Leaving Pawprints Across Lake Placid, New York
- Luie Boone
- Dec 30, 2025
- 7 min read
This travel spot is featured in our fifth blog series, Bowwows Belong.
Dogs can’t wait to leave their pawprints all over Lake Placid, New York—and honestly, who can blame them? This Adirondack gem is one of the most dog‑friendly destinations in the Northeast, offering the perfect mix of mountain adventure and small‑town charm for anyone traveling with a furry companion. The village embraces pups almost everywhere you go, making it wonderfully easy to include your dog in nearly every part of your trip.
Lake Placid makes settling in simple, thanks to a wide range of dog‑friendly lodging options. Resorts like Mirror Lake Inn and Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort welcome dogs with ease, while nearby cabins and vacation rentals offer quiet, homey spaces where your pup can unwind after a day of exploring. For dogs who prefer a bit more space or a calmer environment, these cozy stays can make all the difference.
When it comes to outdoor adventures, Lake Placid truly shines. Scenic trails like Heaven Hill, Henry’s Woods, and the Peninsula Trails offer gentle, wooded paths perfect for dogs of all sizes. Mirror Lake’s calm, motor‑free waters are ideal for water‑loving pups. There, they can enjoy splashing at the shoreline or hopping onto a paddleboard with you. If your pup is anything like Luie Boone, they'll make that paddleboard tip right over.
The village itself is just as inviting. Main Street is lined with charming shops and cafés that welcome dogs on patios and sometimes even inside. Restaurants such as Big Slide Brewery, Lisa G’s, and Lake Placid Pub & Brewery make dining with your dog easy and enjoyable. For breakfast or lunch, casual spots like The ’Dack Shack and Saranac Sourdough offer dog‑friendly outdoor tables and a relaxed Adirondack vibe.
Just south of Lake Placid, the mountain towns of Keene and Keene Valley add even more dog‑friendly charm. Marcy Field’s open meadows are perfect for gentle walks with sweeping mountain views, while moderate hikes like Rooster Comb, Blueberry Mountain, and Baxter Mountain offer rewarding vistas without the intensity of High Peaks summits. Along the East Branch of the Ausable River, you’ll find peaceful spots where pups can cool off and splash around. Keene’s laid‑back, mountain‑town atmosphere makes it especially welcoming for dog owners.
Keene also offers several dog‑friendly dining options that make exploring the area even more enjoyable. The outdoor seating at Noon Mark Diner is a favorite among hikers and dog lovers alike. It's paw-some for hearty breakfasts or comfort food after a day on the trails.
For lodging, Keene and Keene Valley provide cozy, pet‑friendly places to stay close to the mountains. The Keene Valley Lodge is especially known for its warm hospitality, rustic charm, and unbeatable proximity to dog‑friendly trailheads.
A little preparation—like bringing water, tick protection, and waste bags—helps keep your trip smooth and enjoyable. Most trails require dogs to be leashed, and following trail etiquette ensures the Adirondacks remain beautiful for everyone.
A dog‑friendly getaway in Lake Placid is the perfect blend of relaxation, exploration, and fresh mountain air. Whether you’re strolling through town, taking in lake views, or discovering nearby gems like Keene, every moment becomes even better with your best friend trotting beside you.
Paws Rest Here
Luie Boone paw-selected this perfect vacation rental for your stay at Lake Placid, New York. Check it out below!
Rental Name: Dreamy Mirror Lake House
This rental has 4 bedrooms with 5 beds plus Rec Room with 2 queen size bunk beds and 4.5 baths.
Photos by airbnb.com
It features the following amenities:
This home is right on Mirror Lake
Rocking chairs on patio
Solo stove out on the deck
Outdoor dining area with gas BBQ grill
Fire pit
Path leads to dock and lake
Kayaks and paddle boards
Path around Mirror Lake is great for walking with your pup
What does Luie Boone think of this rental? He woofed:
My hoomans just told me we’re going to the Dreamy Mirror Lake House in Lake Placid, New York. I’m over the moon! The house is right on Mirror Lake, so I can swim the second we arrive. I’ve been practicing my doggy paddle at Aunt Lori and Uncle Glenn’s lake cottage, so I’m so ready. Of course, I’m bringing my stuffed duck, Quackers. He’s been on a few lake vacations already, so he’s a seasoned pro, though he still eyes the suitcase suspiciously. I packed him with his beak sticking out so he can supervise. Quackers can lounge on the dock, soak up the sun, and pretend he’s a real duck surveying his kingdom. The house is a short walk to Lake Placid Village and has paths around the lake and nearby hiking trails. Inside, the hoomans rave about the kitchen and breakfast nook, while I focus on crumbs and Quackers perches in windowsills, doing what he does best—birdwatching. The outdoor space sounds perfect: a dock, rocking chairs, fire pit, and BBQ grill. Kayaks and paddle boards await, and I can’t wait to ride one with Quackers close by. My bandana is ready, Quackers is packed, and I can’t wait to splash, sniff, and explore with him by my side.
