New Yorkers flock to the Adirondacks every single summer for pristine nature and peaceful weekend getaways.
Our favorite upstate retreats usually involve kayaking, hiking, and soaking in the gorgeous mountain views.
A brand new ranking is turning heads right now because it turns out one of our most beloved waterfronts is teeming with slithery locals.
The stunning Saranac Lake was officially crowned one of the most “snake-filled” waters in the entire Northern United States.
The recent listing published by WorldAtlas highlighted five distinct northern waterways absolutely packed with serpents.
The Saranac Lakes region easily made the cut alongside spots like Door County in Wisconsin and the Huron River in Michigan.
And before you completely panic and cancel any plans you may already have, you should know this is actually a massive flex for the local environment.
Why Saranac Lake is a reptile paradise
Saranac Lake boasts an incredibly healthy and diverse ecosystem.
The interconnected waterways, marshy edges, and lush forest trails create the ultimate dream neighborhood for wildlife, it’s really no surprise they’re present.
Seasonal flooding and spring runoff expand the wetland zones, giving these cold-blooded residents the absolute best real estate to hunt, hide, and thrive.
A booming snake population actually proves that the surrounding nature is pristine and full of resources. So yes, it’s a good thing!
The snakes you might actually see
Let’s get it straight: you will not find any terrifying jungle pythons up in the Adirondack Mountains.
The snakes making their home around Saranac Lake are completely normal for the region and generally want nothing to do with humans.
The local environment supports a few key species that keep everything in perfect balance.
- Northern water snakes: These are the guys you might spot gliding through the water or sunbathing on a rock. They hunt fish and frogs and are highly aquatic.
- Eastern garter snakes: Super common and entirely harmless. They usually hang out along the forested shorelines and public hiking trails looking for invertebrates.
- Smooth green snakes: These smaller, shy reptiles love the tall grasses near the lake and play a massive role in keeping the annoying insect populations completely under control.
Should you rethink your Upstate NY trip?
Absolutely not!
These scaly residents are just going about their daily lives and keeping the local food chain completely balanced.
Most visitors never even notice them hiding in the reeds. When you do spot a northern water snake basking on a partially submerged log from your kayak, it is truly just a very cool wildlife encounter.
Nature lovers can safely observe these reptiles in the various canoe-accessible coves and public lakefronts.
Saranac Lake remains one of the absolute best destinations for a weekend escape from the NYC and still needs to be on your bucket list this summer.
Just remember you are a guest in their wild and wonderful home, so give them plenty of space to do their thing.
