Boreas Ponds.
Three connected ponds at the headwaters of the Boreas River, acquired by New York State in 2016 as the centerpiece of the 20,758-acre Boreas Ponds Tract — the largest single addition to the Forest Preserve in a generation. Paddle-in or hike-in only via Gulf Brook Road. Mount Marcy and the Great Range fill the northern sky from the upper pond. Lean-tos and primitive sites along the shoreline. The single most photographed view in the newest wilderness areas of the Park.
Fish on record include Brook trout — always check current New York State DEC regulations before fishing. Boreas Ponds has public access. Summits nearby include Rist Mountain and North River Mountains.
The water, surveyed.
Seasonal pattern for this lake · live closures appear above
12 parking areas· 5 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.
- 01Gulf Brook Road Campsite 6 Parking areaTrailhead1.8 mi
- 02Boreas Ponds Accessible Parking Lot2.0 mi
- 03Gulf Brook Road Campsite 5 Parking area2.1 miunpavedDirections →
- 04Gulf Brook Road Campsite 4 Parking area3.4 mi
- 05Fly Pond Parking Area4.0 mi
- 06Boreas River Parking Lot4.2 miunpavedDirections →
- 07Cheney Pond Trail Parking4.3 miunpavedDirections →
- 08Gulf Brook Road Campsite 3 Parking area4.4 mi
+4 more on the map above
Boreas Ponds.
From the people who’ve been here, plus what Google has on file.
What’s in the water.
Launch & supply.
Getting in, staying over.
Access.
Gulf Brook Road, signed trailhead. Gate may close seasonally.
Lake Placid Region→Camping.
What the lake is doing today.
What rings this water.
The peaks.
The waters.
The trails.
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- Trail Break at Schroon Lake15.1 mi
Trail Break at Schroon Lake offers a restaurant, bar, and lodging in Schroon Lake. Guests can enjoy a menu of food, wine, and beer, live music on select evenings, and overnight stays in their rooms from May through October.
- Pitkins Restaurant15.7 mi
Pitkin's Restaurant is a family dining landmark in Schroon Lake, offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a broad menu in a modern rustic setting. It features a new patio, including pet-friendly outdoor dining, and is conveniently locate…
- DeCesare's Pizzeria15.7 mi
DeCesare's Pizzeria in Schroon Lake offers a menu of pizza, Italian dishes, and salads. They provide online ordering for both carryout and delivery.
- Noon Mark Diner15.9 mi
A traditional diner experience, offering hearty meals for travelers and locals in the Adirondack Park.
— 15.1 mi to the nearest table out here; plan the drive to dinner.
Sip.
4- Cupola Crepes15.6 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.
- 9 Mile Coffee Co15.7 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.
- Old Mountain Coffee Company15.9 mi
Great Coffee, Great Food, Great Baked Goods & Great People. Stop in to enjoy our house roasted coffee, browse our menu for a bite to eat or grab a delicious treat from our bakery. Order Online for pickup or stop in.
- Origin Coffee19.4 mi
Origin Coffee Co. is a specialty coffee shop with locations in Lake Placid and Saranac Lake, offering a chef-driven breakfast and lunch menu served all day. It serves as a community gathering spot for locals and Adirondack travelers.
— 15.6 mi to the nearest pour to this spot; pack a thermos.
Sweet.
4- Adirondack Corner Store18.3 mi
A longtime deli and general store at the corner of Route 73 in Lake Placid with an ice cream counter and subs — a locals' spot off the Main Street tourist row.
- Ben & Jerry's19.1 mi
The Ben & Jerry's scoop shop on Lake Placid's Main Street above Mirror Lake — the Vermont brand's pints and cones in the heart of the village.
- Emma's Lake Placid Creamery19.1 mi
A 1950s-themed creamery in the heart of walkable Lake Placid, famous for its Maple Creme soft serve alongside 16 hard flavors, gelato, sorbet, and old-fashioned malts. The reliable apres-hike treat.
- Black Rooster Maple19.6 mi
Pure Adirondack Maple Syrup, Maple Cream, Bourbon Barrel Maple Syrup
— 18.3 mi to the nearest scoop; save it for the ride home.
Drink.
4- Paradox Brewery12.8 mi
Paradox Brewery offers a diverse tap selection, a full menu with pizza, burgers, and BBQ, and an expansive mountain landscape.
- The Brown Swan and Tavern15.6 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 & Grill15.7 mi
Long-standing, log cabin–style haunt offering traditional pub grub, draft beer & cocktails.
- Lake Placid Pub & Brewery19.4 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- The Pilot's House8.1 mi
The Pilot's House sits above the Outfitter's storefront, with a wonderful view of Vanderwhacker Mt. and the Hudson River, and Santanoni Mt as a backdrop.
- Blue Ridge Falls Campsites10.2 mi
Blue Ridge Falls Campsites is a campground in North Hudson, NY, offering RV, pop-up, and tent camping near Schroon Lake and I-87. Guests can enjoy Wi-Fi, a swimming pool, tennis courts, and a camp store, with easy access to area attraction…
- Adirondack Loj12.4 mi
Adirondak Loj is a lodging and camping facility operated by the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK) in Lake Placid, New York. It serves as a hub for outdoor programs and access to the High Peaks region, offering accommodations and information f…
- Blue Ridge Motel12.8 mi
A renovated roadside motel on Route 9 between Schroon Lake and North Hudson, with private baths, AC, wifi, a pet-friendly room, and a continental breakfast in the lobby.
See.
4- Camp Santanoni7.6 mi
Built by the wealthy Pruyn family, Camp Santanoni is a publicly-owned National Historic Landmark, offering visitors a glimpse into the early Adirondack Great Camp era and opportunities for outdoor recreation.
- Newcomb Ski Slope10.4 mi
2 slope municipal ski slope free to the public.
- Cliffside Coaster15.1 mi
The Cliffside Coaster in Lake Placid, NY, is the longest coaster in North America. It follows the path of Olympic history at Mt Van Hoevenberg.
- Lake Placid Bobsled Experience15.2 mi
Mt Van Hoevenberg, a Lake Placid Legacy Site, offers the thrilling Skeleton Experience for visitors and youth bobsled and skeleton programs, continuing its Olympic legacy as a venue for winter sports.
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.
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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 Boreas Ponds located?Boreas Ponds is a pond in the Lake Placid region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- How big is Boreas Ponds?Boreas Ponds has a surface area of approximately 320 acres, a mid-sized water.
- What fish are in Boreas Ponds?Boreas Ponds supports populations of Brook trout. Always check current New York State Department of Environmental Conservation fishing regulations before casting.
- Is Boreas Ponds open to the public?Yes, Boreas 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 Boreas Ponds?Within roughly seven miles of Boreas Ponds: 18 designated campsites, 6 lean-tos or shelters. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.