Is Ausable Chasm Worth it?
Wondering if a trip to the Ausable Chasm is worth it? Let us help you to decide!
Known as the “Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks,” the Ausable Chasm is a 2-mile-long gorge carved from 500 million-year-old Potsdam Sandstone.
With so many adventures to choose from, and it being an easy 6-hour drive from Toronto, the Adirondacks have quickly become a favourite place for our family to visit.
So on our last trip back, we decided to do a full day at the Ausable Chasm.
Want to learn more? Let’s dive in!
Is Ausable Chasm Worth it?
Yes! The Ausable Chasm is most definitely worth visiting especially if you love outdoor adventure.
And we are not alone in this thought. The Ausable Chasm sees well over one hundred thousand visitors every year.
With so many tour packages to choose from – including options for climbing, hiking or floating – you will definitely want to spend the day!
Top 10 Things to Do at the Ausable Chasm
Whether you choose to spend several days or even just a few hours at the Ausable Chasm, there are a variety of activities for you to choose from.
1. Challenge Yourself on the Adventure Trail
The Adventure Trail is a family-friendly via Ferrata located in the Upper Chasm.
A via-Ferrata, meaning ‘iron way’, is a protected climbing route, where you are harnessed to a steel cable, and you climb across the rock face on iron rungs, ladders, bridges or carved steps.
Think of it as a combination of rock climbing and an obstacle course!
The Adventure Trail at Ausable Chasm is suitable for beginners with no experience (it was our first via Ferrata!).
Kids 8 years old and over are welcome, as long as they have a minimum reach of 63 inches.
What to Expect
On arrival, you are fitted with a helmet and a harness.
You need to be wearing closed shoes (hiking boots or running shoes are best), and clothing that is not only comfortable to move in but covers your skin where the harness will sit.
You are then given a safety lesson on how to maneuver your way across the via Ferrata while staying attached to the cable at all times.
A practice area on the ground allows you to get used to the process, before actually attempting the Via Ferrata.
Then, you’re off! The fully guided tour takes you zigzagging across the Ausable River on a variety of bridges, as well as scaling across the Chasm walls.
The group moved at a pretty slow pace, so the kids were pretty comfortable, and we were able to enjoy the awesome and unique views.
As long as you are in good health, the Adventure Trail is not particularly difficult from a fitness perspective.
A little bit of flexibility and a good reach are the only things required to make your way from one obstacle to another.
And it goes without saying, if you have a paralyzing fear of heights, this may not be the adventure for you!
Our youngest son, Mr. Bump, who was 8 at the time, occasionally battles with a fear of heights, so the first tight-rope style bridge across the Chasm was a little difficult.
After conquering that, he was good to go! The tour runs approximately 75 minutes, and was a total blast!
At the end of the course, your gear will be collected, and you are then able to hike along the Inner Sanctum Trail or exit the area.
2. Go for a Hike Along the Ausable Chasm
There are three hiking trails available at the Ausable Chasm: The Inner Sanctum Trail (1 mile), Rim Walk Trail (2 miles), and Dry Chasm Trail (1.5 miles).
The Inner Sanctum Trail was my favourite. This trail leads you along the Ausable River, inside the chasm.
There are plenty of spots along the way where you can stop to sit, as well as so many places to take some incredible photos.
The trail winds its way through the narrow and winding chasm, passing by towering cliffs and impressive rock formations.
Along the way, you can also enjoy the scenic views of the Ausable River, Rainbow Falls, Elephant’s Head, Column Rock, the unique Hyde Cave, and the surrounding Adirondack Mountains.
The trail is considered to be moderate in difficulty and is suitable for most hikers.
However, while the trail is mostly made up of natural stone walkways and bridges, it can be rocky and uneven in places.
We would definitely recommend wearing appropriate footwear.
The Rim Walk Trail offers scenic views from above, providing different vantage points of the chasm.
It’s a well-marked, easy-to-navigate trail suitable for all skill levels, perfect for photography and wildlife spotting.
