How many lakes are in the Adirondacks?
The Adirondack Park is commonly credited with about 3,000 lakes and ponds. Our atlas documents 3,026 named waters — 1,392 ponds, 554 lakes, 324 rivers, 654 streams, and 102 reservoirs — each with its own page, map, and access notes. Browse the full atlas →
The biggest waters
Lake Champlain (about 67,000 acres) forms the Park's eastern edge, but the largest lake fully inside the Blue Line is Lake George at roughly 28,000 acres, followed by Great Sacandaga Lake (~26,700 acres), Cranberry Lake, Tupper Lake, and Raquette Lake.
Ponds outnumber lakes 2½-to-1
Adirondack naming is tradition, not limnology — plenty of “ponds” outsize nearby “lakes.” By their given names, the atlas holds 1,392 ponds, 554 lakes, 324 rivers, 654 streams, and 102 reservoirs.
What to do with 3,000 waters
Fish them — the fishing guide covers species, seasons, and stocked waters. Paddle them — the paddling guide maps the canoe routes. Swim them — beaches & swimming holes knows where the sand is. Every water page carries live conditions context via DEC alerts.
Quick questions
What is the largest lake in the Adirondacks?
Lake Champlain (about 67,000 acres) touches the Park's eastern edge, but the largest lake fully inside the Blue Line is Lake George at roughly 28,000 acres, followed by Great Sacandaga Lake at about 26,700 acres.
Are there really 3,000 lakes in the Adirondack Park?
The commonly cited figure is about 3,000 lakes and ponds. Our atlas currently documents 3,026 named waters inside and touching the Park — 1,392 of them ponds — each with its own detail page, map, and access notes.
What's the difference between a lake and a pond in the Adirondacks?
Locally, naming is tradition rather than science — some 'ponds' outsize nearby 'lakes.' The Park's waters break down (by their given names) into 1,392 ponds, 554 lakes, 324 rivers, 654 streams, and 102 reservoirs in our atlas.
All 3,026 waters, mapped and documented — the most complete Adirondack waters atlas anywhere. Start exploring →