Gay Pond.
Gay Pond is a five-acre pocket of stillwater tucked into the southern Adirondacks near the Lake George Wild Forest — small enough that it won't appear on most road maps, and quiet enough that it stays that way. No fish stocking records on file, no maintained trails advertised by DEC, no campsite infrastructure — this is the category of water that gets visited by hunters in November, locals who know the woods, and the occasional bushwhacker working through the USGS quad. If you're looking for a reason to visit, you'll need to supply your own: brook trout exploratory, a winter snowshoe objective, or simply the satisfaction of standing at a place most people will never see. Verify access and landowner permission before heading in.
Gay Pond has public access. Summits nearby include Huckleberry Mountain and Thomas Mountain.
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.
- 01Gay Pond Road Site 13 ParkingTrailhead2.4 miunpavedDirections →
- 02Gay Pond Road Site 14 Parking2.4 miunpavedDirections →
- 03Gay Pond Road Parking For Site 122.6 miunpavedDirections →
- 04Parking For Buttermilk Road Campsite 92.6 miunpavedDirections →
- 05Parking For Gay Pond Road Site 112.6 miunpavedDirections →
- 06Bear Slide Accessible Parking Area2.7 miunpavedDirections →
- 07Gay Pond Road Site 10 Parking2.8 miunpavedDirections →
- 08Bear Slide Accessible Tent Site 2 Parking2.8 miunpavedDirections →
+4 more on the map above
What’s in the water.
NYSDEC has stocked this water across 12 recent seasons — the ledger below is the public record.
The stocking record.
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- Nettle Meadow at The Hitching Post3.7 mi
A tavern and dining spot tied to Nettle Meadow Farm, the noted goat-and-sheep creamery, serving farm-to-table fare in the Lake Luzerne area.
- The Olde Log Inn5.3 mi
American classics served in a log cabin with a stone fireplace & stuffed grizzly bear, plus a patio.
- Lighthouse Grill5.6 mi
The Lighthouse Grill is a renovated waterfront restaurant in Lake George, offering American, seafood, and plant-based cuisine with artisan drinks and freshest ingredients. It serves breakfast at the marina and is open Friday, Saturday, and…
- Lake George Olive Oil Co.5.6 mi
Lake George Olive Oil Co. is a family-owned business offering a wide selection of fresh extra virgin olive oils, aged balsamic vinegars, and gourmet foods. Visitors can sample from over 50 varieties at their Lake George and Glens Falls loc…
Sip.
3- Caffe Vero5.6 mi
Breakfast, baked goods, sandwiches & house-roasted coffee in a comfy, earth-toned cafe.
- ADK Blend22.0 mi
Northville smoothie & açaí-bowl spot in the Great Sacandaga Lake corridor.
- Uncle Carl's Coffee23.0 mi
Uncle Carl's Coffee serves expertly crafted coffees, artisan teas, pastries, and light savory bites. They also offer daily quiche and bagels, along with homemade soups, frozen meals, local meats, and cheeses.
Sweet.
4- Lake George Baking Company5.6 mi
A bakery with two locations in Queensbury and Lake George, offering custom cakes, breads, rolls, and the original Fudge Fancy. Off-season hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Scoop's Ice Cream Parlor5.6 mi
Scoop's Ice Cream Parlor in Lake George offers ice cream and frozen yogurt at inexpensive prices. Located at 327 Canada St, it provides take-out service and accepts credit cards.
- Martha's Dandee Creme8.2 mi
The definitive gateway ice cream stand into the Adirondacks, marked by its towering rooster sign on Route 9 in Queensbury. Towering swirls of soft serve in dozens of handmade flavors plus a grill menu, spring through early fall.
- Cate's Creamery13.0 mi
The main ice cream spot in the heart of Bolton Landing village on Lake George's quieter west shore — soft serve, hand-dipped hard ice cream, and slushies, a short stroll from the lakefront.
Drink.
4- The Long Horn Restaurant & Pub3.7 mi
The Long Horn Restaurant Pub Lake Luzerne, The Long Horn Restaurant Pub Lake Luzerne Online ordering, online order accepting credit card, The Long Horn Restaurant Pub Fast, Relaxed, Healthy and stylish dining experience., Catering and Gi…
- Adirondack Pub & Brewery5.5 mi
Comfortable brewpub offering craft beers & American comfort food amid rustic, lodge-style surrounds.
- Lake George Beach Club5.6 mi
Lively 2-story haunt on the water featuring classic American dishes, live music & TVs for sports.
- George Henry's5.9 mi
A family-owned bar and grill on Main Street in Warrensburg doing made-to-order American grill plates, hearty steak and chicken specialties, local craft beer, and fresh-baked breads from area bakeries. No fast food.
Stay.
4- 1000 Acres Ranch Resort2.5 mi
Rustic, all-inclusive ranch-style resort set on a river offering horseback riding, dining & pools.
- Huttopia Lake George - Adirondacks3.4 mi
Huttopia Lake George - Adirondacks is a vacation rental located in Lake Luzerne, just inside Adirondack Park. It serves as a basecamp for exploring the nearby mountains and Lake George Village.
- Luzerne State Campground3.9 mi
Located on Fourth Lake in Lake Luzerne, this state campground provides 173 tent and trailer sites, along with dedicated facilities for campers traveling with horses.
- Roaring Brook Ranch5.3 mi
Roaring Brook Ranch is a family resort just outside Lake George village, with lodging, pools, tennis, and horseback riding in the southern Adirondacks.
See.
4- Tubby Tubes River Co.3.6 mi
An outfitter for lazy-river tubing on the Lower Hudson in Lake Luzerne, with guided trips, tubes, life jackets, and shuttle included. Ages 2 and up. Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day.
- Revolution Rail Co. Thurman4.5 mi
A pedal-powered rail biking operation in Warrensburg on Route 418, with family-friendly tours rolling on disused railroad tracks through Adirondack forest and river corridors. Suitable for all ages and ability levels.
- The Promise Gardens Estate of the Adirondacks4.6 mi
The Promise Gardens is the perfect wedding venue with gorgeous gardens, rustic barns and mountain views near Lake George and the Adirondacks.
- House of Frankenstein Wax Museum5.6 mi
The House of Frankenstein Wax Museum in Lake George New York
Add to the record.
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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 Gay Pond located?Gay Pond is a pond in the Lake George region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- How big is Gay Pond?Gay Pond has a surface area of approximately 5 acres, a small pond.
- Is Gay Pond open to the public?Yes, Gay 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 Gay Pond?Within roughly seven miles of Gay Pond: 29 designated campsites, 1 lean-to or shelter, 3 listed campgrounds. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.