Alford Pond.
Alford Pond is a 37-acre water tucked into the Lake Placid region — small enough to fish from shore in an afternoon, large enough to paddle without feeling hemmed in. No fish species data on record, which typically means it's either not stocked or not regularly surveyed; bring a map-and-compass set if you're exploring the surrounding terrain. The pond sits off the main recreation corridors, so it doesn't pull the weekend crowds that trail-accessible waters do — a quiet alternative when the Lake Placid area is running at capacity. Worth a call to the Ray Brook DEC office for current access details.
Alford Pond reaches a maximum depth of 2 feet, with a mean depth of 2 feet. Alford Pond has public access. Summits nearby include Scarface Mountain and Heaven Hill.
The water, surveyed.
Seasonal pattern for this lake · live closures appear above
12 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.
- 01Chubb River BridgeTrailhead1.1 miunpavedDirections →
- 02Averyville Lane Parking1.7 miunpavedDirections →
- 03Haystack Mtn. Parking2.2 miunpavedDirections →
- 04HAYSTACH/MCKENZIE MOUNTAIN PARKING2.3 miunpavedDirections →
- 05Trail Parking3.3 miunpavedDirections →
- 06Brewster Peninsula Trail Parking3.3 miunpavedDirections →
- 07DEC parking 226133.4 miunpavedDirections →
- 08Scarface Mountain Trailhead3.4 miunpavedDirections →
+4 more on the map above
Getting in, staying over.
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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- Caffe Rustica2.6 mi
Caffe Rustica in Lake Placid, NY, offers fresh Mediterranean dishes and wood-fired pizzas, prepared by Culinary Institute of America trained chefs.
- West Shore BBQ2.8 mi
West Shore BBQ offers 100% wood-fired barbecue in the Adirondacks, distinguishing itself by using no pellets, soaked chips, or liquid smoke. They exclusively use wood sustainably harvested from within the Blue Line.
- Lisa G's2.9 mi
Creative American fare with global twists in a welcoming space with vivid murals & waterside patio.
- Salt of the Earth Bistro3.0 mi
A small reservation-required bistro on Sentinel Road in Lake Placid, serving twisted takes on traditional dishes including a signature peanut stew. Parties of six or fewer.
Sip.
4- Origin Coffee3.0 mi
Origin Coffee Co. is a specialty coffee shop with locations in Lake Placid and Saranac Lake, offering a chef-driven breakfast and lunch menu served all day. It serves as a community gathering spot for locals and Adirondack travelers.
- Simply Gourmet3.0 mi
Simply Gourmet in Lake Placid offers daily breakfast and lunch with a focus on clean food, using fresh, local, and sustainable ingredients free of additives or preservatives. They also provide comprehensive catering services for various ev…
- The Coffee Bar3.1 mi
A small coffee bar on Main Street in Lake Placid with Mirror Lake and Whiteface Mountain views, pulling shots from Tug Hill Artisan Roasters beans.
- Blue Moon6.5 mi
Blue Moon Café in Saranac Lake offers dine-in, pick-up, and curbside delivery services. Guests can enjoy weekly specials, restaurant menus, baked goods, coffee, grocery items, and adult beverages.
Sweet.
4- Emma's Lake Placid Creamery2.9 mi
A 1950s-themed creamery in the heart of walkable Lake Placid, famous for its Maple Creme soft serve alongside 16 hard flavors, gelato, sorbet, and old-fashioned malts. The reliable apres-hike treat.
- Ben & Jerry's3.0 mi
The Ben & Jerry's scoop shop on Lake Placid's Main Street above Mirror Lake — the Vermont brand's pints and cones in the heart of the village.
- Adirondack Corner Store3.5 mi
A longtime deli and general store at the corner of Route 73 in Lake Placid with an ice cream counter and subs — a locals' spot off the Main Street tourist row.
- Donnelly's Soft Ice Cream3.7 mi
A fourth-generation Saranac Lake institution on a former dairy farm, serving exactly one rotating soft-serve flavor each day — twisted with vanilla on the same 1953 machine. Cash only; check the daily flavor. Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Drink.
4- Lake Placid Pub & Brewery3.1 mi
A brewpub on Mirror Lake Drive in Lake Placid since 1996, with 12 house beers on tap including the original Ubu Ale, a downstairs Irish pub, and a deck over Mirror Lake.
- Ray Brook Brewhouse3.2 mi
Ray Brook Brewhouse is a unique brewery in Ray Brook, NY, offering wild and traditional brews paired with adventurous dishes made from local and exotic ingredients.
- Top of the Park3.3 mi
A Lake Placid bar on Main Street offering a curated selection of wine, scotch, bourbon, craft beer, and top-shelf liquors, complemented by small plates and signature cocktails. Enjoy 'Spirits with a View' from its large deck overlooking Mi…
- RiverTrail Beerworks6.5 mi
RiverTrail Beerworks is Saranac Lake’s only riverfront brewpub, located on the Saranac Lake River Walk and Rail Trail. It features a heated patio, firepits, two golf simulators, and serves lunch and dinner daily with house-brewed beers and…
Stay.
4- Whiteface Lodge2.8 mi
A timber-framed Great Camp-style resort on Whiteface Inn Lane in Lake Placid, with luxury suites, full kitchens, a Conde Nast-recognized spa, KANU Dining Room, and indoor recreation including a bowling alley.
- Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa2.9 mi
A lakefront resort on Mirror Lake in Lake Placid village, with three restaurants (The Cottage, The View, View Lounge), a full spa with float and salt therapy, and a private beach.
- Grandview Lake Placid3.0 mi
Refined resort with golf & lake views, plus an Italian/American restaurant & an indoor pool.
- Courtyard Lake Placid3.0 mi
A modern chain hotel blending lodge-style comfort with convenient amenities, ideal for those exploring Lake Placid's Olympic sites, Whiteface Mountain, or conducting business in the Adirondacks.
See.
4- Boots & Birdies2.9 mi
Boots & Birdies is a family-owned, Western-themed fun center in Lake Placid, NY. It offers an 18-hole miniature golf course, a baseball batting cage, and a custom mining sluice for gemstone and fossil mining, providing hours of outdoor act…
- Olympic Center2.9 mi
The hockey arena where the 1980 'Miracle on Ice' happened, now part of a larger Olympic complex with skating rinks, the Olympic Museum, training facilities, and bobsled / skeleton experiences.
- Lake Placid Olympic Museum3.0 mi
Museum focusing on the winter Olympic games & its events, including hockey, skating & curling.
- John Brown Farm State Historic Site3.3 mi
Simple, furnished farmhouse home & grave of abolitionist John Brown, set in parkland with trails.
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Suggest an edit →Frequently asked.
- Where is Alford Pond located?Alford Pond is a pond in the Lake Placid region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- How big is Alford Pond?Alford Pond has a surface area of approximately 37 acres, a smaller backcountry water.
- How deep is Alford Pond?Alford Pond has a maximum depth of 2 feet, with a mean depth of 1.6 feet.
- Is Alford Pond open to the public?Yes, Alford Pond 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 Alford Pond?Within roughly seven miles of Alford Pond: 28 designated campsites, 11 lean-tos or shelters, 1 listed campground. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.