Alder Creek.
Alder Creek runs through the Paradox Lake region — a mid-elevation drainage that feeds the broader Schroon Lake watershed without much fanfare or designated access. The name suggests typical Adirondack riparian habitat: alder thickets, beaver activity, and brookies in the headwater stretches if you're willing to bushwhack for them. No formal trail system or parking area puts this on the casual paddler's map, but it's the kind of water that shows up on survey maps and old topographic sheets as a connector — more ecological corridor than destination. If you're poking around the Paradox Lake area and see the name on a sign, you'll know it's there.
Alder Creek has public access. Summits nearby include Wilson Hill and Sugar Hill.
The water, surveyed.
- Peak foliage from the water — the best seats in the Park are in a canoe this month.
Seasonal pattern for this lake · live closures appear above
10 parking areas
Closest parking lots within range, ranked by walking distance. Accessibility flags come from Google verified-data and NYSDEC records; surface and capacity from NYSDEC and OpenStreetMap. Confirm hours and seasonal closures before you go.
- 01CRANE POND TRAILHEADTrailhead1.0 miunpavedDirections →
- 02LONG SWING TRAILHEAD PARKING2.1 miunpavedDirections →
- 03Dirgy Lot Parking3.4 miunpavedDirections →
- 04Schroon Falls Parking Area3.6 miunpavedDirections →
- 05Tubmill Marsh/Short Swing Trail Parking4.5 miunpavedDirections →
- 06Trail Parking4.9 miunpavedDirections →
- 07EAGLE LAKE/OTTER POND PARKING LOT5.4 miunpavedDirections →
- 08DEC parking 2282556.2 miunpavedDirections →
+2 more on the map above
Getting in, staying over.
Camping.
What the lake is doing today.
What rings this water.
The peaks.
The waters.
Read before you launch.
Make a weekend of it.
Closest editorial picks for a meal, a scoop, a pint, a bed, and a sight worth your time.
Eat.
4- Trail Break at Schroon Lake2.5 mi
Trail Break at Schroon Lake offers a restaurant, bar, and lodging in Schroon Lake. Guests can enjoy a menu of food, wine, and beer, live music on select evenings, and overnight stays in their rooms from May through October.
- Pitkins Restaurant3.0 mi
Pitkin's Restaurant is a family dining landmark in Schroon Lake, offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a broad menu in a modern rustic setting. It features a new patio, including pet-friendly outdoor dining, and is conveniently locate…
- DeCesare's Pizzeria3.7 mi
DeCesare's Pizzeria in Schroon Lake offers a menu of pizza, Italian dishes, and salads. They provide online ordering for both carryout and delivery.
- Sticks & Stones Wood Fired Bistro & Bar4.3 mi
Sticks and Stones Wood fired Bistro and Bar, Menu, Events, Catering, Location, Adirondack style private parties.
Sip.
3- Cupola Crepes3.0 mi
Family-run creperie at 1095 Main Street in Schroon Lake. Sweet and savory crepes (gluten-free batter available), scones, coffee, and soft serve. Wednesday through Sunday.
- 9 Mile Coffee Co3.1 mi
9 Mile Coffee Co. is a coffee shop in downtown Schroon Lake, NY, serving a variety of coffees, teas, smoothies, sandwiches, and soups. They also sell their custom coffee blends and gift cards online.
- Old Mountain Coffee Company23.2 mi
Great Coffee, Great Food, Great Baked Goods & Great People. Stop in to enjoy our house roasted coffee, browse our menu for a bite to eat or grab a delicious treat from our bakery. Order Online for pickup or stop in.
Sweet.
4- Stone Bridge Ice Cream10.1 mi
Stone Bridge Ice Cream is a seasonal stand located 2.5 miles from the Natural Stone Bridge & Caves, offering over 40 flavors of soft serve, custom ice cream cakes, and signature sundaes. It features outdoor seating and a kids' swing set.
- Crossroads Ice Cream14.4 mi
The ice cream counter at The Crossroads, a country and outdoors store off I-87 Exit 25 in Chestertown between Schroon and Brant Lake — hard and soft ice cream on the road north.
- Main Street Ice Cream Parlor14.9 mi
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- The Hungry Crow Market & Café17.9 mi
A downtown North Creek market and cafe serving soft serve alongside scratch-made desserts, next to Hudson River Trading Co. — the cone stop in the Gore and Upper Hudson area.
Drink.
4- Flanagan's Pub & Grill3.1 mi
Long-standing, log cabin–style haunt offering traditional pub grub, draft beer & cocktails.
- The Brown Swan and Tavern3.2 mi
The Brown Swan and Tavern in Schroon Lake, NY, offers Adirondacks-inspired cuisine with locally sourced ingredients in a family-friendly setting.
- Paradox Brewery6.2 mi
Paradox Brewery offers a diverse tap selection, a full menu with pizza, burgers, and BBQ, and an expansive mountain landscape.
- Black Bear Restaurant & Bar10.9 mi
Black Bear Restaurant & Bar is an American eatery in Pottersville, NY, offering comfort food, sandwiches, and breakfast. Known for its welcoming atmosphere, quick service, and popular dishes like meatloaf and gravy fries.
Stay.
4- Maple Leaf Motel2.4 mi
Modest property offering simple rooms & cabins with fridges, microwaves & free WiFi, plus a pool.
- Medcalf Acres Riverfront Campground - Camping in the Adirondacks2.5 mi
A riverfront campground on River Road in Schroon Lake with seasonal sites, in-house Schroon River tubing, free ice and wood at check-in, and tribute-band weekends.
- Terra Alta cottages2.6 mi
Historic Montgomery Ward kit-home cottages from the 1930s on 14 acres with 400 feet of Schroon Lake shoreline, owned by the Starfield family since the mid-1950s. Dog-friendly for a fee.
- The Adirondack Inn3.1 mi
Historic Schroon Lake inn at 1051 US 9, walking distance to the lake, beaches, restaurants, and shops. Eight Adirondack-themed rooms, fully renovated in 2014. Open May through October.
See.
4- Penfield Homestead Museum9.7 mi
Penfield Homestead Museum preserves the history of Crown Point, NY, and the surrounding Ironville area. Explore the historic homestead, barns, church, and learn about local history, military conflicts, and notable families.
- Natural Stone Bridge & Caves10.4 mi
Explore the largest marble cave entrance in the eastern U.S., carved by Trout Brook. Offers self-guided trails, adventure tours, and winter snowshoeing with ice formations.
- Town of Horicon Museum12.3 mi
The Brant Lake Museum is housed in an 1890s farmhouse, featuring period furniture, clothing, tools, and photographs from the 19th and 20th centuries. It also includes a Carriage House with military and local hotel exhibits.
- Ticonderoga Heritage Museum14.3 mi
A local history museum on Montcalm Street in Ticonderoga inside the 1888 building, the sole surviving structure from the Ticonderoga Pulp and Paper Company. Free walking tours of the La Chute industrial corridor.
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- Where is Alder Creek located?Alder Creek is a stream in the Paradox Lake region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- Is Alder Creek open to the public?Yes, Alder Creek has public access. See the listing page for current trailhead, parking, and boat-launch details, and check active DEC advisories before visiting.
- Can you camp at Alder Creek?Within roughly seven miles of Alder Creek: 165 designated campsites, 28 lean-tos or shelters, 2 listed campgrounds. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.