Jackson Pond.
Jackson Pond is a 10-acre water tucked into the Old Forge township — small enough that it likely sees more moose and beaver traffic than paddlers, and remote enough that it doesn't carry the same name recognition as the bigger recreational waters in the Fulton Chain corridor. No fish species data on record, which either means no stocking history or just no one's bothered to document what swims there. If you're looking for solitude within reasonable distance of Old Forge, ponds this size are worth the scouting — but bring a topo map and expect bushwhacking or gated logging roads rather than marked trailheads.
Jackson Pond has public access.
The water, surveyed.
Seasonal pattern for this lake · live closures appear above
11 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.
- 01Raven Lake Parking AreaTrailhead2.1 miunpavedDirections →
- 02Stillwater Parking Area2.3 miunpavedDirections →
- 03Stillwater Mountain Parking Area3.6 miunpavedDirections →
- 04Tied Lake Parking Area4.3 miunpavedDirections →
- 05Basket Factory Road Parking Lot4.6 miunpavedDirections →
- 06Trailhead Parking4.7 miunpavedDirections →
- 07Buck Pond Road Parking5.2 miunpavedDirections →
- 08Sunday Lake Parking Area5.7 miunpavedDirections →
+3 more on the map above
Getting in, staying over.
Camping.
What the lake is doing today.
What rings this water.
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 Restaurant9.3 mi
Website under development
- The Lean-to at Great Pines14.4 mi
The Lean-To is our casual lakeside restaurant, open to guests and the public. It offers a full-service bar and a craft beer menu, along with a food menu inspired by local ingredients and regional influences.
- Mountainside Smokehouse & Grill14.4 mi
Mountainside Smokehouse & Grill offers delicious smoked meats, homemade BBQ sauces and desserts, with smoking done on-premise using apple wood. They also provide catering and meeting space.
- Walt's Diner15.1 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.
Sip.
3- Blue Line Coffee House15.0 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 House16.8 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 Cafe16.8 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- Pied Piper14.9 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 Cream14.9 mi
A family-run, locally loved scoop shop on Old Forge's Main Street — hand-scooped hard flavors and soft serve.
- Northern Lights Creamery Inc.17.4 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- Daiker's14.3 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 Tavern15.0 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 Company15.0 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.
Stay.
4- Norridgewock Lodge6.4 mi
NORRIDGEWOCK LODGE, an oasis in the Adirondack Mountains. Our lakeside resort is the perfect remote vacation in the wilderness of the Beaver River. Book online!
- The Waldheim10.8 mi
A rustic resort with log-cottages featuring porches with lake views, plus 3 included meals a day.
- Covewood Lodge11.6 mi
A Great Camp-style lodge on Big Moose Lake in Eagle Bay, with 19 housekeeping cottages and Main Lodge apartments and rooms. Open May through October, with kids' programming and weekly campfires from late June to Labor Day.
- Great Pines Resort14.4 mi
Airy quarters, some with balconies, in a relaxed lakeside retreat offering a private beach & dining.
See.
4- Enchanted Forest Water Safari14.8 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 Cove14.9 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 Railbike15.6 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 Cruise20.3 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 Jackson Pond located?Jackson Pond is a pond in the Old Forge region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- How big is Jackson Pond?Jackson Pond has a surface area of approximately 10 acres, a smaller backcountry water.
- Is Jackson Pond open to the public?Yes, Jackson 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 Jackson Pond?Within roughly seven miles of Jackson Pond: 72 designated campsites, 3 lean-tos or shelters. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.