Bug Lake.
Bug Lake is a remote backcountry pond in the Five Ponds Wilderness, accessible by unmarked routes and requiring navigation skill. No maintained trails lead in — this is true bushwhack territory with minimal visitor traffic.
Bug Lake reaches a maximum depth of 80 feet, with a mean depth of 20 feet. Bug Lake has public access. Summits nearby include Black Bear Mountain.
The water, surveyed.
- Cold-water season returns — dress for immersion, and from Nov 1 New York requires wearing a PFD in boats under 21 ft.
Seasonal pattern for this lake · live closures appear above
12 parking areas· 4 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.
- 01DEC parking 18883Trailhead1.3 mi
- 027Th Lake Boat Launch Parking1.6 mi
- 03DEC parking 188851.6 mi
- 04DEC parking 188842.5 mi
- 05Black Bear And Rocky Mtn Parking Area3.3 miunpavedDirections →
- 06Cascades Trail Parking Lot4.6 miunpavedDirections →
- 07Blue Ridge Parking4.6 miunpavedDirections →
- 08Sagamore Road Parking4.9 miunpavedDirections →
+4 more on the map above
Bug Lake.
From the people who’ve been here, plus what Google has on file.
What’s in the water.
NYSDEC has stocked this water across 13 recent seasons — the ledger below is the public record.
The stocking record.
Launch & supply.
Getting in, staying over.
Access.
Camping.
On the water.
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- Seventh Lake House2.3 mi
Rustic space with a lake view preps classic & contemporary American dishes from seasonal goods.
- Tony Harpers Pizza and Clam Shack3.5 mi
Tony Harper's Pizza & Clam Shack offers family-friendly dining with pizza, wings, and seafood across four Adirondack locations: year-round in Old Forge and Lowville, and seasonal spots in Inlet and Raquette Lake. The Raquette Lake location…
- Archie's Alley3.5 mi
Archie's Alley, established in 2022 in Inlet, NY, is a restaurant offering Mexican-inspired cuisine, a bar, and family dining with outdoor options. It is open Monday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, with specific hours listed on its website.
- Screamen Eagle3.5 mi
Gift certificates available, please give us a call! (315) 357-6026
Sip.
4- Tamarack Cafe3.4 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 House3.4 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 House12.7 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.
- Schoolhouse Grounds Coffee Shop16.1 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.
Sweet.
4- Northern Lights Creamery Inc.3.2 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 Cream12.7 mi
A family-run, locally loved scoop shop on Old Forge's Main Street — hand-scooped hard flavors and soft serve.
- Pied Piper12.7 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.
- Custard’s Last Stand20.7 mi
Custard's Last Stand is a historic ice cream shop in Long Lake, established in 1958, serving a variety of soft frozen custard & hard ice cream, sundaes, specialty shakes, floats, and ice cream sodas. They also offer merchandise and gift cards.
Drink.
4- Daiker's7.5 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 Tavern12.6 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 Company12.8 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.
- Hex and Hop Tasting Room - Blue Mountain Lake16.1 mi
Hex and Hop is a craft brewery and meadery located in Bloomingdale, New York. They offer full-flavored, high-quality craft beer and mead, made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, emphasizing community and craft.
Stay.
4- Deer Meadows Motel & Cottages2.5 mi
A motel and cottage operation on Seventh Lake in the Fulton Chain, 1.5 miles north of Inlet, with a private beach, swim and boat access from the property, and a bonfire setup.
- Brown Tract Pond Campground3.4 mi
Brown Tract Pond Campground is a secluded campground located in the Adirondacks. It is situated a short distance off the main tourist route, offering a quiet outdoor experience.
- The Woods Inn3.5 mi
A restored historic waterfront inn on Route 28 in Inlet, on Fourth Lake of the Fulton Chain. The only full-service hotel in the Inlet/Old Forge area, with main-inn rooms, a Carriage House, and a Lakefront Cottage. Three on-site dining options.
- Marina Motel3.5 mi
A family-run motel on a hill in Inlet overlooking Fourth Lake, with king or double-XL rooms, complimentary breakfast, and walking access to Arrowhead Park and the village.
See.
4- Raquette Lake Navigation Cruise4.8 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.
- Great Camp Sagamore5.1 mi
Great Camp Sagamore is a historic Adirondack Great Camp offering multi-day programs, overnight stays, and daily activities focused on history, arts, outdoor recreation, and wellness.
- Camp Pine Knot6.3 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.
- Calypso's Cove12.5 mi
Calypso's Cove is a family fun park in Old Forge, NY, located next to Enchanted Forest Water Safari. It features attractions like go-karts, mini-golf, arcade games, and a ropes course with a zipline, offering afternoon and evening entertai…
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Suggest an edit →Frequently asked.
- Where is Bug Lake located?Bug Lake is a lake in the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- How big is Bug Lake?Bug Lake has a surface area of approximately 88 acres, a smaller backcountry water.
- How deep is Bug Lake?Bug Lake has a maximum depth of 80 feet, with a mean depth of 20 feet.
- Is Bug Lake open to the public?Yes, Bug Lake 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 Bug Lake?Within roughly seven miles of Bug Lake: 102 designated campsites, 30 lean-tos or shelters, 2 listed campgrounds. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.