French Pond.
French Pond is a 20-acre water in the Old Forge township — small enough to stay off most touring lists, large enough to hold a canoe route worth paddling. No fish stocking records on file, which usually means native brookies or nothing at all, and no official trail or access point listed in the DEC inventory. The pond sits in working forest country where private land and state easements checkerboard the map, so access is the question you answer with a property-line map and a phone call to the local DEC office. If you can get there, it's the kind of place that rewards the effort with silence.
French Pond reaches a maximum depth of 57 feet, with a mean depth of 16 feet. French Pond has public access.
The water, surveyed.
Seasonal pattern for this lake · live closures appear above
4 parking areas· 2 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.
- 01Parking AreaTrailhead1,245 ft
- 02Parking Area0.6 mi
- 03Jakes Pond Parking Area2.7 miunpavedDirections →
- 04Sand Pond Parking3.6 miunpavedDirections →
Getting in, staying over.
Camping.
What the lake is doing today.
What rings this water.
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 Restaurant18.9 mi
Website under development
- The SteakHouse22.3 mi
The Steak House is a family-owned and operated restaurant since 1971, offering a classic Adirondack dining experience with handcrafted steaks, quality meats, seafood, homemade dishes, and a cocktail lounge.
- Walt's Diner22.4 mi
A working diner on Route 28 in Old Forge running for 25-plus years, with breakfast and lunch most days and a Friday fish fry until 8 p.m. Closed Tuesdays.
- Tony Harper's Pizza & Clam Shack22.4 mi
Tony Harper's Pizza & Clam Shack is a family-friendly restaurant offering homemade traditional and thin-crust pizzas, signature Whiskey Wings, steamers, and "Raquette Cheesesteaks". They feature a full bar with microbrews, high-definition…
— 18.9 mi to the nearest table out here; plan the drive to dinner.
Sip.
1— 22.4 mi to the nearest pour to this spot; pack a thermos.
Sweet.
2- Benny’s Ice Cream22.3 mi
A family-run, locally loved scoop shop on Old Forge's Main Street — hand-scooped hard flavors and soft serve.
- Pied Piper22.3 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.
— 22.3 mi to the nearest scoop; save it for the ride home.
Drink.
3- Old Forge Brewing Company22.4 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.
- Slickers Adirondack Tavern22.4 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.
- Daiker's23.5 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.
— 22.4 mi to the nearest pint; appoint a driver.
Stay.
4- Norridgewock Lodge16.6 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 Waldheim20.9 mi
A rustic resort with log-cottages featuring porches with lake views, plus 3 included meals a day.
- Covewood Lodge21.7 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.
- Water's Edge Inn22.4 mi
Homey rooms & suites with balconies, plus an indoor pool, free breakfast & a deck with lake views.
— 16.6 mi to the nearest bed on the register; book before you go.
See.
3- Adirondack Railbike22.2 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…
- Enchanted Forest Water Safari22.3 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 Cove22.4 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…
— 22.2 mi to the nearest sight on file; fold it into the drive.
Add to the record.
Free, takes thirty seconds. Yours forever.
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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 French Pond located?French Pond is a pond in the Old Forge region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- How big is French Pond?French Pond has a surface area of approximately 20 acres, a smaller backcountry water.
- How deep is French Pond?French Pond has a maximum depth of 57 feet, with a mean depth of 16.1 feet.
- Is French Pond open to the public?Yes, French 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 French Pond?Within roughly seven miles of French Pond: 10 designated campsites. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.