Ermine Brook.
Ermine Brook runs through the Long Lake township in the central Adirondacks — a named tributary in a region where most flowing water either feeds Raquette River drainage or works its way toward the Forked Lake system. No public fish stocking records and no maintained trail access in the DEC inventory, which puts it in the category of seasonal drainage or local-knowledge water rather than a destination stream. The name suggests fur-trapping history — ermine (short-tailed weasel in winter coat) were prime pelts in the 19th-century Adirondack economy, and brooks often carried the names of what trappers pulled from the woods around them. If you're poking around the Long Lake backcountry and cross Ermine Brook, you're likely bushwhacking or on an unmarked logging trace.
Ermine Brook has public access. Summits nearby include Little Santanoni Mountain and Santanoni Peak.
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.
- 01East River Trail ParkingTrailhead6.0 miunpavedDirections →
- 02Upper Works Trail Parking6.0 miunpavedDirections →
- 03Camp Santanoni Parking Lot6.2 miunpavedDirections →
Getting in, staying over.
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Closest editorial picks for a meal, a scoop, a pint, a bed, and a sight worth your time.
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4- Northern Borne13.8 mi
Family-owned grocery and outdoor-supply store on Long Lake's Main Street, with organic, gluten-free, and vegan options plus a made-to-order deli counter. Camping and outdoor gear stocked alongside the grocery.
- Long Lake Diner & Owl’s Head Pub13.9 mi
Long Lake Diner & Owl's Head Pub has been proudly serving food, beverages, and memories since 2004.
- Long View Lodge Restaurant15.9 mi
Long View Lodge Restaurant on Long Lake offers a full-service dining experience with an award-winning chef. Known for its quality ingredients and an ever-changing menu in a warm, inviting Adirondack setting, no reservations are necessary.
- Tail O' the Pup17.0 mi
A roadside stop offering barbecue, seafood, and casual fare, with a history stretching back over a century.
Sip.
4- Waypoint Cafe13.9 mi
Long Lake cafe at 1265 Main St. La Colombe coffee, homemade quiche, avocado toast, artisan sandwiches, salads, poke bowls, soups, and charcuterie. Closed Mondays; weeknight happy hour 4–6 p.m.
- Origin Coffee17.9 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 Bar18.1 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.
- Simply Gourmet18.3 mi
Simply Gourmet in Lake Placid offers daily breakfast and lunch with a focus on clean food, using fresh, local, and sustainable ingredients free of additives or preservatives. They also provide comprehensive catering services for various ev…
Sweet.
4- The Park13.9 mi
Trying to find a fast food restaurant in Long Lake? Pay a visit to The Park. We offer a range of burgers, sides, ice cream, drinks and coffee options.
- Custard’s Last Stand13.9 mi
Custard's Last Stand is a historic ice cream shop in Long Lake, established in 1958, serving a variety of soft frozen custard & hard ice cream, sundaes, specialty shakes, floats, and ice cream sodas. They also offer merchandise and gift cards.
- Donnelly's Soft Ice Cream16.9 mi
A fourth-generation Saranac Lake institution on a former dairy farm, serving exactly one rotating soft-serve flavor each day — twisted with vanilla on the same 1953 machine. Cash only; check the daily flavor. Memorial Day to Labor Day.
- Mountain Mist Custard17.4 mi
A summer fixture on the shore of Lake Flower in Saranac Lake, with picnic tables and a dock you can tie a boat to. Frozen custard and soft serve with weekly-rotating flavors, shakes, and sundaes.
Drink.
4- Brookside Hops & Hoagies13.8 mi
Brookside Hops & Hoagies is a casual, family-friendly shop in Long Lake, founded in 2023, offering craft beers and hoagies made with fresh ingredients and Boars Head deli meats. It operates Wednesday through Sunday from 11 AM to 7 PM.
- Ray Brook Brewhouse17.1 mi
Ray Brook Brewhouse is a unique brewery in Ray Brook, NY, offering wild and traditional brews paired with adventurous dishes made from local and exotic ingredients.
- Lakeview Lanes & The Foul Line Sports Bar17.8 mi
Lakeview Lanes & The Foul Line Sports Bar in Tupper Lake offers 8 lanes of bowling, an arcade, a sports bar, and outdoor seating with food and drinks for family fun.
- Lake Placid Pub & Brewery18.0 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.
Stay.
4- The Pilot's House6.9 mi
The Pilot's House sits above the Outfitter's storefront, with a wonderful view of Vanderwhacker Mt. and the Hudson River, and Santanoni Mt as a backdrop.
- Adirondack Loj13.2 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…
- Motel Long Lake & Cottages13.6 mi
A family-owned lakefront property on Dock Road in Long Lake with 8 motel rooms and 18 cottages on 3.4 acres of frontage. Private beach, two boat docks, boat rentals, and walking distance to the hamlet.
- Saranac Lake Islands Campground - Campsite #7013.8 mi
Saranac Lake Islands Campground offers primitive, boat-access-only island campsites on Lower Saranac Lake, providing extensive boater recreation and access to four additional lakes via a system of locks.
See.
4- Camp Santanoni4.1 mi
Built by the wealthy Pruyn family, Camp Santanoni is a publicly-owned National Historic Landmark, offering visitors a glimpse into the early Adirondack Great Camp era and opportunities for outdoor recreation.
- Newcomb Ski Slope7.0 mi
2 slope municipal ski slope free to the public.
- John Dillon Park16.3 mi
John Dillon Park, run by Paul Smith's College, is an accessible outdoor recreation area in Long Lake featuring a 3.5-mile accessible trail system, lean-tos, and fishing access. It is closed for the summer 2026 season for water system impro…
- John Brown Farm State Historic Site16.3 mi
Simple, furnished farmhouse home & grave of abolitionist John Brown, set in parkland with trails.
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- Where is Ermine Brook located?Ermine Brook is a stream in the Long Lake region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- Is Ermine Brook open to the public?Yes, Ermine 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 Ermine Brook?Within roughly seven miles of Ermine Brook: 21 designated campsites, 29 lean-tos or shelters. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.