Black Brook.
Black Brook runs through the town of Keene — one of several named streams in the eastern High Peaks that feed the Ausable watershed without much fanfare or trail signage. It's the kind of water that shows up on a USGS quad but rarely in a trip report: small flow, limited access, no formal parking or designated trailhead. If you're fishing the Ausable system or exploring the back roads between Keene and Keene Valley, you'll cross it on a bridge or culvert and move on. Worth noting only if you're a completist or working a stream-to-stream bushwhack — otherwise it's just another cold-water feeder doing quiet work in the background.
Black Brook has public access. Summits nearby include North Hill and Fern Lake Mountain.
The water, surveyed.
Before you launch.
- 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.
- 01Vanderwhacker WoodsTrailhead2.0 miunpavedDirections →
- 02Taylor Pond Loop Parking Lot3.2 miunpavedDirections →
- 03Cooper Kill Pond Trail- Bonnieview Road3.9 miunpavedDirections →
- 04Silver Lake Mtn. Parking Lot5.6 miunpavedDirections →
- 05Military Pond Road Parking Lot6.1 miunpavedDirections →
- 06Catamount Trailhead Parking Area6.8 miunpavedDirections →
- 07Parking7.0 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- The Hungry Trout9.0 mi
Situated on the West Branch of the Ausable River, the Hungry Trout offers two distinct dining experiences, from an upscale restaurant to a lively tavern.
- Monday Tuesday Grill11.6 mi
Monday Tuesday Grill in Upper Jay offers fresh, friendly, and affordable comfort meals for indoor, outdoor, and takeout dining, including grilled cheese sandwiches, soups, and Swedish meatballs.
- Forty Six15.7 mi
A small fine-dining room on Route 9N in Keene at the Dartbrook Lodge campus, with a seasonal menu that rotates regularly and elegant plating. Reservations recommended.
- Artisans at the Lake Placid Lodge17.0 mi
The restaurant at the Lake Placid Lodge, a Relais and Chateaux property, serving a seasonal farm-to-fork menu in a fire-lit dining room with a three-season terrace over the lake. Breakfast and dinner daily.
Sip.
4- Adirondack Mountain Coffee Cafe9.7 mi
Adirondack Mountain Coffee Cafe is a coffee shop in Upper Jay, NY, serving fresh, slow-roasted coffee, breakfast, and lunch daily. Located near Whiteface Mountain and the Adirondack State Park, it also offers local beer and cocktails, with…
- Saranac Juice17.2 mi
Cold-pressed juices, cleanses, protein elixirs, and nut mylks from Saranac River Ranch in Bloomingdale, made from organic produce grown on the farm or sourced from local Adirondack growers.
- The Coffee Bar17.5 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 Gourmet17.5 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- Whitebrook Dairy Bar6.9 mi
A classic roadside drive-in on Route 86 in Wilmington, five minutes from Whiteface — creamy soft serve (try the peanut-butter dip) plus footlongs and the Wilmington burger. Opening day is a local rite of spring.
- Sugar House Creamery9.4 mi
Sugar House Creamery is a farmstead creamery located in the Adirondacks, producing artisanal cheeses from the milk of their own cows. They offer a variety of cheeses, showcasing the quality of their local dairy.
- Cedar Run Bakery & Market15.2 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.
- Black Rooster Maple15.6 mi
Pure Adirondack Maple Syrup, Maple Cream, Bourbon Barrel Maple Syrup
Drink.
4- R.F. McDougall's Pub9.0 mi
The casual sibling of the Hungry Trout Restaurant, sharing the same Adirondack riverside property next to Whiteface. Pub food, regional beers, and the same view of the West Branch Ausable at a more relaxed price point.
- Hex and Hop Brewing17.2 mi
Hex and Hop Brewing is a craft brewery and meadery in Bloomingdale, New York, making full-flavored, locally sourced beer and mead. They prioritize community and craft, using fresh, local ingredients.
- Top of the Park17.2 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…
- Lake Placid Pub & Brewery17.6 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.
Stay.
4- Mountain Brook Lodge6.9 mi
Welcome to your home away from home! Mountain Brook Lodge offers a unique blend of comfort and convenience, ensuring your stay is memorable. We pride ourselves on offering a variety of amenities to make your stay as comfortable as…
- Cadence Lodge at Whiteface6.9 mi
Cadence Lodge in Wilmington, NY, offers an ideal base camp for outdoor adventurers. The property features recently updated guest rooms with amenities to enhance your stay, including a restaurant onsite, weekend breakfast options, and…
- Adirondack Spruce Lodge7.0 mi
Twenty-seven-room independent lodge in Wilmington village, minutes from Whiteface Mountain and walking distance from the Ausable River. Complimentary breakfast, fire pit, and Adirondack-character rooms.
- Wolfjaw Lodge7.1 mi
Welcome to the totally transformed Wolfjaw Lodge, located at the base of Whiteface Mountain, just a 2-minute drive from both Whiteface and Wilmington beach. Each of our 2 private houses and 11 lodge rooms and suites has been recently…
See.
4- Upper Jay Art Center and Recovery Lounge9.7 mi
The Upper Jay Art Center and Recovery Lounge is a vibrant venue dedicated to presenting music, theater, and visual arts in Upper Jay, NY. It serves as a community hub for various cultural events.
- Summit Weather Observatory10.7 mi
The Summit Weather Observatory, part of the University at Albany's Atmospheric Sciences Research Center (ASRC), provides real-time weather conditions and data from its observatory at the summit of Whiteface Mountain and a field station at…
- High Falls Gorge10.8 mi
A 22-acre privately owned nature park on Route 86 in Wilmington with rim trails, glass-floor walkways over Ausable River waterfalls, a cafe, and gift shop. Open year-round, weather permitting.
- Ausable Chasm14.6 mi
A sandstone gorge attraction on US 9 in Ausable Chasm, with rim trails, walkways through the gorge floor, and add-on tubing and rafting on the Ausable River. Open seasonally, roughly mid-May through Columbus Day.
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Suggest an edit →Frequently asked.
- Where is Black Brook located?Black Brook is a stream in the Keene region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- Is Black Brook open to the public?Yes, Black Brook 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 Black Brook?Within roughly seven miles of Black Brook: 3 designated campsites, 4 lean-tos or shelters. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.