Know Before You Go
Ausable Chasm is in the Adirondacks, about 3 miles west of Lake Champlain and 40 miles south of the Canadian border. The land is privately owned by the local power company and run as an attraction, so expect to pay the basic entry fee for access. There are also extended tours for rafting and rock climbing, as well as an adventure tour offering various climbs and challenge bridges across the gorge (check the website for details). Basic admission is $17.95 (age 13+), which gives you access to the trails. Kids age 5-12 are $9.95, and under 5 are free--don't forget to ask for their military discount. They open every day at 9am, close at 4pm in the spring and fall, 5pm in the summer, and 3pm in winter. There is a welcome center and gift shop on the premises, and admission to the attraction pays for a hike through the canyon. For an additional fee, you can take a raft, or inner tube the remainder of the way, to the end of the chasm. A very family-friendly activity, when the water is high (early in the spring, or during heavy rains) the water can be a bit bumpy, but for the most part, it is an smooth and beautiful ride between the high canyon walls.