Scenic Flights over the Adirondacks
Seaplane rides over the central Adirondacks from Long Lake and Inlet: what a flight covers, the season, booking and fall color, from the cabins near Malone.
The two scenic-flight operators flying in 2026 within a day trip of the cabins both take off from water. Helms Aero Service flies seaplane tours off Long Lake, about 79 road miles south of the cabins on NY 30, and Payne's Air Service flies from Seventh Lake in Inlet, about 112 miles away on NY 28. A ride is about twenty minutes over lakes, rivers and forest, and the drive down Route 30 passes Meacham Lake, Paul Smiths and Tupper Lake on the way.
The seaplane operators at a glance
Helms is family owned and traces its Long Lake service to the 1940s; Payne's pilots bring more than 50 years of experience. Both work from a dock on the lake. Neither runs from an airport runway. The table sums up what each one publishes; the sections below give the detail.
| Helms Aero Service | Payne's Air Service | |
|---|---|---|
| Base | Long Lake, on NY 30 in the hamlet | Seventh Lake, 431 State Route 28, Inlet |
| Road miles from the cabins | About 79 | About 112 |
| Drive | About an hour and three-quarters to two hours | About two and a half hours |
| Standard ride | About 20 minutes, 25 to 30 miles | About 15 minutes in the air, 25 to 30 miles; about 20 minutes away from the dock |
| Longer flights | Great Camps or the High Peaks, on request | High Peak tours and extended flights, when a pilot is free |
| Season | July and August on the town's listing; opened for 2026 on June 25, with a fall schedule promised | Daily except Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., in season; flying in summer 2026 |
| Booking | Stop by, call, or message the company on Instagram | No reservations for scenic rides; walk up to the dock |
| Phone | 518-624-3931 | 315-357-3971 |
Schedules, prices and season dates change from year to year, so call before you drive. Both operators fly only when the weather allows.
Helms Aero Service on Long Lake
Helms Aero Service is the seaplane operator in the hamlet of Long Lake. The town's own history says seaplane service on Long Lake began in 1946 and still runs as Helms Aero Service; the company's profile gives its start as 1947 and calls it family owned. On June 25, 2026 the company posted that it was "officially open for the 2026 summer season" and invited people to stop by for a scenic tour of the central Adirondacks.
What a flight covers
The Long Lake tourism office describes the standard ride as about 20 minutes and roughly 25 to 30 miles, with the route varied on request. Longer trips tour the Great Camps or the High Peaks, and the pilots talk about the area's history as you fly. The company also flies camping, hunting and fishing trips to remote water.
Take-off is from the lake in front of the hamlet. Long Lake runs about 14 miles from end to end, and the landing lane in the New York State airport directory runs northeast and southwest along it, 15,000 feet long and 1,500 feet wide, all water. The Route 30 bridge crosses the lake about 500 feet northwest of the base.
The plane and the base
The state airport directory lists the base as Long Lake Helms Seaplane Base (NY9), a public-use seaplane base owned by Helms Aero Service on Route 30, with aviation fuel. The state directory puts the water at 1,629 feet above sea level and lists the base as attended from April to November, dawn to dusk. The FAA aircraft registry lists a 1977 Cessna U206G registered to a Helms company at the same Long Lake post office box as the seaplane base.
Season and schedule
The Long Lake tourism page lists scenic flights in July and August. In 2026 the company opened in late June, posted a more limited August schedule in mid-August, and said a September schedule would follow, with "leaf peeping season" ahead. The posted schedules go up on the company's Instagram page; the September schedule had not appeared on the main feed by early October, so call before a fall trip.
How booking works
The 2026 opening post invited people to stop by, and to message the company on Instagram or call the number in its profile. Call 518-624-3931 the day before to ask what the day's schedule looks like and whether a pilot is free; for a longer flight to the High Peaks or the Great Camps, call a few days ahead and ask how they arrange it. Ask about the fare and how they take payment when you call.
Payne's Air Service on Seventh Lake
Payne's Air Service flies from Seventh Lake in Inlet, at 431 State Route 28. The company says its pilots bring more than 50 years of experience and that they are licensed, insured and air carrier certified. Its chief pilot is listed with 60 years of experience. In December 2025 the company was selling gift certificates for seaplane rides, and riders posted reviews of their flights in the summer of 2026.
What a flight covers
The standard ride covers 25 to 30 miles in about 15 minutes in the air; with taxiing, you are away from the dock for about 20 minutes. The company says it shows riders the local area and a little back country, where they may spot a moose. Longer flights go further: charters, High Peak tours and extended flights are offered when a pilot is available, priced on request.
The plane
The planes carry up to five people, depending on their size and at the pilot's discretion. Photographs of the operation show a Cessna 206 Stationair on floats at the Seventh Lake dock. The dock is the Seventh Lake Seaplane Base, a private-use base owned by Payne's about two miles east of Inlet; FAA data for October 2026 give it a water lane 7,000 feet long and 500 feet wide.
