East Branch Ausable River.
The East Branch of the Ausable River drains the north side of the Great Range — collecting water from Sawteeth, Gothics, Armstrong, and the Wolfjaws — and runs northeast through the hamlet of Keene before merging with the West Branch at Ausable Forks. It's a classic Adirondack freestone river: boulder pocket water, gradient that holds cold temps into summer, and access points scattered along back roads and trail crossings in the upper valley. The East Branch sees less fishing pressure than the West Branch, partly because access is less obvious and partly because the gradient keeps trout populations modest compared to slower tailwaters. Paddlers run the lower sections in spring high water, but this is primarily a hiking-corridor river — you cross it or walk beside it more often than you fish it.
East Branch Ausable River has public access. Summits nearby include Cy Beedes Ledge and Sawteeth-Southeast Peak.
The water, surveyed.
Before you launch.
Seasonal pattern for this lake · live closures appear above
9 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.
- 01Elk Lake Parking LotTrailhead5.1 miunpavedDirections →
- 02Amr Parking Lot5.9 miunpavedDirections →
- 03Roaring Brook Falls Parking Lot5.9 miunpavedDirections →
- 04Beerwalls Parking Lot6.1 mipavedDirections →
- 05Chapel Pond Parking Lot6.3 mipavedDirections →
- 06Zander Scott Trail Head Parking Lot6.4 mipavedDirections →
- 07Pull Off6.4 miunpavedDirections →
- 08Round Pond Parking Lot6.7 mipavedDirections →
+1 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- Noon Mark Diner7.5 mi
A traditional diner experience, offering hearty meals for travelers and locals in the Adirondack Park.
- Ausable Inn7.7 mi
Comfortable Keene Valley restaurant, bar, liquor store, and small inn. American comfort menu — wings, fish and chips, Montreal brisket, steak au poivre, plus the locally famous Hungarian mushroom soup.
- Forty Six11.5 mi
A small fine-dining room on Route 9N in Keene at the Dartbrook Lodge campus, with a seasonal menu that rotates regularly and elegant plating. Reservations recommended.
- Salt of the Earth Bistro14.0 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.
Sip.
4- Old Mountain Coffee Company7.5 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.
- Origin Coffee14.7 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 Bar15.0 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.
- Counter Space15.5 mi
A casual cafe in Elizabethtown serving coffee, espresso, and light bites — a local gathering spot in the Essex County seat.
Sweet.
4- Black Rooster Maple11.6 mi
Pure Adirondack Maple Syrup, Maple Cream, Bourbon Barrel Maple Syrup
- Cedar Run Bakery & Market11.8 mi
Cedar Run Bakery & Market offers scratch-made baked goods, deli items, fresh menu options, and take & bake meals, alongside a selection of wine and spirits. They are open Friday through Monday from 8 AM to 6 PM.
- Adirondack Corner Store13.4 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.
- Ben & Jerry's14.5 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.
Drink.
4- Paradox Brewery11.8 mi
Paradox Brewery offers a diverse tap selection, a full menu with pizza, burgers, and BBQ, and an expansive mountain landscape.
- Lake Placid Pub & Brewery14.7 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.
- Top of the Park15.3 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…
- The Old Mine17.2 mi
The Old Miners Tavern is a historic Adirondack tavern in Moriah, NY, offering classic bar food like juicy burgers and chicken wings, a full bar with rotating craft beers, and a welcoming atmosphere for friends to gather.
Stay.
4- Rooster Comb Inn7.5 mi
Rooster Comb Inn is a dog-friendly inn located in the heart of Keene Valley, NY, offering comfortable, rustic lodging within walking distance to Adirondack trailheads and local eateries. It features shared amenities like a full kitchen and…
- Keene Valley Lodge7.8 mi
A seven-room lodge and three-bedroom cottage at the center of Keene Valley, with breakfast and direct walk access to the Great Range trailheads and village restaurants.
- Adirondack Loj8.4 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…
- Van Hoevenberg Cabins9.8 mi
Eight pet-friendly cabins on Cascade Road outside Lake Placid, each named for a High Peaks summit, with kitchenettes and queen, king, or twin configurations. Year-round operation.
See.
4- Lake Placid Bobsled Experience9.5 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.
- Cliffside Coaster9.5 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.
- Keene Arts11.7 mi
Keene Arts is a venue in Keene, NY, hosting diverse events including art exhibits, concerts, film screenings, and a winter farmers market.
- Hurricane Mountain Fire Tower12.2 mi
Perched atop Hurricane Mountain, this historic fire tower provides hikers with unparalleled 360-degree views of the Adirondacks, Lake Champlain, and Vermont's Green Mountains.
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Suggest an edit →Frequently asked.
- Where is East Branch Ausable River located?East Branch Ausable River is a river in the Keene region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- Is East Branch Ausable River open to the public?Yes, East Branch Ausable River 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 East Branch Ausable River?Within roughly seven miles of East Branch Ausable River: 131 designated campsites, 68 lean-tos or shelters. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.