Big Moose is a village in the western part of the Adirondack Park; Route 28 runs through the area. The park setting provides the regional context, while Route 28 offers road access. The history of the area includes the origin of its name and the development of the railway. The TOBIE Trail adds mountain biking opportunities to these topics. When planning your trip, it is worth considering local history, the railway excursion, and the trail as distinct topics.
Place Name and Railway History
Big Moose was named after a large moose head. An early guide killed a large moose and hung its head in a tree near the present-day railway station. The place name thus refers to a specific event and a location. The origin of the name and the railway history are two distinct ways to explore Big Moose’s past: one explains the name, while the other tells the story of the train’s arrival and the station buildings.
The first train arrived in Big Moose on October 24, 1892, while traveling from New York City to Montreal. Big Moose Station was built in 1926, replacing the original station from 1898. The train’s arrival and the station buildings therefore mark different points in the timeline: the first train arrived six years before the original station was built, and it was replaced in 1926.
The building history also includes recognition of historic architecture. The Big Moose Station Restaurant received an Adirondack architectural heritage award in 2001. The award recognized the restoration and preservation of a historic Adirondack building. It adds preservation to the timeline.
Comparing the Excursion and the Trail
The Big Moose Explorer is a round-trip railway excursion from Thendara Station in Old Forge to Big Moose. The journey passes through forests and over rivers and streams. It is distinct from the first train’s arrival in 1892 on its journey from New York City to Montreal: this is a round trip starting in Thendara. Passengers on the Big Moose Explorer do not get off in Big Moose. This is practically relevant when looking for a vacation rental in the area: the tour is a railway experience in its own right, not a service that lets you get off at your overnight destination.
The TOBIE Trail connects Thendara, Old Forge, Big Moose, Inlet, and Eagle Bay, and offers mountain biking opportunities. Big Moose is therefore part of a route connecting several named places. Unlike the railway excursion, the trail focuses on mountain biking. The two options describe different activities and ways to plan: a round-trip train ride, or a trail that connects several places and offers mountain biking opportunities.
Discover more destinations: Old Forge, Herkimer, Ilion.
View the main travel overview: Herkimer County.
