Avalanche Lake.
Avalanche Lake is a 40-acre alpine lake pinched between sheer cliffs — reached by the Avalanche Pass trail and its iconic "Hitch-Up Matildas" plank walkways bolted to the rock face. No fishing; hikers come for the gorge itself and the view up toward Mount Colden.
Avalanche Lake reaches a maximum depth of 23 feet, with a mean depth of 11 feet. Avalanche Lake has public access. Summits nearby include Avalanche Mountain and Mount Colden.
The water, surveyed.
Seasonal pattern for this lake · live closures appear above
6 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.
- 01Marcy Dam Parking LotTrailhead4.1 miunpavedDirections →
- 02Upper Works Trail Parking5.4 miunpavedDirections →
- 03East River Trail Parking5.7 miunpavedDirections →
- 04Cascade Mountain Parking7.0 mipavedDirections →
- 05Cascade Mountain Parking7.1 mipavedDirections →
- 06Cascade Mountain Parking7.2 mipavedDirections →
Avalanche Lake.
From the people who’ve been here, plus what Google has on file.
What’s in the water.
NYSDEC has stocked this water across 3 recent seasons — the ledger below is the public record.
The stocking record.
Launch & supply.
Getting in, staying over.
Camping.
What the lake is doing today.
What rings this water.
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- Salt of the Earth Bistro9.6 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.
- Noon Mark Diner9.7 mi
A traditional diner experience, offering hearty meals for travelers and locals in the Adirondack Park.
- Ausable Inn9.8 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.
- Lisa G's10.0 mi
Creative American fare with global twists in a welcoming space with vivid murals & waterside patio.
Sip.
4- Old Mountain Coffee Company9.7 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.
- Origin Coffee10.4 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.
- The Coffee Bar10.7 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.
- Simply Gourmet11.3 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…
Sweet.
4- Adirondack Corner Store9.2 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.
- Ben & Jerry's10.1 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.
- Emma's Lake Placid Creamery10.1 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.
- Cedar Run Bakery & Market12.1 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.
Drink.
4- Lake Placid Pub & Brewery10.4 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.
- Top of the Park11.0 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…
- Ray Brook Brewhouse12.7 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.
- RiverTrail Beerworks15.7 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- Adirondack Loj3.4 mi
Adirondak Loj is a lodging and camping facility operated by the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK) in Lake Placid, New York. It serves as a hub for outdoor programs and access to the High Peaks region, offering accommodations and information f…
- Van Hoevenberg Cabins7.1 mi
Eight pet-friendly cabins on Cascade Road outside Lake Placid, each named for a High Peaks summit, with kitchenettes and queen, king, or twin configurations. Year-round operation.
- Cascade Inn and Restaurant7.6 mi
A roadside motel and restaurant on Cascade Road between Lake Placid and Keene, with Whiteface views, Italian classics, and ski-out cross-country access from the door.
- TMax-n-Topo's Hostel7.6 mi
A budget hostel on Cascade Road outside Lake Placid with shared bunkrooms, private motel-style rooms, and a seasonal pop-up camper. Full kitchen, communal dining, fire pit, outdoor deck.
See.
4- Cliffside Coaster6.3 mi
The Cliffside Coaster in Lake Placid, NY, is the longest coaster in North America. It follows the path of Olympic history at Mt Van Hoevenberg.
- Lake Placid Bobsled Experience6.3 mi
Mt Van Hoevenberg, a Lake Placid Legacy Site, offers the thrilling Skeleton Experience for visitors and youth bobsled and skeleton programs, continuing its Olympic legacy as a venue for winter sports.
- John Brown Farm State Historic Site8.0 mi
Simple, furnished farmhouse home & grave of abolitionist John Brown, set in parkland with trails.
- Olympic Ski Jump Tower8.4 mi
Experience the thrill of Olympic ski jumping history and world-class training at this iconic Lake Placid venue, offering stunning Adirondack vistas from its towering structures.
Add to the record.
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Add a shot.
Sunrise on the dock, a cairn at the summit, a bend on the trail. Your camera roll, our archive.
Add a photo →File a report.
Trail conditions, water level, bug pressure, blowdown. The kind of detail that helps the next person plan.
Write a field note →Spot something off?
Wrong elevation, outdated access notes, a coordinate that's drifted. We'd rather hear it than miss it.
Suggest an edit →Frequently asked.
- Where is Avalanche Lake located?Avalanche Lake is a lake in the Lake Placid region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- How big is Avalanche Lake?Avalanche Lake has a surface area of approximately 40 acres, a smaller backcountry water.
- How deep is Avalanche Lake?Avalanche Lake has a maximum depth of 23 feet, with a mean depth of 10.8 feet.
- Is Avalanche Lake open to the public?Yes, Avalanche Lake 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 Avalanche Lake?Within roughly seven miles of Avalanche Lake: 117 designated campsites, 76 lean-tos or shelters. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.