Metcalf Chain of Lakes.
Metcalf Chain of Lakes sits in the low country south of Speculator — a small network of ponds that barely registers in the regional fishing reports but holds water quietly enough for anyone looking to paddle without a permit queue. The 14-acre designation likely refers to the largest pond in the chain; the actual complex spreads through mixed hardwood and wetland with limited shore access and minimal signage from nearby forest roads. This is the kind of water that gets fished by someone's cousin who knows where to park, not by guidebook traffic. No stocking records, no DEC campsite markers — just beaver work, shallow bays, and the occasional local who'd rather you didn't ask for directions.
Metcalf Chain of Lakes has public access. Summits nearby include Grass Mountain and Buck Pond Mountain.
The water, surveyed.
Seasonal pattern for this lake · live closures appear above
3 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.
- 01G Lake Trail ParkingTrailhead4.7 miunpavedDirections →
- 02Trail Parking5.1 miunpavedDirections →
- 03Norhtville Placid Parking-Haskells Rd6.0 miunpavedDirections →
Getting in, staying over.
Camping.
What the lake is doing today.
What rings this water.
The peaks.
The waters.
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- Oxbow Inn8.0 mi
Oxbow Inn is a welcoming restaurant and bar in Lake Pleasant offering great pizza, local beef burgers, and a wide selection of 16 draft beers. Enjoy casual dining, live music, and an outdoor deck with fire pits and lake views.
- Firetower Pizza13.9 mi
Hand-tossed pizzeria in Speculator with specialty pies named after Adirondack peaks (Mt Marcy, Snowy Mountain, Whiteface). Wings, baked ziti, white clam pie. Cozy waiting area with retro jukebox and arcade.
- Charlie Johns Store14.0 mi
Opened in 1939, Charlie Johns Store is Speculator's anchor general store — 12,000 square feet of full grocery selection, produce, fresh meats, a full deli, bakery, and hardware. Purchased from Charlie Johns in 1971 by Dean Lane, the Lane family has owned and operated it since.
- Seventh Lake House19.2 mi
Rustic space with a lake view preps classic & contemporary American dishes from seasonal goods.
Sip.
4- The PERKS of Speculator14.0 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.
- Uncle Carl's Coffee18.5 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.
- Blue Line Coffee House20.6 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 Cafe20.6 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.
4- Speculator Creamery13.8 mi
A family-run village creamery anchoring Speculator's tiny downtown near Lake Pleasant — a genuine community summer hub. Wide-ranging soft-serve flavors, the 16oz Nor'Easter blend, and hand-dipped hard ice cream. Roughly May through September.
- Northern Lights Creamery Inc.20.1 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.
- Benny’s Ice Cream23.3 mi
A family-run, locally loved scoop shop on Old Forge's Main Street — hand-scooped hard flavors and soft serve.
- Pied Piper23.3 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.
Drink.
4- Lemon Tree Brewery14.0 mi
Lemon Tree Brewery is a brewery and taproom located in Speculator, NY, steps from Lake Pleasant. It offers house brews like SASQUATCH HAZY IPA and Blueberry Wheat, along with other local NY State micro-brewed beers and wines in a relaxed s…
- Acorn Pub & Eatery at Oak Mountain14.2 mi
Acorn Pub & Eatery is a dining option at Oak Mountain, offering a place to eat and drink.
- Daiker's22.4 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 Tavern23.2 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.
Stay.
4- The Inn on Piseco Lake6.0 mi
Established in 1892 as the Irondequoit Inn, the historic Inn on Piseco Lake is a 600-acre lakefront retreat in the Hamilton County hamlet of Piseco — nine guest rooms, two-bedroom cabins that sleep six, beachfront and wooded campsites, and a restaurant open to the public. The Northville-Placid Trail crosses nearby. A rare survivor of the late-19th-century Adirondack hotel era.
- Wilbur's Cottages10.8 mi
Secluded housekeeping cabins on Sacandaga Lake in the Adirondacks. Sandy beach, dock, boats. Swimming, boating, fishing, hiking, fireplaces.
- Moffit Beach Campground11.6 mi
A 247-site DEC campground on Sacandaga Lake near Speculator at 1,730 feet elevation, with flat well-wooded sites under white pines and hardwoods. Pets allowed on a 6-foot leash.
- WatersEdge Cottages12.0 mi
WatersEdge Cottages provides weekly rentals in fully renovated lakeside cabins and efficiency units on Lake Pleasant in the Central Adirondacks. Guests enjoy 180 feet of private waterfront, a sandy beach, boat docks, and a recreation room.
See.
4- Speculator Historical Museum13.8 mi
A small local-history museum on Route 8 in Speculator inside the original Lake Pleasant Town Hall and Library. Open weekends Memorial Day through August, plus weekday hours in summer.
- Ampersand Christine Falls16.8 mi
Ampersand Energy LLC.
- Great Camp Sagamore20.1 mi
Great Camp Sagamore is a historic Adirondack Great Camp offering multi-day programs, overnight stays, and daily activities focused on history, arts, outdoor recreation, and wellness.
- Calypso's Cove23.2 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…
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- Where is Metcalf Chain of Lakes located?Metcalf Chain of Lakes is a pond in the Speculator region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- How big is Metcalf Chain of Lakes?Metcalf Chain of Lakes has a surface area of approximately 14 acres, a smaller backcountry water.
- Is Metcalf Chain of Lakes open to the public?Yes, Metcalf Chain of Lakes 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 Metcalf Chain of Lakes?Within roughly seven miles of Metcalf Chain of Lakes: 24 designated campsites, 7 lean-tos or shelters. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.