Calamity Brook.
Calamity Brook drains the southwestern High Peaks, running roughly north from Flowed Lands through the Henderson Lake area before meeting the Hudson River near Tahawus — a key drainage in the upper Hudson watershed and a corridor that's seen everything from iron-ore operations to modern wilderness recovery. The brook flows through some of the most remote terrain in the Park, accessible primarily via the network of trails connecting Lake Golden, Flowed Lands, and the ghost town sites around the old Adirondack Iron Works. Water levels fluctuate with seasonal melt and summer storms; by late August it can run thin. The name sticks — whether from 19th-century logging mishaps or mining-era hardship, no one's entirely sure.
Calamity Brook has public access. Summits nearby include Calamity Mountain and Mount Adams.
The water, surveyed.
Seasonal pattern for this lake · live closures appear above
2 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.
- 01Upper Works Trail ParkingTrailhead1.8 miunpavedDirections →
- 02East River Trail Parking2.1 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- Salt of the Earth Bistro12.0 mi
A small reservation-required bistro on Sentinel Road in Lake Placid, serving twisted takes on traditional dishes including a signature peanut stew. Parties of six or fewer.
- Lisa G's12.3 mi
Creative American fare with global twists in a welcoming space with vivid murals & waterside patio.
- Mr. Mike's Pizza12.5 mi
Mr. Mikes Pizza & Italian Kitchen 518-523-9770 Leave a Review Sale Quick View Pizza Rimini Peeled tomato, cheese, mushrooms, red onion, cherry tomato, black olives, rocket $25.00 Original price was: $25.00.$15.00Current price is: $15.00. A…
- The Cabin Grill12.8 mi
The on-site restaurant and bar at The Grand Adirondack, a Tribute Portfolio hotel on Main Street in Lake Placid, with Great Room lobby dining, fireplace seating, and a relaxed bar register.
Sip.
4- Origin Coffee12.7 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.
- The Coffee Bar12.9 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.
- Old Mountain Coffee Company13.2 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.
- Simply Gourmet13.4 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- Adirondack Corner Store11.8 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.
- Emma's Lake Placid Creamery12.4 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.
- Ben & Jerry's12.4 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.
- Donnelly's Soft Ice Cream14.1 mi
A fourth-generation Saranac Lake institution on a former dairy farm, serving exactly one rotating soft-serve flavor each day — twisted with vanilla on the same 1953 machine. Cash only; check the daily flavor. Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Drink.
4- Lake Placid Pub & Brewery12.7 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.
- Top of the Park13.2 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…
- Ray Brook Brewhouse13.8 mi
Ray Brook Brewhouse is a unique brewery in Ray Brook, NY, offering wild and traditional brews paired with adventurous dishes made from local and exotic ingredients.
- RiverTrail Beerworks16.5 mi
RiverTrail Beerworks is Saranac Lake’s only riverfront brewpub, located on the Saranac Lake River Walk and Rail Trail. It features a heated patio, firepits, two golf simulators, and serves lunch and dinner daily with house-brewed beers and…
Stay.
4- Adirondack Loj6.3 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…
- Van Hoevenberg Cabins10.4 mi
Eight pet-friendly cabins on Cascade Road outside Lake Placid, each named for a High Peaks summit, with kitchenettes and queen, king, or twin configurations. Year-round operation.
- Cascade Inn and Restaurant10.5 mi
A roadside motel and restaurant on Cascade Road between Lake Placid and Keene, with Whiteface views, Italian classics, and ski-out cross-country access from the door.
- TMax-n-Topo's Hostel10.5 mi
A budget hostel on Cascade Road outside Lake Placid with shared bunkrooms, private motel-style rooms, and a seasonal pop-up camper. Full kitchen, communal dining, fire pit, outdoor deck.
See.
4- Camp Santanoni8.1 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.
- Cliffside Coaster9.5 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 Experience9.5 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.
- John Brown Farm State Historic Site10.5 mi
Simple, furnished farmhouse home & grave of abolitionist John Brown, set in parkland with trails.
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 Calamity Brook located?Calamity Brook is a stream in the Lake Placid region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- Is Calamity Brook open to the public?Yes, Calamity 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 Calamity Brook?Within roughly seven miles of Calamity Brook: 83 designated campsites, 64 lean-tos or shelters. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.