This Overlooked New York Lake Town Might Be The State’s Prettiest Fall Destination
One October morning, I stumbled into Inlet, New York, by accident, following a wrong turn that turned wonderfully right.
This sliver of a village perched on Fourth Lake doesn’t shout for attention the way Lake Placid does, and maybe that’s exactly why it works.
The air smells like pine and possibility, the kind of place where fall colors seem to burn a little brighter because fewer people are elbowing for the view.
If you’re hunting for peak foliage without the selfie-stick parade, this quiet Adirondack corner deserves a spot on your autumn shortlist.
Where It Is & Why It Feels Overlooked
Tucked along the north shore of Fourth Lake in the Fulton Chain, Inlet is the Adirondack village that never learned to brag.
Old Forge pulls the crowds, Lake Placid steals the headlines, and this little spot just keeps doing its thing: quiet streets, easy lake access, and mornings so still you can hear your own coffee steam.
The population hovers around a few hundred year-round, so foot traffic stays light even in peak season. I parked once without circling, which in tourist-town terms felt like hitting the jackpot.
Walkability is the real charm here. Everything you need sits within a few blocks, so your car can nap while you wander boardwalks, browse local shops, and pretend you’ve got nowhere urgent to be.
The Lakeside Heart: Arrowhead Park & Boardwalk Sunsets
Arrowhead Park is where Inlet’s social life unfolds, minus the noise. Sandy beach, lifeguards when school’s out, tennis courts if you’re feeling competitive, and a wooden boardwalk that stretches toward boat docks like an invitation to linger.
Public restrooms run Memorial Day through Columbus Day, which sounds mundane until you’ve hiked all morning and really need one. Picnic tables dot the shoreline, so pack sandwiches or grab takeout and claim a bench with a view.
Sunset here is a full production: Fourth Lake catches the last light, the sky goes tangerine, and for a few minutes everyone stops talking. I’ve watched people miss dinner reservations because they couldn’t leave that glow.
A Backroad That Feels Made for Autumn
Once the maples start their color show, the Limekiln Lake–Cedar River Road through Moose River Plains becomes the drive you brag about later.
This seasonal 22-mile stretch connects Inlet and Indian Lake through backcountry that feels untouched: mirror ponds, canopy tunnels, and silence so thick it has texture.
You won’t find gas stations or cell service, so fuel up and download maps before you roll. The road typically closes by late fall, so check the Department of Environmental Conservation status before planning your route.
I drove it once with the windows down, no radio, just tires on gravel and leaves doing their slow spiral. It’s the kind of road that makes you forget you own a phone.
Two Tiny Hikes, Giant Views
Rocky Mountain delivers summit views in about a mile round-trip, which means you can sleep in and still catch the vista. The ledge overlooks Fourth Lake like a private balcony, and in October the shoreline below turns into a patchwork quilt of reds and golds.
Nearby, Bald Mountain’s Rondaxe Fire Tower offers 360-degree panoramas for roughly the same effort. Climb the metal tower if your knees allow; the payoff is horizon-to-horizon Adirondack drama.
Both trails pack big rewards into small time windows, so if you’re short on daylight or patience, these are your go-tos. I’ve done both in a single morning and still made lunch in town.
Paddle, Pedal, Repeat (Rentals Right in Town)
Pedals & Petals sits right in the village, renting bikes and e-bikes so you can skip the roof-rack tetris. Early morning on Fourth Lake is glass-smooth, the kind of paddling where every stroke feels like cheating because it’s too easy.
Bike routes loop through back roads canopied in sugar maples, and e-bikes mean even the hills cooperate.
Paddle rentals are available right in town from local outfitters (e.g., Frisky Otter Tours or Inlet Marina).
No need to plan weeks ahead or haul your own equipment; just show up, pick your ride, and go.
I rented a kayak once on a whim and spent two hours drifting between loons and lily pads. Zero regrets, maximum relaxation, and I returned it before my parking meter expired.
Eat & Linger Like a Local
After a day on the trails, Screamen Eagle Pizza becomes the village gathering spot where conversations overlap and laughter echoes off the walls. The menu centers on hot, crispy slices that arrive fast and disappear faster.
What really sets the place apart is the tap list: 50 rotating options that range from local craft brews to crowd-pleasers, so everyone finds something they like. The vibe is casual, the energy lively, and the service friendly without hovering.
I grabbed a corner booth once and watched families, hikers, and locals swap stories over pizza. It’s the kind of spot where you plan to stay an hour and somehow lose track of three.
Sleep on the Shore (and Wake to Loons)
The Woods Inn sits right on Fourth Lake’s edge, a restored turn-of-the-century hotel where sunrise mist rolls past your porch chair before your first sip of coffee.
Rooms carry that classic Adirondack character: wood paneling, comfortable beds, and windows that frame water instead of parking lots.
The tavern downstairs pours drinks, and the on-site Overlook restaurant serves dinner in season, so you can wander down in slippers if you’re feeling lazy. Loons call at dawn, and honestly, that’s a better alarm clock than anything your phone can offer.
I stayed here one October and spent an entire morning on the porch doing absolutely nothing. It was the most productive nothing I’ve ever accomplished.