Crystal Lake.
Crystal Lake is a 26-acre pond in the Blue Mountain Lake township — small enough to paddle in an hour, tucked into the working-forest landscape south of the hamlet. No fish stocking records on file, which typically means native brookies or nothing, and no established DEC access that shows up in the trail register. The name appears on USGS quads but not in the usual paddling guides, which puts it in that middle category: private-ish shoreline or informal access that locals know and visitors don't. If you're in Blue Mountain Lake for the Adirondack Experience or the public beach, this one stays off the itinerary.
Crystal Lake has public access. Summits nearby include Castle Rock and Peaked Mountain.
The water, surveyed.
Seasonal pattern for this lake · live closures appear above
12 parking areas· 1 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.
- 01Wilson PondTrailhead0.9 miunpavedDirections →
- 02Wilson Pond0.9 miunpavedDirections →
- 03Cascade Pond Trail1.7 miunpavedDirections →
- 04Cascade Pond Trail Parking Lot1.8 miunpavedDirections →
- 05Parking Area For Blue Mountian And Tirrell Pond2.5 miunpavedDirections →
- 06Northville Lake Placid Trail Parking Lot3.6 mipavedDirections →
- 07Lake Durant Northville Placid Trail Parking Lot3.6 mipavedDirections →
- 08DEC parking 188873.9 mi
+4 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- Chef Darrell’s Mountain Diner1.8 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!
- Long View Lodge Restaurant7.2 mi
Long View Lodge Restaurant on Long Lake offers a full-service dining experience with an award-winning chef. Known for its quality ingredients and an ever-changing menu in a warm, inviting Adirondack setting, no reservations are necessary.
- Long Lake Diner & Owl’s Head Pub8.8 mi
Long Lake Diner & Owl's Head Pub has been proudly serving food, beverages, and memories since 2004.
- Tony Harper's Pizza & Clam Shack9.0 mi
Tony Harper's Pizza & Clam Shack is a family restaurant and bar with four Adirondack locations, offering homemade pizza, wings, and seafood. Guests can enjoy sports on high-def TVs, a full bar, and live music.
Sip.
4- Schoolhouse Grounds Coffee Shop1.7 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.
- Waypoint Cafe9.1 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.
- Tamarack Cafe17.9 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 House18.0 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…
Sweet.
4- Custard’s Last Stand8.8 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 Park8.8 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.
- Northern Lights Creamery Inc.17.7 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.
- Speculator Creamery24.5 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.
Drink.
4- Hex and Hop Tasting Room - Blue Mountain Lake1.6 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.
- Brookside Hops & Hoagies8.8 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.
- Indian Lake Restaurant, Tavern and Liquor Store10.5 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…
- Daiker's22.0 mi
Daikers is an Adirondack pitstop in Old Forge, NY, offering seasonal and local dining with a deck overlooking Fourth Lake. Their caring and committed staff ensure a fantastic experience for guests.
Stay.
4- The Hedges on Blue Mountain Lake0.8 mi
An Adirondack Great Camp on Blue Mountain Lake, 12 acres with 1,600 feet of waterfront, 30-plus lodging options, full-service dining, and seasonal recreation. National Register listed.
- Blue Mountain Lake Inn1.3 mi
Blue Mountain Lake Inn is a historic 1880s Victorian boarding house offering bed and breakfast lodging and whole house rentals in Blue Mountain Lake, NY, providing hospitality for guests exploring the Adirondack Park.
- Steamboat Landing on Blue Mountain Lake1.6 mi
Steamboat Landing is a comfortable lakeside lodge in Blue Mountain Lake, Adirondack Park, offering renovated accommodations with scenic views and peaceful stays from June to October.
- Minnowbrook Conference Center1.9 mi
A 28-acre conference and retreat center on Blue Mountain Lake operated by Syracuse University, with meeting rooms, lakeside patio, and full-service catering for academic and private groups.
See.
4- BLUE MOUNTAIN CENTER1.2 mi
Blue Mountain Center is a working community of writers, artists, and activists set in the heart of the Adirondacks, the largest state park in the continental U.S.
- Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts1.6 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.
- Adirondack Experience — Museum on Blue Mountain Lake2.2 mi
More than 20 buildings across 121 acres hold interactive exhibitions on Adirondack life, from boat collections and photography archives to outdoor activities and a research library.
- Blue Mountain Fire Observation Station3.4 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.
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Suggest an edit →Frequently asked.
- Where is Crystal Lake located?Crystal Lake is a lake in the Blue Mountain Lake region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- How big is Crystal Lake?Crystal Lake has a surface area of approximately 26 acres, a smaller backcountry water.
- Is Crystal Lake open to the public?Yes, Crystal Lake 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 Crystal Lake?Within roughly seven miles of Crystal Lake: 23 designated campsites, 18 lean-tos or shelters, 1 listed campground. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.