Chapel Pond.
Chapel Pond pulls double duty: it's the most photographed swimming hole on NY-73 (pull-off parking on the south end, granite ledges, cold deep water by Memorial Day) and it's the base of the Chapel Pond Slab — one of the most popular rock climbing crags in the Adirondacks. The pond sits in a narrow pass between Giant Mountain to the north and the slab cliffs to the south, framed by the kind of view that turns a drive between Keene Valley and the Northway into a destination. No camping at the pond itself (roadside DEC corridor, no permits), but Round Pond is one mile south for a lean-to base, and the Giant / Rocky Peak Ridge / Noonmark trailheads are all within five minutes. Swimming, fishing for brook trout, and watching climbers work the slab from the road — that's the visit. Strong cell signal here too if you're routing a day.
Chapel Pond reaches a maximum depth of 78 feet, with a mean depth of 31 feet. The pond has an elevation of 1,565 feet. Fish on record include Brook Trout — always check current New York State DEC regulations before fishing. Chapel Pond has public access. Summits nearby include Nubble and Round Mountain.
The water, surveyed.
Before you launch.
- 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
12 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.
- 01Zander Scott Trail Head Parking LotTrailhead657 ftpavedDirections →
- 02Chapel Pond Parking Lot834 ftpavedDirections →
- 03Pull Off1,108 ftunpavedDirections →
- 04Beerwalls Parking Lot0.7 mipavedDirections →
- 05Round Pond Parking Lot0.8 mipavedDirections →
- 06Amr Parking Lot1.3 miunpavedDirections →
- 07Roaring Brook Falls Parking Lot1.4 miunpavedDirections →
- 08Spanky'S Wall Parking Lot1.7 miunpavedDirections →
+4 more on the map above
What’s in the water.
NYSDEC has stocked this water across 14 recent seasons — the ledger below is the public record.
The stocking record.
Launch & supply.
Getting in, staying over.
Camping.
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- Noon Mark Diner4.0 mi
A traditional diner experience, offering hearty meals for travelers and locals in the Adirondack Park.
- Ausable Inn4.2 mi
Comfortable Keene Valley restaurant, bar, liquor store, and small inn. American comfort menu — wings, fish and chips, Montreal brisket, steak au poivre, plus the locally famous Hungarian mushroom soup.
- Forty Six7.8 mi
A small fine-dining room on Route 9N in Keene at the Dartbrook Lodge campus, with a seasonal menu that rotates regularly and elegant plating. Reservations recommended.
- The Deer's Head Inn Restaurant9.2 mi
The Deer's Head Inn is a historic Elizabethtown tavern and restaurant — among the oldest inns in the Adirondacks — serving pub fare and regional dishes.
Sip.
4- Old Mountain Coffee Company4.0 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.
- Counter Space9.2 mi
A casual cafe in Elizabethtown serving coffee, espresso, and light bites — a local gathering spot in the Essex County seat.
- Pleasant Valley Cafe9.3 mi
A local cafe in Elizabethtown serving breakfast, lunch, coffee, and comfort food in the heart of the Boquet Valley.
- Life Church Cafe9.4 mi
Life Church Elizabethtown is a local church dedicated to connecting lives and building community.
Sweet.
4- Black Rooster Maple8.0 mi
Pure Adirondack Maple Syrup, Maple Cream, Bourbon Barrel Maple Syrup
- Cedar Run Bakery & Market8.6 mi
Cedar Run Bakery & Market offers scratch-made baked goods, deli items, fresh menu options, and take & bake meals, alongside a selection of wine and spirits. They are open Friday through Monday from 8 AM to 6 PM.
- Sugar House Creamery14.0 mi
Sugar House Creamery is a farmstead creamery located in the Adirondacks, producing artisanal cheeses from the milk of their own cows. They offer a variety of cheeses, showcasing the quality of their local dairy.
- Adirondack Corner Store14.1 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.
Drink.
4- The Old Mine12.9 mi
The Old Miners Tavern is a historic Adirondack tavern in Moriah, NY, offering classic bar food like juicy burgers and chicken wings, a full bar with rotating craft beers, and a welcoming atmosphere for friends to gather.
- Paradox Brewery13.4 mi
Paradox Brewery offers a diverse tap selection, a full menu with pizza, burgers, and BBQ, and an expansive mountain landscape.
- The Knock ADK15.0 mi
The Knock ADK is a restaurant and bar in Westport, NY, offering a plant-based dinner menu alongside classic and craft cocktails. They provide dinner reservations on non-show nights and welcome walk-ins on show nights.
- Lake Placid Pub & Brewery15.4 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.
Stay.
4- Rooster Comb Inn4.1 mi
Rooster Comb Inn is a dog-friendly inn located in the heart of Keene Valley, NY, offering comfortable, rustic lodging within walking distance to Adirondack trailheads and local eateries. It features shared amenities like a full kitchen and…
- Keene Valley Lodge4.3 mi
A seven-room lodge and three-bedroom cottage at the center of Keene Valley, with breakfast and direct walk access to the Great Range trailheads and village restaurants.
- The Halfway House Motel7.6 mi
A small motel with an on-site restaurant on Lobdell Lane in Elizabethtown, the Essex County seat between the Northway and the High Peaks. Simple rooms for travelers passing through or basing for a day in the Adirondacks.
- Dartbrook Lodge7.8 mi
A small lodge on Route 9N in Keene offering individually furnished cottages and suites in the Great Camp tradition, many with kitchens and private porches. The High Peaks trailheads start a few miles up the road.
See.
4- Hurricane Mountain Fire Tower7.0 mi
Perched atop Hurricane Mountain, this historic fire tower provides hikers with unparalleled 360-degree views of the Adirondacks, Lake Champlain, and Vermont's Green Mountains.
- Keene Arts8.3 mi
Keene Arts is a venue in Keene, NY, hosting diverse events including art exhibits, concerts, film screenings, and a winter farmers market.
- Adirondack History Museum9.4 mi
The Adirondack History Museum in Elizabethtown tells the story of Essex County and the Adirondacks — pioneer life, mining, tourism, and mountain heritage.
- Lake Placid Bobsled Experience10.4 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.
Add to the record.
Free, takes thirty seconds. Yours forever.
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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 Chapel Pond located?Chapel Pond is a pond in the Keene region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- How big is Chapel Pond?Chapel Pond has a surface area of approximately 25 acres, a smaller backcountry water.
- How deep is Chapel Pond?Chapel Pond has a maximum depth of 78 feet, with a mean depth of 30.5 feet.
- What is the elevation of Chapel Pond?Chapel Pond sits at approximately 1,565 feet above sea level.
- What fish are in Chapel Pond?Chapel Pond supports populations of Brook Trout. Always check current New York State Department of Environmental Conservation fishing regulations before casting.
- Is Chapel Pond open to the public?Yes, Chapel 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 Chapel Pond?Within roughly seven miles of Chapel Pond: 70 designated campsites, 25 lean-tos or shelters. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.