This Small Upstate New York Town Is One of the East Coast’s Most Underrated Destinations for Stargazing

There’s something about being in the pitch-black of night that makes your mind work illogically. Amid a night paddle under a nearly full moon on the Raquette River, a mysterious shape moves through the water directly in front of my tandem kayak. My brain immediately thinks “alligator,” despite being in a place where we do not, in fact, have alligators. After my guide reminds me the river monster was probably just a beaver, I rally from my spook, taking in the familiar symphony of summer sounds the Adirondacks have played my entire life: crickets, loons, and owls. 

As I’m discovering in real time on this nighttime paddle, the lack of light pollution in Tupper Lake means it gets exceptionally dark. So dark, in fact, that the small town within the 6-million-acre Adirondack Park has been expanding its dark-sky endeavors, making a name for itself in the growing world of noctourism. With its elevated setting, Tupper Lake is tailor-made for stargazing and exploring after dark. 

Here’s how to make the most of a day (or night) in Tupper Lake, New York.

Best Places to Stay

The overnight options in this part of the Adirondacks range from campsites and old-school cottages to cabins and hotels. Little Wolf Beach Campground is a great waterfront choice, offering 50 tent sites, RV hookups, and amenities such as restrooms, showers, a basketball court, volleyball, and a lifeguarded swimming area. For those interested in primitive camping, Little Tupper Lake, about 20 minutes south of town, has 24 designated tent sites within the Whitney Wilderness. Here, you can enjoy paddling and fishing for brook trout on a serene lake, without the constant buzz of motorized boats. The campsites are claimed on a first-come, first-served basis.

If camping isn’t your jam, Trailhead by Weekender offers a comfortable, higher-end hotel experience right in town. Or, stay in one of the historic and rustic (but renovated) tiny cabins along Route 30 that happen to be an institution in Tupper Lake. Northwood Cabins beckon to travelers with a neon sign and adorable collection of little white cabins with porches, all lined up in a row. The cabins are dog-friendly and centrally located to explore all that Tupper Lake has to offer.

Best Things to Do

The unspoiled Adirondack terrain is quite literally at your doorstep in Tupper Lake. With some of the best stargazing in the entire upper right, the area is also a dark-sky destination on the rise. The Adirondack Rail Trail’s last leg from Lake Clear to Tupper Lake was completed in October 2025. Stretching 34 miles, the multiuse, historical recreational trail is perfect for running, walking, biking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. Since portions of it venture into remote sections with zero light pollution, the route is also excellent for stargazing. You can also take in the night sky by water via a night paddle with St. Regis Canoe Outfitters. One of the most unique nighttime activities around, you’ll float along the Raquette River under the Milky Way. The company has a fun selection of other guided tours as well.

In keeping with the stargazing theme, visit the Adirondack Sky Center & Observatory. Free events are held in the roll-off roof facility (equipped with telescopes) and led by expert volunteers and the center’s founding members. Construction has already begun on an expansion, with the work slated to include a state-of-the-art digital planetarium and event venue for speaking engagements and workshops. 

If you’re seeking something more adventurous, bring a headlamp and hike up nearby Coney Mountain, a two-mile round-trip trek to and from an exposed summit, perfect for gazing at the night sky. This can be done year-round, depending on conditions—just make sure you have snowshoes or spikes if needed. The 360-degree vista is a favorite among photographers who wish to capture the Milky Way. 

Tupper Lake is also home to The Wild Center, a 115-acre outdoor playground that celebrates the Adirondacks and the region’s ecosystem. Time can be spent exploring the various indoor and outdoor exhibits, and wandering the Wild Walk trail through a canopy of trees and across swinging bridges; the grand finale is a giant bald eagle’s nest that you can climb into for sweeping views. Snowshoeing is popular in the winter, and at night, the center transforms into a twinkly wonderland of illumination known as Wild Lights.

Best Places to Eat and Drink

Despite Tupper Lake being a small town, its culinary scene is growing. A must-visit is The Washboard Donut Shoppe, a three-in-one situation: a donut shop, a laundromat, and a gift store. Do not skip the donuts; I can confirm they will appear in your daydreams for weeks, even years to come. Then, grab a coffee across the street at Perk & Pine, a cozy caffeine hub with some crafty souvenir items. Spruce & Hemlock is another staple for bakery items or a deli sandwich to go, ideally eaten lakeside or atop a summit. 

Following the day’s adventure, stop at Raquette River Brewing, where you’ll find great beer (try the Spruce Tip IPA) and a collection of on-site food trucks slinging everything from BBQ and pizza to burgers and wings. You can even bring your furry friend along to hang with you inside or on the sprawling patio outside.

Stop in for dinner at one of Tupper Lake’s more upscale restaurants, The Woodshed on Park, known for its fried chicken and craft cocktails. Made from scratch is the name of the game here; even the burger buns are made in-house.

Best Time to Visit

Tupper Lake is geared for adventure and entertainment 365 days a year, but you should time your visit with the kind of endeavors that pique your interest. Summer is for music in Tupper Lake. The Summer Sunset Series hosts live music in Flanders Park on Mondays and Wednesdays. Held at the end of June, the Tupper Lake Tinman is one of the longest-running triathlons in the country. In August, the Tupper Lake Flea Market & Craft Sale is ideal for browsing antiques and other local goods. 

On the first Saturday of February, the Northern Challenge Ice Fishing Derby has winter anglers compete in the northern pike contest on Simon Pond. Late February invites more winter fun, with the Tupper Lake BrewSki; cross-country skiers and snowshoers venture along a 1.5-mile trail speckled with brewery tents to sample along the way.