Ash Craft Pond.
Ash Craft Pond is a 23-acre water tucked into the Keene Valley backcountry — small enough to stay off most hiking itineraries, large enough to hold its own quiet. No fish stocking records on file, which typically means wild brookies or nothing at all; local anglers know which. The pond sits in that middle distance where casual day-trippers thin out and the overnight crowd hasn't quite arrived — the kind of water that rewards anyone willing to work past the roadside destinations. Worth confirming access and current trail conditions with the DEC Ray Brook office before committing to the approach.
Ash Craft Pond has public access. Summits nearby include Split Rock Mountain and Feeder Mountain.
The water, surveyed.
Before you launch.
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.
- 01Split Rock Falls Parking AreaTrailhead2.3 mipavedDirections →
- 02Crowfoot Pond Trail Parking2.3 miunpavedDirections →
- 03King Phillips Spring Parking Lot3.0 mipavedDirections →
- 04East Trail To Giant Mtn. Parking Lot3.0 miunpavedDirections →
- 05South Branch Bouquet River Parking Lot3.7 miunpavedDirections →
- 06North Branch Bouquet River Parking Lot4.5 miunpavedDirections →
- 07Spanky'S Wall Parking Lot5.1 miunpavedDirections →
- 08Courtney Pond Trail Parking Area5.5 miunpavedDirections →
+4 more on the map above
Getting in, staying over.
Camping.
What the lake is doing today.
What rings this water.
The peaks.
The waters.
The trails.
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- The Deer's Head Inn Restaurant7.6 mi
The Deer's Head Inn is a historic Elizabethtown tavern and restaurant — among the oldest inns in the Adirondacks — serving pub fare and regional dishes.
- F.I.G's Riverside Pizza Cafe7.8 mi
A casual pizza cafe on the Boquet River in Elizabethtown serving pies, sandwiches, and cafe fare.
- Noon Mark Diner10.1 mi
A traditional diner experience, offering hearty meals for travelers and locals in the Adirondack Park.
- Ausable Inn10.2 mi
Comfortable Keene Valley restaurant, bar, liquor store, and small inn. American comfort menu — wings, fish and chips, Montreal brisket, steak au poivre, plus the locally famous Hungarian mushroom soup.
Sip.
4- Counter Space7.6 mi
A casual cafe in Elizabethtown serving coffee, espresso, and light bites — a local gathering spot in the Essex County seat.
- Pleasant Valley Cafe7.7 mi
A local cafe in Elizabethtown serving breakfast, lunch, coffee, and comfort food in the heart of the Boquet Valley.
- Life Church Cafe7.8 mi
Life Church Elizabethtown is a local church dedicated to connecting lives and building community.
- Old Mountain Coffee Company10.1 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- Black Rooster Maple13.0 mi
Pure Adirondack Maple Syrup, Maple Cream, Bourbon Barrel Maple Syrup
- Cedar Run Bakery & Market13.6 mi
Cedar Run Bakery & Market offers scratch-made baked goods, deli items, fresh menu options, and take & bake meals, alongside a selection of wine and spirits. They are open Friday through Monday from 8 AM to 6 PM.
- Sugar House Creamery17.9 mi
Sugar House Creamery is a farmstead creamery located in the Adirondacks, producing artisanal cheeses from the milk of their own cows. They offer a variety of cheeses, showcasing the quality of their local dairy.
- Adirondack Corner Store20.5 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.
Drink.
4- The Old Mine6.3 mi
The Old Miners Tavern is a historic Adirondack tavern in Moriah, NY, offering classic bar food like juicy burgers and chicken wings, a full bar with rotating craft beers, and a welcoming atmosphere for friends to gather.
- Tavern on Main9.2 mi
Tavern on Main brings a Chicago-style modern upscale gastropub to the historic Crown Point square — the closest sit-down dining to the Crown Point State Historic Site and the Lake Champlain Bridge crossing.
- The Knock ADK10.0 mi
The Knock ADK is a restaurant and bar in Westport, NY, offering a plant-based dinner menu alongside classic and craft cocktails. They provide dinner reservations on non-show nights and welcome walk-ins on show nights.
- Paradox Brewery12.4 mi
Paradox Brewery offers a diverse tap selection, a full menu with pizza, burgers, and BBQ, and an expansive mountain landscape.
Stay.
4- The Halfway House Motel6.0 mi
A small motel with an on-site restaurant on Lobdell Lane in Elizabethtown, the Essex County seat between the Northway and the High Peaks. Simple rooms for travelers passing through or basing for a day in the Adirondacks.
- Park Motor Inn7.5 mi
The Park Motor Inn is a charming, vintage, motel-style property that opened in Elizabethtown, New York, during the heyday of automobile tourism in the 1950's. Elizabethtown is where the Adirondack High Peaks meet the Champlain Valley, giving visitors unparalleled access to the region's spectacular lakes, rivers, and mountains.
- The Deer's Head Inn7.6 mi
The Deer's Head Inn in Elizabethtown, NY, is the oldest tavern in the Adirondacks. Reopened in August 2016 as an eatery and inn, it features tavern dining with a changing, seasonal menu focused on local, regional, and sustainably produced…
- The Olde Mill Inn Bed and Breakfast7.6 mi
An eight-room historic B&B inside Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, with an authentic 1700s log cabin, a king-sized suite, and homemade breakfast. EV charging on site.
See.
4- Adirondack History Museum7.7 mi
The Adirondack History Museum in Elizabethtown tells the story of Essex County and the Adirondacks — pioneer life, mining, tourism, and mountain heritage.
- Hurricane Mountain Fire Tower10.0 mi
Perched atop Hurricane Mountain, this historic fire tower provides hikers with unparalleled 360-degree views of the Adirondacks, Lake Champlain, and Vermont's Green Mountains.
- Keene Arts13.2 mi
Keene Arts is a venue in Keene, NY, hosting diverse events including art exhibits, concerts, film screenings, and a winter farmers market.
- Penfield Homestead Museum13.3 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.
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Suggest an edit →Frequently asked.
- Where is Ash Craft Pond located?Ash Craft Pond is a pond in the Keene region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- How big is Ash Craft Pond?Ash Craft Pond has a surface area of approximately 23 acres, a smaller backcountry water.
- Is Ash Craft Pond open to the public?Yes, Ash Craft 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 Ash Craft Pond?Within roughly seven miles of Ash Craft Pond: 39 designated campsites, 2 lean-tos or shelters. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.