History of Ausable Chasm

Just after the last Ice Age (Pleistocene) and 15,000+ years in the making...there was a chasm

Before the first flight at Kitty Hawk...
Before the first World War...
Before there were theme parks and roller coasters...
Before the Winter Olympic Games were created...
There was Ausable Chasm.

22 years before the Adirondack Park was established (1892)...62 years before the first Winter Olympic Games in Lake Placid (1932)...110 years before the Winter Olympic Games returned when many witnessed the Miracle on Ice (1980)...and just five years after the end of the American Civil War...Ausable opened as one of the nations first organized tourist attractions.

Since 1870, Ausable Chasm has thrilled and amazed all who have come to explore.  More than 11 million visitors have witnessed what mother nature has provided: a uniquely-carved, vertical-walled canyon composed of 500 million year old rock (Potsdam sandstone).

As one of the earliest and oldest attractions in the USA, Ausable Chasm has developed a history filled with adventures, disasters, and many notable visitors.  Please click on the various topics below to explore some of our unique history.

Move the slider for a fun summer / winter comparison!

IMMERSE YOURSELF IN A PRIMEVAL ADIRONDACK FOREST
Explore it
GET UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH THE RIVER
Raft It
COOL YOURSELF OFF WITH A RELAXING TUBE RIDE
Tube It
EXPERIENCE OUR MOST POPULAR OFFERING
Classic Tour
EXPLORE THE CONTOURS OF A NATURAL WONDER
Premium Package
ALL AGES AND EXPERIENCE LEVELS CAN SCALE THE CHASM
Rock & River Adventure
ALL AGES AND EXPERIENCE LEVELS CAN SCALE THE CHASM
Campground
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