Independence Lake.
Independence Lake is a 650-acre body of water in the northwestern Adirondacks, open to non-motorized boats only. The Nature Conservancy manages access — public launch available, with hiking trails circling the shoreline through mixed hardwood forest.
Independence Lake reaches a maximum depth of 15 feet, with a mean depth of 9 feet. Independence Lake has public access. Summits nearby include Moulin Mountain.
The water, surveyed.
- Cold-water season returns — dress for immersion, and from Nov 1 New York requires wearing a PFD in boats under 21 ft.
Seasonal pattern for this lake · live closures appear above
10 parking areas· 1 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.
- 01Rodaxe Fire Tower ParkingTrailhead4.4 miunpavedDirections →
- 02Nick'S Lake Trail Pullof5.4 miunpavedDirections →
- 03Nick'S Lake Trail Parking5.5 mipavedDirections →
- 04Third Lake Creek Parking5.6 miunpavedDirections →
- 05Orvis Schoolhouse (Safford Pond Trail) Parking5.7 miunpavedDirections →
- 06Twitchell Lake Parking6.3 miunpavedDirections →
- 07Moss Lake Accessible Parking6.7 mi
- 08Moss Lake Parking6.8 miunpavedDirections →
+2 more on the map above
What’s in the water.
NYSDEC has stocked this water across 13 recent seasons — the ledger below is the public record.
The stocking record.
Launch & supply.
Getting in, staying over.
Access.
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- Big Moose Station Restaurant4.3 mi
Website under development
- Tony Harper's Pizza & Clam Shack4.4 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…
- Walt's Diner4.4 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.
- Frankie's Taste of Italy4.9 mi
Frankie's Taste of Italy is Old Forge's original Italian restaurant — 24 years on Route 28, fresh pasta brought in from Boston's North End, a serious menu of pasta, chicken, veal, and seafood, and one of New York State's largest selections of rare premium Kentucky bourbons. Homemade gelato and bread pudding.
Sip.
3- Blue Line Coffee House4.2 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 House9.3 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 Cafe9.3 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.
Sweet.
3- Benny’s Ice Cream4.2 mi
A family-run, locally loved scoop shop on Old Forge's Main Street — hand-scooped hard flavors and soft serve.
- Pied Piper4.2 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.
- Northern Lights Creamery Inc.9.8 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.
Drink.
3- Slickers Adirondack Tavern4.2 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.
- Old Forge Brewing Company4.3 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.
- Daiker's5.3 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.
Stay.
4- Old Forge Camping Resort4.0 mi
A year-round campground on Route 28 in Old Forge in the Water Safari Resort family, with deluxe cabins, cottages, RV sites, and tent sites. Stay-and-Play packages for Water Safari.
- Water's Edge Inn4.2 mi
Homey rooms & suites with balconies, plus an indoor pool, free breakfast & a deck with lake views.
- Fulton House Cottages4.9 mi
Fulton House Cottages offers family-friendly accommodations in the Adirondack Mountains, providing a serene lakefront setting for creating lasting memories.
- Adirondack Lodge Old Forge5.0 mi
Step into Adirondack charm, reimagined. At Adirondack Lodge, rustic knotty-pine details meet modern comfort, creating a year-round base for snowmobile rides, lakeside picnics, and sweeping mountain views just outside your window. Each of…
See.
4- Enchanted Forest Water Safari4.1 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.
- Calypso's Cove4.1 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 Railbike5.3 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…
- Raquette Lake Navigation Cruise16.4 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.
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Suggest an edit →Frequently asked.
- Where is Independence Lake located?Independence Lake is a lake in the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- How big is Independence Lake?Independence Lake has a surface area of approximately 56 acres, a smaller backcountry water.
- How deep is Independence Lake?Independence Lake has a maximum depth of 15 feet, with a mean depth of 8.9 feet.
- Is Independence Lake open to the public?Yes, Independence 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 Independence Lake?Within roughly seven miles of Independence Lake: 37 designated campsites. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.