Do you want to learn which New York lakes are located in the Adirondacks? In this post, find a list of the top 50 lakes for recreation and enjoyment in this region.
One of the things that surprised me most about moving to the North Country region of New York was the immense number of lakes, rivers, creeks and ponds located here. There seems to be water everywhere that you look.
Since I live exactly thirty minutes away from the boundary of the Adirondack Park, it’s a place that I love to visit and explore every chance that I get.
How many lakes are in the Adirondacks?
There are more than 200 official lakes in the Adirondack mountains of upstate New York, a vast and beautiful place that is a protected wilderness region. If you include lakes, ponds, and unnamed lake-like bodies of water, the number may be as high as 3000.
The Adirondacks are a treasure, and the lakes its sparkling gems, truly. You could spend your entire life visiting the lakes of the Adirondacks and still have more to explore.
One of the best parts of exploring the numerous lakes in the Adirondacks is that almost all of them have free public access.
Best Lakes in the Adirondack Mountains Region of New York
The list below is not a complete list of Adirondack lakes, but you’ll find that it is a good place to start. I have selected the most popular and the most beautiful for you to begin your Adirondack exploration.
Some of the lakes listed in this article are in remote parks of the park and are best accessed by skilled outdoors-people. Whenever you venture out into the Adirondacks, it is always a great idea to do lots of research beforehand and make sure you are prepared for unexpected events.
The information provided here in this article is accurate to the best of my knowledge, but when it comes to hiking, boating, or exploring the outdoors in the Adirondacks, the best course of action is to do as much research as possible before setting out on your trip.
Great Sacandaga Lake
The Great Sacandaga Lake spans between Fulton and Saratoga counties, and derives its name from the language of the local indigenous people. This lake is a reservoir that was created by a dam on the Sacandaga river.
It’s a great lake for fishing, since it’s one of the largest in its region. My family loves fishing for pike, and is quick to remind me that this is where the state record pike was caught several decades ago.
There are multiple boat launches on this lake in both Fulton and Saratoga Counties. In addition, there is one state park on the lake called the Sacandaga Campground and Day Use Area.
Piseco Lake
Piseco Lake is located in Hamilton County, almost exactly in the middle of the Adirondacks, and is most easily accessed from Little Sand Point Campground in Piseco, NY. However, there is also a public boat launch for Piseco Lake that is very popular at the Poplar Point Day Use Area.
Fawn Lake
Fawn Lake is located in Hamilton County, NY, to the west of the much larger Lake Pleasant. There is public access to the lake through the Jessup River Wild Forest, as well as the Fawn Lake Trail from Lake Pleasant, which is rated an easy trail, about three-miles long.
Like many of the lakes on this list, Fawn Lake is located in a remote area. The Jessup River Wild Forest is free to visit, and includes the Fawn Lake trail and beaches along the lake that are accessible at the end of the trail.
If you want to visit Fawn Lake for fishing, you should know that it is subject to special fishing regulations. Ice fishing is not permitted on this lake, and there is no fishing allowed during specific dates during the late fall – early spring months.
Oxbow Lake
This lake is a natural lake known for its excellent bass fishing. If you look at the lake on a map, you will notice that NY Route 8 runs almost the entire length of the lake from north to south on its east side.
Technically located in the towns of Lake Pleasant and Arietta, NY, extensive public access to Lake Oxbow is available in the Jessup River Wild Forest. There is a hand launch that is located on Old Piseco Road (Get Google Maps directions).
There are many activities that are permitted on the lake, such as padding and fishing, and there are a few good hikes between Oxbow Lake and other nearby bodies of water.
Oxbow Lake is one of a ground of lakes that are all located in the same general area, so if you decide to visit this region, you will have lots of great lakes to choose from for recreation. For example, Poplar Point Day Use Area and Little Sand Point Campground are located on the same road (Old Piseco Rd.) as the hand boat launch.
Indian Lake
Indian Lake is located a small Hamilton County town of the same name. This lake was formed from a dam built on the Indian River.
Public access to Indian Lake in Hamilton County can be found at the Indian Lake Islands Campground and Day Use Area (get Google Maps directions) located in the town of Lake Pleasant, NY. There is a boat launch at this campground.
There is another Indian Lake located on Fort Drum, NY, which is located near Watertown, NY. Because this particular Indian Lake is in a less populated part of the state and in a restricted area (open to recreation with a special permit), it is less popular.