Season, hours and booking
The contact page lists the base as open daily except Tuesdays, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Scenic rides take no reservations: you drive to the dock and wait for the next flight. Fly-in trips to remote lakes do need a reservation. All flights depend on the weather. The company takes cash and credit cards, except American Express. Payne's lists its fares on its own website without a year, so confirm the price when you arrive.
Seaplanes in the Adirondacks
Floatplanes have worked these lakes for nearly a century. A 1932 photograph in the Town of Webb Historical Association's collection shows pilot Merle Phoenix of Phoenix Adirondack Flights in Inlet beside his Stinson seaplane, with milk cans of fish fingerlings from the state Conservation Department ready to fly to remote waters for a sportsmen's club. Another photo from the 1940s shows an Inlet seaplane being loaded with freight for Hemlock Lake, north of the Beaver River Flow.
The same work went on for decades. In 2018 Payne's was still restocking remote ponds with brook trout from the air, a method the report said had been used for some 80 years, and both Helms and Payne's fly hunters, anglers and campers to remote lakes. In Long Lake, the town that invented the Adirondack guideboat, the seaplane dock has been part of the waterfront since the 1940s.
What you see from the air
Long Lake and the Raquette River
Long Lake is a widening of the Raquette River, which runs about 140 miles and flows north to the St. Lawrence. From a few thousand feet the lake reads as a long, narrow line of water running northeast between wooded ridges. The geographic center of the Adirondack Park sits at the north end of Long Lake, so a Long Lake flight is a look at the middle of a park of about six million acres, roughly 2.5 million of them state land.
The Northville-Placid Trail follows the Long Lake shoreline for about eight miles before it turns into the remote Cold River country. From the plane, that west shore is all forest with a few lean-to clearings, and the trail is invisible under the trees. The Town of Long Lake itself covers about 448 square miles, the second-largest town by area in New York.
Raquette Lake and the Great Camps
Long Lake and Raquette Lake are linked by Forked Lake and the Raquette River. Raquette Lake, with about 99 miles of shoreline, is the fourth-largest lake in the Adirondacks, and its shores hold several of the Great Camps, the rustic family compounds of the Gilded Age. J. Pierpont Morgan bought Camp Uncas from Durant in 1896, and the Vanderbilts built Great Camp Sagamore, also a Durant design, whose 27 buildings are a National Historic Landmark. The Helms "Great Camps" tour is the flight for this part of the park.
The Fulton Chain from Inlet
A Payne's ride starts on Seventh Lake, one of the eight numbered lakes of the 16-mile Fulton Chain. Sixth and Seventh Lake connect, Inlet's boat launch is on Fourth Lake, and Eighth Lake has a one-mile carry over to Raquette Lake. From the air you see how the chain steps from one lake to the next, the busy shore of Fourth Lake and the quieter, wooded upper lakes.
The mountains
Blue Mountain, 3,759 feet, with a fire tower on top, rises east of Raquette Lake above the hamlet of Blue Mountain Lake, and you pass under it on the drive between the two bases. On a High Peaks flight, the operators head northeast toward the tallest mountains in the state; ask the pilot what the day's visibility allows before you pay for the longer flight.
The drive down Route 30
From the cabins, County Route 25 takes you about seven miles to NY 30. Turn south and stay on NY 30 for about 45 miles past Meacham Lake and Paul Smiths to the edge of Tupper Lake, about 52 road miles from the cabins. Route 30 jogs through Tupper Lake village; follow the signs for Long Lake, and the last 18 miles of NY 30 bring you to the hamlet and the Route 30 bridge over the lake. The seaplane base sits beside the road near the bridge.
For Inlet, keep going south on NY 30 (with NY 28N) about 11 miles to Blue Mountain Lake, then turn west on NY 28 for about 22 miles past Raquette Lake to Inlet. The base is on Route 28 along Seventh Lake before you reach the village.
The cabins' guide to the last miles to the cabins covers County Route 25, and the winter driving guide covers Route 30 in snow, which matters only if you are driving to Long Lake in late fall. The full trip is two-lane road through the park with long stretches between towns, so fill the tank in Malone or Tupper Lake.
Fall color from a floatplane
The Adirondack Mountain Club says peak color usually falls between the last week of September and the first week of October, that the High Peaks change first, and that red maples are the earliest trees to turn. Warm, sunny days and cool nights without frost bring the best color; wind storms and hard frost can strip the leaves before they change. The exact week shifts every year.