The Little Dry Chasm Trail is a short, well-marked and easy hike ideal for families and casual hikers.
It features unique rock formations and interpretive signs about the area’s history.
We visited the Ausable Chasm in the fall, so the colours of the foliage were spectacular on all the trails.
If we had had more time, I would have loved to try the full walking tour, which spans 5 miles in total, across all trails.
3. Float Down the Ausable River on a Raft
Once we finished the Adventure Trail, the package we purchased included a float down the Ausable River.
A short hike along the Inner Sanctum Trail brought us to the launch area for the rafts.
Here, you climb aboard the raft, and your guide talks about the history of the Chasm, as you float smoothly along the river.
It’s a very easy ride (only one small area had some minor rapids), but you may still get wet.
We were at the Ausable Chasm in October, so we opted to take off our shoes and socks in the raft.
The little bit of water sloshing around my feet was pretty cold, but at least my shoes were dry when I put them back on!
I’m sure this would be really refreshing in the summer!
4. Go Tubing on the River
During the summer months, you also have the option of floating down the river in a tube!
The trip takes about 30-45 minutes and includes both calm stretches and mild rapids.
A life jacket is provided by the facility, but we also recommend wearing a swimsuit and water shoes.
The family-friendly experience is another unique way of seeing the chasm from the water.
Tickets can be purchased at the Ausable Chasm Visitor Center for just the float, or as a combination with other activities.
While we didn’t have this option during the fall, it is definitely a must-try for our next trip!
And just in case you are wondering, if you raft or tube down the river, you are able to hop aboard the free trolley at the end which returns you to the Welcome Center.
5. Enjoy the Guided Riverwalk Tour
The Riverwalk tour at Ausable Chasm lets you explore the chasm up close.
It starts with a descent all the way down into the chasm where you get to admire Rainbow Falls.
A guide will lead you along the river, sharing stories and explaining geological formations, before taking you up to a cliff 50 feet above the river.
The tour ends with two 100-foot-long cable bridges over Class 3 and 4 rapids.
The 30-45 minute tour is suitable for ages 5 and up. Helmets and closed-toed shoes are required.
We noticed the people doing the Riverwalk watching us as we were making our way across the Via Ferrata right over their heads!
6. Try Your Hand at Rock Climbing
Rock climbing at Ausable Chasm offers something for everyone.
No matter what your experience level is, there is a range of routes available to challenge you.
Experienced climbers are able to tackle the challenging walls right over the river, while those with less experience can practice on easier routes nearby.
Try out the 1.5-hour climb for just a taste of the experience, or go all in for the 3-hour climb.
Rock Climbing at the Ausable Chasm does have a minimum age requirement of 13 years old, and a minimum weight of 60 lbs.
At the time of our visit, both of our kiddos were still too young, but it looked like a lot of fun!
7. Conquer Your Fears Rappelling
Rappelling at Ausable Chasm is a thrilling experience offered to both beginners and experienced adventurers.
The tour takes between 2 and 3 hours. It does require participants to be relatively fit as you will have to pull yourself across the cable.
The tour begins with a brief 30-foot descent followed by a 150-foot cable traverse.
It concludes with an 80-foot rappel and a 200-foot traverse, taking you 130 feet above the Ausable River.
Rappelling is open to kids that are 13 years and older, and weigh a minimum of 60 lbs.
8. Enjoy an Evening Lantern Tour
Another tour we did not take part in, was the Lantern Tour.
Here, guides take you down into the Chasm at dusk, for a guided walk along the Ausable River by lantern light.
The tour ends with a community campfire and marshmallow roast.
The Lantern Tours are only offered on Fridays, Saturdays, and Wednesdays (of course we were visiting on a Sunday!), and welcome kids over the age of 10.
9. Visit the Welcome Center
Don’t forget to stop by the Café, gift shop, and museum before you leave. The Welcome Center is open seasonally and is worth a quick peek!
Grab a snack or that perfect souvenir of your visit. You will also find restrooms inside the Welcome Centre.
10. Admire the Views from the Bridge
Before you leave the Ausable Chasm, head across the street from the Welcome Centre and take in the views from the bridge.
