Friends Lake.
Friends Lake is a 187-acre lake in the southeastern Adirondacks, open to non-motorized and electric-motor boats under 10 horsepower. Brook trout and largemouth bass; public access via a NYSDEC boat launch on the eastern shore.
Friends Lake has public access. Summits nearby include Remington Mountain and McGann Mountain.
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.
- 01Palmer Pond Parking AreaTrailhead2.5 miunpavedDirections →
- 02Brant Lake Boat Launch6.8 mipavedDirections →
- 03Hudson River Nature Trails7.8 miunpavedDirections →
Friends Lake.
From the people who’ve been here, plus what Google has on file.
Getting in, staying over.
Access.
Camping.
On the water.
What the lake is doing today.
What rings this water.
The peaks.
The waters.
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- Cafe Adirondack Restaurant & Wine Room7.1 mi
Please call 518-494-5800 for reservations, or to check for takeout and walk in availability.
- Jimbo's Club at the Point8.2 mi
A fine-dining room and private event venue on a 25-acre peninsula on Brant Lake, off Route 8. Weekly-changing menu, an award-winning wine list, and wedding bookings for the full property.
- becks TAVERN8.5 mi
A tavern on Peaceful Valley Road in North Creek serving German-inspired dishes alongside burgers, wings, and bar standards. The Yurts out back are the conversation piece.
- Oscar's Smokehouse9.2 mi
Oscar's Smokehouse has been making fine smoked meats and cheeses for over 70 years in Warrensburg, NY.
Sip.
3- 9 Mile Coffee Co15.1 mi
9 Mile Coffee Co. is a coffee shop in downtown Schroon Lake, NY, serving a variety of coffees, teas, smoothies, sandwiches, and soups. They also sell their custom coffee blends and gift cards online.
- Cupola Crepes15.2 mi
Family-run creperie at 1095 Main Street in Schroon Lake. Sweet and savory crepes (gluten-free batter available), scones, coffee, and soft serve. Wednesday through Sunday.
- Caffe Vero15.4 mi
Breakfast, baked goods, sandwiches & house-roasted coffee in a comfy, earth-toned cafe.
— 15.1 mi to the nearest pour to this spot; pack a thermos.
Sweet.
4- Main Street Ice Cream Parlor2.8 mi
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- Crossroads Ice Cream3.2 mi
The ice cream counter at The Crossroads, a country and outdoors store off I-87 Exit 25 in Chestertown between Schroon and Brant Lake — hard and soft ice cream on the road north.
- Stone Bridge Ice Cream7.5 mi
Stone Bridge Ice Cream is a seasonal stand located 2.5 miles from the Natural Stone Bridge & Caves, offering over 40 flavors of soft serve, custom ice cream cakes, and signature sundaes. It features outdoor seating and a kids' swing set.
- The Hungry Crow Market & Café8.7 mi
A downtown North Creek market and cafe serving soft serve alongside scratch-made desserts, next to Hudson River Trading Co. — the cone stop in the Gore and Upper Hudson area.
Drink.
4- Crazy Loon Distillery4.9 mi
At the Crazy Loon Distillery, we produce high quality Adirondack inspired craft spirits that reflect the innovative nature and peaceful mindset of the North Country of New York. We offer a lineup of flavorful craft spirits inspired by the…
- The Hub5.9 mi
The Hub is a cafe, restaurant, lounge, bar, and bike repair shop located in Brant Lake, also serving the Lake George, Loon Lake, Friends Lake, and Schroon Lake areas.
- Black Bear Restaurant & Bar6.9 mi
Black Bear Restaurant & Bar is an American eatery in Pottersville, NY, offering comfort food, sandwiches, and breakfast. Known for its welcoming atmosphere, quick service, and popular dishes like meatloaf and gravy fries.
- Bandstand Brew Works9.3 mi
Bandstand Brew Works is a family-friendly brewpub in Warrensburg, NY, offering handcrafted beers, cocktails, and a diverse menu made with local ingredients. It's a community gathering spot known for live music, weekly events, and a vibrant…
Stay.
4- Friends Lake Inn1.1 mi
Plush rooms, some with whirlpool tubs, in a rustic-chic inn offering fine dining & a bright bistro.
- The Lodge at Loon Lake2.5 mi
A small lodge on Route 8 in Chestertown, on Loon Lake in the southern Adirondacks, with cabin-style accommodations and lake access. Year-round.
- Glen Lodge & Market3.1 mi
Come stay at our cabin... you may never want to go back home! We are currently taking group bookings for the entire lodge only. Pull up an Adirondack chair and take in the beauty and nature of the Adirondack Mountains of Upstate New York,…
- Riverside Pines4.6 mi
Riverside Pines offers cabins, tents, and RV sites along the Schroon River in Chestertown, NY. Enjoy seasonal RV sites, an open-air taproom, and proximity to Adirondack attractions.
See.
4- Town of Horicon Museum6.2 mi
The Brant Lake Museum is housed in an 1890s farmhouse, featuring period furniture, clothing, tools, and photographs from the 19th and 20th centuries. It also includes a Carriage House with military and local hotel exhibits.
- Natural Stone Bridge & Caves8.4 mi
Explore the largest marble cave entrance in the eastern U.S., carved by Trout Brook. Offers self-guided trails, adventure tours, and winter snowshoeing with ice formations.
- North Creek Depot Museum9.0 mi
Saved from demolition, this 1872 landmark station is now a museum, heritage center, and cultural hub in historic North Creek, featuring a fabulous diorama and exhibits on the Adirondack Railroad, Theodore Roosevelt, and local history.
- Revolution Rail Co. - Thurman Station9.1 mi
A pedal-powered rail biking operation at Thurman Station on the Adirondack Railroad bed near North Creek, with family-friendly seasonal tours rolling alongside the Hudson River corridor through forest and open river-bank country.
Add to the record.
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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.
Add a shot.
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 Friends Lake located?Friends Lake is a lake in the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- How big is Friends Lake?Friends Lake has a surface area of approximately 448 acres, a mid-sized water.
- Is Friends Lake open to the public?Yes, Friends Lake 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 Friends Lake?Within roughly seven miles of Friends Lake: 10 designated campsites, 1 lean-to or shelter, 2 listed campgrounds. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.