The Adirondack's Best-kept Secret Is This Charming Small Town — and It's a Perfect Year-round Destination

Inlet is the perfect base for exploring this corner of Adirondack Park.

I grew up with the eastern section of the six-million-acre Adirondack Park as my backyard, but it was only a few years ago that I learned of a hidden gem in the heart of a less-traveled portion of it: Inlet, New York.

The small town sits perched on the northeastern edge of Fourth Lake. (This is the most popular and largest body of water in the eight-lake string of the Fulton Chain of Lakes.) It's just 15 minutes from Old Forge, a larger hamlet that overshadows Inlet thanks to its famous waterpark.

And when I say Inlet is small, I mean teeny-tiny. A welcome sign deems Inlet as a place “where mountains and memories meet.” And before you know it, you’re viewing the same farewell sign that bookends the quarter-mile downtown strip, which looks like it's straight out of a postcard.

While it is a year-round destination, summer is when it really shines. Lush forests cloak the mountains in leaves; lakes and ponds shimmer under the sunlight; and the communities buzz with life — including resident deer and Black bears that you may occasionally spot. Plus, there's the summer lakeside symphony featuring the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. (Inlet hosts a lot of seasonal events like the annual Fall Festival and the winter Frozen Fire & Lights Festival.)

There are a variety of lodging options, from renting one of the older, but typically renovated, housekeeping cottages; staying in a historic waterside hotel; or booking an entire cabin on Airbnb, Vrbo, or Adirondack "By Owner."

A personal favorite is The Woods Inn, where you can cozy up in the main inn, sprawl out in the stand-alone cottage, or glamp in a canvas tent. Another favorite is Camp Cedar Spring, located just a few miles south of downtown Inlet. This luxury rental is perfect for a family or group of friends, with a gorgeous lawn and a private dock on the water. Both accommodations offer the use of on-site canoes and kayaks for a jaunt on the lake.

With Inlet as your base, a smorgasbord of activities is at your fingertips. You can bring your boat (or rent one from Rivett's) to the public launch in town, go waterskiing or swimming, and camp on an island. A public beach and sprawling views can be enjoyed at Inlet’s Arrowhead Park, where you can watch the action on the water from a more relaxing vantage point.

Summer days are perfect for hiking on one of the many trails, like the short but steep Rocky Mountain for a view of Fourth Lake and the surrounding area from above. It’s a local favorite for sunrise and sunset views. For more of a challenge, Rocky’s next-door neighbor, Black Bear Mountain, offers views stretching all the way to Blue Mountain with an almost four-mile round-trip trek.

Fern Park Recreation Area has over 20 miles of loop trails that can be used for hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing — or snowshoeing, depending on the season. Birding enthusiasts will enjoy the .3-mile Ferd’s Bog trail off of Uncas Road. Here you can spot Canada Jays, Yellow-bellied Flycatchers, and Great Blue Herons, among other birds.

The food scene in and around Inlet has something for everyone. Mary’s White Pine Bakery is the place for sweets — specifically the Boston cream doughnut. The filling is so popular that they sell cups of just the cream. (I don’t know if it’s possible to fall in love with a place over a doughnut, but it's this sweet treat that was my introduction to Inlet — and it knocked my Adirondack socks right off.)

Tony Harper’s Pizza & Clam Shack and the Screamen Eagle sling pizzas and wings, and have fun outdoor bar scenes. Though, the latter has more of a local pub feel. One of the newest additions to the town is Archie’s Alley, a dog-friendly Mexican joint with vegetarian and gluten-free options. (Their taco trio washed down with a margarita is easily my new go-to.)

For general provisions, there’s one grocery store in town — Kalil’s Grocery. It is the furthest thing from a chain grocer and that’s what makes it so charming. That, and the swoon-worthy pies. (Pro-tip: try the "fruits of the forest" pie.) Everything you might need in a pinch is likely stocked on their shelves, though you can expect higher prices so it might be wise to pack your essentials.

With its tight-knit community feel and pure Adirondack wilderness at the core, Inlet is truly a place of endless discovery. 

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