With a waterfall on one side and awesome views of the chasm on the other, it’s the perfect place to snap that selfie.
Where to Stay at the Ausable Chasm
You will find a variety of hotels and campgrounds near the Ausable Chasm.
Whether you are including the Ausable Chasm as part of a family adventure in the Adirondacks or if it’s the focus of your trip, you won’t be lacking in options.
Ausable Chasm Campground
If you are looking to continue your outdoor adventure, the Ausable Chasm Campground is located just around the corner from Ausable Chasm.
The campground offers serviced and non-serviced tent sites, RV pull-through sites, and cabin rentals.
The campground also offers a ton of amenities including showers, a swimming pool, playgrounds, shuffleboard, basketball, volleyball and disc golf.
There are also more than 25 miles of biking trails available.
Another benefit to staying at the Ausable campground is that you will receive a discount on any of the Ausable Chasm attractions. Not a bad deal!
Ausable Chasm Hotels
Of course, if after a day spent on the Adventure Trail or hiking through the woods, you aren’t looking to rough it, there are some great hotels near the Ausable Chasm where you can get a good night’s sleep.
How to Get to Ausable Chasm
The Ausable Chasm is located in the Adirondack Mountains of Upstate New York, approximately one hour northeast of Lake Placid, or 90 minutes south of Montreal.
The Ausable Chasm sits on the Essex County and Clinton County border, along the Ausable River.
It’s one of the oldest natural attractions in the U.S., offering incredible views and outdoor activities. Here’s how you can get there:
By Car
- From New York City: Take I-87 N (the Adirondack Northway) and drive for about 5 hours (300 miles). Get off at Exit 34 for NY-9N toward Ausable Forks.
- From Montreal: It’s about a 1.5-hour drive (80 miles). Take Autoroute 15 S, which turns into I-87 S when you cross into the U.S. Exit at 35 for NY-442 toward Peru.
- From Burlington, VT: Take a short ferry ride across Lake Champlain, then follow NY-22 S and NY-9N to Ausable Chasm. The total trip is around 1.5 hours (35 miles).
By Bus
- Greyhound and Adirondack Trailways have buses that stop in Plattsburgh, NY.
- From there, you can take a taxi or rent a car for the 20-minute drive to Ausable Chasm.
By Train
- Amtrak’s Adirondack line runs between New York City and Montreal.
- Get off at the Plattsburgh station. From there, you’ll need a taxi or rental car for the short drive to Ausable Chasm.
By Plane
- The nearest airport is Plattsburgh International Airport (PBG), about a 30-minute drive away.
- You can rent a car at the airport.
Ausable Chasm FAQs
Ausable Chasm is an awesome tourist attraction located near the hamlet of Keeseville, New York.
No reservations are currently required for the trails. It is always better to make reservations for the guided tours as well as the climbing and rappelling just to avoid disappointment.
Yes. You can swim in the river, but be aware of the current and how close you are to the dam.
Yes. The magnificent scenery, ecological diversity, and clean waters of the Ausable River make it one of New York State’s best natural attractions.
Yes. The Ausable Chasm is a privately owned tourist attraction located at Birmingham Falls, a historic location near Keeseville.
The tube ride usually lasts 30-60 minutes depending on the river current, so you should be prepared to spend between 2.5-3 hours on the classic tour.
No. Dogs are not allowed at the Ausable Chasm. Of course, anyone with a service/guide dog would be an exception.
Final Thoughts – Is the Ausable Chasm Worth it?
All in all, we had a fantastic day at the Ausable Chasm. So yes, We would definitely say that the Ausable Chasm is worth visiting.
The Adventure Trail was amazing, and the hiking and float tours were both so much fun.
The staff was very knowledgeable and friendly, and we learned a lot about the history of the area.
With all the activities that are offered at the Ausable Chasm, you could easily spend the day here.
We would definitely recommend this attraction to families seeking some outdoor fun.
Are you daring enough to try a via Ferrata? Leave us a comment or question below!
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