Elm Lake.
Elm Lake is a 61-acre water in the Speculator region — quiet, wooded shoreline, and far enough off the main tourist loops to hold that mid-week solitude even in July. No public fish stocking records on file, which usually means wild populations (likely brook trout) or periodic natural recruitment from inlet streams, but you'll want to check with local tackle shops or the DEC for current conditions. Access details aren't widely documented, so assume either private road or unmaintained trail — worth a stop at the Speculator town office or a call to the local DEC ranger if you're planning a trip. This is the kind of lake that rewards the extra legwork.
Elm Lake has public access. Summits nearby include Pasture Hill and Cave Hill.
The water, surveyed.
Seasonal pattern for this lake · live closures appear above
11 parking areas· 4 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.
- 01Dot RowTrailhead2.9 mi
- 02Dot Row3.2 miunpavedDirections →
- 03Town Parking3.4 mi
- 04Cisco Brook Trailhead Parking4.3 miunpavedDirections →
- 05DEC parking 189254.7 mi
- 06DEC parking 189294.7 mi
- 07Gilman Lake5.2 miunpavedDirections →
- 08Mason Lake5.8 mipavedDirections →
+3 more on the map above
Getting in, staying over.
Camping.
What the lake is doing today.
What rings this water.
The peaks.
The waters.
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- Charlie Johns Store3.1 mi
Opened in 1939, Charlie Johns Store is Speculator's anchor general store — 12,000 square feet of full grocery selection, produce, fresh meats, a full deli, bakery, and hardware. Purchased from Charlie Johns in 1971 by Dean Lane, the Lane family has owned and operated it since.
- Firetower Pizza3.2 mi
Hand-tossed pizzeria in Speculator with specialty pies named after Adirondack peaks (Mt Marcy, Snowy Mountain, Whiteface). Wings, baked ziti, white clam pie. Cozy waiting area with retro jukebox and arcade.
- Oxbow Inn10.9 mi
Oxbow Inn is a welcoming restaurant and bar in Lake Pleasant offering great pizza, local beef burgers, and a wide selection of 16 draft beers. Enjoy casual dining, live music, and an outdoor deck with fire pits and lake views.
- Alpine Grille13.7 mi
A long-running roadside steak-and-seafood house on the Sacandaga, between Northville and Wells. Generous portions, a lively bar, and the kind of dining room where the staff knows the regulars by name. Reservations recommended on weekends.
Sip.
4- The PERKS of Speculator3.4 mi
Speculator coffee shop and bakery at 2855 NY-30. Specialty coffee, espresso, fresh-baked bagels and pastries, plus breakfast and lunch sandwiches. Gluten-free options across the bakery case.
- Uncle Carl's Coffee9.5 mi
Uncle Carl's Coffee serves expertly crafted coffees, artisan teas, pastries, and light savory bites. They also offer daily quiche and bagels, along with homemade soups, frozen meals, local meats, and cheeses.
- Schoolhouse Grounds Coffee Shop22.6 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.
- ADK Blend23.5 mi
Northville smoothie & açaí-bowl spot in the Great Sacandaga Lake corridor.
Sweet.
3- Speculator Creamery3.5 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.
- The Hungry Crow Market & Café20.3 mi
A downtown North Creek market and cafe serving soft serve alongside scratch-made desserts, next to Hudson River Trading Co. — the cone stop in the Gore and Upper Hudson area.
- The Village Scoop23.5 mi
A walk-up ice cream shop on Northville's Main Street at the north tip of Great Sacandaga Lake — hard ice cream and soft serve with a wide flavor selection.
Drink.
4- Acorn Pub & Eatery at Oak Mountain2.4 mi
Acorn Pub & Eatery is a dining option at Oak Mountain, offering a place to eat and drink.
- Lemon Tree Brewery3.4 mi
Lemon Tree Brewery is a brewery and taproom located in Speculator, NY, steps from Lake Pleasant. It offers house brews like SASQUATCH HAZY IPA and Blueberry Wheat, along with other local NY State micro-brewed beers and wines in a relaxed s…
- Indian Lake Restaurant, Tavern and Liquor Store17.0 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…
- Hex and Hop Tasting Room - Blue Mountain Lake22.3 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.
Stay.
4- Cedarhurst Motor Lodge3.4 mi
A family-owned year-round motor lodge in Speculator, on the route between Lake Pleasant and Indian Lake, with free Wi-Fi and weekly rates. Standard rooms, no frills.
- Inn At Speculator3.8 mi
The Inn at Speculator offers a full-service dining experience featuring classic dishes and local flavors, along with comfortable lodging options including private and shared bath rooms. Breakfast is included for guests.
- Bearhurst Lakeside Cottages4.5 mi
Five renovated outbuildings from a turn-of-the-century Adirondack Great Camp on Lake Pleasant in Speculator, run as lakefront rental cottages by the Armstrong family. Boathouse, Icehouse, Cubhurst, and two Cherry duplex halves.
- Moffitt Beach State Campground4.7 mi
This popular state campground offers 260 sites among tall white pines, with many enjoying direct access to Sacandaga Lake for fishing, boating, and swimming.
See.
4- Ampersand Christine Falls2.3 mi
Ampersand Energy LLC.
- Speculator Historical Museum3.3 mi
A small local-history museum on Route 8 in Speculator inside the original Lake Pleasant Town Hall and Library. Open weekends Memorial Day through August, plus weekday hours in summer.
- Revolution Rail Co. - Thurman Station20.5 mi
A pedal-powered rail biking operation at Thurman Station on the Adirondack Railroad bed near North Creek, with family-friendly seasonal tours rolling alongside the Hudson River corridor through forest and open river-bank country.
- North Creek Depot Museum20.5 mi
Saved from demolition, this 1872 landmark station is now a museum, heritage center, and cultural hub in historic North Creek, featuring a fabulous diorama and exhibits on the Adirondack Railroad, Theodore Roosevelt, and local history.
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Suggest an edit →Frequently asked.
- Where is Elm Lake located?Elm Lake is a lake in the Speculator region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- How big is Elm Lake?Elm Lake has a surface area of approximately 61 acres, a smaller backcountry water.
- Is Elm Lake open to the public?Yes, Elm 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 Elm Lake?Within roughly seven miles of Elm Lake: 45 designated campsites, 2 lean-tos or shelters, 2 listed campgrounds. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.