John Dillon Park: An Accessible Adirondack Experience Paul Smith's College John Dillon Park offers an accessible and unforgettable experience in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains. Enjoy camping, fishing, and hiking on our 3.5-mile trail system, all designed to be accessible to all. Located just a short drive from Tupper Lake and Long Lake, our park is the perfect destination for outdoor enthusiasts of all abilities.
Fully Accessible Features:
- Wheelchair-Accessible Camping: Lean-to shelters and tent site feature wheelchair-accessible ramps, picnic tables, and fire rings.
- Scenic and Accessible Trails: Explore 3.5 miles of accessible trails, winding through the scenic Adirondack landscape.
- Accessible Facilities: Enjoy running bathrooms, accessible outhouses, and other amenities designed for your convenience.
- Fishing and Boating: Cast a line in Grampus Lake or rent a pontoon boat for a scenic tour.
- Stargazing: Experience the magic of the Adirondack night sky with unobstructed views of the stars.
- Amenities: Enjoy running bathrooms, accessible facilities, and firewood provided at each site.
Plan Your Visit:
- Hours of Operation: The park is open from 9:00am to 6:00pm, Memorial Day to Indigenous Peoples Day
- Reservations: Make reservations 24 hours in advance for overnight camping.
- Check-In: Stop by the Welcome Center to check in and receive park information.
John Dillon Park
Paul Smith’s College John Dillon Park is managed by Paul Smiths College. John Dillon Park is funded by an endowment fund plus donations. This unique park’s mission is to offer outdoor recreation for individuals, friends, and families with functional differences.
Built to ADA standards in 2005, John Dillon Park offers an experience like no other. All nine lean-tos are complete with ramps, wheelchair-accessible sleeping platforms, accessible toilets, picnic tables, ADA-compliant fire pits with swing-away grills—and even portable charging stations for a power chair or a CPAP device. There is one tent site available, as well.
Services at John Dillon Park include accessible trails, a fishing dock, a boat dock/launch for canoes and kayaks, and picnic areas. For overnight visits, there are fire pits, bear boxes for food and trash, as well as firewood.
John Dillon Park is committed to creating a safe and welcoming environment where you can explore 3.5 miles of hard packed trails, free of roots and rocks, gentle slopes, and benches at regular intervals. Take a scenic ride around Grampus Lake on an accessible pontoon boat and don’t forget your fishing pole!
All nine lean-tos are built for accessibility. Bear Cub is close to the Welcome Center and is the only site that can be driven to. The lean-tos are built in pairs, with the exception of Bear Cub, to accommodate larger groups. Two lean-tos are located at Handsome Pond—the “backwoods” site—and will be available at the end of a 2.5 mile trail. Each site has a fully accessible outhouse, each equipped with a modern composting toilet. Water is available at the Welcome Center.
Bring your canoes and kayaks, go fishing, or just take a relaxing paddle around Grampus Lake. If paddling is not your thing, there is an electric pontoon boat that you can request to have a staff member take you out on. There are great places all along our trails to find a seat at an outlook and watch the resident family of ospreys raise their young, or see loons and bald eagles fishing in Grampus Lake.
If you’d rather just get away from everyone, take a hike on our three miles of trails and bask in the quiet of the wilderness.
From the NYS Thruway (I-90)
Exit 27 at Amsterdam; north on Route 30 through the villages of Speculator, Indian Lake, Blue Mountain Lake, and Long Lake. Campground is 4 miles north on Route 30 from Long Lake Village on the right side of the road.
From Tupper Lake
Route 30 south, 15.5 miles from Village of Tupper Lake, left side of the road.
Northbound
From Adirondack Northway (I-87), Exit 23 at Warrensburg; Route 9 north to Route 28 west to Indian Lake Village; Route 30 north to Long Lake. Campground is 4 miles north of Village of Long Lake on the right side of the road.
Southbound
From Adirondack Northway (I-87), Exit 29 at North Hudson/Newcomb; (Blue Ridge Road) west on 28N through Newcomb to Long Lake. Campground is 4 miles north on Route 30 from Long Lake Village on the right side of the road.
