Alligator Pond.
Alligator Pond is a 17-acre water tucked into the southeastern Adirondacks near Brant Lake — small enough to fall off most recreation maps, large enough to hold its own shoreline character. The name suggests either frontier-era humor or a long-ago sighting that became local lore, but the pond itself is quiet, wooded, and typical of the low-elevation ponds that dot the hill country between Schroon Lake and Lake George. No fish data on record, which usually means either marginal habitat or a pond that hasn't seen a survey crew in decades. Worth a look if you're already in the Brant Lake area and collecting water names.
Alligator Pond has public access. Summits nearby include Kipp Mountain and Signal Hill.
The water, surveyed.
Seasonal pattern for this lake · live closures appear above
2 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.
- 01Palmer Pond Parking AreaTrailhead3.0 miunpavedDirections →
- 02Brant Lake Boat Launch4.5 mipavedDirections →
Getting in, staying over.
Camping.
On the water.
What the lake is doing today.
What rings this water.
The peaks.
The waters.
The trails.
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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- Cafe Adirondack Restaurant & Wine Room3.3 mi
Please call 518-494-5800 for reservations, or to check for takeout and walk in availability.
- Jimbo's Club at the Point5.7 mi
A fine-dining room and private event venue on a 25-acre peninsula on Brant Lake, off Route 8. Weekly-changing menu, an award-winning wine list, and wedding bookings for the full property.
- becks TAVERN8.2 mi
A tavern on Peaceful Valley Road in North Creek serving German-inspired dishes alongside burgers, wings, and bar standards. The Yurts out back are the conversation piece.
- Sticks & Stones Wood Fired Bistro & Bar9.9 mi
Sticks and Stones Wood fired Bistro and Bar, Menu, Events, Catering, Location, Adirondack style private parties.
Sip.
3- 9 Mile Coffee Co11.3 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.
- Cupola Crepes11.4 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.
- Caffe Vero18.5 mi
Breakfast, baked goods, sandwiches & house-roasted coffee in a comfy, earth-toned cafe.
Sweet.
4- Crossroads Ice Cream1.9 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 Parlor2.3 mi
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- Stone Bridge Ice Cream3.8 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.
- The Hungry Crow Market & Café8.1 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- Black Bear Restaurant & Bar3.2 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.
- The Hub3.8 mi
The Hub is a cafe, restaurant, lounge, bar, and bike repair shop located in Brant Lake, also serving the Lake George, Loon Lake, Friends Lake, and Schroon Lake areas.
- Crazy Loon Distillery5.2 mi
At the Crazy Loon Distillery, we produce high quality Adirondack inspired craft spirits that reflect the innovative nature and peaceful mindset of the North Country of New York. We offer a lineup of flavorful craft spirits inspired by the…
- The Brown Swan and Tavern11.2 mi
The Brown Swan and Tavern in Schroon Lake, NY, offers Adirondacks-inspired cuisine with locally sourced ingredients in a family-friendly setting.
Stay.
4- The Lodge at Loon Lake1.3 mi
A small lodge on Route 8 in Chestertown, on Loon Lake in the southern Adirondacks, with cabin-style accommodations and lake access. Year-round.
- Riverside Pines2.3 mi
Riverside Pines offers cabins, tents, and RV sites along the Schroon River in Chestertown, NY. Enjoy seasonal RV sites, an open-air taproom, and proximity to Adirondack attractions.
- Wakonda Family Campground2.4 mi
Wakonda Family Campground is a cooperative established in 1990, offering 132 campsites and 16 cottages on 82 acres. It features frontage on both private Lake Wakonda and the Schroon River.
- Friends Lake Inn2.9 mi
Plush rooms, some with whirlpool tubs, in a rustic-chic inn offering fine dining & a bright bistro.
See.
4- Town of Horicon Museum4.1 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.
- Natural Stone Bridge & Caves4.9 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.
- North Creek Depot Museum8.2 mi
Saved from demolition, this 1872 landmark station is now a museum, heritage center, and cultural hub in historic North Creek, featuring a fabulous diorama and exhibits on the Adirondack Railroad, Theodore Roosevelt, and local history.
- Revolution Rail Co. - Thurman Station8.3 mi
A pedal-powered rail biking operation at Thurman Station on the Adirondack Railroad bed near North Creek, with family-friendly seasonal tours rolling alongside the Hudson River corridor through forest and open river-bank country.
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- Where is Alligator Pond located?Alligator Pond is a pond in the Brant Lake region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- How big is Alligator Pond?Alligator Pond has a surface area of approximately 17 acres, a smaller backcountry water.
- Is Alligator Pond open to the public?Yes, Alligator 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 Alligator Pond?Within roughly seven miles of Alligator Pond: 26 designated campsites, 1 lean-to or shelter, 4 listed campgrounds. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.