Gal Pond.
Gal Pond is a 13-acre backcountry water in the Raquette Lake township — small enough to paddle in an afternoon, remote enough that most visitors to the region never hear the name. Access typically requires either a bushwhack or a boat-in from one of the larger Raquette Lake chain waters, depending on which drainage you approach from — this is not a roadside stop. No fish stocking records on file, which usually means native brookies if anything, or nothing at all. The kind of pond that rewards paddlers willing to carry a canoe past the obvious destinations.
Gal Pond reaches a maximum depth of 11 feet, with a mean depth of 5 feet. Gal Pond has public access. Summits nearby include Greenfield Mountain and Deer Mountain.
The water, surveyed.
Seasonal pattern for this lake · live closures appear above
4 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.
- 01High Falls Trailhead Parking AreaTrailhead6.2 miunpavedDirections →
- 02Dead Creek Trail Parking Area6.2 miunpavedDirections →
- 03Moore Trail Parking Area6.3 miunpavedDirections →
- 04Oswegatchie River Inlet Parking Area6.4 miunpavedDirections →
Getting in, staying over.
Camping.
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- Big Moose Station Restaurant15.7 mi
Website under development
- The Tavern19.5 mi
Located at 5520 state route 28 in Eagle Bay, NY.
- Mountainside Smokehouse & Grill19.6 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 Pines19.9 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.
— 15.7 mi to the nearest table out here; plan the drive to dinner.
Sip.
4- Tamarack Cafe20.8 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 House20.8 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…
- Blue Line Coffee House23.3 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.
- Waypoint Cafe23.8 mi
Long Lake cafe at 1265 Main St. La Colombe coffee, homemade quiche, avocado toast, artisan sandwiches, salads, poke bowls, soups, and charcuterie. Closed Mondays; weeknight happy hour 4–6 p.m.
— 20.8 mi to the nearest pour to this spot; pack a thermos.
Sweet.
4- Northern Lights Creamery Inc.21.3 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 Cream23.3 mi
A family-run, locally loved scoop shop on Old Forge's Main Street — hand-scooped hard flavors and soft serve.
- Pied Piper23.3 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.
- The Park24.2 mi
Trying to find a fast food restaurant in Long Lake? Pay a visit to The Park. We offer a range of burgers, sides, ice cream, drinks and coffee options.
— 21.3 mi to the nearest scoop; save it for the ride home.
Drink.
4- Daiker's20.4 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 Tavern23.3 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 Company23.5 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.
- Lakeview Lanes & The Foul Line Sports Bar24.0 mi
Lakeview Lanes & The Foul Line Sports Bar in Tupper Lake offers 8 lanes of bowling, an arcade, a sports bar, and outdoor seating with food and drinks for family fun.
— 20.4 mi to the nearest pint; appoint a driver.
Stay.
4- Norridgewock Lodge9.7 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 Waldheim14.9 mi
A rustic resort with log-cottages featuring porches with lake views, plus 3 included meals a day.
- Covewood Lodge15.8 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.
- Brightside on Raquette Lake18.6 mi
Brightside on Raquette Lake offers an all-inclusive experience combining historic charm with modern comforts. It also serves as a venue for company retreats, fostering creativity and team building in the Adirondacks.
See.
4- Raquette Lake Navigation Cruise19.9 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.
- John Dillon Park20.2 mi
John Dillon Park, run by Paul Smith's College, is an accessible outdoor recreation area in Long Lake featuring a 3.5-mile accessible trail system, lean-tos, and fishing access. It is closed for the summer 2026 season for water system impro…
- Camp Pine Knot20.4 mi
William West Durant's 1877 compound on Raquette Lake — the camp that invented the Adirondack Great Camp style. Now SUNY Cortland's Huntington Memorial Camp, an outdoor-education center with occasional public programs.
- Enchanted Forest Water Safari23.1 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.
— 19.9 mi to the nearest sight on file; fold it into the drive.
Add to the record.
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Sunrise on the dock, a cairn at the summit, a bend on the trail. Your camera roll, our archive.
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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 Gal Pond located?Gal Pond is a pond in the Raquette Lake region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- How big is Gal Pond?Gal Pond has a surface area of approximately 13 acres, a smaller backcountry water.
- How deep is Gal Pond?Gal Pond has a maximum depth of 11 feet, with a mean depth of 4.9 feet.
- Is Gal Pond open to the public?Yes, Gal 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 Gal Pond?Within roughly seven miles of Gal Pond: 137 designated campsites, 19 lean-tos or shelters. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.