Cataract Brook.
Cataract Brook drains the low forested hills southeast of Indian Lake village — one of dozens of small tributaries feeding the Cedar River system in this corner of the southern Adirondacks. The name suggests rapids or a notable drop somewhere along its course, but without maintained trail access or a documented fishery, it remains backcountry infrastructure: a drainage feature on the map, a thread in the watershed, likely crossed by old logging roads or bushwhacked by the occasional hunter. For most visitors to the Indian Lake region, this is a brook you'd only encounter if you're already deep in the woods with a compass and a reason to be there.
Cataract Brook has public access. Summits nearby include Eleventh Mountain and Edwards Hill.
The water, surveyed.
Seasonal pattern for this lake · live closures appear above
11 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.
- 0111Th Mountain Parking LotTrailhead2.1 miunpavedDirections →
- 02Bartman Road Parking Lot2.5 miunpavedDirections →
- 03Chatiemac Lake Parking Lot2.7 miunpavedDirections →
- 04Kibby Pond Trail Parking Lot3.1 miunpavedDirections →
- 05E. Branch Gorge Trail Parking Area3.9 miunpavedDirections →
- 06Garnet Lake Parking Lot5.7 miunpavedDirections →
- 07Trail Parking6.0 miunpavedDirections →
- 08Shanty Falls Parking Lot6.4 miunpavedDirections →
+3 more on the map above
Getting in, staying over.
Camping.
What the lake is doing today.
What rings this water.
The peaks.
The waters.
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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 TAVERN6.3 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.
- Cafe Adirondack Restaurant & Wine Room14.2 mi
Please call 518-494-5800 for reservations, or to check for takeout and walk in availability.
- Oscar's Smokehouse15.7 mi
Oscar's Smokehouse has been making fine smoked meats and cheeses for over 70 years in Warrensburg, NY.
- Canepa’s Pizza Shop15.8 mi
Canepa's Pizza Shop, formerly The Pizza Shop of Warrensburg, has been serving award-winning pizza since 2014. Featured on Rachael Ray and PMQ Magazine, they offer authentic Italian hospitality with family recipes and fine ingredients.
Sip.
4- The PERKS of Speculator17.1 mi
Speculator coffee shop and bakery at 2855 NY-30. Specialty coffee, espresso, fresh-baked bagels and pastries, plus breakfast and lunch sandwiches. Gluten-free options across the bakery case.
- Uncle Carl's Coffee17.8 mi
Uncle Carl's Coffee serves expertly crafted coffees, artisan teas, pastries, and light savory bites. They also offer daily quiche and bagels, along with homemade soups, frozen meals, local meats, and cheeses.
- Caffe Vero21.3 mi
Breakfast, baked goods, sandwiches & house-roasted coffee in a comfy, earth-toned cafe.
- 9 Mile Coffee Co21.6 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.
— 17.1 mi to the nearest pour to this spot; pack a thermos.
Sweet.
4- The Hungry Crow Market & Café7.0 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.
- Main Street Ice Cream Parlor13.1 mi
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- Crossroads Ice Cream13.3 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.
- Stone Bridge Ice Cream14.7 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.
Drink.
4- Black Bear Restaurant & Bar14.0 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.
- Crazy Loon Distillery15.6 mi
At the Crazy Loon Distillery, we produce high quality Adirondack inspired craft spirits that reflect the innovative nature and peaceful mindset of the North Country of New York. We offer a lineup of flavorful craft spirits inspired by the…
- Bandstand Brew Works15.8 mi
Bandstand Brew Works is a family-friendly brewpub in Warrensburg, NY, offering handcrafted beers, cocktails, and a diverse menu made with local ingredients. It's a community gathering spot known for live music, weekly events, and a vibrant…
- Indian Lake Restaurant, Tavern and Liquor Store16.0 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…
Stay.
4- Black Mountain Lodge3.5 mi
A cabin resort on State Highway 8 in Johnsburg, between Brant Lake and Garnet Lake in the southern Adirondacks. Year-round.
- The Inn on Gore Mountain5.7 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.
- Gore Mountain Lodge6.3 mi
Gore Mountain Lodge is your Adirondack lodging vacation escape two minutes from both the lifts at Gore Mountain and the Hudson River.
- The Alpine Lodge7.3 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.
See.
4- North Creek Depot Museum7.4 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.
- Revolution Rail Co. - Thurman Station7.4 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.
- The Promise Gardens Estate of the Adirondacks13.8 mi
The Promise Gardens is the perfect wedding venue with gorgeous gardens, rustic barns and mountain views near Lake George and the Adirondacks.
- Natural Stone Bridge & Caves14.0 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.
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- Where is Cataract Brook located?Cataract Brook is a stream in the Indian Lake region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- Is Cataract Brook open to the public?Yes, Cataract 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 Cataract Brook?Within roughly seven miles of Cataract Brook: 56 designated campsites, 3 lean-tos or shelters. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.