Dog Friendly Spots

Our pets are part of the family, and it’s hard to leave them at home while you go on vacation. Luckily, Lake Placid is a very pet friendly location, and people often joke that there’s more dogs than people!

So what do you do with your pets while you’re visiting Lake Placid? There are a number of nature trails and hiking options that are great for dogs. Here are some of the local’s favorite spots.

John Brown Farm

115 John Brown Rd
Lake Placid, NY

dog swimming at dog friendly spot john brown farm
Image from lakeplacid.com

John Brown’s Farm is located in Lake Placid, NY, close to the Olympic Ski Jumping Complex. The farm is the historic home and gravesite of abolitionist John Brown, most notably remembered for his assault on Harper’s Ferry prior to the Civil War. John’s Brown’s Farm is a historic site which provides a unique opportunity for visiting tourists in the northeast since much of the Civil War historical landmarks are located in the south.

Today John Brown’s Farm is open to public as part of the New York state Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation. This landmark is a staple of the area and holds significant importance in the history of slavery.

Locals also enjoy the farm for the three interconnected walking paths, which are open all year. The three trails provide access to varied habitats and are a big draw for dog owners. It’s important to note that although the tail rules call for dogs to be kept on a leash, you may encounter numerous unleashed dogs in the open meadows.

The three trails included the Potato Field Loop (1.8 miles), the Maple Grove Trail (.3 miles) and the Ski Jump Trail (.8 miles). During the winter these trails are open to snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

Peninsula Trail

Peninsula Way
Lake Placid, NY

The Peninsula Nature Trails, located off Peninsula Way, offer amazing views of the lake with a backdrop of Whiteface Mountain. The trails are situated on 133 acres and provide opportunities to observe plants and wildlife that are found in mixed woods, hardwood forest, and swampland.

The trails include Old Road (.75miles), Lakeshore Trail (.45 miles), Boundary Trail, and Ridge Trail (1.3 miles).

These multi-use trails allow for runners and mountain bikers, as well as cross-country skiers and snowshoers. The Outlet Brook is a common spot for dogs to take a dip.

Heaven Hill

161 Bear Cub Road
Lake Placid, NY

views from Heaven Hill

The Heaven Hill trail system is a year-round, community preserve located just outside of the village of Lake Placid. It is owned and maintained by the Uihlein Foundation and encompasses 940 acres. The Heaven Hills trails opened to public in 201, with more trails being added in 2017. The various walking trails offer access to a wide variety of habitats, including hardwood forests, fields, and swamps. You’ll also get great views of the High Peaks in the open areas. The Heaven Hill trails are multi-use, offering a great spot for runners, mountain bikers, and cross-country skiers. It’s also a great spot for dogs to run off leash, provided they’re well behaved! The five-mile plus trail system includes the original three trails; Big Field Loop (.9 miles), the Old Orchard Loop (1.5 miles), and the Bear Cub Loop (1.5 miles). Four other trails were added in 2017; Sugar Maple, Short Drop, Maple Drop, and Sugar Side.

Mirror Lake

Lake Placid, NY

Dogs playing in mirror lake, a dog friendly spot in lake placid
Image from lakeplacid.com

If you’re looking for a nice walk in the center of town, you need to take the 2.7 mile walk around Mirror Lake. This scenic walk will take you down Main Street and past numerous shops and restaurants. Many locations offer water bowls for your furry friends to enjoy along the way. On the other side of the lake you’ll walk past gorgeous Adirondack themed homes. There are also many spots where dogs can take a dip in the lake – don’t be surprised to see the locals playing fetch near the public beach – it’s a great spot to make new doggie friends! Bonus; Lake Placid provides dog poop bag stations the entire way around the lake, plus a large number of garbage bins (so you don’t have to carry the waste!)

Horseshow Grounds

5514 Cascade Rd
Lake Placid, NY 12946

Eden jumping in a field in winter

Located across the street from the Olympic Jumping Complex, the horseshow grounds is a great spot to take your dog, especially if you want an enclosed area. The dog park is located in the back away from the road, and offers incredible views of the ski jumps and Whiteface Mountain. The grounds are also next to the airport, so you may see some smaller planes taking off or landing. It’s usually pretty quiet, so your pup won’t get spooked! 

Getting there: when you turn off Cascade Road into the grounds, stay straight on the road and go to the back (there are signs for the off leash area).

After a day of exploring Lake Placid with your pup, you’ll need to refuel. There are many restaurants that offer dog friendly outdoor seating. Some great options include Lisa G’sSimply Gourmet and Big Slide.

Looking for recommendations on what to eat? Check out our Top Place to Eat blog.

Note: The Golden Arrow offers pet friendly lodging, complete with a welcome treat to all our furry friends! Dogs love jumping of the docks in to Mirror Lake from on our private beach (we just ask that you keep them off the sand!) Every year, the Golden Arrow donates part of the pet fees collected to the local Humane Society.

The only thing we overlook is the lake

Surrender yourself to the natural and untouched beauty of the Adirondack Mountains at the first resort in the U.S. to receive the Audubon International’s Platinum Eco Rating for Hotels. There are now only six hotels in the United States to obtain this honor! It’s a place to renew yourself on the serene shores of Mirror Lake, and take in the history of the town, just steps away from the famed Olympic Village and the heart of Lake Placid, New York. No other place on earth provides this unique blend of comfort, rejuvenation, or one-of-a-kind experiences. Start planning your stay at the Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort now!