Why We Love Chestertown & Brant Lake

The beautiful towns of Brant Lake and Chestertown are nestled in the Adirondacks’ 6.1 million acres of preserved wilderness. Offering gorgeous views of Brant Lake, Loon Lake, and Friends Lake, exhilarating mountain biking, and exploring the best town stores in the region, there is something for everyone in these quaint towns.

Being in the heart of the Adirondacks, there are many classic Adirondack style lodges for you to choose from for your visit. Explore everything from a cabin to a luxury Adirondack room rental. The Friends Lake Inn is regarded as one of the world’s best hotels and they have an amazing wine selection. Friends Lake Inn is not alone on Friends Lake, the Fern Lodge is another exquisite luxury lodge right on the shore. You will absolutely want to put both places on your list. If luxury lodges aren’t your cup of tea, you have to check out the Riverside Pines Campsites & Cabins! Located in Chestertown on the Schroon River, they offer fishing with boat rentals, a swimming area, restaurant, and many more features not offered at traditional campsites.

The areas of Chestertown and Brant Lake are full of all types of adventure. If you’re up for lots of outdoor fun, you can take on the Chester Challenge which is a hiking based endeavor. After completing six trails you will receive the Chester Challenge Pin. If you want to complete the trails between the months of December and March, you will receive a special Winter Challenge Pin or Patch. Speaking of winter, make sure you check out C+C Adirondack Snowmobile Tours for a trip through an Adirondack winter wonderland. Try a dinner tour which includes a day of exploration followed by a meal at a restaurant in the area.


The Brant Lake region is home to a growing bicycling community spearheaded by The Hub. Besides being a bike repair shop, The Hub is home to a café serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as ice cream! You can check out the road bike route suggestions on their website or spend some time at the brand new Brant Lake Bike Park. All routes leave from The Hub, including a few hiking trails if you’re not interested in biking. When you are done with your adventure be sure to stop back in The Hub to wind down with their extensive local craft beer selections on tap.


If you’re looking to experience something different, a stop by the Circle B Ranch is a must. With guided trail rides on over 500 acres of trails with great mountain views, all levels of riding ability are welcomed. For another local treasure stop by the Dynamite Hill Recreation Area. For no admission fees, they offer skiing, snowboarding, and sledding, facilitated by their own snow blower. Come back throughout the year to experience their variety of terrain for hiking, cross-country skiing, mountain biking, snowshoeing, ice skating and hockey.


Despite the small town feel, you’ll never find yourself lacking in options for food! The Bullhouse serves up delicious Latin American comfort food in the heart of Chestertown. If you’re not looking to sit down for food but instead want to gear up and pack a lunch, a stop into The Crossroads is necessary. They carry everything to prepare for a picnic or for a serious outing. Don’t forget that they also have over 50 choices of craft beer!


The last two stops you must make include the Main Street Ice Cream Parlor in Chestertown and The Lazy Moose Garden Market in Brant Lake. Besides ice cream, the Main Street Ice Cream Parlor offers homemade soups, burgers, sandwiches, and many more food options, along with unique gifts. Similarly, The Lazy Moose Garden Market offers breakfasts, sandwiches, salads, baked goods, along with a store and greenhouse.

Tucked away in the great Adirondack Park, the accessible towns of Chestertown and Brant Lake offer a great adventure for any type of family. Whether you want to camp out and experience horseback riding, stay in a luxury Adirondack Lodge while taking in the beautiful sunsets, or something in between, visiting Chestertown and Brant Lake will never disappoint you.