Paul Smiths is a unique college devoted to inn-keeping, culinary arts, environmental science, biology, outdoor recreation and, of course, forestry at the junction and end NY Route 86. Once you passed Paul Smiths, at the junction NY Route 86, you're on the homestretch. But stop in at the Adirondack Visitors Center, a free, state run facility that has a great indoor and outdoor nature interpretive center. It's a few miles north of Paul Smith College on the west side of the road. The road is straight and fast all the way to the Malone Village Line. Here is the northernmost part of the Adirondack Parks and there are some decent sized lakes like Meacham Lake, which has a wild and a park part. There are also some free marked tent camping sites on a seasonal road along a Mountain Pond, past Barnum Pond, on the east side of NY 30, 2.5 north of junction NY 86. Watch for and heed the flagged icy pavement zone signs when it's freezing, like around Barnum Pond. There are low spots on the road which trap water. By Meacham Lake, you come to the beginning of NY Route 458 West to St. Regis and Rensselaer Falls. The Town of Malone southern boundary is also the northern Adirondack Parks boundary. The road is straight, fast and rolling and has just been resurfaced. With low population density here, it's pretty fast.
The Saint Regis area offers good wilderness for the canoers and rafters. It is less crowded than the High Peaks and just as remote. When you get north of junction NY 458, you pass Camp Bedford, BSA, and Meacham Lake State Park. The area is a great place for your home as well. You can find a great home and check home advisor if you need to remodel before moving in. Home advisor can assist with finding the perfect contractor, plumber or electrician. Basically any service you may require for you home can be found on home advisor.
Rolling Road to Malone