Indian River.
The Indian River drains a sprawl of wetlands and ponds north of Old Forge, threading through low country before feeding the Moose River near the hamlet — more of a working drainage than a destination water, though it picks up paddlers during spring melt when the corridor opens up. The river moves slow and tea-colored through alder and spruce flats; not a trout fishery, not a whitewater run, just a quiet backcountry artery doing what Adirondack lowland streams do. If you're launching from Old Forge and pointing north into the Moose River Plains, you'll cross it or paddle near it — context water, not marquee water.
Indian River has public access. Summits nearby include Indian Lake Mountain and Mitchell Ponds Mountain.
The water, surveyed.
- Peak foliage from the water — the best seats in the Park are in a canoe this month.
Seasonal pattern for this lake · live closures appear above
2 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.
- 01Indian Lake Road Parking AreaTrailhead1.0 miunpavedDirections →
- 02Brooktrout Lake Trail Parking2.6 miunpavedDirections →
What’s in the water.
NYSDEC has stocked this water across 15 recent seasons — the ledger below is the public record.
The stocking record.
Launch & supply.
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- Seventh Lake House8.1 mi
Rustic space with a lake view preps classic & contemporary American dishes from seasonal goods.
- Archie's Alley9.3 mi
Archie's Alley, established in 2022 in Inlet, NY, is a restaurant offering Mexican-inspired cuisine, a bar, and family dining with outdoor options. It is open Monday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, with specific hours listed on its website.
- Screamen Eagle9.3 mi
Gift certificates available, please give us a call! (315) 357-6026
- Tony Harpers Pizza and Clam Shack9.4 mi
Tony Harper's Pizza & Clam Shack offers family-friendly dining with pizza, wings, and seafood across four Adirondack locations: year-round in Old Forge and Lowville, and seasonal spots in Inlet and Raquette Lake. The Raquette Lake location…
Sip.
4- Blue Line Coffee House9.4 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 Cafe9.4 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 House13.4 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.
- The PERKS of Speculator20.5 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.
Sweet.
4- Northern Lights Creamery Inc.8.8 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.
- Benny’s Ice Cream13.4 mi
A family-run, locally loved scoop shop on Old Forge's Main Street — hand-scooped hard flavors and soft serve.
- Pied Piper13.4 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.
- Speculator Creamery20.3 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.
Drink.
4- Daiker's11.3 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.
- Slickers Adirondack Tavern13.3 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 Company13.4 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.
- Acorn Pub & Eatery at Oak Mountain20.1 mi
Acorn Pub & Eatery is a dining option at Oak Mountain, offering a place to eat and drink.
Stay.
4- Deer Meadows Motel & Cottages8.3 mi
A motel and cottage operation on Seventh Lake in the Fulton Chain, 1.5 miles north of Inlet, with a private beach, swim and boat access from the property, and a bonfire setup.
- Marina Motel9.3 mi
A family-run motel on a hill in Inlet overlooking Fourth Lake, with king or double-XL rooms, complimentary breakfast, and walking access to Arrowhead Park and the village.
- The Woods Inn9.5 mi
A restored historic waterfront inn on Route 28 in Inlet, on Fourth Lake of the Fulton Chain. The only full-service hotel in the Inlet/Old Forge area, with main-inn rooms, a Carriage House, and a Lakefront Cottage. Three on-site dining options.
- Viking Village on Fourth Lake10.4 mi
A family cottage resort on Fourth Lake near Old Forge, with waterfront cabins and boating on the Fulton Chain of Lakes.
See.
4- Great Camp Sagamore11.1 mi
Great Camp Sagamore is a historic Adirondack Great Camp offering multi-day programs, overnight stays, and daily activities focused on history, arts, outdoor recreation, and wellness.
- Calypso's Cove13.3 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…
- Enchanted Forest Water Safari13.3 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.
- Raquette Lake Navigation Cruise13.7 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 Indian River located?Indian River is a stream in the Old Forge 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: 90 designated campsites, 10 lean-tos or shelters. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.