John Dillon Park was designed and constructed to be a fully accessible facility in a wilderness setting. All of our sites and trails are fully accessible to all people.
When registering you will be required to provide:
- The number of people in your party
- The number of nights you plan to stay
- The total number of vehicles, license plate numbers, and make/model of each vehicle
- If you have a service animal or pet, you must provided proof of rabies vaccination on arrival.
- The rules for John Dillon Park are to be followed by all those who are within the boundary of the park.
- A copy of the Rules and Regulations will be supplied to every camper and is posted at the Welcome Center.
- If someone should be found to be in violation of the rules they should be brought to the attention of the Resident Manager for action.
Rules and Regulations:
- All persons entering John Dillon Park must register at the Welcome Center.
- All campers must obtain camping permit.
- All camp sites may be used for no longer than 5 nights.
- All campers will occupy and place equipment only on assigned campsite.
- Day use hours are from 9:00am to 6:00pm
- Campfires are to be built in provided fireplaces only.
- Proof of a valid rabies inoculation must be provided before any dog is allowed in a campground.
- Pets must be confined or leashed to restrict them to the campsite of the owner.
- Dogs cannot be left unattended. Barking or vicious dogs must be removed from the campground.
- Dogs may be walked on a leash—no longer than 6 feet, provided they are under control at all times.
- Licenses will be required to be presented upon check-in.
- All laws, rules and regulations of the State of New York relating to season limits and methods of fishing are applicable when fishing.
- No live bait will be used in the lakes of John Dillon Park.
- Fires are not to be left unattended at any time.
- Littering is prohibited on park grounds.
- All garbage must be properly disposed of in the provided garbage receptacles.
- All food must be stored in Bear Proof Boxes provided at each site. No Exceptions.
- Fishing will only be permitted at the park during the appropriate seasons and with a valid New York State licenses.
- Any problems with wild animals should be reported to the staff as soon as possible.
- Amplified music will not be allowed at the park. (Unless approved by the Park Manager for a special event).
- No glass containers are allowed at the park unless required for medical purposes.
- Boisterous or indecent language and indecent behavior are prohibited.
- Defacing any park property or polluting any park waters is prohibited.
- Possession and/or discharge of firearms, weapons, fireworks, and/or explosives are prohibited.
Violations of Rules
Any person or groups violating the existing rules and regulations or, in the opinion of the Park Manager, constituting a public nuisance or potential hazard to persons or property, or exhibiting disorderly conduct, shall be served notice by the Park Manager and expelled from the park property. Such violations can be subject to prosecution in accordance with state and local laws and ordinances.
The purpose of this page is so that first time campers can become educated on the potential for animal conflicts while staying in a wilderness setting. It is not meant to scare you away from the woods but rather to inform you of the habits of the various animals that inhabit the Adirondacks.
Respect the Wilderness
- It’s a fact of life that there are animals in the Adirondack Mountains.
- By people taking simple precautions we can all share the wilderness.
- It is up to all of us to take precautions to avoid problems with them, NOT the other way around.
- We are visiting their home. Please be a good guest.
Bears are attracted to interesting smells, which, in their mind, means a potential for food. Every campsite in the park has a animal-resistant box in which you must keep all foodstuffs and aroma inducing materials. Items such as food, toothpaste, deodorant, moisturizers and anything else that has an aroma are targets for animals. In addition to the food boxes there is also an animal proof box for garbage; please make sure you use both types of boxes at all times.
Raccoons are attracted to the same things as Bears. So the best way to avoid problems with them is to keep a clean campsite and use the animal resistant boxes. Raccoons are known to travel in groups on nightly foraging trips and are not quite as they travel.
Porcupines are not a danger to people, if not disturbed, but they are attractive targets for pets. Porcupines are attracted to salt and the most common problem is for them to gnaw on buildings where people have left salt deposits from the sweat on their hands. They are nocturnal by nature so chances are you won’t see one during the day unless it is asleep up in a tree.
Important Links
The Hazard of Forest Fires. Another thing we should all be aware of is the danger of a forest fire in our wilderness setting. People being careless are the cause of most forest fires.
