleeping Beauty Family-Friendly Hike: June 20
- Raquette River Cleanup: June 20
- Evening Paddle on Hannawa Pond: June 23
- Schroon Lake Bike Ride: June 24
- Eighth Lake to Bug Lake: June 24
See more events at the events calendar >>
It’s Your News to Know Around the ADK
Enchanted Forest Water Safari Opens for the Season
The largest water theme park in the state, Enchanted Forest Water Safari in Old Forge, opens for the season tomorrow, June 18. This is especially exciting since they didn’t open at all for the 2020 season because of the pandemic, despite the fact they had new rides ready to go.
Free Fishing Days are Coming Up in NYS
The next Free Fishing Day/Weekend is June 26 and 27. During Free Fishing Days/Weekends, anyone can fish fresh waters of NYS with no fishing license; all other regulations still apply.
The last weekend of free fishing days was February 13 and 14 (romantic Valentine’s Day ice fishing date, anyone?). The next Free Fishing Day after these two this month will be September 25.
Check Out Incredible Adirondack Art at The Wild Center
Over a dozen sculptures created by Adirondack-based artist Barney Bellinger are now on display around The Wild Center’s expansive property. These are large-scale, steel sculptures that represent his journey as an artist and diverse experiences in nature.
The exhibit is included with regular admission, and by the way, The Wild Center’s indoor exhibits reopen July 1.
The AMR Implements Reservation System Changes Based on Hiker Feedback
Hikers spoke up and the Adirondack Mountain Reserve listened. Updates/improvements to the pilot reservation system now in place include:
-There is now an electronic gate that allows hikers returning after the parking lot has closed to exit using said gate.
-The reservation system closing time has been reduced from 24 hours to 12 hours. Therefore, if there are open spots on say a Saturday morning at 7am, users will be able to reserve them as late as 7pm the Friday evening prior.
-The start of the rolling two week opening of future dates from midnight to 12pm, to allow hikers to get rest.
-The reservation system now sends out an automatic confirmation/cancellation request 48 hours in advance.
-The countdown timer on future reservations/dates has been changed to “blue” to better contrast against the “red” time slots on dates not available.
“The changes we’ve made, particularly to the confirmation/cancellation email and the 12-hour closing time, are all part of the effort to reduce no-show reservations,” AMR General Manager John Schuler said in a statement. “Additionally, the time slots are meant to approximate arrival times, but once a reservation is confirmed, the spot is yours, so if you have a 5am reservation you can show up at 10am if you want.”
