Paul Smith’s Visitor Interpretive Center
Grow your appreciation of the ADK at the VIC.
Photos courtesy Paul Smith’s Visitor Interpretive Center
Paul Smith’s College Visitor Interpretive Center (VIC), located just 1 mile from the campus of Paul Smith’s College, provides year-round environmental education programming, outdoor recreation opportunities and special events.
Get off to a great start at the Visitor Center.
Start your visit at the VIC’s nature museum to learn more about the flora, fauna, fungus and other aspects of the Adirondack ecosystem. The staff can recommend the VIC’s 25 miles of trails, ranging from wide and easy to narrow and steep. Visitors can also check out the art gallery and butterfly house before your adventure.
25 miles of trails to hike, snowshoe or xc ski
Just past the visitor center, a 25-mile trail network begins. Follow the wide, easy path down to Heron Marsh and relax or birdwatch from one of the viewing platforms.
From there, a host of options awaits. Straight leads to a boardwalk over the marsh, while right follows Barnum Brook to the Boreal Life trail, where another boardwalk winds past pitcher plants and bog rosemary to a viewing platform overlooking Barnum Pond.
Longer treks include a loop around Black Pond and a hike up Jenkins Mountain, affording a stunning view of water and mountains.
While VIC trails are free to use in the summer, in winter, the property becomes a cross-country ski center where visitors can use snowshoe, backcountry, and groomed cross-country trails for a small day pass fee.
Events and special programming to grow your appreciation of all things Adirondack
Paul Smith’s Visitor Interpretive Center offers an impressive number of special events and workshops. Classes in birdwatching, nature walks, lessons on native plants and trees, live musical performances, craft fairs and art shows are all on their active calendar.
For the latest offerings, trail conditions and more, visit their website.
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This week’s “Where in the ADK?” comes from the campus of the only four-year institution of higher education in the ADK.