The staff at John Dillon Park will let you know if there is any current increase in the potential danger of having a campfire. We work closely with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to monitor the dryness of our forests. If there is a fire ban due to dry conditions you will be required to use a stove to cook. If you have any doubts about the conditions at the park before you start your journey, please give us a call or check the home page of our site. We will post the conditions as soon as we are aware of any change.
During your stay please use the fireplaces provided at each site so we can protect the park for future visitors. Thank you.
I am one of those people that at first glance does not look like I have anything physically limiting. I am unable to carry much or walk very far, due to multiple spinal surgeries. The fact that the students working in the park, for the summer, were so kind and generous of spirit, made my visit one I will never forget. They gladly carried my water and brought me chopped wood. The fire ring made it possible for me to tend my own fire! The lean-to kept me high and dry and the planform to sleep on enabled me to be able to spend the night outdoors, and enjoy the wildlife
-Teri G
One of a kind place for individuals with limited physical abilities to enjoy nature and relax. The trails are well maintained and the staff is SUPERB.
-Jane D.
Such a fabulous place! Perfect for anyone disabled to get out in the wilderness to “rough it” camp, fish and regenerate amongst nature, wildlife and a sparkling clean lake, where free pontoon boat rides are offered. The staff is so wonderful and helpful and the camp is so clean and well run. Such a great find!
-Maga S
An amazing campground! A beautiful location, the property and grounds are very well kept, the staff is friendly and willing to help out. The accessibility of the campground is wonderful and it truly provides a wilderness experience.
-Rachel K
The perfect place to immerse yourself in the beauty of nature, relax, and rejuvenate your soul. A gem of a park with caring, helpful staff.
-Mike L.
Camping there is a True Adirondack Experience. Deep in the Heart of America’s Largest Park, outside of Alaska. The Nice thing about John Dillion Park is they offer Assistance, fully staffed, and ready to share a Magnificent Place.
-Joe G.
Hands down John Dillon Park is my family’s favorite place to camp in the ‘Dacks. Truly a hidden treasure of a place.
-Tony K
Last year my husband broke his heel and now has 14 screws and 2 plates in it. Neither he or I would consider him disabled, however we have found walking uneven surfaces like a hike in the woods difficult and could be detrimental if he twisted the heel etc. Having our gear brought in, extra water brought in was extremely helpful. Love the hard gravel paths. We are 46ers and so it was nice to have a place where we can still go for a hike in the woods.
-Alice L
We started camping at JDP about 7-8 years ago. My son is a wheelchair user and we found JDP to be a haven for a truly accessible camping experience. We appreciated the help with transporting all our gear, the battery charger for the wheelchair, dock access and the boat rides.
-Sherry E
I call John Dillon park my therapy. Its as if I hit my reset button and am better able to function until next year. In 2011 I had a brain tumor removed, and although the surgery went well, I cannot smell (anosmia), I have major depressive disorder and social anxiety. Also, my daughter has anxiety and ADHD, and enjoys her stay very much. So it helps her too.
-Patricia S
I love visiting John Dillon Park! In the last couple of years, I have started to avoid hiking on regular Adirondack forest paths. I’m 65 years old and in pretty good shape, but I’m terrified of twisting my ankle on some root and breaking my neck! I love well maintained paths and John Dillon Park allows me to enjoy nature while I take my walk, without having to constantly look down at dangerous obstacles.
-Rebecca R
As a parent of a kid with special needs, judgement from other people is just part of the air we breath. It was a relief to be at John Dillon Park and not have to deal with that, to be around people who seemed to have a more empathic understanding of disability. As a result we were all able to really immerse ourselves in the experience more deeply.
-Dorothy C
John T. Dillon is the former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of International Paper (1996–2003).
Dillon was born in 1938 in Schroon Lake, New York and earned an AAS in Forestry from Paul Smith’s College in 1958, a BA from the University of Hartford in 1965, and an MBA from Columbia Business School in 1971.
He joined International Paper in 1965 as a sales trainee and rose through the ranks to become President and COO in 1995 and Chairman and CEO in 1996.
He held these positions until he retired in 2003.
Dillon passed away on February 28, 2023, in Greenwich, Connecticut.