Cedar Lakes.
Cedar Lakes is a 380-acre chain of three connected backcountry lakes in the West Canada Lakes Wilderness, accessed only by trail. Lean-tos dot the shoreline and the Northville-Placid Trail corridor — a remote base for multi-day paddling or through-hiking.
Cedar Lakes has public access. Summits nearby include Cobble Hill and Goodluck Mountain.
The water, surveyed.
- 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
7 parking areas· 2 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.
- 01Pillsbury Mountain Trail ParkingTrailhead4.0 miunpavedDirections →
- 02Trail Parking6.6 miunpavedDirections →
- 03Mason Lake Parking6.7 mi
- 04Mason Lake7.0 mipavedDirections →
- 05Brooktrout Lake Trail Parking7.1 miunpavedDirections →
- 06Payne Mountain Trail Parking7.4 miunpavedDirections →
- 07DEC parking 189257.7 mi
Cedar Lakes.
From the people who’ve been here, plus what Google has on file.
Getting in, staying over.
Camping.
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- Charlie Johns Store12.3 mi
Opened in 1939, Charlie Johns Store is Speculator's anchor general store — 12,000 square feet of full grocery selection, produce, fresh meats, a full deli, bakery, and hardware. Purchased from Charlie Johns in 1971 by Dean Lane, the Lane family has owned and operated it since.
- Firetower Pizza12.4 mi
Hand-tossed pizzeria in Speculator with specialty pies named after Adirondack peaks (Mt Marcy, Snowy Mountain, Whiteface). Wings, baked ziti, white clam pie. Cozy waiting area with retro jukebox and arcade.
- Seventh Lake House13.2 mi
Rustic space with a lake view preps classic & contemporary American dishes from seasonal goods.
- Oxbow Inn13.2 mi
Oxbow Inn is a welcoming restaurant and bar in Lake Pleasant offering great pizza, local beef burgers, and a wide selection of 16 draft beers. Enjoy casual dining, live music, and an outdoor deck with fire pits and lake views.
Sip.
4- The PERKS of Speculator12.7 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.
- Tamarack Cafe15.2 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 House15.2 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…
- Schoolhouse Grounds Coffee Shop17.8 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- Speculator Creamery12.5 mi
A family-run village creamery anchoring Speculator's tiny downtown near Lake Pleasant — a genuine community summer hub. Wide-ranging soft-serve flavors, the 16oz Nor'Easter blend, and hand-dipped hard ice cream. Roughly May through September.
- Northern Lights Creamery Inc.14.6 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 Cream21.9 mi
A family-run, locally loved scoop shop on Old Forge's Main Street — hand-scooped hard flavors and soft serve.
- Pied Piper21.9 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.
Drink.
4- Acorn Pub & Eatery at Oak Mountain12.0 mi
Acorn Pub & Eatery is a dining option at Oak Mountain, offering a place to eat and drink.
- Lemon Tree Brewery12.7 mi
Lemon Tree Brewery is a brewery and taproom located in Speculator, NY, steps from Lake Pleasant. It offers house brews like SASQUATCH HAZY IPA and Blueberry Wheat, along with other local NY State micro-brewed beers and wines in a relaxed s…
- Hex and Hop Tasting Room - Blue Mountain Lake17.6 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.
- Indian Lake Restaurant, Tavern and Liquor Store18.3 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- Lake Kora9.3 mi
Originally Kamp Kill Kare, built in 1898 by William West Durant for Lt. Gov. Timothy Woodruff. One-thousand acres, a private 500-acre lake, sixteen bedrooms, all-inclusive — booked as an exclusive buyout for groups up to 35.
- Kamp Kill Kare9.4 mi
Kamp Kill Kare is a historic Adirondack Great Camp on 1,000 acres featuring a private 500-acre lake, offering a luxurious and customized guest experience.
- Timberlock10.7 mi
Since 1899, Timberlock has been a family camp offering rustic cabins, lakeside activities, and unforgettable summers in upstate New York.
- Moffit Beach Campground11.1 mi
A 247-site DEC campground on Sacandaga Lake near Speculator at 1,730 feet elevation, with flat well-wooded sites under white pines and hardwoods. Pets allowed on a 6-foot leash.
See.
4- Great Camp Sagamore10.9 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.
- Speculator Historical Museum12.4 mi
A small local-history museum on Route 8 in Speculator inside the original Lake Pleasant Town Hall and Library. Open weekends Memorial Day through August, plus weekday hours in summer.
- Ampersand Christine Falls14.2 mi
Ampersand Energy LLC.
- Raquette Lake Navigation Cruise14.5 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.
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- Where is Cedar Lakes located?Cedar Lakes is a lake in the Speculator region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- How big is Cedar Lakes?Cedar Lakes has a surface area of approximately 380 acres, a mid-sized water.
- Is Cedar Lakes open to the public?Yes, Cedar Lakes 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 Cedar Lakes?Within roughly seven miles of Cedar Lakes: 69 designated campsites, 27 lean-tos or shelters. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.