When it comes to the Adirondacks, the Indian Head trail may be the most popular, and is a beautiful trail to hike. In the fall, the lookout casts vibrants oranges and reds from the trees, with the deep blue Ausable Lake cutting through the valley.
If you are planning to take a trip to visit this wonderful trail, this guide will provide you with everything you need to know before you start your hike! You can also print and download this guide to take it offline!
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Where is the Indian Head Trail
The trail for Indian Head is located in the High Peaks region of the Adirondacks. This area is the largest wilderness area of the Forest Preserve in New York State and is home to many of the 46’er peaks.
To get to the Indian Head trail, you will travel to the small township of St. Huberts which is located 10 minutes from Keene, one of the more popular towns in the High Peaks Region.
How do I get to the Indian Head Trail?
From New York City
Traveling to the Adirondacks, specifically St. Huberts, from New York City will take around 4 hours and 30 min. The fastest way to go is follow NJ-17 and I-87 North almost the whole way. You will drive through White Plains, Albany, and Lake George on your way up. Then take Exit 30 from I-87 North and drive to NY-73 West where you will arrive to St. Huberts and be ready to hike Indian Head! Click here for directions from New York City.
Getting to Indian Head Trail From the West
Many people will travel to the Adirondacks from cities like Rochester, Syracuse, Buffalo, and others west of the High Peaks Wilderness. The travel time for this direction takes anywhere from 2 to 6 hours, depending on location. When traveling from this direction, you will take interstate I-90 East until you reach the town of Rome. You will then merge onto NY-265E to I-87 North in Pottersville and follow this road to US-9 N in North Hudson. After taking Exit 30 from this interstate, you will follow NY-73 W in Keene toward St. Huberts. For Directions to Indian Head Trail from Buffalo, click here.
Getting to Indian Head Trail from the East
Another way to access the Adirondacks High Peaks is by coming from eastern areas such as Vermont or New Hampshire. Your drive to the Indian Head Trail may take anywhere from 1.5 hrs to 5 hours depending on location. To reach the trail from places such as Burlington, Montpelier, or Lebanon, you will have to make your way to the southern end of Lake Champlain to cross over to New York, where you will continue to Port Henry via VT-17 W. You will take Witherbee Rd and Tracy road to US-9 N in North Hudson for 20 min before turning onto US-9. After continuing for 3 minutes, turn onto NY-73W toward Keene until reaching St. Huberts.
Read More: Mt. Jo Full Trail Guide – Adirondacks
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Do I have to make reservations to hike the Indian Head Trail?
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The Indian Head trail is located on private property. This land is owned by the Adirondack Mountain Reserve. Â The private land spans 7,000 acres and is located in the Town of Keene Valley.
Reservations to park and hike the Indian Head trail are required from May 1 through October 31 for parking, daily access, and overnight access to trailheads and trails located on AMR property. It is very important to book your reservation exactly 2 weeks in advance during peak times like fall as the fill up very fast (sometimes in the matter of five minutes after the release).
To make a reservation, you will have to head to the AMR website located here. Once you reach the page, you will have to create a hiker account. After this, you will be able to access reservations through the “Reservations” tab.Â
To access Lower Ausable Lake and take in the views, you will have to hike down Lake Road for around 5 miles before getting to any hiking. This road is also owned by AMR. At the trailhead and the parking lot, you will have to present a valid reservation in order to start hiking the trail. These rules are highly enforced by AMR staff and rangers.Â
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Deer joined us on our hike to Indian Head!
What happens if I am not able to get a reservation to hike Indian Head?
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During our trip to the Adirondacks to hike Indian Head, I unfortunately was not quick enough to secure a reservation, but I was still able to hike the trail.
There is a hidden loophole within the AMR guidelines that you can use to your advantage in order to hike the Indian Head trail if you didn’t get a reservation.Â
According to the AMR, if you travel to Keene Valley by bus, and want to hike the trail, you can present a valid bus ticket within 24 hours of your hike to access the trail.Â
I was able to book a bus ticket from Lake Placid to Keene Valley on Trailways for around $10 per person. Keep in mind that these bus tickets also sell out, so make sure to book yours early if you are thinking about using this method to hike Indian Head!
When you are booking your bus ticket, make sure that you are buying a ticket that is within 24 hours of your hike, This will be checked by staff that the trailhead gate of the Indian Head Hiking Trail.
Once you have your bus pass, you can present your ticket to the AMR staff, and you will be permitted to hike the trail.
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How much does it cost to hike the Indian Head Trail?
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The cost for making a reservation to hike the Indian Head trail is free. There are also nearby parking lots that are free on a first-come-first-serve basis.Â
If you are planning on using the bus ticket method, expect to pay around $10 per ticket per person.
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Where do I park to hike the Indian Head Hiking Trail
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If you are able to score a reservation to hike the trail, you can park in the Ausable Club parking lot which is located just off of NY-73 on the south side of the road.Â
If you aren’t able to score a reservation and are using the bus ticket method, you can park at the Roaring Brook parking area located just across the road from the Ausable Club parking lot off NY-73 on the north side of the road.
