Bear Pond.
Bear Pond is a 28-acre water in the Raquette Lake region — small enough to paddle in an afternoon, large enough to feel like more than a stopping point. The pond sits in the network of lakes and channels that make the Raquette drainage a classic canoe-camping zone, though Bear itself sees less traffic than the headline waters nearby. No fish species data on record, which either means it's been overlooked by DEC survey crews or it's one of those ponds where the habitat doesn't hold much past early spring. Access is by paddle route; check the Raquette Lake launch points and plan your connections accordingly.
Bear Pond reaches a maximum depth of 11 feet, with a mean depth of 3 feet. Bear Pond has public access. Summits nearby include Mount Tom and Seventh Lake Mountain.
The water, surveyed.
Seasonal pattern for this lake · live closures appear above
10 parking areas· 3 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.
- 017Th Lake Boat Launch ParkingTrailhead2.8 mi
- 02DEC parking 188833.9 mi
- 03Brooktrout Lake Trail Parking4.4 miunpavedDirections →
- 04DEC parking 188854.7 mi
- 05Indian Lake Road Parking Area5.1 miunpavedDirections →
- 06Sagamore Road Parking5.1 miunpavedDirections →
- 07Blue Ridge Parking5.3 miunpavedDirections →
- 08Cascades Trail Parking Lot5.4 miunpavedDirections →
+2 more on the map above
Getting in, staying over.
Camping.
What the lake is doing today.
What rings this water.
The peaks.
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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- Seventh Lake House3.5 mi
Rustic space with a lake view preps classic & contemporary American dishes from seasonal goods.
- Archie's Alley5.5 mi
Archie's Alley, established in 2022 in Inlet, NY, is a restaurant offering Mexican-inspired cuisine, a bar, and family dining with outdoor options. It is open Monday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, with specific hours listed on its website.
- Screamen Eagle5.5 mi
Gift certificates available, please give us a call! (315) 357-6026
- Tony Harpers Pizza and Clam Shack5.6 mi
Tony Harper's Pizza & Clam Shack offers family-friendly dining with pizza, wings, and seafood across four Adirondack locations: year-round in Old Forge and Lowville, and seasonal spots in Inlet and Raquette Lake. The Raquette Lake location…
Sip.
4- Tamarack Cafe5.6 mi
Tamarack Cafe in downtown Inlet serves a wide variety of breakfast and lunch options, from traditional favorites and specialty bowls to creative salads, sandwiches, and burgers. The cafe also features an 18-hole mini-golf course.
- Blue Line Coffee House5.6 mi
Blue Line Coffee House offers Adirondack-inspired apparel, handcrafted mugs, and mountain-themed gifts, along with pre-packaged coffee and coffee accessories. Products are available for nationwide shipping, and local customers can order dr…
- Blue Line Coffee House13.5 mi
A coffee shop on Route 28 in Old Forge selling drinks, Adirondack-themed apparel, handcrafted mugs, and shipped coffee subscriptions. Order drinks for pickup or shop the gift line online.
- Schoolhouse Grounds Coffee Shop17.0 mi
Seasonal coffee shop inside the 1895 schoolhouse that houses Blue Mountain Designs. Espresso, locally roasted coffee, loose-leaf tea, baked goods, avocado toast, sandwiches, and soups. May through October.
Sweet.
4- Northern Lights Creamery Inc.5.0 mi
An Inlet institution for 40-plus years, a short walk from Arrowhead Park on Fourth Lake — soft serve, homemade gelato, floats, flurries, and specialty sundaes.
- Benny’s Ice Cream13.6 mi
A family-run, locally loved scoop shop on Old Forge's Main Street — hand-scooped hard flavors and soft serve.
- Pied Piper13.6 mi
A circa-1950s soft-serve and frozen-custard stand locals treat as a permanent fixture — the walk-up window after a day on the Fulton Chain or at the water park. Three daily soft-serve flavors plus around 20 hard flavors.
- Speculator Creamery22.2 mi
A family-run village creamery anchoring Speculator's tiny downtown near Lake Pleasant — a genuine community summer hub. Wide-ranging soft-serve flavors, the 16oz Nor'Easter blend, and hand-dipped hard ice cream. Roughly May through September.
Drink.
4- Daiker's9.3 mi
Daikers is an Adirondack pitstop in Old Forge, NY, offering seasonal and local dining with a deck overlooking Fourth Lake. Their caring and committed staff ensure a fantastic experience for guests.
- Slickers Adirondack Tavern13.5 mi
Slickers Adirondack Tavern, established in 1984, offers a classic tavern experience with a focus on quality ingredients. They are well-known for their signature French Dip Sandwich.
- Old Forge Brewing Company13.6 mi
Old Forge Brewing Company, established in 2008, is a brewpub committed to crafting quality beer and food while prioritizing local ingredients and community support. They offer a diverse menu, a range of craft beers, and host regular events.
- Hex and Hop Tasting Room - Blue Mountain Lake16.9 mi
Hex and Hop is a craft brewery and meadery located in Bloomingdale, New York. They offer full-flavored, high-quality craft beer and mead, made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, emphasizing community and craft.
Stay.
4- Deer Meadows Motel & Cottages3.9 mi
A motel and cottage operation on Seventh Lake in the Fulton Chain, 1.5 miles north of Inlet, with a private beach, swim and boat access from the property, and a bonfire setup.
- Marina Motel5.6 mi
A family-run motel on a hill in Inlet overlooking Fourth Lake, with king or double-XL rooms, complimentary breakfast, and walking access to Arrowhead Park and the village.
- The Woods Inn5.7 mi
A restored historic waterfront inn on Route 28 in Inlet, on Fourth Lake of the Fulton Chain. The only full-service hotel in the Inlet/Old Forge area, with main-inn rooms, a Carriage House, and a Lakefront Cottage. Three on-site dining options.
- Kamp Kill Kare5.7 mi
Kamp Kill Kare is a historic Adirondack Great Camp on 1,000 acres featuring a private 500-acre lake, offering a luxurious and customized guest experience.
See.
4- Great Camp Sagamore5.4 mi
Great Camp Sagamore is a historic Adirondack Great Camp offering multi-day programs, overnight stays, and daily activities focused on history, arts, outdoor recreation, and wellness.
- Raquette Lake Navigation Cruise7.6 mi
Raquette Lake Navigation Company offers dining, sightseeing, and special event cruises on Raquette Lake in New York. This family-owned and operated business has been providing scenic experiences aboard the W.W. Durant since 1991.
- Camp Pine Knot8.6 mi
William West Durant's 1877 compound on Raquette Lake — the camp that invented the Adirondack Great Camp style. Now SUNY Cortland's Huntington Memorial Camp, an outdoor-education center with occasional public programs.
- Calypso's Cove13.3 mi
Calypso's Cove is a family fun park in Old Forge, NY, located next to Enchanted Forest Water Safari. It features attractions like go-karts, mini-golf, arcade games, and a ropes course with a zipline, offering afternoon and evening entertai…
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- Where is Bear Pond located?Bear Pond is a pond in the Raquette Lake region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- How big is Bear Pond?Bear Pond has a surface area of approximately 28 acres, a smaller backcountry water.
- How deep is Bear Pond?Bear Pond has a maximum depth of 11 feet, with a mean depth of 3.3 feet.
- Is Bear Pond open to the public?Yes, Bear 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 Bear Pond?Within roughly seven miles of Bear Pond: 118 designated campsites, 7 lean-tos or shelters, 1 listed campground. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.