Lake Desolation.
Lake Desolation sits in the southern Adirondacks near the hamlet that shares its name — a 68-acre pond with year-round access and a mix of seasonal camps and open shoreline. The name undersells it: this is a working recreational pond with boat access and swimming, not a remote backcountry destination, and it sits just far enough from the Northway (Exit 15, ten minutes west) to stay off the summer tourist circuit. The pond drains into the Kayaderosseras Creek system, which eventually feeds the Hudson, and the surrounding low hills are second-growth hardwood — accessible Adirondack water without the altitude. No fish species data on file, but the pond sees regular angling pressure and supports a mix of warmwater fishery typical of the southern Park.
Lake Desolation reaches a maximum depth of 28 feet, with a mean depth of 12 feet. Lake Desolation has public access.
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.
- 01Fox Hill Road Parking LotTrailhead2.0 miunpavedDirections →
Getting in, staying over.
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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- The Local11.6 mi
Fine-dining restaurant in the Great Sacandaga Lake region.
- Klippel's Kozy Korner Cafe11.9 mi
India’s largest Food Delivery, Dining and Restaurant Discovery Service. Better food for more people.
- Lanzi's on the Lake12.7 mi
An Italian restaurant and wedding venue on Route 30 in Mayfield on the Great Sacandaga shore, with floor-to-ceiling windows, a large deck, and event capacity up to 200.
- Nettle Meadow at The Hitching Post18.2 mi
A tavern and dining spot tied to Nettle Meadow Farm, the noted goat-and-sheep creamery, serving farm-to-table fare in the Lake Luzerne area.
Sip.
3- ADK Blend11.6 mi
Northville smoothie & açaí-bowl spot in the Great Sacandaga Lake corridor.
- Caffe Vero23.7 mi
Breakfast, baked goods, sandwiches & house-roasted coffee in a comfy, earth-toned cafe.
- Uncle Carl's Coffee24.4 mi
Uncle Carl's Coffee serves expertly crafted coffees, artisan teas, pastries, and light savory bites. They also offer daily quiche and bagels, along with homemade soups, frozen meals, local meats, and cheeses.
Sweet.
4- Cree-Mee Freeze9.4 mi
A summer soft-serve stand near Northville on the Great Sacandaga Lake shore, with twists and specialty sundaes.
- The Village Scoop11.7 mi
A walk-up ice cream shop on Northville's Main Street at the north tip of Great Sacandaga Lake — hard ice cream and soft serve with a wide flavor selection.
- Zippy's Ice Cream15.2 mi
A roadside soft-serve stand on Route 30 in Mayfield near the Park's southern gateway and Great Sacandaga Lake, known for dense, cold soft serve with weekly flavors like maple and coffee.
- Martha's Dandee Creme20.3 mi
The definitive gateway ice cream stand into the Adirondacks, marked by its towering rooster sign on Route 9 in Queensbury. Towering swirls of soft serve in dozens of handmade flavors plus a grill menu, spring through early fall.
Drink.
4- South Shore Dive7.3 mi
South Shore Dive: Casual dining on Great Sacandaga Lake. Made-to-order meals, craft cocktails, lake views. Book now in upstate NY!
- Sport Island Pub11.9 mi
Sport Island Pub offers great food, refreshing drinks, and friendly entertainment on the Great Sacandaga Lake. This family-run restaurant, with three generations of service, invites you to enjoy exquisite dishes for dine-in or take-out.
- Sacandaga Spirits15.1 mi
Located in Mayfield, Sacandaga Spirits offers a selection of handcrafted wines, liquors, and ciders. Visitors are invited to experience their local Adirondack offerings.
- The Long Horn Restaurant & Pub18.6 mi
The Long Horn Restaurant Pub Lake Luzerne, The Long Horn Restaurant Pub Lake Luzerne Online ordering, online order accepting credit card, The Long Horn Restaurant Pub Fast, Relaxed, Healthy and stylish dining experience., Catering and Gi…
Stay.
4- Saratoga Escape Lodges & RV Resort7.7 mi
Casual resort offering basic wood cabins with kitchens, plus mini-golf, a water park & a lake.
- The Tranquil Tipi8.4 mi
A glamping rental on Vunk Road Extension in Broadalbin, near Great Sacandaga Lake and within an hour of Saratoga Springs. Single-property booking with the grounds also available for events.
- Great Sacandaga Pines8.6 mi
Great Sacandaga Pines offers nine knotty pine cabins spread across a 13-acre wooded site with 565 feet of private sandy beach on Great Sacandaga Lake.
- Ponderosa Pines Campgrounds and Bar10.1 mi
Ponderosa Pines Campgrounds offers waterfront cabin rentals and RV site lots on Great Sacandaga Lake. Amenities include a private beach, dock rentals, on-site bar, and various recreational activities.
See.
4- Historic Copeland Covered Bridge8.7 mi
The Historic Copeland Covered Bridge is a 35-foot Queenpost truss bridge built in 1879 by Arad Copeland in Edinburg, Saratoga County. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it is the only covered bridge remaining in Saratoga C…
- Grandview Mini Golf15.2 mi
An 18-hole lakeside mini golf course on Great Sacandaga Lake in Mayfield, with an arcade, ice cream novelties, snacks, and party hosting — reachable by boat or car. Open seven days, noon to 8pm; $8 unlimited all-day play.
- Tubby Tubes River Co.18.3 mi
An outfitter for lazy-river tubing on the Lower Hudson in Lake Luzerne, with guided trips, tubes, life jackets, and shuttle included. Ages 2 and up. Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day.
- Lake George Expedition Park22.5 mi
Lake George Expedition Park is a place of adventure, discovery, and excitement for attendees of all ages. Located in Lake George, NY. Open Memorial Day - Labor Day.
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- Where is Lake Desolation located?Lake Desolation is a pond in the Great Sacandaga Lake region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- How big is Lake Desolation?Lake Desolation has a surface area of approximately 68 acres, a smaller backcountry water.
- How deep is Lake Desolation?Lake Desolation has a maximum depth of 28 feet, with a mean depth of 11.8 feet.
- Is Lake Desolation open to the public?Yes, Lake Desolation 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 Lake Desolation?Within roughly seven miles of Lake Desolation: 8 designated campsites. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.