Goodman Mountain, named after civil rights activist Andrew Goodman, has it all: history, a beautiful walk through the forest, and great views from the summit. During the summer of 2014, the NYSDEC created a trail to the summit of Goodman Mountain. At the backside of the parking area there is a kiosk and trail register with information on the storied history of Goodman Mountain. Be sure to give it a read on your way through, or even read up on it before you go!

Goodman Mountain is part of the Tupper Lake Hiking Triad.

Key takeaways

• Distance: 3 miles round trip
• Elevation gain: 615 feet
• Mountain elevation: 2,178 feet
• Hike includes a bridge

Hiking Goodman Mountain

Proceeding up the trail a short distance in you will be immediately welcomed by a very wide trail through the forest. The steep slopes and cliffs of Goodman will be to your left, set back in the woods. Soon you will begin to gently climb to a height-of-land where the trail leaves the old road on your left; this is around 0.75 miles from the trailhead. Goodman's summit is only 0.25 miles away as the crow flies, but the trail swings around the steep slopes to avoid unnecessary erosion in the summer and making the approach much more accessible and achievable for just about everyone. The grade is never very steep.

Goodman in the winter

Goodman makes for an excellent snowshoeing trip, especially for beginners with a bit of experience. Be sure to keep Goodman Mountain in mind if you have done some snowshoeing before and want a to start with a smaller mountain. With typical heavy snow and ease of access, this is a popular destination in winter.

This mountain is not recommended for cross-country skiing, and the large parking lot is typically plowed soon after a snow. Make sure to be prepared for all winter conditions.

Discover more trails in Tupper Lake

Does Goodman Mountain sound amazing, but a little more than you want to tackle right now? No need to stress, with endless mountains, lakes, and waterfalls to visit in the Adirondacks, we are sure we can help you discover a trail that’s just right!

How to get there

From the intersection of Routes 30 and 3 in Tupper Lake, continue on Route 30 South toward Long Lake for 9.3 miles to the parking area on the right. The parking area is just off the road, down a slight hill. A DEC sign marks the trailhead.