# Ausable Chasm

> Ausable Chasm is a gorge about 2 miles (3.2 km) long and roughly 150 feet (46 m) deep, cut into Potsdam sandstone near Keeseville, New York.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/places/ausable-chasm/

A sandstone gorge on the Ausable River with walkways and bridges that lead past rapids and waterfalls to the Rainbow Falls. Wear shoes with grip, as the rock paths stay wet; the site is easy to reach from Lake Champlain.

Ausable Chasm is a gorge about 2 miles (3.2 km) long and roughly 150 feet (46 m) deep, cut into Potsdam sandstone near Keeseville, New York. The rock is about 500 million years old and contains ripple marks as well as rare Cambrian jellyfish fossils. The gorge began forming some 10,000 years ago through headward erosion by Rainbow Falls, a 91-foot (28 m) waterfall; today further development has largely been halted by a dam upstream and the diversion of water.

Tourism began in 1873 with boat tours on the river. The site is now nicknamed the "Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks." There are about 5 miles (8 km) of trails, plus paid activities such as climbing, rafting and a via ferrata. Two major floods destroyed the facilities in 1996, and they were rebuilt on higher ground. Allow a few hours for a visit.

- **Nearest town:** Keeseville, NY
- **Category:** Nature & parks
- **GPS:** 44.5290, -73.4690
- **Editor's pick:** ★

## Good to know

**Best time to go:** The most pleasant months are usually June and August–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and July. Cold, short days in November–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

## Sources

- [Ausable Chasm – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ausable_Chasm)

## Nearby

- [Church Street Marketplace](https://camping-spirit.com/places/church-street-burlington/) – 13 mi
- [Shelburne Museum](https://camping-spirit.com/places/shelburne-museum/) – 16 mi
- [Mount Philo State Park](https://camping-spirit.com/places/mount-philo/) – 21 mi
- [Whiteface Veterans Memorial Highway](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b20-whiteface-highway/) – 24 mi

## FAQs

### Where is Ausable Chasm?

Ausable Chasm is in Keeseville, NY, at GPS 44.5290, -73.4690. It is about 13 mi from Burlington.

### Can you camp near Ausable Chasm?

Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Ausable Chasm Campground, about 1 mi away; within 25 mi there are 36 campsites and motorhome stopovers.

### What is there to see near Ausable Chasm?

Places worth a stop nearby: Church Street Marketplace (13 mi), Shelburne Museum (16 mi), Mount Philo State Park (21 mi) and Whiteface Veterans Memorial Highway (24 mi).

### When is the best time to visit Ausable Chasm?

The most pleasant months are usually June and August–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and July. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)