Franklin Falls Pond.
Franklin Falls Pond is a 384-acre reservoir on the Saranac River, formed by a hydroelectric dam built in 1908. The shoreline is largely undeveloped state land — accessible by foot or paddle, with no formal boat launch or maintained trails leading to it.
Franklin Falls Pond has public access. Summits nearby include Reardon Hill and Shed Hill.
The water, surveyed.
Seasonal pattern for this lake · live closures appear above
12 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.
- 01Franklin Falls Pond Fishing Access ParkingTrailhead0.7 miunpavedDirections →
- 02Franklin Falls Road Parking Lot0.8 miunpavedDirections →
- 03Plank Road Parking Lot1.9 miunpavedDirections →
- 04Plank Road East Parking Lot3.2 miunpavedDirections →
- 05Moose Pond Fishing Access Parking4.4 mipavedDirections →
- 06Copper Kill Pond Trail- Gillespie Drive5.5 miunpavedDirections →
- 07Moose Pond Trail Parking5.7 miunpavedDirections →
- 08Catamount Trailhead Parking Area5.7 miunpavedDirections →
+4 more on the map above
Franklin Falls Pond.
From the people who’ve been here, plus what Google has on file.
Getting in, staying over.
Access.
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- Artisans at the Lake Placid Lodge7.9 mi
The restaurant at the Lake Placid Lodge, a Relais and Chateaux property, serving a seasonal farm-to-fork menu in a fire-lit dining room with a three-season terrace over the lake. Breakfast and dinner daily.
- The Hungry Trout8.4 mi
Situated on the West Branch of the Ausable River, the Hungry Trout offers two distinct dining experiences, from an upscale restaurant to a lively tavern.
- Heritage Indian Grill8.7 mi
Heritage Indian Grill in Lake Placid offers a vibrant exploration of Indian cuisine, presenting a curated selection of traditional recipes and contemporary creations.
- West Shore BBQ8.8 mi
West Shore BBQ offers 100% wood-fired barbecue in the Adirondacks, distinguishing itself by using no pellets, soaked chips, or liquid smoke. They exclusively use wood sustainably harvested from within the Blue Line.
Sip.
4- Saranac Juice4.7 mi
Cold-pressed juices, cleanses, protein elixirs, and nut mylks from Saranac River Ranch in Bloomingdale, made from organic produce grown on the farm or sourced from local Adirondack growers.
- Simply Gourmet8.8 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…
- The Coffee Bar9.4 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.
- Nori's Village Market9.4 mi
Nori's Village Market and Riverside Cafe offers a market with organic and local produce, bulk foods, coffee, and teas, alongside a cafe serving natural, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and local meat options.
Sweet.
4- Whitebrook Dairy Bar8.4 mi
A classic roadside drive-in on Route 86 in Wilmington, five minutes from Whiteface — creamy soft serve (try the peanut-butter dip) plus footlongs and the Wilmington burger. Opening day is a local rite of spring.
- Donnelly's Soft Ice Cream9.8 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.
- Emma's Lake Placid Creamery10.0 mi
A 1950s-themed creamery in the heart of walkable Lake Placid, famous for its Maple Creme soft serve alongside 16 hard flavors, gelato, sorbet, and old-fashioned malts. The reliable apres-hike treat.
- Ben & Jerry's10.0 mi
The Ben & Jerry's scoop shop on Lake Placid's Main Street above Mirror Lake — the Vermont brand's pints and cones in the heart of the village.
Drink.
4- Hex and Hop Brewing4.7 mi
Hex and Hop Brewing is a craft brewery and meadery in Bloomingdale, New York, making full-flavored, locally sourced beer and mead. They prioritize community and craft, using fresh, local ingredients.
- R.F. McDougall's Pub8.4 mi
The casual sibling of the Hungry Trout Restaurant, sharing the same Adirondack riverside property next to Whiteface. Pub food, regional beers, and the same view of the West Branch Ausable at a more relaxed price point.
- Top of the Park9.1 mi
A Lake Placid bar on Main Street offering a curated selection of wine, scotch, bourbon, craft beer, and top-shelf liquors, complemented by small plates and signature cocktails. Enjoy 'Spirits with a View' from its large deck overlooking Mi…
- RiverTrail Beerworks9.4 mi
RiverTrail Beerworks is Saranac Lake’s only riverfront brewpub, located on the Saranac Lake River Walk and Rail Trail. It features a heated patio, firepits, two golf simulators, and serves lunch and dinner daily with house-brewed beers and…
Stay.
4- Whiteface Club7.8 mi
A historic resort on Whiteface Inn Lane in Lake Placid since 1882, with 18-hole Van Kleek championship golf, tennis and pickleball, a private marina on Lake Placid, and a Nordic Center.
- Lake Placid Lodge7.9 mi
A 30-room Arts and Crafts lodge on the western shore of Lake Placid, one of two Relais & Chateaux properties in the Adirondacks. Main-lodge rooms and suites, plus private cabins and lakeside cottages. Artisans dining room and Maggie's Pub on site.
- Moose Mountain Lodge8.1 mi
Moose Mountain Lodge is a five-bedroom, five-bathroom Adirondack-style home in Lake Placid. Overlooking the Whiteface Club and Resort golf course, it features a rec-room with a pool table, sauna, and hot tub, and includes access to the res…
- Wilmington Notch Campground8.2 mi
Wilmington Notch is located beside the Ausable River and accommodates fishermen looking to challenge the rapids in search of a great catch.
See.
4- Summit Weather Observatory5.9 mi
The Summit Weather Observatory, part of the University at Albany's Atmospheric Sciences Research Center (ASRC), provides real-time weather conditions and data from its observatory at the summit of Whiteface Mountain and a field station at…
- High Falls Gorge7.7 mi
A 22-acre privately owned nature park on Route 86 in Wilmington with rim trails, glass-floor walkways over Ausable River waterfalls, a cafe, and gift shop. Open year-round, weather permitting.
- Captain Marney's Boat Rental8.5 mi
Captain Marney's Boat Rental offers boat and water sports rentals in the Lake Placid, NY area. They provide reasonably priced options for various water enthusiasts, including discounts for multi-day, multi-boat, and group rentals.
- Boots & Birdies8.7 mi
Boots & Birdies is a family-owned, Western-themed fun center in Lake Placid, NY. It offers an 18-hole miniature golf course, a baseball batting cage, and a custom mining sluice for gemstone and fossil mining, providing hours of outdoor act…
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- Where is Franklin Falls Pond located?Franklin Falls Pond is a reservoir in the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- Is Franklin Falls Pond open to the public?Yes, Franklin Falls Pond 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 Franklin Falls Pond?Within roughly seven miles of Franklin Falls Pond: 20 designated campsites, 10 lean-tos or shelters. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.