Lawson Pond.
Lawson Pond is a 28-acre water tucked into the Keene town boundaries — small enough to stay off most hikers' radar, large enough to hold its own character in a region dominated by High Peaks drainage. No fish stocking records on file, which usually means native brookies or nothing; worth a cast if you're already in the area, but not a destination for anglers. The pond sits in that middle-distance terrain between the tourist corridor and true backcountry — the kind of water that rewards local knowledge more than trail guidebooks. Access and shoreline conditions vary by season and private land boundaries; confirm before you go.
Lawson Pond has public access. Summits nearby include Schoolhouse Mountain and Perkett Mountain.
The water, surveyed.
Before you launch.
Seasonal pattern for this lake · live closures appear above
6 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.
- 01Black Mountain Road ParkingTrailhead2.6 miunpavedDirections →
- 02Fay Mountain Trailhead Parking4.1 miunpavedDirections →
- 03Poke-O-Moonshne Fire Tower Parking Area4.7 miunpavedDirections →
- 04Poke-O-Moonshine Hiker Parking5.3 miunpavedDirections →
- 05Poke-O-Moonshine Rock Climber Parking5.3 miunpavedDirections →
- 06Jay Mountain Pull-Off7.1 miunpavedDirections →
Getting in, staying over.
Camping.
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- Monday Tuesday Grill10.2 mi
Monday Tuesday Grill in Upper Jay offers fresh, friendly, and affordable comfort meals for indoor, outdoor, and takeout dining, including grilled cheese sandwiches, soups, and Swedish meatballs.
- Turtle Island Cafe10.2 mi
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- F.I.G's Riverside Pizza Cafe10.7 mi
A casual pizza cafe on the Boquet River in Elizabethtown serving pies, sandwiches, and cafe fare.
- The Deer's Head Inn Restaurant10.9 mi
The Deer's Head Inn is a historic Elizabethtown tavern and restaurant — among the oldest inns in the Adirondacks — serving pub fare and regional dishes.
Sip.
4- Adirondack Mountain Coffee Cafe9.0 mi
Adirondack Mountain Coffee Cafe is a coffee shop in Upper Jay, NY, serving fresh, slow-roasted coffee, breakfast, and lunch daily. Located near Whiteface Mountain and the Adirondack State Park, it also offers local beer and cocktails, with…
- Life Church Cafe10.7 mi
Life Church Elizabethtown is a local church dedicated to connecting lives and building community.
- Pleasant Valley Cafe10.8 mi
A local cafe in Elizabethtown serving breakfast, lunch, coffee, and comfort food in the heart of the Boquet Valley.
- Counter Space10.8 mi
A casual cafe in Elizabethtown serving coffee, espresso, and light bites — a local gathering spot in the Essex County seat.
Sweet.
4- Sugar House Creamery9.0 mi
Sugar House Creamery is a farmstead creamery located in the Adirondacks, producing artisanal cheeses from the milk of their own cows. They offer a variety of cheeses, showcasing the quality of their local dairy.
- Whitebrook Dairy Bar11.4 mi
A classic roadside drive-in on Route 86 in Wilmington, five minutes from Whiteface — creamy soft serve (try the peanut-butter dip) plus footlongs and the Wilmington burger. Opening day is a local rite of spring.
- Black Rooster Maple12.4 mi
Pure Adirondack Maple Syrup, Maple Cream, Bourbon Barrel Maple Syrup
- Cedar Run Bakery & Market12.5 mi
Cedar Run Bakery & Market offers scratch-made baked goods, deli items, fresh menu options, and take & bake meals, alongside a selection of wine and spirits. They are open Friday through Monday from 8 AM to 6 PM.
Drink.
4- R.F. McDougall's Pub12.1 mi
The casual sibling of the Hungry Trout Restaurant, sharing the same Adirondack riverside property next to Whiteface. Pub food, regional beers, and the same view of the West Branch Ausable at a more relaxed price point.
- The Knock ADK14.8 mi
The Knock ADK is a restaurant and bar in Westport, NY, offering a plant-based dinner menu alongside classic and craft cocktails. They provide dinner reservations on non-show nights and welcome walk-ins on show nights.
- Top of the Park19.8 mi
A Lake Placid bar on Main Street offering a curated selection of wine, scotch, bourbon, craft beer, and top-shelf liquors, complemented by small plates and signature cocktails. Enjoy 'Spirits with a View' from its large deck overlooking Mi…
- Lake Placid Pub & Brewery19.9 mi
A brewpub on Mirror Lake Drive in Lake Placid since 1996, with 12 house beers on tap including the original Ubu Ale, a downstairs Irish pub, and a deck over Mirror Lake.
Stay.
4- Ice Jam Inn & Restaurant9.1 mi
Ice Jam Inn & Restaurant is a welcoming Adirondack inn and restaurant located minutes from Whiteface Mountain, offering ski-friendly lodging and après-ski dining.
- Warner's Camp9.6 mi
Warner's Camp offers boutique vacation rentals, including historic riverside cabins in the Adirondack High Peaks near Lake Placid and a waterfront property on Lake Champlain in Vermont, featuring amenities like saunas and hot tubs.
- Adirondack Trail Inn10.2 mi
A twelve-room inn and lodge on five acres in Upper Jay, offering complimentary breakfast, evening bonfires, and close access to High Peaks trails and Whiteface Mountain.
- The Deer's Head Inn10.9 mi
The Deer's Head Inn in Elizabethtown, NY, is the oldest tavern in the Adirondacks. Reopened in August 2016 as an eatery and inn, it features tavern dining with a changing, seasonal menu focused on local, regional, and sustainably produced…
See.
4- Upper Jay Art Center and Recovery Lounge9.0 mi
The Upper Jay Art Center and Recovery Lounge is a vibrant venue dedicated to presenting music, theater, and visual arts in Upper Jay, NY. It serves as a community hub for various cultural events.
- Adirondack History Museum10.8 mi
The Adirondack History Museum in Elizabethtown tells the story of Essex County and the Adirondacks — pioneer life, mining, tourism, and mountain heritage.
- Hurricane Mountain Fire Tower10.9 mi
Perched atop Hurricane Mountain, this historic fire tower provides hikers with unparalleled 360-degree views of the Adirondacks, Lake Champlain, and Vermont's Green Mountains.
- Keene Arts12.4 mi
Keene Arts is a venue in Keene, NY, hosting diverse events including art exhibits, concerts, film screenings, and a winter farmers market.
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- Where is Lawson Pond located?Lawson Pond is a pond in the Keene region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- How big is Lawson Pond?Lawson Pond has a surface area of approximately 28 acres, a smaller backcountry water.
- Is Lawson Pond open to the public?Yes, Lawson 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 Lawson Pond?Within roughly seven miles of Lawson Pond: 1 designated campsite, 2 lean-tos or shelters. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.