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.
§ The water
Loading USGS terrain…
Boreas Ponds
3D terrain: USGS 3DEP relief with NAIP imagery — loads as this slot scrolls into view. The 2D map carries every pin from the classic lake page.
- 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
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.
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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: 19 designated campsites, 6 lean-tos or shelters. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.