Balsam Pond.
Balsam Pond is a five-acre pocket water in the Tupper Lake region — small enough to be off the radar for most anglers and paddlers, which is usually the point of a pond this size. No fish data on record, no designated campsites, no named peaks within striking distance — it reads more like a local reference point than a destination, the kind of water that shows up on a topo map but not in a guidebook. If you're looking for solitude and you know how to get there, it delivers. If you don't know how to get there, it's probably staying quiet.
Balsam Pond reaches a maximum depth of 4 feet, with a mean depth of 3 feet. Balsam Pond has public access.
The water, surveyed.
Seasonal pattern for this lake · live closures appear above
6 parking areas· 1 accessible
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.
- 01Burntbridge Pond Trail Parking AreaTrailhead2.0 miunpavedDirections →
- 02Gilbert Tract Parking Area3.9 miunpavedDirections →
- 03Jamestown Falls Campsite5.4 mi
- 04Jamestown Falls Parking Area5.5 miunpavedDirections →
- 05Spruce Mtn. Road Parking Area6.9 miunpavedDirections →
- 06Peavine Swamp North Parking Area7.0 miunpavedDirections →
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- PorkBusters BBQ13.3 mi
PorkBusters BBQ is a Tupper Lake restaurant serving barbecue dishes seven days a week from 11 AM to 9 PM. They offer a menu for dine-in or takeout, plus catering for parties and events.
- The Clubhouse at Tupper Lake Country Club14.3 mi
The Clubhouse Restaurant & Bar at Tupper Lake Golf Club offers a full bar, weekly specials, and hosts events and weddings. Open to the public, enjoy meals with a view of the golf course.
- Amado14.4 mi
A small restaurant on Cliff Avenue in Tupper Lake serving Brazilian dishes (moqueca, feijoada) alongside lamb pot pie, fish fry, and a clearly marked vegan section. Homemade desserts.
- Guido's Pizzeria14.5 mi
Guido's Pizzeria in Tupper Lake has been serving hand-thrown pizzas, subs, calzones, dinners, and wings since 1988. They offer free delivery within the Town of Tupper Lake on any size order and make fresh dough daily.
Drink.
2- Raquette River Brewing13.8 mi
A family- and dog-friendly taproom pouring year-round craft beer alongside four permanent food trucks, from wood-fired pizza to Carolina barbecue.
- Lakeview Lanes & The Foul Line Sports Bar14.5 mi
Lakeview Lanes & The Foul Line Sports Bar in Tupper Lake offers 8 lanes of bowling, an arcade, a sports bar, and outdoor seating with food and drinks for family fun.
Stay.
4- The Lodge at Seveys5.7 mi
The Lodge @ Seveys is a spacious and recently remodeled facility that serves as the perfect family getaway in the heart of the Adirondacks. With seven bedrooms accommodating up to fourteen people, the lodge features a fully equipped…
- Red Top Inn LLC13.8 mi
No-frills lodgings by Tupper Lake with boat rentals and nightly bonfires by the lake.
- Pine Terrace Motel & Resort14.0 mi
Waterfront motel offers basic cabins with kitchens & WiFi plus pool & tennis courts.
- Trailhead Hotel in Tupper Lake, NY15.3 mi
A motel on Park Street in Tupper Lake with an outdoor pool, basketball court, putting green, mini-golf, free breakfast, and voice-controlled smart-room features. ADA-accessible rooms available.
See.
4- Adirondack Railroad13.7 mi
Adirondack Railroad offers scenic train experiences through the beautiful outdoor scenery of New York, departing from stations in Utica, Thendara, and Tupper Lake. They provide various themed rides, including special events and multi-hour…
- The Adirondack Sky Center & Observatory14.0 mi
Free 2-Day Space Camp at the Adirondack Sky Center Calling all future space explorers— get ready for an out-of-this-world adventure! Join us to explore some of the most fascinating topics in outer space! We’ll cover black holes, space tra…
- The Wild Center15.8 mi
Live animals, hands-on exhibits & forest trails connect guests with the Adirondacks.
- John Dillon Park21.5 mi
John Dillon Park, run by Paul Smith's College, is an accessible outdoor recreation area in Long Lake featuring a 3.5-mile accessible trail system, lean-tos, and fishing access. It is closed for the summer 2026 season for water system impro…
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Suggest an edit →Frequently asked.
- Where is Balsam Pond located?Balsam Pond is a pond in the Tupper Lake region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- How big is Balsam Pond?Balsam Pond has a surface area of approximately 5 acres, a small pond.
- How deep is Balsam Pond?Balsam Pond has a maximum depth of 4 feet, with a mean depth of 2.6 feet.
- Is Balsam Pond open to the public?Yes, Balsam 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 Balsam Pond?Within roughly seven miles of Balsam Pond: 51 designated campsites, 5 lean-tos or shelters. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.