Black Mountain Ponds.
Black Mountain Ponds — a small cluster of waters south of Indian Lake village — sit in the transition zone between the central Adirondacks and the lower-elevation mixed forest that defines the southern edge of the park. At four acres, this is backcountry stillwater rather than destination paddling: expect wetland margins, shallow basins, and the kind of quiet that comes from being off the main corridor. No fish data on record, no maintained trails flagged on the DEC inventory — which means this is either a bushwhack objective or accessible via an unmarked woods road that only gets traffic during hunting season. If you're looking for solitude and can navigate by topo, it's here.
Black Mountain Ponds has public access. Summits nearby include Black Mountain and Middle Mountain.
The water, surveyed.
Seasonal pattern for this lake · live closures appear above
10 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.
- 01Northwoods Club Rd Parking LotTrailhead2.8 miunpavedDirections →
- 02Moxham Mountain3.5 miunpavedDirections →
- 03Trail Parking3.9 miunpavedDirections →
- 0413Th Lake Parking Lot4.6 miunpavedDirections →
- 05Lost Pond/Stony Pond Trail Parking4.9 miunpavedDirections →
- 06Old Farm Parking Lot5.5 miunpavedDirections →
- 07Trail Parking5.9 miunpavedDirections →
- 08Trail Parking6.0 miunpavedDirections →
+2 more on the map above
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- becks TAVERN7.8 mi
A tavern on Peaceful Valley Road in North Creek serving German-inspired dishes alongside burgers, wings, and bar standards. The Yurts out back are the conversation piece.
- McSweeney's Irish Pub9.3 mi
An Irish-style pub on Route 30 in Indian Lake serving comfort-food classics (shepherd's pie, fish and chips) seven days a week, year-round. The dependable dinner spot in town.
- Cafe Adirondack Restaurant & Wine Room13.2 mi
Please call 518-494-5800 for reservations, or to check for takeout and walk in availability.
- Sticks & Stones Wood Fired Bistro & Bar15.6 mi
Sticks and Stones Wood fired Bistro and Bar, Menu, Events, Catering, Location, Adirondack style private parties.
Sip.
4- 9 Mile Coffee Co16.4 mi
9 Mile Coffee Co. is a coffee shop in downtown Schroon Lake, NY, serving a variety of coffees, teas, smoothies, sandwiches, and soups. They also sell their custom coffee blends and gift cards online.
- Cupola Crepes16.4 mi
Family-run creperie at 1095 Main Street in Schroon Lake. Sweet and savory crepes (gluten-free batter available), scones, coffee, and soft serve. Wednesday through Sunday.
- Schoolhouse Grounds Coffee Shop18.4 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.
- Waypoint Cafe21.8 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.
— 16.4 mi to the nearest pour to this spot; pack a thermos.
Sweet.
4- The Hungry Crow Market & Café7.4 mi
A downtown North Creek market and cafe serving soft serve alongside scratch-made desserts, next to Hudson River Trading Co. — the cone stop in the Gore and Upper Hudson area.
- Stone Bridge Ice Cream13.5 mi
Stone Bridge Ice Cream is a seasonal stand located 2.5 miles from the Natural Stone Bridge & Caves, offering over 40 flavors of soft serve, custom ice cream cakes, and signature sundaes. It features outdoor seating and a kids' swing set.
- Crossroads Ice Cream16.2 mi
The ice cream counter at The Crossroads, a country and outdoors store off I-87 Exit 25 in Chestertown between Schroon and Brant Lake — hard and soft ice cream on the road north.
- Main Street Ice Cream Parlor16.5 mi
Create a free link in bio with Bio Sites by Squarespace. Showcase your links, earn money, and grow your brand online, all with one link.
Drink.
4- Indian Lake Restaurant, Tavern and Liquor Store9.3 mi
Indian Lake Restaurant, Tavern and Liquor Store offers a full bar with an extensive bottle selection and local drafts, alongside a menu featuring appetizers, sandwiches, and entrees. The restaurant is currently closed for mud season and wi…
- Black Bear Restaurant & Bar13.2 mi
Black Bear Restaurant & Bar is an American eatery in Pottersville, NY, offering comfort food, sandwiches, and breakfast. Known for its welcoming atmosphere, quick service, and popular dishes like meatloaf and gravy fries.
- The Brown Swan and Tavern16.2 mi
The Brown Swan and Tavern in Schroon Lake, NY, offers Adirondacks-inspired cuisine with locally sourced ingredients in a family-friendly setting.
- Flanagan's Pub & Grill16.3 mi
Long-standing, log cabin–style haunt offering traditional pub grub, draft beer & cocktails.
Stay.
4- North River Hobby Farm Cabin and Glamping Rentals2.7 mi
Located in the southern Adirondacks, this vacation rental property offers cozy cabins and glamping tents set over 40 acres of wildflowers and woods. Each cabin features charming old-style detailing with bay windows, beadboard walls, and…
- The Alpine Lodge7.2 mi
A 19-room lodge in North Creek with recently updated rooms, suites with kitchenettes, smart-room amenities, Tesla chargers, pet-friendly rooms. Five minutes to Gore Mountain.
- Gore Mountain Lodge7.8 mi
Gore Mountain Lodge is your Adirondack lodging vacation escape two minutes from both the lifts at Gore Mountain and the Hudson River.
- The Inn on Gore Mountain8.4 mi
Adirondack-themed ski lodge 500 feet from the Gore Mountain access road. Main Lodge plus four two-story cabins, eighteen rooms total, sleeping up to thirty-two guests across twelve bedrooms.
See.
4- Revolution Rail Co. - Thurman Station6.9 mi
A pedal-powered rail biking operation at Thurman Station on the Adirondack Railroad bed near North Creek, with family-friendly seasonal tours rolling alongside the Hudson River corridor through forest and open river-bank country.
- North Creek Depot Museum7.0 mi
Saved from demolition, this 1872 landmark station is now a museum, heritage center, and cultural hub in historic North Creek, featuring a fabulous diorama and exhibits on the Adirondack Railroad, Theodore Roosevelt, and local history.
- Natural Stone Bridge & Caves11.6 mi
Explore the largest marble cave entrance in the eastern U.S., carved by Trout Brook. Offers self-guided trails, adventure tours, and winter snowshoeing with ice formations.
- Newcomb Ski Slope13.4 mi
2 slope municipal ski slope free to the public.
Add to the record.
Free, takes thirty seconds. Yours forever.
Every page on this site gets better when readers contribute. Mark a peak you’ve climbed, drop a photo, file a field note, or flag a correction — every addition makes the next visitor’s page better.
Add a shot.
Sunrise on the dock, a cairn at the summit, a bend on the trail. Your camera roll, our archive.
Add a photo →File a report.
Trail conditions, water level, bug pressure, blowdown. The kind of detail that helps the next person plan.
Write a field note →Spot something off?
Wrong elevation, outdated access notes, a coordinate that's drifted. We'd rather hear it than miss it.
Suggest an edit →Frequently asked.
- Where is Black Mountain Ponds located?Black Mountain Ponds is a pond in the Indian Lake region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- How big is Black Mountain Ponds?Black Mountain Ponds has a surface area of approximately 4 acres, a small pond.
- Is Black Mountain Ponds open to the public?Yes, Black Mountain Ponds 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 Mountain Ponds?Within roughly seven miles of Black Mountain Ponds: 61 designated campsites, 3 lean-tos or shelters. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.