LAKE PLACID – TOP PHOTOGRAPHY SPOT
Editorial Update: January 2026
Photography Location Guides & Essential
Lake Placid, New York, is a beautiful year-round destination for photography. The Adirondack Mountains provide a backdrop for nature photography, while the charming small town offers ample street and portrait photography opportunities. So grab your camera and get ready to explore the photography location in the Northeast.
WHEN TO GO
Lake Placid is the perfect destination if you love the outdoors and are a fan of winter sports. It was home to the 1980 Winter Olympics and is a popular spot for winter sports enthusiasts. You can visit during the winter when the snow-covered landscape provides a beautiful backdrop for your photography. We like the fall the best when the colors are bursting and the crowds are smaller.
HOW TO GET THERE
To get to Lake Placid, New York, take the Adirondack Northway (I-87) south from the Canadian border or west from Albany. From Saranac Lake, follow State Route 86 south for about 15 miles to reach the location.
If you’re coming from Montreal, take A-15 south to I-87 south, then follow the directions above. The drive takes about 4.5 hours.
There are also a few different bus companies that offer service to Lake Placid – Adirondack Trailways, Greyhound, and Megabus all have routes that go there.
There are plenty of places in town to take some quaint town images. There are several lakes in the region, but they can be plain sometimes, except during the fall foliage. Be sure to get up for sunrise and catch the mist on the lakes in the morning; that’s when you’ll get your dynamic images. Reflection Lake is spectacular in the fall with the reflections.
This is a dark sky area for Milky Way photography. Go at the right time! See our Night Photography Section.
PHOTOGRAPHY NEAR LAKE PLACID
Cascade Lakes, NY
Located in the Adirondack Mountains, between Lake Placid and Keene, lies a pair of lakes right off Route 73. Imagine pulling up directly to the shore, popping open your trunk, and relaxing in nature’s embrace. A small gravel path veers off the main road, guiding you to the heart of this tranquil spot.
Mirror Lake, as seen in the main picture above.
The path encircling Mirror Lake in the heart of Lake Placid stretches for 2.7 miles. This level, picturesque circuit is ideal for unlimited rounds. Expect to encounter joggers, strollers, and bikers along this renowned “Central Park” trail of Lake Placid.
Mount Marcy—At 5,343 feet, Mount Marcy is New York State’s tallest peak. This 15-mile adventure with a 3,100-foot ascent requires careful planning. Proper gear and provisions are crucial. Weather can vary drastically from the start at Adirondack Loj Road to the summit, so check forecasts and prepare accordingly.
What you need to know before you go.
PHOTOGRAPHY INFO
Dark Skies—When you visit this location, you’ll find yourself in the dark sky photography zone. Be sure to engage in some night photography while you’re here, and consider scheduling your visit around the new moon for optimal Milky Way photography opportunities! Check out our pages on Night/Dark Sky Photography here. We offer a comprehensive how-to section for Milky Way Photography and our resource page.
AT A GLANCE
Lens: Wide Angle, but you may find a bird or two. Not much wildlife here.
Gear List at a Glance: Circular polarizing filter, neutral density filter, tripod, shutter release, wide-angle lens.
When to Go: Fall is ideal, but there are also many winter activities.
MANUAL MODE FOR MOVING WATERS
If you have moving waters when you are here, you can do your long-exposure running and milky water shots, but in general, lakes do not move very much, but some do. You’ll need to use a tripod for this effect. Your settings will vary depending on the lighting and the neutral density filter you use. You will shoot in manual mode for the milky waters. ISO is always 100 or as low as your camera will allow.
The aperture is f/22. Your shutter speed will be the only variable depending on the light. Roll your shutter speed until your meter reads zero. (In the center) Use your shutter release or your 2-second timer to prevent camera movement when exposing. You will want at least a 2-second exposure for milky water. If you don’t have a neutral density filter, you may not get more than 1/15th of a second in the sun.
APERTURE PRIORITY
Aperture Priority is often used to blur the background of your images and control your depth of field (how much from the subject to the background is in focus). It is often used for the bokeh effect in macro photography, such as flowers. This location is a good macro area. For more information on this, see our Aperture page
ISO SETTINGS
Increasing the ISO allows more light to enter when taking a photo. However, a higher ISO setting can also result in more digital noise in the image. It’s best to keep the ISO below 800 whenever possible to minimize this effect. If you need to set the ISO higher to take the shot, you can use Topaz Denoise later to reduce the digital noise.
Area Information ♦ Hotels ♦ Restaurants ♦ Camping ♦ Weather 2026
FEES:
There are no fees for this area.
| Campground Name | Distance from Lake Placid | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Meadowbrook Campground | 4 miles | Close to Scarface trailhead, basic amenities |
| Saranac Lake Islands Campground | 10 miles | Primitive sites on islands, great for kayaking |
| Wilmington Notch Campground | 10 miles | Tent sites near the river, hot showers |
| Adirondack Rustic Retreat | 41 miles | Historical site, two camping options |
| Adirondack Adventure Base | 23 miles | Variety of lodging, private trails |
| Ausable Chasm Camping | 9.7 miles | Riverfront sites, close to outdoor activities |
Open May-October – Rooms & Cottages available year-round
Located 3 miles from Whiteface Mountain. Ski packages available. They are accepting reservations for Ironman 2016 by phone.
Please call 518-946-7733 to book (online reservations not available for Ironman). See more at:
Website Visit Website
2026 RESTAURANTS:
Popular
| The Cottage Café | American | Lakeside views, friendly service, and flatbreads. |
| Generations | American | Good breakfast spot with a cozy atmosphere. |
Fine Dining and Unique Experiences
| Restaurant Name | Cuisine Type | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| The View Restaurant | Fine Dining | Scenic views and gourmet dishes. |
| Lisa G’s Restaurant | American | Neighborhood feel with a varied menu. |
| Jimmy’s 21 Lakeside Italian | Italian | Lakeside dining with classic Italian dishes. |
Casual Eateries and Quick Bites
| Restaurant Name | Cuisine Type | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Redneck Bistro BBQ & Grill | BBQ | Classic BBQ staples with innovative twists. |
| Origin Coffee | Café | Great coffee and light snacks. |
| Enuf Pastry and Cheese | Bakery | Local favorite for pastries and cheese. |
HOTELS:
The Mirror Lake Inn Grounds and Gardens
Explore our sprawling 8-acre property situated on the shores of Mirror Lake and only a moment’s walk from Lake Placid’s famous Main Street. The outdoor amenities include: expansive gardens, an outdoor lap pool, tennis courts, and a private beach complete with complimentary boats and watercraft. If you love macro photography, the gardens are incredible. This is the perfect location for sunrise and sunset photos at the lake.
This is our top pick for a hotel in Lake Placid.
