
LeClaire Brook.
LeClaire Brook drains a small watershed north of Lake Placid village, flowing into the West Branch of the Ausable River near the Ray Brook correctional facility — a backcountry stream that sits just outside the busy High Peaks corridor but sees almost no foot traffic. No established trails follow the brook, and the terrain is classic north-slope Adirondack hardwood cover: steep, wet, and tangled with blowdown. The brook holds native brook trout in its upper stretches, though population data is sparse and access requires bushwhacking from private land margins or state forest boundaries that shift depending on where you intersect the drainage. This is a water for anglers with a taste for solitude and a tolerance for difficult terrain.
LeClaire Brook has public access. Summits nearby include Sanford Hill and North River Mountains.
The water, surveyed.
Seasonal pattern for this lake · live closures appear above
7 parking areas· 3 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.
- 01East River Trail ParkingTrailhead3.4 miunpavedDirections →
- 02Upper Works Trail Parking3.9 miunpavedDirections →
- 03Boreas Ponds Accessible Parking Lot4.9 mi
- 04Gulf Brook Road Campsite 6 Parking area5.1 mi
- 05Gulf Brook Road Campsite 5 Parking area5.4 miunpavedDirections →
- 06Gulf Brook Road Campsite 4 Parking area6.7 mi
- 07Cheney Pond Trail Parking6.9 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- Noon Mark Diner15.9 mi
A traditional diner experience, offering hearty meals for travelers and locals in the Adirondack Park.
- Ausable Inn16.0 mi
Comfortable Keene Valley restaurant, bar, liquor store, and small inn. American comfort menu — wings, fish and chips, Montreal brisket, steak au poivre, plus the locally famous Hungarian mushroom soup.
- Salt of the Earth Bistro16.4 mi
A small reservation-required bistro on Sentinel Road in Lake Placid, serving twisted takes on traditional dishes including a signature peanut stew. Parties of six or fewer.
- Lisa G's16.8 mi
Creative American fare with global twists in a welcoming space with vivid murals & waterside patio.
— 15.9 mi to the nearest table out here; plan the drive to dinner.
Sip.
4- Old Mountain Coffee Company15.8 mi
Great Coffee, Great Food, Great Baked Goods & Great People. Stop in to enjoy our house roasted coffee, browse our menu for a bite to eat or grab a delicious treat from our bakery. Order Online for pickup or stop in.
- Origin Coffee17.1 mi
Origin Coffee Co. is a specialty coffee shop with locations in Lake Placid and Saranac Lake, offering a chef-driven breakfast and lunch menu served all day. It serves as a community gathering spot for locals and Adirondack travelers.
- The Coffee Bar17.4 mi
A small coffee bar on Main Street in Lake Placid with Mirror Lake and Whiteface Mountain views, pulling shots from Tug Hill Artisan Roasters beans.
- Simply Gourmet17.9 mi
Simply Gourmet in Lake Placid offers daily breakfast and lunch with a focus on clean food, using fresh, local, and sustainable ingredients free of additives or preservatives. They also provide comprehensive catering services for various ev…
— 15.8 mi to the nearest pour to this spot; pack a thermos.
Sweet.
4- Adirondack Corner Store16.2 mi
A longtime deli and general store at the corner of Route 73 in Lake Placid with an ice cream counter and subs — a locals' spot off the Main Street tourist row.
- Emma's Lake Placid Creamery16.9 mi
A 1950s-themed creamery in the heart of walkable Lake Placid, famous for its Maple Creme soft serve alongside 16 hard flavors, gelato, sorbet, and old-fashioned malts. The reliable apres-hike treat.
- Ben & Jerry's16.9 mi
The Ben & Jerry's scoop shop on Lake Placid's Main Street above Mirror Lake — the Vermont brand's pints and cones in the heart of the village.
- Donnelly's Soft Ice Cream18.5 mi
A fourth-generation Saranac Lake institution on a former dairy farm, serving exactly one rotating soft-serve flavor each day — twisted with vanilla on the same 1953 machine. Cash only; check the daily flavor. Memorial Day to Labor Day.
— 16.2 mi to the nearest scoop; save it for the ride home.
Drink.
4- Paradox Brewery16.0 mi
Paradox Brewery offers a diverse tap selection, a full menu with pizza, burgers, and BBQ, and an expansive mountain landscape.
- Lake Placid Pub & Brewery17.1 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.
- Top of the Park17.7 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…
- Ray Brook Brewhouse18.3 mi
Ray Brook Brewhouse is a unique brewery in Ray Brook, NY, offering wild and traditional brews paired with adventurous dishes made from local and exotic ingredients.
— 16.0 mi to the nearest pint; appoint a driver.
Stay.
4- The Pilot's House7.1 mi
The Pilot's House sits above the Outfitter's storefront, with a wonderful view of Vanderwhacker Mt. and the Hudson River, and Santanoni Mt as a backdrop.
- Adirondack Loj10.5 mi
Adirondak Loj is a lodging and camping facility operated by the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK) in Lake Placid, New York. It serves as a hub for outdoor programs and access to the High Peaks region, offering accommodations and information f…
- Blue Ridge Falls Campsites13.4 mi
Blue Ridge Falls Campsites is a campground in North Hudson, NY, offering RV, pop-up, and tent camping near Schroon Lake and I-87. Guests can enjoy Wi-Fi, a swimming pool, tennis courts, and a camp store, with easy access to area attraction…
- Van Hoevenberg Cabins14.4 mi
Eight pet-friendly cabins on Cascade Road outside Lake Placid, each named for a High Peaks summit, with kitchenettes and queen, king, or twin configurations. Year-round operation.
See.
4- Camp Santanoni5.4 mi
Built by the wealthy Pruyn family, Camp Santanoni is a publicly-owned National Historic Landmark, offering visitors a glimpse into the early Adirondack Great Camp era and opportunities for outdoor recreation.
- Newcomb Ski Slope9.1 mi
2 slope municipal ski slope free to the public.
- Cliffside Coaster13.6 mi
The Cliffside Coaster in Lake Placid, NY, is the longest coaster in North America. It follows the path of Olympic history at Mt Van Hoevenberg.
- Lake Placid Bobsled Experience13.6 mi
Mt Van Hoevenberg, a Lake Placid Legacy Site, offers the thrilling Skeleton Experience for visitors and youth bobsled and skeleton programs, continuing its Olympic legacy as a venue for winter sports.
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Suggest an edit →Frequently asked.
- Where is LeClaire Brook located?LeClaire Brook is a stream in the Lake Placid region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- Is LeClaire Brook open to the public?Yes, LeClaire Brook 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 LeClaire Brook?Within roughly seven miles of LeClaire Brook: 55 designated campsites, 34 lean-tos or shelters. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.