Center Pond.
Center Pond is a 12-acre water in the Indian Lake township — one of dozens of small, unmapped ponds scattered through the working forest and private holdings south of the main hamlet. No public access records, no DEC stocking history, no trail register to sign. These off-grid ponds turn up on old USGS quads and in local conversation, but rarely in hiking guides — the kind of place you reach by canoe portage, logging road, or not at all. If you're asking about fishable access, start with the Indian Lake town clerk or a local DEC forest ranger.
Center Pond has public access. Summits nearby include McGinn Hill.
The water, surveyed.
Seasonal pattern for this lake · live closures appear above
10 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.
- 01John Pond Parking LotTrailhead0.8 miunpavedDirections →
- 02Big Brook Rd Parking Lot3.1 miunpavedDirections →
- 03Indian River Put-In Parking Lot4.2 miunpavedDirections →
- 0413Th Lake Parking Lot5.1 miunpavedDirections →
- 05Chain Lakes Road South Parking Lot5.2 miunpavedDirections →
- 06Old Farm Parking Lot5.5 miunpavedDirections →
- 07Outer Gooley Parking Area5.9 miunpavedDirections →
- 08Snowy Mountain Trail Parking6.6 miunpavedDirections →
+2 more on the map above
Getting in, staying over.
On the water.
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- McSweeney's Irish Pub3.8 mi
An Irish-style pub on Route 30 in Indian Lake serving comfort-food classics (shepherd's pie, fish and chips) seven days a week, year-round. The dependable dinner spot in town.
- becks TAVERN11.8 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.
- Chef Darrell’s Mountain Diner13.0 mi
Chef Darrell’s Mountain Diner: the best Diner in Indian Lake, NY. Order directly online today for takeout or delivery. Save money, support local business!
- Charlie Johns Store18.1 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.
Sip.
4- Schoolhouse Grounds Coffee Shop13.5 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.
- The PERKS of Speculator18.4 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.
- Waypoint Cafe19.1 mi
Long Lake cafe at 1265 Main St. La Colombe coffee, homemade quiche, avocado toast, artisan sandwiches, salads, poke bowls, soups, and charcuterie. Closed Mondays; weeknight happy hour 4–6 p.m.
- Uncle Carl's Coffee23.3 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.
Sweet.
4- The Hungry Crow Market & Café11.8 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.
- Speculator Creamery18.6 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.
- Custard’s Last Stand18.6 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.
- The Park18.7 mi
Trying to find a fast food restaurant in Long Lake? Pay a visit to The Park. We offer a range of burgers, sides, ice cream, drinks and coffee options.
Drink.
4- Indian Lake Restaurant, Tavern and Liquor Store3.8 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…
- Hex and Hop Tasting Room - Blue Mountain Lake13.4 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.
- Acorn Pub & Eatery at Oak Mountain17.4 mi
Acorn Pub & Eatery is a dining option at Oak Mountain, offering a place to eat and drink.
- Lemon Tree Brewery18.5 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…
Stay.
4- Thornbush Acres RV Park3.0 mi
A private RV park on Big Brook Road in Indian Lake with 46 large pull-through sites, full hookups, 30/50 amp service, free Wi-Fi, bathhouse, dump station, and a campstore. Mid-May through mid-October.
- Point Breeze Motel and Cottages3.4 mi
Family-run lakefront property on 9 acres in Indian Lake, with a small motel (daily) and four cottages (weekly). Private docks, sandy beach, and a fire pit on the lake. Set well back from the road.
- Twin Coves on Indian Lake3.7 mi
Twin Coves offers nine fully equipped cottages on the shore of Indian Lake, surrounded by the Adirondack Mountains. Guests can enjoy swimming, fishing, water skiing, and various games, with nearby amenities like marinas, golf, and restaura…
- The Cabins at Chimney Mountain3.8 mi
The Cabins at Chimney Mountain offers an all-American camp adventure with 9 cozy cabins and 4 glamping tent sites on a secluded 280-acre estate in Indian Lake, NY. Enjoy hiking trails, a private lake, and a camp store.
See.
4- Revolution Rail Co. - Thurman Station11.6 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.
- North Creek Depot Museum11.6 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.
- Blue Mountain Fire Observation Station12.9 mi
Blue Mountain offers a rewarding fire tower hike in the Central Adirondacks, featuring sweeping views and historical significance, with a world-class museum located at its base.
- Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts13.4 mi
Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts is a vibrant hub for creativity in the Adirondacks, offering inspiring performances, gallery exhibits, workshops, and community events for all ages.
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Suggest an edit →Frequently asked.
- Where is Center Pond located?Center Pond is a pond in the Indian Lake region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- How big is Center Pond?Center Pond has a surface area of approximately 12 acres, a smaller backcountry water.
- Is Center Pond open to the public?Yes, Center Pond 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 Center Pond?Within roughly seven miles of Center Pond: 59 designated campsites, 9 lean-tos or shelters, 1 listed campground. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.