Desolate Brook.
Desolate Brook drains a minor watershed in the Schroon Lake region — one of those named streams that appears on the USGS quad but rarely shows up in trip reports or fishing logs. No public access points are documented, no trail crossings are mapped, and the name itself suggests either historical hardship or the kind of isolated drainage that never warranted a footpath. It's the sort of water that exists primarily as a blue line on paper, a cartographic placeholder in a region better known for its ponds and the lake itself. If you're hunting brookies or solitude, you're guessing — and probably bushwhacking.
Desolate Brook has public access. Summits nearby include Number Eight Hill and The Dam Hill.
The water, surveyed.
Seasonal pattern for this lake · live closures appear above
10 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.
- 01PHARAOH LAKE PARKINGTrailhead2.4 miunpavedDirections →
- 02DEC parking 2282553.5 miunpavedDirections →
- 03CRANE POND TRAILHEAD4.5 miunpavedDirections →
- 04LONG SWING TRAILHEAD PARKING5.9 miunpavedDirections →
- 05BERRYMILL POND AND GRIZZLE OCEAN PARKING6.2 miunpavedDirections →
- 06Lily Pond Parking Area6.3 miunpavedDirections →
- 07Tubmill Marsh/Short Swing Trail Parking6.4 miunpavedDirections →
- 08BERRYMILL POND TRAIL SOUTH PARKING LOT6.5 miunpavedDirections →
+2 more on the map above
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- Sticks & Stones Wood Fired Bistro & Bar4.8 mi
Sticks and Stones Wood fired Bistro and Bar, Menu, Events, Catering, Location, Adirondack style private parties.
- Pitkins Restaurant4.9 mi
Pitkin's Restaurant is a family dining landmark in Schroon Lake, offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a broad menu in a modern rustic setting. It features a new patio, including pet-friendly outdoor dining, and is conveniently locate…
- DeCesare's Pizzeria5.1 mi
DeCesare's Pizzeria in Schroon Lake offers a menu of pizza, Italian dishes, and salads. They provide online ordering for both carryout and delivery.
- Trail Break at Schroon Lake5.4 mi
Trail Break at Schroon Lake offers a restaurant, bar, and lodging in Schroon Lake. Guests can enjoy a menu of food, wine, and beer, live music on select evenings, and overnight stays in their rooms from May through October.
Sip.
2- 9 Mile Coffee Co4.9 mi
9 Mile Coffee Co. is a coffee shop in downtown Schroon Lake, NY, serving a variety of coffees, teas, smoothies, sandwiches, and soups. They also sell their custom coffee blends and gift cards online.
- Cupola Crepes5.0 mi
Family-run creperie at 1095 Main Street in Schroon Lake. Sweet and savory crepes (gluten-free batter available), scones, coffee, and soft serve. Wednesday through Sunday.
Sweet.
4- Stone Bridge Ice Cream8.0 mi
Stone Bridge Ice Cream is a seasonal stand located 2.5 miles from the Natural Stone Bridge & Caves, offering over 40 flavors of soft serve, custom ice cream cakes, and signature sundaes. It features outdoor seating and a kids' swing set.
- Crossroads Ice Cream11.0 mi
The ice cream counter at The Crossroads, a country and outdoors store off I-87 Exit 25 in Chestertown between Schroon and Brant Lake — hard and soft ice cream on the road north.
- Main Street Ice Cream Parlor11.6 mi
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- Cate's Creamery16.6 mi
The main ice cream spot in the heart of Bolton Landing village on Lake George's quieter west shore — soft serve, hand-dipped hard ice cream, and slushies, a short stroll from the lakefront.
Drink.
4- Flanagan's Pub & Grill4.9 mi
Long-standing, log cabin–style haunt offering traditional pub grub, draft beer & cocktails.
- The Brown Swan and Tavern5.0 mi
The Brown Swan and Tavern in Schroon Lake, NY, offers Adirondacks-inspired cuisine with locally sourced ingredients in a family-friendly setting.
- Black Bear Restaurant & Bar8.7 mi
Black Bear Restaurant & Bar is an American eatery in Pottersville, NY, offering comfort food, sandwiches, and breakfast. Known for its welcoming atmosphere, quick service, and popular dishes like meatloaf and gravy fries.
- The Hub8.8 mi
The Hub is a cafe, restaurant, lounge, bar, and bike repair shop located in Brant Lake, also serving the Lake George, Loon Lake, Friends Lake, and Schroon Lake areas.
Stay.
4- Pharoah Lake Lean To2.1 mi
The Pharoah Lake Lean To is located within the 46,283-acre Pharaoh Lake Wilderness, part of the Adirondack Forest Preserve, which features many lakes and ponds.
- Park Mountain Campground3.9 mi
Park Mountain Campground is a family-owned RV and tent campground with 15 spacious sites in the Adirondack Mountains, less than a mile from Schroon Lake and near the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness area.
- Adirondack Pines Bed & Breakfast4.7 mi
Adirondack Pines offers lodging in an 1837 country farmhouse B&B and a renovated 3-bedroom vacation rental house, located minutes from Schroon Lake and area attractions.
- The Adirondack Inn4.9 mi
Historic Schroon Lake inn at 1051 US 9, walking distance to the lake, beaches, restaurants, and shops. Eight Adirondack-themed rooms, fully renovated in 2014. Open May through October.
See.
4- Town of Horicon Museum8.5 mi
The Brant Lake Museum is housed in an 1890s farmhouse, featuring period furniture, clothing, tools, and photographs from the 19th and 20th centuries. It also includes a Carriage House with military and local hotel exhibits.
- Natural Stone Bridge & Caves9.1 mi
Explore the largest marble cave entrance in the eastern U.S., carved by Trout Brook. Offers self-guided trails, adventure tours, and winter snowshoeing with ice formations.
- Godwin Preserve11.2 mi
Godwin Preserve in the Town of Bolton offers two hiking trails totaling 112 acres, with moderate difficulty. The Yellow Trail provides views of Amy's Park wetlands and High Nopit, while the Red Trail connects to Pole Hill Pond Preserve.
- Penfield Homestead Museum11.4 mi
Penfield Homestead Museum preserves the history of Crown Point, NY, and the surrounding Ironville area. Explore the historic homestead, barns, church, and learn about local history, military conflicts, and notable families.
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Suggest an edit →Frequently asked.
- Where is Desolate Brook located?Desolate Brook is a stream in the Schroon Lake region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- Is Desolate Brook open to the public?Yes, Desolate Brook 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 Desolate Brook?Within roughly seven miles of Desolate Brook: 206 designated campsites, 28 lean-tos or shelters, 2 listed campgrounds. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.