Gid Lake.
Gid Lake is a four-acre pocket water in the Speculator region — small enough that it falls into that category of Adirondack lakes that exist more as local knowledge than destination. No fish data on record, which isn't unusual for waters this size: they either hold wild brookies that no one bothers to report, or they're too shallow and warm to hold trout through summer. The name suggests old mapping or family history, the kind of label that stuck when the land was still being surveyed and settled. Access details are sparse, which typically means private land or unmarked woods roads — worth asking at the Town of Lake Pleasant office if you're determined to find it.
Gid Lake reaches a maximum depth of 18 feet, with a mean depth of 4 feet. Gid Lake has public access. Summits nearby include Bethune Mountain and Baldface Mountain.
The water, surveyed.
Seasonal pattern for this lake · live closures appear above
1 parking area
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.
- 01Haskell Road ParkingTrailhead3.4 miunpavedDirections →
Getting in, staying over.
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- Oxbow Inn13.9 mi
Oxbow Inn is a welcoming restaurant and bar in Lake Pleasant offering great pizza, local beef burgers, and a wide selection of 16 draft beers. Enjoy casual dining, live music, and an outdoor deck with fire pits and lake views.
- Firetower Pizza20.8 mi
Hand-tossed pizzeria in Speculator with specialty pies named after Adirondack peaks (Mt Marcy, Snowy Mountain, Whiteface). Wings, baked ziti, white clam pie. Cozy waiting area with retro jukebox and arcade.
- Charlie Johns Store20.9 mi
Opened in 1939, Charlie Johns Store is Speculator's anchor general store — 12,000 square feet of full grocery selection, produce, fresh meats, a full deli, bakery, and hardware. Purchased from Charlie Johns in 1971 by Dean Lane, the Lane family has owned and operated it since.
- Seventh Lake House21.7 mi
Rustic space with a lake view preps classic & contemporary American dishes from seasonal goods.
Sip.
4- The PERKS of Speculator20.9 mi
Speculator coffee shop and bakery at 2855 NY-30. Specialty coffee, espresso, fresh-baked bagels and pastries, plus breakfast and lunch sandwiches. Gluten-free options across the bakery case.
- Blue Line Coffee House22.2 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.
- Blue Line Coffee House22.5 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…
- Tamarack Cafe22.5 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.
— 20.9 mi to the nearest pour to this spot; pack a thermos.
Sweet.
4- Speculator Creamery20.7 mi
A family-run village creamery anchoring Speculator's tiny downtown near Lake Pleasant — a genuine community summer hub. Wide-ranging soft-serve flavors, the 16oz Nor'Easter blend, and hand-dipped hard ice cream. Roughly May through September.
- Northern Lights Creamery Inc.22.1 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.
- Pied Piper22.2 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.
- Benny’s Ice Cream22.2 mi
A family-run, locally loved scoop shop on Old Forge's Main Street — hand-scooped hard flavors and soft serve.
— 20.7 mi to the nearest scoop; save it for the ride home.
Drink.
4- Lemon Tree Brewery20.9 mi
Lemon Tree Brewery is a brewery and taproom located in Speculator, NY, steps from Lake Pleasant. It offers house brews like SASQUATCH HAZY IPA and Blueberry Wheat, along with other local NY State micro-brewed beers and wines in a relaxed s…
- Acorn Pub & Eatery at Oak Mountain21.3 mi
Acorn Pub & Eatery is a dining option at Oak Mountain, offering a place to eat and drink.
- Old Forge Brewing Company22.1 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 Tavern22.2 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.
— 20.9 mi to the nearest pint; appoint a driver.
Stay.
4- The Inn on Piseco Lake12.2 mi
Established in 1892 as the Irondequoit Inn, the historic Inn on Piseco Lake is a 600-acre lakefront retreat in the Hamilton County hamlet of Piseco — nine guest rooms, two-bedroom cabins that sleep six, beachfront and wooded campsites, and a restaurant open to the public. The Northville-Placid Trail crosses nearby. A rare survivor of the late-19th-century Adirondack hotel era.
- The Bears Den Vacation Rental Resort17.5 mi
Booked as an exclusive buyout. Sleeps up to 20 across the main log lodge in Caroga Lake. Full kitchen and bar, three fireplaces, hot tub, sand volleyball court, wood-fired pizza oven, and a private sand beach on the West Branch Sacandaga River.
- Wilbur's Cottages17.5 mi
Secluded housekeeping cabins on Sacandaga Lake in the Adirondacks. Sandy beach, dock, boats. Swimming, boating, fishing, hiking, fireplaces.
- The Balsam Inn & Cafe17.6 mi
Historic inn at 140 NY-10 in Caroga Lake, with newly renovated boutique rooms on the second floor and the Forever Wild Tavern downstairs. A minute from the West Branch of the Sacandaga and adjacent to state park land.
See.
4- Speculator Historical Museum20.8 mi
A small local-history museum on Route 8 in Speculator inside the original Lake Pleasant Town Hall and Library. Open weekends Memorial Day through August, plus weekday hours in summer.
- Calypso's Cove22.2 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…
- Adirondack Railbike22.3 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.
— 20.8 mi to the nearest sight on file; fold it into the drive.
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Suggest an edit →Frequently asked.
- Where is Gid Lake located?Gid Lake is a lake in the Speculator region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- How big is Gid Lake?Gid Lake has a surface area of approximately 4 acres, a small pond.
- How deep is Gid Lake?Gid Lake has a maximum depth of 18 feet, with a mean depth of 3.9 feet.
- Is Gid Lake open to the public?Yes, Gid 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 Gid Lake?Within roughly seven miles of Gid Lake: 14 designated campsites. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.