Just 13 miles north of Saranac Lake, The Paul Smith’s College VIC offers year-round environmental education and outdoor recreation opportunities. Before hitting the property’s outstanding trail network, stop by the visitor center’s nature museum to learn a few things about Adirondack ecosystems and to check out the art gallery and butterfly house.
 

The VIC includes a 25-mile trail network great for birdwatching with boardwalks offering hikers the unique opportunity to walk through wetland without getting wet. Longer treks include a loop around Black Pond and a hike up Jenkins Mountain, affording a stunning view of water and mountains.
 

While the VIC trails are free to use in the summer, in winter the property becomes a cross-country ski center where, for a small day pass fee, visitors can use snowshoe, backcountry, and groomed cross-country trails.