Lens Lake.
Lens Lake is a small, remote water body in the central Adirondacks accessible only by bushwhack or unmarked footpath. The lake holds brook trout and offers primitive camping for paddlers willing to carry in and navigate without trail signs.
Lens Lake has public access. Summits nearby include Wheeler Mountain and Spruce Mountain.
The water, surveyed.
Seasonal pattern for this lake · live closures appear above
12 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.
- 01St. John Lake Parking LotTrailhead2.5 miunpavedDirections →
- 02Hadley Mountain Parking Lot3.6 miunpavedDirections →
- 03Bakertown Parking Area5.7 miunpavedDirections →
- 04Town Line Parking Area6.6 miunpavedDirections →
- 05The Pines Parking Area6.6 miunpavedDirections →
- 06Darlings Ford Accessible Parking Area6.6 miunpavedDirections →
- 07River Road Campsite 5 Parking6.6 miunpavedDirections →
- 08Parking For Campsite 76.6 miunpavedDirections →
+4 more on the map above
Getting in, staying over.
Access.
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- Nettle Meadow at The Hitching Post11.1 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.
- Alpine Grille13.0 mi
A long-running roadside steak-and-seafood house on the Sacandaga, between Northville and Wells. Generous portions, a lively bar, and the kind of dining room where the staff knows the regulars by name. Reservations recommended on weekends.
- Canepa’s Pizza Shop13.6 mi
Canepa's Pizza Shop, formerly The Pizza Shop of Warrensburg, has been serving award-winning pizza since 2014. Featured on Rachael Ray and PMQ Magazine, they offer authentic Italian hospitality with family recipes and fine ingredients.
- Oscar's Smokehouse13.6 mi
Oscar's Smokehouse has been making fine smoked meats and cheeses for over 70 years in Warrensburg, NY.
Sip.
4- Uncle Carl's Coffee13.5 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.
- ADK Blend14.6 mi
Northville smoothie & açaí-bowl spot in the Great Sacandaga Lake corridor.
- Caffe Vero15.2 mi
Breakfast, baked goods, sandwiches & house-roasted coffee in a comfy, earth-toned cafe.
- The PERKS of Speculator18.7 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- Cree-Mee Freeze14.4 mi
A summer soft-serve stand near Northville on the Great Sacandaga Lake shore, with twists and specialty sundaes.
- The Village Scoop14.7 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.
- Lake George Baking Company15.2 mi
A bakery with two locations in Queensbury and Lake George, offering custom cakes, breads, rolls, and the original Fudge Fancy. Off-season hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Scoop's Ice Cream Parlor15.2 mi
Scoop's Ice Cream Parlor in Lake George offers ice cream and frozen yogurt at inexpensive prices. Located at 327 Canada St, it provides take-out service and accepts credit cards.
Drink.
4- The Long Horn Restaurant & Pub11.5 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…
- Bandstand Brew Works13.6 mi
Bandstand Brew Works is a family-friendly brewpub in Warrensburg, NY, offering handcrafted beers, cocktails, and a diverse menu made with local ingredients. It's a community gathering spot known for live music, weekly events, and a vibrant…
- George Henry's13.9 mi
A family-owned bar and grill on Main Street in Warrensburg doing made-to-order American grill plates, hearty steak and chicken specialties, local craft beer, and fresh-baked breads from area bakeries. No fast food.
- South Shore Dive14.4 mi
South Shore Dive: Casual dining on Great Sacandaga Lake. Made-to-order meals, craft cocktails, lake views. Book now in upstate NY!
Stay.
4- The Lodge at Harrisburg Lake3.1 mi
A 12-bedroom group lodge in Stony Creek sleeping up to 42 across 20 beds and 11 full baths, with Alpine-style architecture, lakefront, pool, multiple sport courts, and a historic tavern.
- 1000 Acres Ranch Resort7.6 mi
Rustic, all-inclusive ranch-style resort set on a river offering horseback riding, dining & pools.
- Ponderosa Pines Campgrounds and Bar9.7 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.
- Luzerne State Campground9.8 mi
Located on Fourth Lake in Lake Luzerne, this state campground provides 173 tent and trailer sites, along with dedicated facilities for campers traveling with horses.
See.
4- The Promise Gardens Estate of the Adirondacks10.3 mi
The Promise Gardens is the perfect wedding venue with gorgeous gardens, rustic barns and mountain views near Lake George and the Adirondacks.
- Revolution Rail Co. Thurman11.1 mi
A pedal-powered rail biking operation in Warrensburg on Route 418, with family-friendly tours rolling on disused railroad tracks through Adirondack forest and river corridors. Suitable for all ages and ability levels.
- Tubby Tubes River Co.11.2 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.
- Historic Copeland Covered Bridge13.1 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…
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- Where is Lens Lake located?Lens Lake is a lake in the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- How big is Lens Lake?Lens Lake has a surface area of approximately 54 acres, a smaller backcountry water.
- Is Lens Lake open to the public?Yes, Lens Lake 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 Lens Lake?Within roughly seven miles of Lens Lake: 27 designated campsites, 3 lean-tos or shelters. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.