My Local Guide

Adirondack Lakes, Mountain Towns, and Wild Country

Franklin County, New York

Explore a New York county shaped by Adirondack lakes and mountains, Saranac Lake and Tupper Lake communities, northern farm country, and the Canadian border. Malone and nearby communities provide the services, food, culture, and local traditions that anchor daily life, while parks, historic sites, and scenic routes reveal a broader regional story. Whether you are planning a day trip, researching a move, or looking for useful local contacts, this guide brings the county’s places, resources, and practical information together in one starting point.

Franklin County at a Glance

Population46,500 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
County SeatMalone
Largest MunicipalityMalone (town)
Established1808
ZIP Codes22 ZIP Codes serving the county
Total AreaApproximately 1,697 square miles, including water
Major RoutesUS 11 • NY 3 • NY 30 • NY 37 • NY 86
Area Code518 / 838
Shop - Dine - Discover

Meet Local Businesses

Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.

Greenfield County courthouse
Discover the County

Franklin County

Franklin County was created in 1808 and stretches from the Canadian border south into the Adirondack Park. Malone serves as the county seat, while Saranac Lake and Tupper Lake connect the county with the High Peaks and central Adirondacks. The region’s history includes agriculture, logging, rail travel, health tourism, border commerce, and outdoor guiding. Today, wide rural distances and extensive forest and lake country remain central to the county’s identity.

Visitors can explore science and wildlife exhibits at The Wild Center, paddle or hike around Saranac Lake, visit historic sites, and travel scenic routes through Adirondack communities. Malone and northern towns provide farm-country services and border access, while the southern county has a stronger tourism and recreation economy. Seasonal conditions matter here, so planning around snow, trail status, and driving distances is part of the experience.

What Shapes Us

Adirondack Waters

Lakes, ponds, rivers, mountains, and forest preserves make paddling, hiking, fishing, camping, and winter recreation part of everyday regional identity.

Border and Farm Country

Northern communities are shaped by agriculture, US 11, Canadian border connections, and long-established small-town institutions.

Mountain Communities

Saranac Lake, Tupper Lake, and nearby hamlets combine outdoor tourism, arts, history, health care, and year-round local life.

Local stories, shared places, and room to explore.
My Local Guide

Franklin County

Our County — Our Stories
County Wire

Franklin County Wire

Local Stories — DailyPicture Attribution & Terms Demo
Press-Republican — Franklin County & Malone News

Did You Know?: Cooperative effort works to enhance crosswalk safety - Press-Republican

Did You Know?: Cooperative effort works to enhance crosswalk safety  Press-Republican

Read the Story Sep 29, 2026 • 2 min read

Around Franklin County

Stories from every corner of Franklin County.

Did You Know?: Cooperative effort works to enhance crosswalk safety - Press-Republican

Did You Know?: Cooperative effort works to enhance crosswalk safety  Press-Republican

Sep 29, 2026 • 2 min read

IDA hosts public hearing on Chateaugay wind project - Press-Republican

IDA hosts public hearing on Chateaugay wind project  Press-Republican

Sep 28, 2026 • 2 min read

Wild Center attraction had record season - Press-Republican

Wild Center attraction had record season  Press-Republican

Sep 28, 2026 • 2 min read

Brushton deaths ruled as homicide, suicide - Press-Republican

Brushton deaths ruled as homicide, suicide  Press-Republican

Sep 21, 2026 • 2 min read

National Recovery Month recognized by lawmakers - Press-Republican

National Recovery Month recognized by lawmakers  Press-Republican

Sep 21, 2026 • 2 min read
FRANKLIN COUNTY WEATHER
Shop - Dine - Discover

Meet Local Businesses

Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.

County Resources

Everything You Need. All in One Place.

From public services and schools to health care, trails, transportation, and everyday essentials, use these verified Franklin County resources to find organizations that serve residents and visitors.

Government

Franklin County Government
Official county departments, public services, notices, and contacts.
Official Website

New York Local Government Portal
State links to local-government information and services.
Official Website

NY Department of State — Local Government Services
Training and technical resources for local governments and communities.
Official Website

New York Committee on Open Government
Freedom of Information Law and Open Meetings Law guidance.
Official Website

New York Property Tax Resources
Official property-tax, assessment, and exemption information.
Official Website

We’re Here To Help.

Practical answers for living in, visiting, and exploring Franklin County, New York.

Helpful Information

Frequently Asked Questions.

Start with the questions people actually ask about Franklin County — from signature attractions and outdoor access to local travel, weather, and community life.

Start with The Wild Center, Paul Smith’s College VIC, and Historic Saranac Lake. Together they show the county’s best-known mix of local character, outdoor scenery, and history. Add one downtown or village walk and a local meal rather than trying to cover the entire county in a single day.

Shop - Dine - Discover

Meet Local Businesses

Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.

My Local Guide

Find Something Fun

Top Picks for Every Kind of Day.

Browse local ideas for family time, food, shopping, outdoor adventures, and free ways to enjoy Franklin County.

Kids’ Fun

  1. The Wild Center
  2. Adirondack Carousel
  3. Almanzo Wilder Homestead

Restaurants

  1. Bitters & Bones
  2. Fiddlehead Bistro
  3. Raquette River Brewing

Shopping & Retail

  1. Main Street Malone
  2. Saranac Lake Downtown
  3. Shaheen’s IGA

Clothing & Boutiques

  1. Bear Essentials Apparel
  2. Goody Goody’s
  3. Adirondack Store & Lakeview Deli

Outdoor Fun

  1. Paul Smith’s College VIC
  2. Debar Mountain Wild Forest
  3. Ampersand Mountain

Free Things To Do

  1. Saranac Lake Riverwalk
  2. Tupper Lake Municipal Park
  3. Paul Smith’s College VIC trails
Every place has a story.Find Your Next Favorite.
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