Lake Placid
Lake Placid, located in Essex County NY, partially in the town of the same name, is one of the most popular New York Lakes for many reasons. It is most well-known for being the location of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics, and possibly another future Olympics.
Lake Placid (the lake) directly connects with East Lake and West Lake and is known for record-sized lake trout. Aside from fishing and boating, the lake offers great mountain views, camping and other vacation opportunities.
There is a public boat launch for Lake Placid that is located in the village of Lake Placid on 3 George and Bliss Lane. You can click on the link below to open up the Google Maps directions to the public boat launch here:
There are a few great hiking trails that offer views of the lake, such as the Lake Placid Dam Trail and the Peninsula Trail. Notably, many people love to visit the Lake Placid area for skiing in the winter.
Lake George
Lake George is located on the eastern side of the Adirondack Mountains in both Essex and Warren counties. The village of Lake George is located right on the lake, with the towns of Queensbury, Glens Falls, and Hudson Falls located nearby.
Some of the activities enjoyed at Lake George include hiking, camping, fishing, swimming, and boating. This is a popular lakeside town, so be sure to come prepared for crowds, especially if you visit during the peak summer season.
One interesting feature of Lake George is that it connects, or drains, to Lake Champlain, another popular New York river, via the La Chute River. There is plenty to do in Lake George and surrounding areas, so this lake should be in the top 10 on your Adirondack lakes list.
Saratoga Lake
Saratoga Lake is a 3700 acre lake located in Saratoga County. This region is a very popular tourist destination for those looking to enjoy mountain views and beautiful lakes due to its proximity to Albany.
It’s also at the very edge of New York’s Adirondack region, the southernmost part of North Country, and only a three-hour drive from New York City. You might recognize the name of the town, Saratoga Springs, because of its reputation as an international center of horse racing, specifically the Travers Stakes race that has been held since 1864.
There is some public access to the lake. For example, there is a public boat launch on Rte. 9P (get Google Maps directions), and you can also visit Saratoga Springs’ Waterfront Park on the west shore of the lake.
Cedar Lakes
Cedar Lake is located in the West Canada Lake Wilderness, in an area that is one of the most remote in the entire Adirondack Park. This means that only the most experienced backwoods explorer should attempt to access this lake.
There are hiking trails that may be difficult to follow, but are certainly doable for those who are skilled. For more information about accessing Cedar Lakes in the West Canada Lake Wilderness area, I would recommend reading the NY Department of Environmental Conversation page:
Pine Lake
Pine Lake is a wild lake located in the town of Caroga in Essex County, New York. It is connected to the Cedar River, not too far from where it flows into the Hudson River.
There is an approximately four-mile long gravel road that leads to Pine Lake from a historic landmark (which is in extreme disrepair and should not be entered) called the “Outer Gooley Club”, a19th century farmhouse turned 20th century lodge and clubhouse.
The lodge/hunting club was operated by a company, which coincidentally still exists today, that logged the forest where the club was located. From the reading that I did in old newspapers, it seems that most of the club members were also employees of the company.
From the old house, there is a trail that is reported to be relatively easy that leads to Pine Lake, which is located in the Pine Lake Primitive Area. There are two primitive campsites located on the shore of the lake at the end of the road, but only one is for the use of hikers.
You can learn more about how to access Pine Lake on the New York Department of Conversation page about the Essex Chain Lakes Complex:
G Lake
This lake is located in Hamilton County, and is part of the Ferris Lake Wild Forest. G Lake is shaped somewhat like the letter G, which is how it got its name.
With so many lakes in this region, it is no wonder that some of the names of the lakes are not the most creative!
G Lake is great because it’s beautiful, but it’s also an easy .5 mile hike from the summer parking area, which readers should know is accessed via a dirt road that is a few miles long. This trail takes you to the southeast shore of the lake.
The link below will open Google Maps directions to G Lake Rd near the parking area. The trail will be marked and you will see signs for state land:
Caroga Lake
Caroga Lake is two lakes in one, since there is technically an East and West Caroga Lake. These two lakes are connected by a very small channel, which makes them two separate lakes.
These lakes are located in the town of Caroga Lake, New York in Fulton County. Caroga Lake is a small town, but it is accustomed to seeing visitors to the lakes and as such, there are a few places to eat and other small attractions.
The main way to access the lake is at the Caroga Lake Campground and Day Use Area. Hiking, fishing, and camping are only a few of the activities that you can do there.
Stoner Lakes
There are three lakes that make up the collection of lakes called the Stoner Lake System. These lakes are located south of Arietta, NY near NY Route 10.
