Big Five.
Big Five sits in the dense forest south of Raquette Lake village — a sixteen-acre pond with no formal public access and no fish stocking records in the DEC system. The name suggests either a surveyor's grid designation or an old hunting camp reference, but no historical marker survives in the record. Ponds this size in the Raquette drainage often hold wild brookies or perch that wandered in during high water, but without maintained trails or documented put-ins, Big Five stays off most paddlers' lists. Best known to locals with property access or hunters working the surrounding hardwood ridges in October.
Big Five has public access. Summits nearby include Panther Mountain and Partlow Mountain.
The water, surveyed.
- Peak foliage from the water — the best seats in the Park are in a canoe this month.
Seasonal pattern for this lake · live closures appear above
7 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.
- 01Oswegatchie River Inlet Parking AreaTrailhead5.1 miunpavedDirections →
- 02High Falls Trailhead Parking Area5.8 miunpavedDirections →
- 03Moore Trail Parking Area5.8 miunpavedDirections →
- 04Dead Creek Trail Parking Area6.0 miunpavedDirections →
- 05Trailhead Parking6.3 miunpavedDirections →
- 06Buck Pond Road Parking6.6 miunpavedDirections →
- 07Boundary Line Trail Parking Area6.8 miunpavedDirections →
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- Big Moose Station Restaurant16.2 mi
Website under development
- Mountainside Smokehouse & Grill20.6 mi
Mountainside Smokehouse & Grill offers delicious smoked meats, homemade BBQ sauces and desserts, with smoking done on-premise using apple wood. They also provide catering and meeting space.
- The Tavern20.7 mi
Located at 5520 state route 28 in Eagle Bay, NY.
- The Lean-to at Great Pines20.8 mi
The Lean-To is our casual lakeside restaurant, open to guests and the public. It offers a full-service bar and a craft beer menu, along with a food menu inspired by local ingredients and regional influences.
— 16.2 mi to the nearest table out here; plan the drive to dinner.
Sip.
3- Tamarack Cafe22.1 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 House22.1 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 House23.5 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.
— 22.1 mi to the nearest pour to this spot; pack a thermos.
Sweet.
3- Northern Lights Creamery Inc.22.7 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 Cream23.4 mi
A family-run, locally loved scoop shop on Old Forge's Main Street — hand-scooped hard flavors and soft serve.
- Pied Piper23.4 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.
— 22.7 mi to the nearest scoop; save it for the ride home.
Drink.
3- Daiker's21.1 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.
- Slickers Adirondack Tavern23.5 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 Company23.6 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.
— 21.1 mi to the nearest pint; appoint a driver.
Stay.
4- Norridgewock Lodge10.4 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 Waldheim15.9 mi
A rustic resort with log-cottages featuring porches with lake views, plus 3 included meals a day.
- Covewood Lodge16.9 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.
- Palmer Point Boats & Cottages20.6 mi
Palmer Point offers pontoon boat rentals and charming cottages in Old Forge, NY, perfect for enjoying Fourth Lake in the Adirondacks.
See.
4- Raquette Lake Navigation Cruise22.1 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 Knot22.8 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.
- John Dillon Park23.3 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…
- Enchanted Forest Water Safari23.3 mi
Located in Old Forge, Enchanted Forest Water Safari offers a blend of water park experiences and traditional theme park attractions. Visitors can access various slides, pools, and dry rides.
— 22.1 mi to the nearest sight on file; fold it into the drive.
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Suggest an edit →Frequently asked.
- Where is Big Five located?Big Five is a pond in the Raquette Lake region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- How big is Big Five?Big Five has a surface area of approximately 16 acres, a smaller backcountry water.
- Is Big Five open to the public?Yes, Big Five 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 Five?Within roughly seven miles of Big Five: 100 designated campsites, 19 lean-tos or shelters. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.