Effley Falls Pond.
Effley Falls Pond is a 318-acre reservoir tucked into the working forest northeast of Old Forge — one of the quieter impoundments in the Fulton Chain corridor, well off the tourist circuit that runs west toward Inlet and the Fulton Chain lakes. Access details are sparse and the fishery data incomplete, which typically means either private shoreline or limited public infrastructure; this is not a pond with a DEC boat launch and a parking lot. The reservoir sits in that mid-Adirondack zone where logging roads, private hunting camps, and paper-company land blur together — worth investigating if you're already in the area with a truck and a topo map, but not a destination for casual day use.
Effley Falls Pond has public access.
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.
- 01Parking AreaTrailhead4.1 mi
- 02Parking Area4.7 mi
- 03Sand Pond Parking5.1 miunpavedDirections →
- 04Francis Lake Accessible Parking Lot6.2 mi
- 05Halfmoon Road Parking Lot6.2 miunpavedDirections →
- 06Jakes Pond Parking Area6.5 miunpavedDirections →
- 07Moshier Parking Lot7.0 miunpavedDirections →
Effley Falls Pond.
From the people who’ve been here, plus what Google has on file.
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 Restaurant18.4 mi
Website under development
- The SteakHouse20.0 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.
- Frankie's Taste of Italy20.3 mi
Frankie's Taste of Italy is Old Forge's original Italian restaurant — 24 years on Route 28, fresh pasta brought in from Boston's North End, a serious menu of pasta, chicken, veal, and seafood, and one of New York State's largest selections of rare premium Kentucky bourbons. Homemade gelato and bread pudding.
- Walt's Diner20.4 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.
— 18.4 mi to the nearest table out here; plan the drive to dinner.
Sip.
1— 20.4 mi to the nearest pour to this spot; pack a thermos.
Sweet.
2- Benny’s Ice Cream20.4 mi
A family-run, locally loved scoop shop on Old Forge's Main Street — hand-scooped hard flavors and soft serve.
- Pied Piper20.4 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.
— 20.4 mi to the nearest scoop; save it for the ride home.
Drink.
3- Old Forge Brewing Company20.4 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.
- Slickers Adirondack Tavern20.4 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.
- Daiker's22.4 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.
— 20.4 mi to the nearest pint; appoint a driver.
Stay.
4- Norridgewock Lodge17.5 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!
- Adirondack Lodge Old Forge20.2 mi
Step into Adirondack charm, reimagined. At Adirondack Lodge, rustic knotty-pine details meet modern comfort, creating a year-round base for snowmobile rides, lakeside picnics, and sweeping mountain views just outside your window. Each of…
- Water's Edge Inn20.4 mi
Homey rooms & suites with balconies, plus an indoor pool, free breakfast & a deck with lake views.
- Old Forge Camping Resort20.6 mi
A year-round campground on Route 28 in Old Forge in the Water Safari Resort family, with deluxe cabins, cottages, RV sites, and tent sites. Stay-and-Play packages for Water Safari.
— 17.5 mi to the nearest bed on the register; book before you go.
See.
3- Adirondack Railbike19.9 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…
- Enchanted Forest Water Safari20.4 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 Cove20.4 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…
— 19.9 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.
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Trail conditions, water level, bug pressure, blowdown. The kind of detail that helps the next person plan.
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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 Effley Falls Pond located?Effley Falls Pond is a reservoir in the Old Forge region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- How big is Effley Falls Pond?Effley Falls Pond has a surface area of approximately 318 acres, a mid-sized water.
- Is Effley Falls Pond open to the public?Yes, Effley Falls 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 Effley Falls Pond?Within roughly seven miles of Effley Falls Pond: 15 designated campsites. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.