Emerald Lake.
Emerald Lake is an 11-acre pocket water in the Old Forge area — small enough that it doesn't show up on most regional itineraries, which is precisely the point if you're looking for elbow room in high summer. No fish survey data on file with DEC, which typically means the lake is either unstocked and holding wild brookies, or it's thermally marginal and gets overlooked by the hatchery trucks. Access details are sparse in the public record; if you're headed in, confirm put-in or trailhead logistics with the Old Forge Visitor Center or local outfitters before committing the drive.
Emerald Lake reaches a maximum depth of 6 feet, with a mean depth of 2 feet. Emerald Lake has public access. Summits nearby include Alder Bed Mountain and Sitz Mountain.
The water, surveyed.
Seasonal pattern for this lake · live closures appear above
3 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.
- 01Trailhead ParkingTrailhead2.6 miunpavedDirections →
- 02Buck Pond Road Parking2.8 miunpavedDirections →
- 03Tied Lake Parking Area3.8 miunpavedDirections →
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- Big Moose Station Restaurant14.9 mi
Website under development
- Mountainside Smokehouse & Grill19.8 mi
Mountainside Smokehouse & Grill offers delicious smoked meats, homemade BBQ sauces and desserts, with smoking done on-premise using apple wood. They also provide catering and meeting space.
- The Lean-to at Great Pines19.9 mi
The Lean-To is our casual lakeside restaurant, open to guests and the public. It offers a full-service bar and a craft beer menu, along with a food menu inspired by local ingredients and regional influences.
- The Tavern20.2 mi
Located at 5520 state route 28 in Eagle Bay, NY.
Sip.
3- Blue Line Coffee House21.6 mi
A coffee shop on Route 28 in Old Forge selling drinks, Adirondack-themed apparel, handcrafted mugs, and shipped coffee subscriptions. Order drinks for pickup or shop the gift line online.
- Tamarack Cafe21.8 mi
Tamarack Cafe in downtown Inlet serves a wide variety of breakfast and lunch options, from traditional favorites and specialty bowls to creative salads, sandwiches, and burgers. The cafe also features an 18-hole mini-golf course.
- Blue Line Coffee House21.8 mi
Blue Line Coffee House offers Adirondack-inspired apparel, handcrafted mugs, and mountain-themed gifts, along with pre-packaged coffee and coffee accessories. Products are available for nationwide shipping, and local customers can order dr…
— 21.6 mi to the nearest pour to this spot; pack a thermos.
Sweet.
3- Benny’s Ice Cream21.5 mi
A family-run, locally loved scoop shop on Old Forge's Main Street — hand-scooped hard flavors and soft serve.
- Pied Piper21.5 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.
- Northern Lights Creamery Inc.22.3 mi
An Inlet institution for 40-plus years, a short walk from Arrowhead Park on Fourth Lake — soft serve, homemade gelato, floats, flurries, and specialty sundaes.
— 21.5 mi to the nearest scoop; save it for the ride home.
Drink.
3- Daiker's20.1 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.
- Slickers Adirondack Tavern21.6 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 Company21.7 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.
— 20.1 mi to the nearest pint; appoint a driver.
Stay.
4- Norridgewock Lodge9.8 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 Waldheim15.4 mi
A rustic resort with log-cottages featuring porches with lake views, plus 3 included meals a day.
- Covewood Lodge16.4 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.
- Great Pines Resort19.9 mi
Airy quarters, some with balconies, in a relaxed lakeside retreat offering a private beach & dining.
See.
4- Enchanted Forest Water Safari21.4 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 Cove21.4 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 Railbike22.4 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…
- Raquette Lake Navigation Cruise23.1 mi
Raquette Lake Navigation Company offers dining, sightseeing, and special event cruises on Raquette Lake in New York. This family-owned and operated business has been providing scenic experiences aboard the W.W. Durant since 1991.
— 21.4 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.
Trail conditions, water level, bug pressure, blowdown. The kind of detail that helps the next person plan.
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 Emerald Lake located?Emerald Lake is a lake in the Old Forge region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- How big is Emerald Lake?Emerald Lake has a surface area of approximately 11 acres, a smaller backcountry water.
- How deep is Emerald Lake?Emerald Lake has a maximum depth of 6 feet, with a mean depth of 2 feet.
- Is Emerald Lake open to the public?Yes, Emerald 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 Emerald Lake?Within roughly seven miles of Emerald Lake: 83 designated campsites, 14 lean-tos or shelters. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.