2025 Adirondack Nature Festival for People with Disabilities

Join an accessible event that connects all individuals with nature at Paul Smith’s.

The 2025 Adirondack Nature Festival for People with Disabilities will be held at Paul Smith’s Visitor Interpretive Center on Saturday, August 16, from 10 am to 4 pm.

“Access to nature can be challenging for people with disabilities, and the Paul Smith’s Visitor Interpretive Center is a great location that includes trails that have gentler terrain and a wheelchair-accessible trail,” said Helene Gibbens, co-chair of the festival’s planning committee.

The event is dedicated to bringing together people with disabilities, their families, friends, companions and supporters throughout the North Country region to celebrate and experience the uplifting power of community and nature and to be a source of inspiration for each other.

A full day of programs designed to provide accessibility.

The event organizers have planned a wide variety of programs and activities. They include:

Bringing families and friends together in nature.

• Interactive nature workshops

• Guided walks and hikes along accessible trails

• Birding activities

• Tours of Paul Smith’s Monarch Butterfly House

• Singing workshops

• Craft workshop and vendors.

• Live music

• Food and beverages

Special guests — Adirondack Rednecks Bocce Team.

Adirondack Rednecks Bocce Team trains weekly in Saranac Lake and competes at Regional and State Special Olympic Events during the summer and fall seasons.

Bocce is an Italian game. The basic principle of the sport is to roll a bocce ball closest to the target ball, which is called a pallina. Bocce as a Special Olympics sport provides people with special needs the opportunity to have social contact, develop physically, and to gain self-confidence.

Athletes will be demonstrating the techniques and rules of the game. You will have an opportunity to join in and try this fun and competitive sport.

Find accessible locations in the Adirondacks.

While you're in the area for the festival, you may want to visit some of the accessible locations nearby. Accessible Adirondack Tourism is the place to find accessible dining, shopping, attractions, recreation and more. Visit their website for more information.

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