New York's tourism office publishes a fall foliage report every Wednesday afternoon in season, built from volunteer observers around the state; check it the week of your trip. In 2026 Helms posted that it was looking forward to "leaf peeping season" and that a September schedule would be released, and Payne's riders describe spur-of-the-moment sightseeing rides at peak foliage. The cabins' fall foliage guide covers the drives and hikes near Malone, and fall at the cabins covers the season as a whole.
Pick a clear day for the best visibility. The High Peaks turn first, so a late-September flight toward them can show color on the mountains a little ahead of the lake shores near the base.
Weight, seats and who can fly
A floatplane is a small aircraft, and the pilot balances the load before every flight. Payne's says its planes carry up to five people depending on their size, at the pilot's discretion; ask Helms the same question when you call. Tell the operator your party's number and approximate weights when you call, so the pilot can plan the flight or split a large group into two trips.
Climbing aboard means stepping from the dock onto a float and up into the cabin, so wear shoes with grip and keep bags small. Families staying at the cabins come with children 10 and older; Payne's lists a child fare for riders 12 and under.
Weather and cancellations
Both operators fly only in good weather. Payne's states that all flights are weather dependent, and Helms posts its schedules on Instagram. On a cloudy or windy day, call before you set out; a calm, clear day gives the best view.
Check the forecast for Long Lake or Inlet, which can differ from the forecast in Malone, and call before you leave the cabin. If the day looks marginal, plan the drive around the other stops on Route 30 so the trip is worthwhile whether the plane flies or not. Bring a jacket; it is cooler on the water and in the air than in the valleys.
A seaplane day from the cabins
Leave the cabin by about 8:30 a.m. You reach Tupper Lake around 9:45 and Long Lake by about 10:30. Walk down to the seaplane base and take the 20-minute ride, or book the longer flight to the High Peaks or the Great Camps if the sky is clear.
After the flight, take a picnic lunch to the town beach at 1258 Main Street, which looks across the lake at the mountains you just flew over. In the afternoon, drive 11 miles south to the Adirondack Experience museum at Blue Mountain Lake, or head back north and stop at the Wild Center in Tupper Lake. You are back at the cabin before dark, with the hot tub waiting.
To fly both bases in one day, start at Long Lake in the morning, drive on to Inlet for a Payne's ride at midday, then take NY 28 and NY 30 home. That is about 225 road miles in all, a full day in the car; most guests pick one base.
Stops on the way
Tupper Lake
Tupper Lake is on the way, about 57 road miles from the cabins to the middle of town. The Wild Center, the natural-history museum with its Wild Walk through the treetops, is on the way in; the Wild Center guide has hours and tickets. The Tupper Lake Triad is three short hikes near the village.
Owls Head and Mount Sabattis near Long Lake
For the same view from the ground, two short climbs near Long Lake look down the lake. Owls Head Mountain (not the hamlet of Owls Head near the cabins) has a fire tower with a view of Long Lake; the trail is 3.2 miles one way and the last mile is steep and rocky. Mount Sabattis, a 0.6-mile walk up a gravel road, gives a wide view of the lake for much less effort. The Fire Tower Challenge guide covers the towers across the park.
The Adirondack Experience at Blue Mountain Lake
The Adirondack Experience, The Museum on Blue Mountain Lake, covers 121 acres with more than 20 buildings of boats, art, photography and history, at 9097 State Route 30. Its 2026 season runs from May 22 through October 12, open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; check the 2027 dates on the museum's site. It is about 89 road miles from the cabins.
Great Camp Sagamore
To stand inside one of the camps you flew over, Great Camp Sagamore at 1105 Sagamore Road in Raquette Lake is run by the Sagamore Institute of the Adirondacks, a nonprofit. It offers history tours and hikes, guided paddles, overnight stays and multi-day programs; the 2026 program list is on its site, and the office answers at 315-354-5311. It is a short detour off NY 28 on the way to Inlet.
A cruise on Raquette Lake
The W.W. Durant, run by Raquette Lake Navigation, cruises Raquette Lake daily from the last Saturday in June through Labor Day and on weekends in September and October; meal cruises need a reservation (315-354-5532). It is the way to see the Great Camp shoreline from the water after you have seen it from the air.
Airports closer to the cabins
For flying in to the area rather than flying for the view, the cabins' airports guide covers Malone-Dufort, Lake Clear, Plattsburgh and the rest. The Aviator's blog post, The Aviator cabin, lists the aviation sights within a day's drive, including the Plattsburgh air base museum and the B-47 wreck on Wright Peak.
The Aviator cabin
The Aviator, the cabin with the aircraft prints, the "Aviator" sign and the "Municipal Airports" poster, is the natural base for a seaplane day: fly over Long Lake in the morning and spend the evening on its large open deck, in the private hot tub or at the fire pit on the lawn. To book it, see how to book, or compare the three cabins.
What to bring
- Cash and a card. Payne's takes cards except American Express; ask Helms how it takes payment when you call.
