Cheney Pond.
Cheney Pond is a 12-acre pocket water in the Lake Placid region — small enough that it doesn't anchor a major trail system, but typical of the mid-elevation ponds that fill the gaps between the tourist corridors and the High Peaks proper. No fish species on DEC record, which usually means limited stocking history and a shallow basin prone to winterkill, though brook trout sometimes work their way into these systems via inlet streams. The pond sits off the main recreation grid — no named peaks within striking distance, no lean-tos in the immediate watershed — which makes it more of a local or incidental destination than a planned outing. If you're near Lake Placid and looking for solitude over infrastructure, it's worth a look.
Cheney Pond has public access. Summits nearby include Mount Andrew and Allen 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
3 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.
- 01East River Trail ParkingTrailhead2.7 miunpavedDirections →
- 02Upper Works Trail Parking3.1 miunpavedDirections →
- 03Camp Santanoni Parking Lot6.6 miunpavedDirections →
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- Salt of the Earth Bistro16.3 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's16.6 mi
Creative American fare with global twists in a welcoming space with vivid murals & waterside patio.
- Mr. Mike's Pizza16.8 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 Grill17.1 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.
— 16.3 mi to the nearest table out here; plan the drive to dinner.
Sip.
4- Origin Coffee16.9 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 Bar17.2 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.
- Simply Gourmet17.6 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…
- Old Mountain Coffee Company17.6 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.
— 16.9 mi to the nearest pour to this spot; pack a thermos.
Sweet.
4- Adirondack Corner Store16.2 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 Creamery16.7 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's16.7 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 Cream17.4 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.
— 16.2 mi to the nearest scoop; save it for the ride home.
Drink.
4- Lake Placid Pub & Brewery17.0 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.
- Ray Brook Brewhouse17.3 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.
- Top of the Park17.5 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…
- Brookside Hops & Hoagies17.5 mi
Brookside Hops & Hoagies is a casual, family-friendly shop in Long Lake, founded in 2023, offering craft beers and hoagies made with fresh ingredients and Boars Head deli meats. It operates Wednesday through Sunday from 11 AM to 7 PM.
— 17.0 mi to the nearest pint; appoint a driver.
Stay.
4- The Pilot's House6.2 mi
The Pilot's House sits above the Outfitter's storefront, with a wonderful view of Vanderwhacker Mt. and the Hudson River, and Santanoni Mt as a backdrop.
- Adirondack Loj10.9 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…
- TMax-n-Topo's Hostel15.0 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.
- Cascade Inn and Restaurant15.0 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.
See.
4- Camp Santanoni3.4 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.
- Newcomb Ski Slope7.6 mi
2 slope municipal ski slope free to the public.
- Cliffside Coaster14.2 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 Experience14.2 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.
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.
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 Cheney Pond located?Cheney Pond is a pond in the Lake Placid region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- How big is Cheney Pond?Cheney Pond has a surface area of approximately 12 acres, a smaller backcountry water.
- Is Cheney Pond open to the public?Yes, Cheney 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 Cheney Pond?Within roughly seven miles of Cheney Pond: 46 designated campsites, 37 lean-tos or shelters. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.