In terms of parking time, finding parking in the Ausable club lot will not be a problem as the parking lot is big enough to hold every person that got a reservation. However, if planning to park in the Roaring Brook parking area, the lot fill up by 7am during peak times. We arrived around 6am with about 3 or 4 spots remaining. Be sure to arrive early to make sure you secure parking for your hike.
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When is the best time to hike the Indian Head Trail?
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The best time to hike Indian Head depends on what you want to see. In the Winter, you can enjoy the views of white snowfall over the frozen Ausable Lake. The hike is also much less crowded during this season. Keep in mind that the Indian Head trail in the winter will be much more challenging because of icy patches and deep snowfall. It is highly recommended to take a pair of micro spikes such asÂ
The spring brings blooming flowers and warmer temperatures to the Indian Head trail. This season is also much less crowded than the summer or fall. The temperatures of the High Peaks range from 35 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit, so make sure to pack warm. Spring showers may bring some mud to the trail, so boots and tall socks are a necessity.
Summer is a very popular season for hiking the Indian Head trail. The viewpoint at the end of the trail allows you to see Ausable Lake surrounded by miles of tall Eastern White Pine and Black Spruce. Temperatures are usually very warm, around 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, the trail is usually nice and dry so you don’t have to worry about wet feet.
Fall is arguably the best time to enjoy Indian Head. The vibrant colors of fall make a beautiful mix of colors when seen from the top of the trail. Temperatures start to get colder in October, and usually hover around 40 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. During this time the trail increases in popularity, so expect to see lots of other people hiking up to take in the views. Its recommended to bring thick socks, boots, long pants, and a jacket this time of year.
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Gill Brook Trail on the along the Indian Head Hike
How Difficult is Indian Head Trail
The total length of the Indian Head Trail is 10.8mi and is a loop-style trail. For most, this would be considered a strenuous hike. It also features 1,978ft of elevation gain which adds a challenge to the hike.Â
The hike takes an average of 6 hours to complete. If you plan on resting at the top or taking a detour to Fish Hawk Cliffs, plan an extra hour or two into your itinerary.Â
Although long, the gradient is relatively stable which makes the hike more accessible. There is also no rock hopping or scrambling necessary to reach the top of Indian Head.Â
Read More: Mt. Jo Full Trail Guide – Adirondacks
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Where can I camp/stay that is close to Indian Head Trail
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If you are looking for a hotel or inn, the closest towns to St. Huberts is Keene Valley. Although a very small town, there are a couple of places to stay such as the Rooster Comb Inn or Trails End Inn. If staying in Keene Valley, the drive to the trailhead of Indian Head is only 10 minutes.
You can also stay a bit further in Lake Placid which offers lots more places to stay. Although it is located 30 minutes from the trailhead, you can enjoy more amenities like shopping, dining, and entertainment.Â
If you choose to camp near Indian Head Trail, here’s my recommendation:Â
Drapers Acres Campground: located 20 minutes from the trailhead, this private campground offers a peaceful stay near Round Lake. It has a year-round bathroom with a hot shower and campsites have a good amount of space between them. This campsite is booked frequently, so make sure to call ahead for a reservation! click here to visit their website
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Hiking Indian Head Trail
Beginning the hike
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After finding a parking spot, fueling up on some breakfast, and making sure you have packed the right gear for your hike, its time to start the hike up to Indian Head!
Start by heading toward the parking gate located at the end of the Ausable Club parking lot. Usually this gate will be manned by an attendant but is there to check for cars entering into the trail. You will be able to walk right onto the road without having to check in at this parking gate.
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Road leading to Ausable Club
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After passing the parking gate you will be hiking on Ausable Club Road. This is a private road that is owned by the AMR that will lead you to the club house and golf course. The length of this road is 0.6mi to the club house, so you can use this gently uphill road to warm your legs up. Keep in mind that cars frequently pass on this thin raod, so be sure to move over for passing vehicles.
Once you reach the club house, you will be greeted with a sign that points you toward the Indian Head Trail. Follow this sign and continue left. This will take you to the trailhead gate. Following this sign will put you on Lake Road which you will follow for 0.3mi before reaching the registration gate.
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Follow the arrow toward Lake Road to access Indian Head
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When you reach the AMR gate and registration book, you will be greeted by a staff member that will make sure to check if you are allowed to access the trail. Make sure you have your registration or bus pass downloaded on your phone as there is no service at this area.
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The AMR trailhead gate
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After signing to the registration book and passing through the gate, hikers will continue on Lake Road for 2 miles. This road has a gentle incline when hiking up to the mountain. The next landmark to look out for is the Gill Brook Trail which will be seen on your left when walking on the road.
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Gill Brook Trial Sign
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Note: Although you can hike up to Indian Head either clockwise or counterclockwise, it is recommended to start clockwise for a more gentle incline and the ability to access the viewpoints earlier in the hike.