Each of the Stoner Lakes has its own name. For example, the one in the middle is called the Middle Stoner Lake. The smallest one, which is also the northernmost Stoner Lake, is named East Stoner Pond.
The third of the Stoner Lakes is West Stoner Lake, as best as I can determine. However, if you look at the lakes on the map, you will only see them called “Stoner Lakes”.
There is no public access to the Stoner Lakes, but there are home owners that rent their homes on Stoner Lake as vacation rentals. If you get the chance to visit these beautiful Adirondack Lakes, it is highly recommended.
Spectacle Lake
Spectacle Lake is located in both Fulton and Hamilton Counties near the town of Stratford, New York. This lake is located in the Ferris Lake Wild Forest.
There are a couple back country trails, as well as back country campsites around the lake. You can read more about how to access the lake via the Burnt Vly Trail and the Spectacle Lake Trail on the following NYDEC page:
There is another lake named Spectacle Lake that is located in Herkimer County. There are several lakes, ponds, and rivers in New York that have names repeated, and this is one of them.
Trout Lake
This is a popular lake near Bolton, NY, in Warren County. According to the Wikipedia page, there is a carry-down launch (i.e. public access) to the lake off of Lamb Rd., but this information is not listed on the list of boat launches for Warren County on the NYDEC page, and I couldn’t find any state property on the lake.
Trout Lake got its name because of the quantity of both rainbow and lake trout that can be caught in the lake. However, since there doesn’t seem to be easy public access, we might not be able to catch them!
There is another Trout Lake located much further upstate in St. Lawrence County, New York’s largest county.
Gull Lake
Gull Lake is Herkimer Couhty near the town of McKeever, New York. There is one main way to access Gull Lake through various easements that the State of New York has acquired.
- There is a parking area on Mill Brook Rd. at the Gull Lake Trailhead, a relatively short 2.6 mile in and out hike from the shores of Gull Lake
This lake is in the Black River Wild Forest, and you can read more about the forest and how to access it (including the lake and its various trails).
Woodhull Lake
This lake is primarily located near Webb and Ohio, New York in Herkimer County.
According to the NY DEC list of boat launches for Herkimer County, there is a hand launch maintained by the state (get Google Maps coordinates). but it is unclear whether this location can be conveniently accessed by car. Experienced hikers might enjoy the Bear Lake Trail and the Big Woodhull Trail in the Black River Wild Forest, both beautiful trails that go through this high-altitude region.
Lake Champlain
This 490 square mile lake is borders the Adirondack region, and is shared by New York, Vermont, and even Canada – specially, the province of Quebec. On New York’s shores of the lake, you will find towns and cities such as Plattsburgh and Ticonderoga.
There are dozens of places where you can access Lake Champlain as a member of the public. For example, Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest and the Putts Creek Wildlife Management Area offer a chance to explore undeveloped regions near the lake, with access to the water.
Sand Lake
Sand Lake is located in the town of Webb in Herkimer County, NY in the Five Ponds Wilderness Area. This is a very, very remote lake that is only accessible by a hiking trail that is at least 13.5 miles long one way.
Only the most experienced backwoods hikers should attempt to access this lake, as it is in possibly the most remote part of the Adirondacks where there is no cell service and no help available. While beautiful, the Five Ponds Wilderness Area is very remote.
You can access certain parts of this wilderness area by car, which can allow you to enjoy the beautiful scenery in a more accessible way. For example, you can access the Oswegatchie River, which is quite a bit north of Sand Lake, at the Five Ponds Wilderness Area in the town of Wanakena, NY.
First Lake
First Lake, located in Webb, Herkimer County, NY, is the first body of water in the Fulton Chain of Lakes, a collection of lakes in the Adirondacks that have been connected to each other. There are right total lakes in the chain of lakes, with First Lake being the first, which is how it got its name.
The reason I chose to list First Lake first (lots of firsts!) is because this lake, along with Second Lake and Third Lake, are technically the same lake. So, if you visit First Lake, you can easily access two other lakes from the chain.
Because of its status as first lake and large size, this lake has been popular for years. This means that there is a lot of easy access to the lake to be had for everyone, ranging from state forests to resorts along the shores of the lake.
Towns along this lake where you can look for activities include Old Forge. Access for the public is also available in the Fulton Chain of Lakes Wild Forest.
