Fourth Lake.
Fourth Lake is the big water of the Fulton Chain — 2,137 acres running four and a half miles from Inlet down to Eagle Bay, the largest of the eight lakes that define the Old Forge corridor. The DEC survey puts it at 85 feet deep with nearly 18 miles of shoreline, and it fishes like two waters stacked together: lake trout, rainbow trout, and Atlantic salmon hold in the deep cold layer while the warm shallows carry smallmouth, northern pike, tiger musky, and perch. Ice anglers work it hard once it locks up — lake trout over 30 inches come through the hard water. Motorboats are allowed, the public launch sits off Route 28, and Alger Island's lean-tos and campsites are reachable only by boat. It is the busiest lake in the chain, but the far shore still holds quiet coves for paddlers willing to time the wakes.
Fourth Lake reaches a maximum depth of 85 feet, with a mean depth of 34 feet. The lake has about 17.8 miles of shoreline and an elevation of 1,707 feet. Fish on record include Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, Atlantic Salmon, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Tiger Muskellunge, Yellow Perch, Rainbow Smelt, Rock Bass, Brown Bullhead, and Pumpkinseed — always check current New York State DEC regulations before fishing. Fourth Lake has public access. Summits nearby include Rocky Mountain and Bald Mountain.
The water, surveyed.
§ The water
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3D terrain: USGS 3DEP relief with NAIP imagery — loads as this slot scrolls into view. The 2D map carries every pin from the classic lake page.
Seasonal pattern for this lake · live closures appear above
12 parking areas· 1 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.
- 01Bub & Sis Lakes Trail ParkingTrailhead0.8 mipavedDirections →
- 02Cascade Lake Trail Parking1.9 miunpavedDirections →
- 03Black Bear And Rocky Mtn Parking Area2.3 miunpavedDirections →
- 04Moss Lake Parking2.3 miunpavedDirections →
- 05Moss Lake Accessible Parking2.4 mi
- 06Rodaxe Fire Tower Parking3.1 miunpavedDirections →
- 07Third Lake Creek Parking3.1 miunpavedDirections →
- 08Windfall Pond Parking3.4 miunpavedDirections →
+4 more on the map above
What’s in the water.
The species.
Launch & supply.
Getting in, staying over.
Camping.
On the water.
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- Mountainside Smokehouse & Grill0.7 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 Pines1.0 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 Tavern1.4 mi
Located at 5520 state route 28 in Eagle Bay, NY.
- Tony Harpers Pizza and Clam Shack2.2 mi
Tony Harper's Pizza & Clam Shack offers family-friendly dining with pizza, wings, and seafood across four Adirondack locations: year-round in Old Forge and Lowville, and seasonal spots in Inlet and Raquette Lake. The Raquette Lake location…
Sip.
4- Blue Line Coffee House2.2 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…
- Tamarack Cafe2.3 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 House7.3 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.
- Schoolhouse Grounds Coffee Shop21.6 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.
Sweet.
3- Northern Lights Creamery Inc.2.7 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.
- Benny’s Ice Cream7.3 mi
A family-run, locally loved scoop shop on Old Forge's Main Street — hand-scooped hard flavors and soft serve.
- Pied Piper7.3 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.
Drink.
4- Daiker's2.0 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 Tavern7.2 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 Company7.4 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.
- Hex and Hop Tasting Room - Blue Mountain Lake21.5 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- Viking Village on Fourth Lake449 ft
A family cottage resort on Fourth Lake near Old Forge, with waterfront cabins and boating on the Fulton Chain of Lakes.
- Palmer Point Boats & Cottages0.6 mi
Palmer Point offers pontoon boat rentals and charming cottages in Old Forge, NY, perfect for enjoying Fourth Lake in the Adirondacks.
- Great Pines Resort1.0 mi
Airy quarters, some with balconies, in a relaxed lakeside retreat offering a private beach & dining.
- Eagle Bay Village1.5 mi
A cluster of lakeside cottages and vacation units at Eagle Bay on Fourth Lake in the Old Forge / Fulton Chain region — a base for boating and summer lake life.
See.
4- Calypso's Cove7.0 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…
- Enchanted Forest Water Safari7.0 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.
- Adirondack Railbike9.2 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 Cruise10.0 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.
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Suggest an edit →Frequently asked.
- Where is Fourth Lake located?Fourth Lake is a lake in the Old Forge region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- How big is Fourth Lake?Fourth Lake has a surface area of approximately 2,137 acres, a large lake by Adirondack standards.
- How deep is Fourth Lake?Fourth Lake has a maximum depth of 85 feet, with a mean depth of 33.5 feet.
- What is the elevation of Fourth Lake?Fourth Lake sits at approximately 1,707 feet above sea level.
- What fish are in Fourth Lake?Fourth Lake supports populations of Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, Atlantic Salmon, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Tiger Muskellunge, Yellow Perch, Rainbow Smelt, Rock Bass, Brown Bullhead, and Pumpkinseed. Always check current New York State Department of Environmental Conservation fishing regulations before casting.
- Is Fourth Lake open to the public?Yes, Fourth Lake has public access. See the listing page for current trailhead, parking, and boat-launch details, and check active DEC advisories before visiting.
- How long is the shoreline of Fourth Lake?Fourth Lake has approximately 17.8 miles of shoreline.
- Can you camp at Fourth Lake?Within roughly seven miles of Fourth Lake: 85 designated campsites, 11 lean-tos or shelters, 1 listed campground. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.