Big Deer Pond.
Big Deer Pond sits in the Raquette Lake wild forest — 57 acres, no formal fisheries data on record, and far enough off the main corridors that it doesn't show up on most weekend itineraries. Access details are thin, which usually means either unmaintained trail or private-land complications; confirm current status and landowner permission before heading in. The pond's name suggests historical hunting camps or deer-yarding habitat, common in this drainage between Raquette and Blue Mountain lakes. If you do get there, expect solitude — and bring a compass.
Big Deer Pond reaches a maximum depth of 5 feet, with a mean depth of 2 feet. Big Deer Pond has public access. Summits nearby include Tomar Mountain and Cat Mountain.
The water, surveyed.
Seasonal pattern for this lake · live closures appear above
8 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.
- 01Roadside pull-offTrailhead5.9 miverified pinDirections →
- 02Dead Creek Trail Parking Area5.9 miunpavedDirections →
- 03Roadside pull-off6.0 miverified pinDirections →
- 04High Falls Trailhead Parking Area6.0 miunpavedDirections →
- 05Moore Trail Parking Area6.2 miunpavedDirections →
- 06Lake Lila Parking Area6.4 mi
- 07Lake Lila Parking Lot6.4 miunpavedDirections →
- 08Oswegatchie River Inlet Parking Area7.2 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- Big Moose Station Restaurant17.7 mi
Website under development
- The Clubhouse at Tupper Lake Country Club19.6 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.
- The Tavern20.7 mi
Located at 5520 state route 28 in Eagle Bay, NY.
- Tony Harper's Pizza & Clam Shack20.8 mi
Tony Harper's Pizza & Clam Shack is a family restaurant and bar with four Adirondack locations, offering homemade pizza, wings, and seafood. Guests can enjoy sports on high-def TVs, a full bar, and live music.
— 17.7 mi to the nearest table out here; plan the drive to dinner.
Sip.
4- Waypoint Cafe21.6 mi
Long Lake cafe at 1265 Main St. La Colombe coffee, homemade quiche, avocado toast, artisan sandwiches, salads, poke bowls, soups, and charcuterie. Closed Mondays; weeknight happy hour 4–6 p.m.
- Tamarack Cafe22.0 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 House22.0 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…
- Schoolhouse Grounds Coffee Shop24.8 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.
— 21.6 mi to the nearest pour to this spot; pack a thermos.
Sweet.
4- Skyline Ice Cream21.5 mi
A roadside soft-serve stand on Route 30 in Tupper Lake since 1985 — vanilla and black-raspberry twists, gelato, Dole Whip, and Michigans, now with an expanded burger-and-fries menu.
- The Park21.9 mi
Trying to find a fast food restaurant in Long Lake? Pay a visit to The Park. We offer a range of burgers, sides, ice cream, drinks and coffee options.
- Custard’s Last Stand22.0 mi
Custard's Last Stand is a historic ice cream shop in Long Lake, established in 1958, serving a variety of soft frozen custard & hard ice cream, sundaes, specialty shakes, floats, and ice cream sodas. They also offer merchandise and gift cards.
- Northern Lights Creamery Inc.22.4 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.
— 21.5 mi to the nearest scoop; save it for the ride home.
Drink.
4- Lakeview Lanes & The Foul Line Sports Bar20.8 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.
- Raquette River Brewing20.9 mi
A family- and dog-friendly taproom pouring year-round craft beer alongside four permanent food trucks, from wood-fired pizza to Carolina barbecue.
- Brookside Hops & Hoagies22.0 mi
Brookside Hops & Hoagies is a casual, family-friendly shop in Long Lake, founded in 2023, offering craft beers and hoagies made with fresh ingredients and Boars Head deli meats. It operates Wednesday through Sunday from 11 AM to 7 PM.
- Daiker's22.1 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.
— 20.8 mi to the nearest pint; appoint a driver.
Stay.
4- Norridgewock Lodge11.8 mi
NORRIDGEWOCK LODGE, an oasis in the Adirondack Mountains. Our lakeside resort is the perfect remote vacation in the wilderness of the Beaver River. Book online!
- The Waldheim16.4 mi
A rustic resort with log-cottages featuring porches with lake views, plus 3 included meals a day.
- Covewood Lodge17.4 mi
A Great Camp-style lodge on Big Moose Lake in Eagle Bay, with 19 housekeeping cottages and Main Lodge apartments and rooms. Open May through October, with kids' programming and weekly campfires from late June to Labor Day.
- Brightside on Raquette Lake18.4 mi
Brightside on Raquette Lake offers an all-inclusive experience combining historic charm with modern comforts. It also serves as a venue for company retreats, fostering creativity and team building in the Adirondacks.
See.
4- John Dillon Park17.8 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…
- Raquette Lake Navigation Cruise19.8 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 Knot20.1 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.
- Adirondack Railroad21.5 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…
— 17.8 mi to the nearest sight on file; fold it into the drive.
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Suggest an edit →Frequently asked.
- Where is Big Deer Pond located?Big Deer Pond is a pond in the Raquette Lake region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- How big is Big Deer Pond?Big Deer Pond has a surface area of approximately 57 acres, a smaller backcountry water.
- How deep is Big Deer Pond?Big Deer Pond has a maximum depth of 5 feet, with a mean depth of 2.3 feet.
- Is Big Deer Pond open to the public?Yes, Big Deer 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 Big Deer Pond?Within roughly seven miles of Big Deer Pond: 193 designated campsites, 18 lean-tos or shelters. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.