Paws Venture Here
Luie Boone sniffed out and dug up these local gems for you to check out while vacationing in Lake Placid, New York!
Placid Boat Rentals
Placid Boat Rentals is a dog-friendly motorboat and pontoon boat rental shop on Lake Placid. This company allows dogs on their boats and offers everything from canoes to deluxe powerboats.
John Brown Farm State Historic Site
The John Brown Farm State Historic Site sits high in the New York State's Adirondack Mountains. It's home to the grave of abolitionist John Brown. Many Americans know a song called "John Brown's body lies a-mouldering in the grave," but most don't associate the words with this simple farm. There are hiking trail to explore here!
Phelps Mountain
Phelps Mountain may not be the tallest peak in the Adirondacks, but it’s got the spirit of a seasoned trail sage. The climb winds steadily upward through classic High Peaks forest, where roots and rocks seem to whisper encouragement as you go. Near the top, the trees part and suddenly you’re standing on broad, open ledges with a front‑row seat to Mount Marcy and the surrounding giants. It’s the kind of summit that feels like it’s been waiting patiently for you—quiet, sturdy, and proud of the view it’s earned over thousands of years.
Brewster Peninsula Nature Trails
The Peninsula Nature Trails—where every path is basically a choose‑your‑own‑sniff‑venture. Start with the Corridor Trail, a short warm‑up loop. Then trot over to the Lake Shore Trail, where you can stroll right beside sparkling Lake Placid—perfect for dogs who enjoy attempting to befriend ducks.
If your four‑legged explorer prefers something easygoing, the Boundary Trail offers a nice, flat cruise ideal for maximum sniffing efficiency. And for pups who love a little challenge, the Ridge Trail winds through the forest with gentle ups and downs!
The Bridge to Nowhere
The 212-acre Henry's Woods Preserve features about four miles of hiking trails. The trails are somewhat challenging. However, they feature grand views of some of the high peaks in the area—so it's super worth it! The Loop Trail is the longest trail in the system. One of the odd, but interesting features along the Loop Trail is a suspension bridge that was installed as part of an Eagle Scout project in 2023. The bridge is aptly named “The Bridge to Nowhere” The bridge leads to a large rock beside a wooded embankment.
Heart Lake
Heart Lake is found in the Adirondacks near Lake Placid. It's a popular hub for outdoor recreation. The area around the lake offers hiking, including access to High Peaks trails. This heart shaped lake is an especially great place if you like to canoe. Luie Boone loves to canoe, especially when his big tooshie cause the canoe to flip over and his hoomans to cannonball into the lake with him!
Owl's Head Trail
The Owl's Head Trail is located on private land, but hikers and their pups can explore it. It's closed on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. When passing through private property easements and rights-of-way, it's important to stay on the path and respect posted guidance. Local officials and private landowners work in partnership to provide public access to this area. Staying on the path ensures that agreement is upheld.
Emma's Lake Placid Creamery
At Emma's Lake Placid Creamery, you and you pup can explore a bounty of delicious ice cream, gelato, cakes, and other tasty treats. Leashed dogs are welcome to join their hoomans inside or on the front sidewalk. Hours can differ, so please call ahead to guarantee that they're open. The last thing you'd want is your pup disappointed. Their tail stops wagging, their ears droop, and there's no lip licking. That'd be a tragedy. So, please call ahead, so your pup can be like the black labrador pictured—ears high, toungue ready, and a pup cup in sight.
Luie Boone's Pet Peeve about
Lake Placid, New York
There's just so much to love about this vacation destination, but there's one thing that's got Luie Boone's leash in a twist. He woofed:
My hoomans keep talking about this vacation to a place called Lake Placid. When we go on vacation there, I’m bringing Quackers, my stuffed duck. He’s loyal, he loves lakes… and now he’s ready for an adventure, too. With his wings flapping, he always tries to keep up with me as we explore, which is mostly adorable chaos. Still, we’re a team. Lake Placid sounds amazing: mountains, trails, fresh air. You know, smells everywhere! But my hoomans warned me about a possible menace: Blackflies. Apparently, they only show up during certain weeks, but when they do, they swarm like they’re trying to win an award for “Most Annoying Insect Ever.” If our timing is unlucky, there could be hundreds—maybe even thousands—buzzing around like tiny troublemakers with wings. If we're lucky, none at all. We’ll see. The humans are bringing dog-safe bug spray, just in case. But if the blackflies decide to rise, I’ll have to leap, dodge, and weave like a canine ninja. Quackers will do his part too. He'll be flapping both wings bravely, smacking a few flies here and there, determined not to get eaten alive by the buzzing villains. Whatever happens, we’ll be ready. Trails to sniff, mountains to conquer, boats to ride. And if the blackfly army shows up, we’ll take them on together, one buzzing villain at a time.
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