ADIRONDACKREGION.COM
AdirondackRegion.com

Essex Chain Lakes

Seven connected lakes in the heart of the former Finch, Pruyn paper-company lands — acquired by New York State in 2014 and opened to public recreation in 2016. Roughly 5,800 acres of new Forest Preserve wilderness. Paddle the chain — Pine, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, and Goodnow Pond — over a multi-day backcountry trip with primitive sites along the way. Lightly fished, lightly trafficked, with carries between most lakes. The freshest wilderness in the Park.

Add photos & video
Type
Lake
Surface
5,800 ac
Max depth
Species
3 listed
Loading map…
§ Closest essentials

Nearest, each within 25 miles

Coffee
Waypoint Cafe
13.7 mi away
Restaurant
Brookside Hops & Hoagies
13.4 mi away
General store
Hoss's Country Corner
13.4 mi away
Shelter
Newcomb Lake Lean-To #1
4.0 mi away
§ At the water

Camping & access

Camping (24)
  • 24 designated campsites
Access (16)
§ Nearby parking

15 parking areas· 2 accessible

Closest parking lots within range, ranked by walking distance. Accessibility flags come from Google verified-data; surface and capacity from OpenStreetMap. Confirm hours and seasonal closures before you go.

+7 more on the map above

§ Fishing

What’s in the water

Brook troutBrook troutSalvelinus fontinalisNativeSmallmouth bassSmallmouth bassMicropterus dolomieuStockedLake troutLake troutSalvelinus namaycushNative
§ Field guide
Species, regs & waters atlas →
Size limits, seasons, NY state records, and where to fish in the Park.
§ Nearby Points of Interest
Peaks (7)
Lakes & ponds (26)
Trails (25)
Lean-tos (2)
  • Newcomb Lake Lean-To #24.3 mi
  • Newcomb Lake Lean-To #14.0 mi
Primitive campsites (24)
  • Lake Harris Campground1.5 mi
  • Newcomb Lake Campsite #23.6 mi
  • Newcomb Lake Campsite #13.6 mi
  • Newcomb Lake Campsite #33.6 mi
  • Newcomb Lake Campsite #43.7 mi
  • Newcomb Lake Campsite #53.8 mi
  • Newcomb Lake Campsite #64.0 mi
  • Newcomb Lake Campsite #74.1 mi
§ Photos & Videos

Essex Chain Lakes.

From the people who’ve been here, plus what Google has on file.

§ Photos · via Google
5.0
out of 5
  • Photo of Essex Chain Lakes
  • Photo of Essex Chain Lakes
  • Photo of Essex Chain Lakes
  • Photo of Essex Chain Lakes
  • Photo of Essex Chain Lakes
§ The Field Notes

Add to the record.

§ Reader account
Start your Logbook.

Free, takes thirty seconds. Yours forever.

Every page on this site gets better when readers contribute. Mark a peak you’ve climbed, drop a photo, file a field note, or flag a correction — every addition makes the next visitor’s page better.

Field notes and corrections are reviewed before they appear publicly. Photos and Logbook entries post immediately.§ Run an association tied to this water? Get in touch →
§ Nearby vacation rentals

Closest cabins, camps & lakefront rentals

§ More field guides

Continue exploring.

All guides
§ Frequently asked