- A camera or phone with a strap. Windows on small planes can show reflections, so a dark shirt cuts the glare.
- A warm layer, even in August. Mornings on the water are cool.
- Shoes with grip for the dock and the float.
- Motion-sickness medicine if you need it on boats; take it before the flight.
- A full tank. Fuel up in Malone or Tupper Lake before the long stretch of NY 30.
For the rest of a fall or summer trip, see when to come and what to pack.
Questions
Where can I take a scenic flight near the cabins?
The two operators confirmed flying in 2026 are seaplane services: Helms Aero Service on Long Lake, about 79 road miles south on NY 30, and Payne's Air Service on Seventh Lake in Inlet, about 112 miles away. For flying in rather than sightseeing, see the airports guide.
How long is a seaplane ride?
A standard Helms ride is about 20 minutes and covers 25 to 30 miles. A Payne's ride covers 25 to 30 miles in about 15 minutes of flying, about 20 minutes from dock to dock. Both offer longer flights toward the High Peaks when a pilot is free; call ahead for those.
Do I need a reservation?
Payne's takes no reservations for scenic rides: drive to the Seventh Lake dock, open daily except Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Helms invites people to stop by, call 518-624-3931 or message on Instagram, where it posts its schedule. Call either one before the long drive.
When is the best time for fall color from the air?
Adirondack color usually peaks between the last week of September and the first week of October, with the High Peaks first. Helms posts a September schedule for leaf season. Check the state's Wednesday foliage report and the fall foliage guide the week you come.
Is there a weight limit?
The planes are small and the pilot balances every load. Payne's carries up to five people depending on their size, at the pilot's discretion. Give the operator your party's number and rough weights when you call so the pilot can plan the flight or split the group.
Which cabin suits a seaplane trip?
The Aviator, with its aircraft prints and "Municipal Airports" poster, is the aviation-themed cabin. Its blog post, The Aviator cabin, lists more aviation sights within a day's drive.
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these sources in October 2026. Hours, fees and schedules change; confirm before you go.
- instagram.com instagram.com/helmsaeroservice/p/DaBnqvMiBKt/
- instagram.com instagram.com/helmsaeroservice/p/Db6h5vzlFlQ/
- instagram.com instagram.com/helmsaeroservice/
- mylonglake.com mylonglake.com/seaplanes-tours/
- New York State Department of Transportation dot.ny.gov/divisions/operating/opdm/aviation/repository/air_dir/ny9.pd
- Federal Aviation Administration registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=7615N
- paynesairservice.com paynesairservice.com/
- paynesairservice.com paynesairservice.com/contact
- paynesairservice.com paynesairservice.com/prices
- paynesairservice.com paynesairservice.com/general-info
- paynesairservice.com paynesairservice.com/our-crew
- facebook.com facebook.com/paynesairbase
- alamy.com alamy.com/stock-photo-new-york-adirondack-park-inlet-paynes-air-servic
- wanderlog.com wanderlog.com/place/details/659846/paynes-seaplanes--air-services
- 961theeagle.com 961theeagle.com/paynes-seaplanes-adirondacks/
- northcountryatwork.org northcountryatwork.org/archive-items/getting-ready-to-stock-fish-in-in
- northcountryatwork.org northcountryatwork.org/archive-items/seaplane-preparing-for-a-freight-
- mylonglake.com mylonglake.com/
- mylonglake.com mylonglake.com/about-long-lake/
- mylonglake.com mylonglake.com/history-2/
- mylonglake.com mylonglake.com/hiking/
- mylonglake.com mylonglake.com/beach/
- inletny.com inletny.com/node/71
- experienceouradirondacks.com experienceouradirondacks.com/paddling/fulton-chain-of-lakes
- theadkx.org theadkx.org/
- Adirondack Mountain Club adk.org/finding-fall-foliage/
- I LOVE NY iloveny.com/things-to-do/fall/foliage-report-old/
- inletny.com inletny.com/attractions/raquette-lake-navigation
- sagamore.org sagamore.org/
- AirNav airnav.com/airport/NK15
- google.com google.com/maps/place/Paynes+Seaplanes+%26+Air+Services/@43.7428166,-7
- wadetours.com wadetours.com/tours/cruise-the-lake-discover-the-wild-september-12-202
In this guide
Stay nearby
The aviation cabin: flight-themed décor, a Jøtul gas stove, a large open deck with its own hot tub, and a smokeless fire pit on the lawn.
The AviatorCabin 3 · 2 bd · 1 ba · sleeps 4More in Day Trips
Sources
32 references, listed in full at the end of this guide: official park, state, tourism-office and business sources, checked October 2026.
Related guides
Photos on this page: Wild Center 01 by Dclemens1971, CC BY 4.0. Resized and cropped for this site. All photo credits