Indian River.
The Indian River drains south through the town of Indian Lake — a quieter corridor than the main stem of the Hudson but still a working Adirondack river, wide and brown in spring, lower and slowed by mid-summer. The river connects a chain of smaller flows and wetlands before meeting the Hudson Reservoir downstream — less a destination for paddlers than a piece of connective tissue in the central Adirondacks' drainage system. No formal access points are widely documented, and the fishery data remains thin, which usually means local knowledge and posted banks. Worth noting mostly as context: if you're driving NY-28 or NY-30 near Indian Lake village, you're crossing or paralleling this system.
Indian River has public access. Summits nearby include Bad Luck Mountain and Big Pisgah Mountain.
The water, surveyed.
Seasonal pattern for this lake · live closures appear above
12 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.
- 01Chain Lakes Road South Parking LotTrailhead0.5 miunpavedDirections →
- 02Indian River Put-In Parking Lot1.1 miunpavedDirections →
- 03Outer Gooley Parking Area1.3 miunpavedDirections →
- 04Chain Lakes Rd South Seasonal (Fall) Parking Area2.1 miunpavedDirections →
- 05Camp Six Rd Seasonal (Fall) Parking Area4.7 miunpavedDirections →
- 06Trail Parking5.4 miunpavedDirections →
- 07Fifth Lake Accessible Parking5.4 mi
- 08John Pond Parking Lot5.5 miunpavedDirections →
+4 more on the map above
Getting in, staying over.
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- McSweeney's Irish Pub3.4 mi
An Irish-style pub on Route 30 in Indian Lake serving comfort-food classics (shepherd's pie, fish and chips) seven days a week, year-round. The dependable dinner spot in town.
- Chef Darrell’s Mountain Diner11.0 mi
Chef Darrell’s Mountain Diner: the best Diner in Indian Lake, NY. Order directly online today for takeout or delivery. Save money, support local business!
- becks TAVERN14.0 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.
- Long Lake Diner & Owl’s Head Pub15.1 mi
Long Lake Diner & Owl's Head Pub has been proudly serving food, beverages, and memories since 2004.
Sip.
4- Schoolhouse Grounds Coffee Shop11.5 mi
Seasonal coffee shop inside the 1895 schoolhouse that houses Blue Mountain Designs. Espresso, locally roasted coffee, loose-leaf tea, baked goods, avocado toast, sandwiches, and soups. May through October.
- Waypoint Cafe15.5 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.
- 9 Mile Coffee Co22.5 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 Crepes22.5 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.
Sweet.
4- The Hungry Crow Market & Café13.7 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.
- Custard’s Last Stand15.0 mi
Custard's Last Stand is a historic ice cream shop in Long Lake, established in 1958, serving a variety of soft frozen custard & hard ice cream, sundaes, specialty shakes, floats, and ice cream sodas. They also offer merchandise and gift cards.
- The Park15.0 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.
- Stone Bridge Ice Cream20.3 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.
Drink.
4- Indian Lake Restaurant, Tavern and Liquor Store3.3 mi
Indian Lake Restaurant, Tavern and Liquor Store offers a full bar with an extensive bottle selection and local drafts, alongside a menu featuring appetizers, sandwiches, and entrees. The restaurant is currently closed for mud season and wi…
- Hex and Hop Tasting Room - Blue Mountain Lake11.4 mi
Hex and Hop is a craft brewery and meadery located in Bloomingdale, New York. They offer full-flavored, high-quality craft beer and mead, made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, emphasizing community and craft.
- Brookside Hops & Hoagies15.0 mi
Brookside Hops & Hoagies is a casual, family-friendly shop in Long Lake, founded in 2023, offering craft beers and hoagies made with fresh ingredients and Boars Head deli meats. It operates Wednesday through Sunday from 11 AM to 7 PM.
- Black Bear Restaurant & Bar20.1 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.
Stay.
4- Twin Coves on Indian Lake3.3 mi
Twin Coves offers nine fully equipped cottages on the shore of Indian Lake, surrounded by the Adirondack Mountains. Guests can enjoy swimming, fishing, water skiing, and various games, with nearby amenities like marinas, golf, and restaura…
- Adirondack Trail Motel4.0 mi
The Adirondack Trail Motel is a welcoming year-round lodging option in Indian Lake, offering comfortable rooms with modern amenities and easy access to outdoor activities.
- Thornbush Acres RV Park4.0 mi
A private RV park on Big Brook Road in Indian Lake with 46 large pull-through sites, full hookups, 30/50 amp service, free Wi-Fi, bathhouse, dump station, and a campstore. Mid-May through mid-October.
- Point Breeze Motel and Cottages5.0 mi
Family-run lakefront property on 9 acres in Indian Lake, with a small motel (daily) and four cottages (weekly). Private docks, sandy beach, and a fire pit on the lake. Set well back from the road.
See.
4- Blue Mountain Fire Observation Station10.4 mi
Blue Mountain offers a rewarding fire tower hike in the Central Adirondacks, featuring sweeping views and historical significance, with a world-class museum located at its base.
- Newcomb Ski Slope10.5 mi
2 slope municipal ski slope free to the public.
- Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts11.4 mi
Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts is a vibrant hub for creativity in the Adirondacks, offering inspiring performances, gallery exhibits, workshops, and community events for all ages.
- Adirondack Experience — Museum on Blue Mountain Lake12.3 mi
More than 20 buildings across 121 acres hold interactive exhibitions on Adirondack life, from boat collections and photography archives to outdoor activities and a research library.
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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 Indian River located?Indian River is a river in the Indian Lake region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- Is Indian River open to the public?Yes, Indian River 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 Indian River?Within roughly seven miles of Indian River: 62 designated campsites, 3 lean-tos or shelters, 1 listed campground. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.