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Gill Brook Trail
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The Gill Brook trail is the detour that you will take from Lake Road in order to reach the summit of Indian Head. After heading left from Lake Road to merge to the Gill Brook Trail, you will follow it for 0.8mi. This is the first part of the Indian Head trail that features a wooded trail and is not along the road. The trail follows a small stream and has views of different small waterfalls along the way! It is great anticipation for the beautiful view at the top!
During the hike on Gill Brook Trail, you will have to keep an eye out for a right turn on the Indian Head Crossover Trail. A good landmark to look for are the designated campsites, as you will make a right turn just before these campsites.
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Follow this sign toward Indian Head
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Indian Head Crossover Trail
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Reaching the Indian Head Crossover Trail mean you are almost to the top of the mountain!
Follow the Indian Head Crossover Trail for 0.5mi, where you will be met with a fork in the trail. Look out for this sign to know you have reached this point in the trail.
From here you have the option of checking out the North Viewpoint before heading over to the summit. I definitely recommend checking this out, and is just a quick detour before continuing to the top. The get there , just take a right at trail sign to head to the overlook.Â
North Outlook sign along Indian Head trail
Once you have taken in the views from the overlook, turn around and continue straight toward the summit.
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Fish Hawk Cliffs Junction with Southern Overlook
Look for this sign at the Fish Hawk Junction
Near the top of Indian Head, you will cross a junction that will take you to a couple of different places.Â
Heading straight will take you to the famous South Overlook. Heading left will take you to Fish Hawk Cliffs. Heading right will take you to Rainbow Falls. We decided to first check out Fish Hawk Cliffs.
The Fish Hawk cliffs area is a 0.2mi detour from the southern overlook and is the first area we visited from the trail junction. This area was much less populated than the southern overlook, and the view was just as amazing! Definitely don’t skip out on visiting Fish Hawk Cliffs after reaching the summit of Indian Head.
Fish Hawk Cliffs Overlook
After hiking out and back to Fish Hawk Cliffs, make your way toward the Southern Overlook. If you are coming from Fish Hawk Cliffs, you will be making a left at the junction.Â
Here you will be greeted with an outcropping of rock and a gorgeous view of Lower Ausable Lake. Make sure to head down to the lower area of rocks to get all of the trees out of the way! The southern overlook provides the best photo opportunities as well!
Views of Lower Ausable Lake
Rainbow Falls from Indian Head Peak
Rainbow falls is a tall waterfall located on the right side of Ausable lake, tucked between to walls of rock in what feels like a secluded, secret location. The waterfall is a really cool sight just off of the Indian Head Trail.
To get to it, you will follow the Indian head trail North from the top back toward Lake Road. If you are coming from the Southern Overlook, take a left at the trail junction at the top of the mountain.Â
The trail back to Lake road is around 0.7mi and is switchback-style trail heading down the north side of Indian head. You will be able to see the road and the shore of Ausable Lake from many points along the trail.
Once you’ve reached the road near Ausable Lake, you will take a left on Lake Road and follow the trail until you see a bridge that takes you to the other side of Ausable Lake. Make sure to take in the views of the lake before continuing to Rainbow Falls!
After crossing the bridge, head 0.2mi toward the Rainbow Falls trail following the trail signs. Be careful not to slip on the rocks as the wet moss near the waterfall makes the rocks very slippery.
Rainbow Falls on Indian Head Trail
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Read More: Mt. Jo Full Trail Guide – Adirondacks
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Heading Back: Easy or Hard Route
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After reaching Rainbow Falls, it’s time to make your way back to the trailhead. There are two main ways to get back. You can either follow Lake Road or take the East River Trail. Your choice is up to the difficulty you want to take on!
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Easy Way Out: Lake Road
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If you are feeling a little burnt after hiking around 9 miles to catch the gorgeous views of lower and upper Ausable Lake, opt for taking Lake Road back to the trail head.Â
To do this, head back to the bridge that was crossed to get to Rainbow Falls. It will lead you right back to Lake Road where you can follow it all the way to the registration gate. This  route is about 2mi but is a lot shorter than the alternative route and is much easier as it features a gentle decline most of the way back.
The only downside with taking Lake Road is that you will be hiking on a road most of the way back and will have to constantly be listening for the sounds of buses and vehicles, getting ready to move out of the way if they come.
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Fungi along the trail!
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More Adventure: East River Trail
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If you want to add a little more wilderness into your hike, and a little extra milage, opt to hike along the East River Trail before cutting back over to Lake Road. This is the trail that we followed during our hike, and it provided us with a couple more unique viewpoints of different waterfalls and ponds before we got back to the road.
After Rainbow Falls, the East River Trail can be followed by taking a left at the Rainbow Falls Junction. The trail is followed for around 3mi before crossing the river again to reach Lake Road.
This trail adds more incline and steep sections into the hike, but being in the woods for just a little longer is definitely worth it.
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Conclusion
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I hope that you enjoyed my guide on hiking Indian Head. I want to provide as much detail as I can to make you experience as seamless as possible so that you can have an awesome time hiking this great trail! If you have any suggestions, or want to share your experience hiking Indian Head, I would love to hear what you have to say!
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