Copperas Pond.
Copperas Pond sits in a small bowl off NY-86 between Lake Placid and Wilmington — a 0.6-mile hike from the highway trailhead and one of the most accessible quiet ponds in the High Peaks corridor. Three primitive DEC-designated tent sites line the shoreline; the Eastern Shore site, set on a flat granite shelf at the water's edge, is the prize. The pond connects to Owen Pond (south) and Winch Pond (east) via a 2.1-mile loop trail — a classic family hike and a sensible basecamp for day-hiking Cascade, Porter, or Pitchoff. Brook trout in the pond; brookies and the occasional rainbow in the connector streams. On Memorial Day weekend the three sites are claimed by Friday afternoon.
Copperas Pond reaches a maximum depth of 78 feet, with a mean depth of 33 feet. The pond has an elevation of 1,805 feet. Fish on record include Brook Trout — always check current New York State DEC regulations before fishing. Copperas Pond has public access. Summits nearby include Little Whiteface Mountain and Kilburn Mountain.
The water, surveyed.
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.
- 01Basset Flats ParkingTrailhead889 ftunpavedDirections →
- 02Copperas Pond Parking1,250 ftunpavedDirections →
- 03Copperas Owen Pond lot1,261 ftpavedDirections →
- 04Upper Basset Flats1,300 ftpavedDirections →
- 05Upper Notch0.4 mipavedDirections →
- 06Owen Pond Parking0.7 miunpavedDirections →
- 07Notch Parking0.8 miunpavedDirections →
- 08Old Owens Pond Parking0.9 miunpavedDirections →
+4 more on the map above
What’s in the water.
Launch & supply.
Getting in, staying over.
Camping.
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- The Hungry Trout3.6 mi
Situated on the West Branch of the Ausable River, the Hungry Trout offers two distinct dining experiences, from an upscale restaurant to a lively tavern.
- The Cottage at Mirror Lake Inn4.9 mi
The Cottage Restaurant and Cafe is located directly on the shore of Mirror Lake, offering spectacular views of the Adirondack High Peaks. It features food and drink options sourced from the Lake Placid region and operates on a first-come,…
- The Dancing Bears5.0 mi
A Main Street restaurant in Lake Placid running 40-plus years, serving Adirondack-inspired brunch from 7 a.m. and dinner from 3 p.m. with locally sourced ingredients, signature cocktails, and craft beer.
- the breakfast club, etc.5.1 mi
The breakfast club, etc. is a lakeside restaurant in Lake Placid, NY, serving creative breakfast and lunch items all day. It features an in-house coffee bar with handcrafted lattes and a full bar known for its 10 different Bloody Marys and…
Sip.
4- The Coffee Bar5.2 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.
- Origin Coffee5.3 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.
- Simply Gourmet5.4 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…
- Adirondack Mountain Coffee Cafe6.2 mi
Adirondack Mountain Coffee Cafe is a coffee shop in Upper Jay, NY, serving fresh, slow-roasted coffee, breakfast, and lunch daily. Located near Whiteface Mountain and the Adirondack State Park, it also offers local beer and cocktails, with…
Sweet.
4- Ben & Jerry's5.4 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.
- Emma's Lake Placid Creamery5.5 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.
- Adirondack Corner Store5.5 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.
- Whitebrook Dairy Bar5.6 mi
A classic roadside drive-in on Route 86 in Wilmington, five minutes from Whiteface — creamy soft serve (try the peanut-butter dip) plus footlongs and the Wilmington burger. Opening day is a local rite of spring.
Drink.
4- R.F. McDougall's Pub3.6 mi
The casual sibling of the Hungry Trout Restaurant, sharing the same Adirondack riverside property next to Whiteface. Pub food, regional beers, and the same view of the West Branch Ausable at a more relaxed price point.
- Top of the Park5.0 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…
- Lake Placid Pub & Brewery5.2 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 Brewhouse9.0 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.
Stay.
4- Wilmington Notch Campground2.3 mi
Wilmington Notch is located beside the Ausable River and accommodates fishermen looking to challenge the rapids in search of a great catch.
- Ledge Rock at Whiteface2.9 mi
Cottages and lodging in Wilmington near Whiteface Mountain and the Ausable River — a base for skiing, hiking, and fly-fishing in the High Peaks.
- The Hungry Trout Resort3.7 mi
A year-round resort in Wilmington with 1,500 feet of frontage on the West Branch of the Ausable, two on-site restaurants, an in-house fly shop, and Whiteface Mountain a mile up the road.
- Whiteface Farm Bed and Breakfast4.2 mi
Wilmington bed-and-breakfast with three deluxe rooms (king/queen feather beds, in-room fireplaces, jacuzzis), plus a suite and a one-bedroom apartment. Sauna, outdoor hot tub, full local-ingredient breakfast. Bike- and ski-friendly.
See.
4- High Falls Gorge1.6 mi
A 22-acre privately owned nature park on Route 86 in Wilmington with rim trails, glass-floor walkways over Ausable River waterfalls, a cafe, and gift shop. Open year-round, weather permitting.
- Summit Weather Observatory2.4 mi
The Summit Weather Observatory, part of the University at Albany's Atmospheric Sciences Research Center (ASRC), provides real-time weather conditions and data from its observatory at the summit of Whiteface Mountain and a field station at…
- Captain Marney's Boat Rental4.6 mi
Captain Marney's Boat Rental offers boat and water sports rentals in the Lake Placid, NY area. They provide reasonably priced options for various water enthusiasts, including discounts for multi-day, multi-boat, and group rentals.
- Lake Placid Olympic Museum5.3 mi
Museum focusing on the winter Olympic games & its events, including hockey, skating & curling.
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- Where is Copperas Pond located?Copperas Pond is a pond in the Lake Placid region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- How big is Copperas Pond?Copperas Pond has a surface area of approximately 30 acres, a smaller backcountry water.
- How deep is Copperas Pond?Copperas Pond has a maximum depth of 78 feet, with a mean depth of 32.5 feet.
- What is the elevation of Copperas Pond?Copperas Pond sits at approximately 1,805 feet above sea level.
- What fish are in Copperas Pond?Copperas Pond supports populations of Brook Trout. Always check current New York State Department of Environmental Conservation fishing regulations before casting.
- Is Copperas Pond open to the public?Yes, Copperas 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 Copperas Pond?Within roughly seven miles of Copperas Pond: 8 designated campsites, 10 lean-tos or shelters, 1 listed campground. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.