The other very notable fact about First Lake is that it is the beginning of a canoe trail that is more than 700 miles long, which ends in Fort Kent, Maine, at the top of the state near the Canadian border. You can’t go directly from First Lake through all of the chain lakes to Port Kent on the Northern Forest Canoe Trail (you’ll have to take your canoe or boat out of the water at certain points), but it’s
Fourth Lake
This is a very deep, cold lake located in both Herkimer and Hamilton Counties. The closest towns are Webb, Inlet, and Eagle Bay.
One of the most beautiful ways to enjoy Fourth Lake is at Alger Island State Park. While the park itself can only be accessed by boat, there is public access at the Alger Island Access Point (Get Google Maps directions).
Seventh Lake
Eighth Lake
Twitchell Lake
Twitchell Lake is located in Herkimer County in the town of Webb, New York. The elevation of the lake is high at more than 2,000 feet.
If you get the chance to visit Twitchell Lake, you will enjoy the peaceful surroundings. It’s a rural part of New York and in a sparsely populated portion of the Adirondack Park.
There is a state-owned public boat launch:
Lake Bonaparte
Lake Bonaparte is one of the most popular lakes in Lewis County. One of the top activities for this lake is boating and fishing.
During my visits to Lake Bonaparte, I heard many boaters returning from a day at the lake reporting catching lots of fish. You can’t fish from the boat launch, however, since it’s too shallow.
So, bring a boat or rent one of the numerous vacation properties on the lake so you can have a beautiful view of the lake during your stay.
Lake Bonaparte is located in the Bonapartes Caves State Forest, which is a fun place to visit in its own right. One of my favorite things to do in this area is to hike the beautiful, short trail to Green Pond.
Lake Lila
Many places in the Adirondacks are difficult to access, and beautiful Lake Lila is one of the best examples of these remote, pristine areas. A long dirt road takes you to a hand canoe launch area in the William C. Whitney Wilderness Area in Hamilton County.
When New York State calls a place “wilderness”, it’s true. This means that only experienced adventurers should venture to remote places like Lake Lila.
Star Lake
Star Lake is in St. Lawrence County, and has the rough shape of a star on the map, which is why it is called “Star Lake”. This lake is located in a quiet, Adirondack town of the same name, and is located near the Five Ponds Wilderness Area, a remote, but beautiful, wild area.
You can read more about Star Lake in the following article:
Cranberry Lake
Cranberry Lake is located in St. Lawrence County, and is one of the most popular lakes in this part of the Adirondacks. It is a large, beautiful lake that used to be surrounded in part by cranberry bogs, which is how it got its name.
While there are no longer abundant cranberries in the area, you can still enjoy the lake and its nice mountain views at the campground. It is also a popular lake for boating and fishing.
You can read more about Cranberry Lake in this post:
Chazy Lake
Chazy Lake, a deep mountain lake, is located in Clinton County, with public access in the town of Dannemora. This town also is the location of Chazy Lake Beach, which is operated by the town.
If you are a experienced in the outdoors, you might want to read about the Chazy Highlands State Forest, a state forest that borders Chazy Lake. There are primitive camping, hiking, fishing and hunting opportunities to be had, but it is a primitive area and so is best for those who have a lot of experience in the backwoods.
- Google Maps directions to Chazy Lake Public Boat Launch
Tupper Lake
This name is named after the first European to lay eyes on the lake, Ansel Tupper. He was a surveyor and discovered the lake for himself.
However, this lake was known to indigenous people who lived in the area for hundreds, if not thousands, of years prior to the arrival of Ansel Tupper.
Long Lake
Long Lake is located in Hamilton County and is part of the Raquette River, a river that flows from Raquette Lake in the Adirondacks to the St. Lawrence River. It is a natural lake that gets its name from its 14-mile long, skinny shape, and the center of what is known as the Adirondack region of New York.
I really like visiting the town of Long Lake because it has lots of nice hills that offer great views of the lake. There are a few great inns and bed and breakfasts in this town, such as the Adirondack Hotel on Long Lake that is directly across from the lake and offers excellent views, as well as numerous private vacation rentals.
Conclusion
I hope that this post has helped you understand the vast quantity of lakes in the Adirondack region of upstate New York. There is so much beauty, and the only thing that is left to do is pick the lake that you will visit next.
It is my goal that that you enjoyed this list of great New York Adirondack lakes, and that you get to visit at least a few so you can identify your favorite peaceful spot. It would be impossible to write a complete list of the thousands of lakes, since there are potentially thousands of names on that list.
If you have any questions about a specific lake or if you have a favorite lake that I didn’t list (or did!), please let us know below so we can add it to the list.
Thanks for reading today!