Deer Pond.
Deer Pond sits off the Old Forge grid — a 24-acre pond in the middle of the Moose River Plains that doesn't appear on many paddler itineraries but holds its place in the network of quiet waters west of the main tourist corridor. No formal fisheries data on file, which often means intermittent brookies or seasonal warmwater catch depending on connectivity and winter kill cycles. Access depends on whether you're coming by foot or boat from adjacent ponds — this is working wilderness, not trailhead country, and the appeal is in the silence more than the amenities. Bring a map; cell service is theoretical at best.
Deer Pond has public access. Summits nearby include Bald Mountain.
The water, surveyed.
Seasonal pattern for this lake · live closures appear above
7 parking areas· 3 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.
- 01Jakes Pond Parking AreaTrailhead1.3 miunpavedDirections →
- 02Parking Area2.5 mi
- 03Parking Area3.1 mi
- 04Sand Pond Parking4.4 miunpavedDirections →
- 05Parking Area4.5 mi
- 06Tied Lake Parking Area6.4 miunpavedDirections →
- 07Buck Pond Road Parking6.5 miunpavedDirections →
Getting in, staying over.
Camping.
What the lake is doing today.
What rings this water.
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- Big Moose Station Restaurant19.0 mi
Website under development
- Walt's Diner23.5 mi
A working diner on Route 28 in Old Forge running for 25-plus years, with breakfast and lunch most days and a Friday fish fry until 8 p.m. Closed Tuesdays.
- Tony Harper's Pizza & Clam Shack23.5 mi
Tony Harper's Pizza & Clam Shack is a family-friendly restaurant offering homemade traditional and thin-crust pizzas, signature Whiskey Wings, steamers, and "Raquette Cheesesteaks". They feature a full bar with microbrews, high-definition…
- The SteakHouse23.5 mi
The Steak House is a family-owned and operated restaurant since 1971, offering a classic Adirondack dining experience with handcrafted steaks, quality meats, seafood, homemade dishes, and a cocktail lounge.
— 19.0 mi to the nearest table out here; plan the drive to dinner.
Sip.
1— 23.4 mi to the nearest pour to this spot; pack a thermos.
Sweet.
2- Benny’s Ice Cream23.4 mi
A family-run, locally loved scoop shop on Old Forge's Main Street — hand-scooped hard flavors and soft serve.
- Pied Piper23.4 mi
A circa-1950s soft-serve and frozen-custard stand locals treat as a permanent fixture — the walk-up window after a day on the Fulton Chain or at the water park. Three daily soft-serve flavors plus around 20 hard flavors.
— 23.4 mi to the nearest scoop; save it for the ride home.
Drink.
3- Slickers Adirondack Tavern23.5 mi
Slickers Adirondack Tavern, established in 1984, offers a classic tavern experience with a focus on quality ingredients. They are well-known for their signature French Dip Sandwich.
- Old Forge Brewing Company23.5 mi
Old Forge Brewing Company, established in 2008, is a brewpub committed to crafting quality beer and food while prioritizing local ingredients and community support. They offer a diverse menu, a range of craft beers, and host regular events.
- Daiker's23.9 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.
— 23.5 mi to the nearest pint; appoint a driver.
Stay.
4- Norridgewock Lodge15.9 mi
NORRIDGEWOCK LODGE, an oasis in the Adirondack Mountains. Our lakeside resort is the perfect remote vacation in the wilderness of the Beaver River. Book online!
- The Waldheim20.6 mi
A rustic resort with log-cottages featuring porches with lake views, plus 3 included meals a day.
- Covewood Lodge21.5 mi
A Great Camp-style lodge on Big Moose Lake in Eagle Bay, with 19 housekeeping cottages and Main Lodge apartments and rooms. Open May through October, with kids' programming and weekly campfires from late June to Labor Day.
- Water's Edge Inn23.4 mi
Homey rooms & suites with balconies, plus an indoor pool, free breakfast & a deck with lake views.
— 15.9 mi to the nearest bed on the register; book before you go.
See.
3- Enchanted Forest Water Safari23.4 mi
Located in Old Forge, Enchanted Forest Water Safari offers a blend of water park experiences and traditional theme park attractions. Visitors can access various slides, pools, and dry rides.
- Calypso's Cove23.4 mi
Calypso's Cove is a family fun park in Old Forge, NY, located next to Enchanted Forest Water Safari. It features attractions like go-karts, mini-golf, arcade games, and a ropes course with a zipline, offering afternoon and evening entertai…
- Adirondack Railbike23.5 mi
Adirondack Railbike Adventures offers unique railbike tours in the Adirondack Mountains. Riders can explore scenic routes from Old Forge (Thendara) and Tupper Lake, experiencing natural beauty and spectacular views on railbikes made in New…
— 23.4 mi to the nearest sight on file; fold it into the drive.
Add to the record.
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Sunrise on the dock, a cairn at the summit, a bend on the trail. Your camera roll, our archive.
Add a photo →File a report.
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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 Deer Pond located?Deer Pond is a pond in the Old Forge region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- How big is Deer Pond?Deer Pond has a surface area of approximately 24 acres, a smaller backcountry water.
- Is Deer Pond open to the public?Yes, Deer 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 Deer Pond?Within roughly seven miles of Deer Pond: 16 designated campsites, 1 lean-to or shelter. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.