Metcalf Chain of Lakes is a 4-acre pond in the Speculator region — part of the scattered network of small waters west of NY-30 that don't appear on most recreational maps but hold their place in the backcountry quietly. The "chain" designation suggests connectivity with neighboring ponds, typical of this glacially scoured plateau where wetlands and shallow basins trade water through beaver channels and seasonal streams. No fish species on record, which usually means either unstocked headwater habitat or limited access keeping angler pressure (and DEC survey effort) to near zero. Worth confirming access and ownership before planning a trip — many small ponds in this area sit on private timber company land or require navigation through working forest roads.
Closest parking lots within range, ranked by walking distance. Accessibility flags come from Google verified-data; surface and capacity from OpenStreetMap. Confirm hours and seasonal closures before you go.
+1 more on the map above
Free, takes thirty seconds. Yours forever.
Every page on this site gets better when readers contribute. Mark a peak you’ve climbed, drop a photo, file a field note, or flag a correction — every addition makes the next visitor’s page better.
Sunrise on the dock, a cairn at the summit, a bend on the trail. Your camera roll, our archive.
Add a photo →Trail conditions, water level, bug pressure, blowdown. The kind of detail that helps the next person plan.
Write a field note →Wrong elevation, outdated access notes, a coordinate that's drifted. We'd rather hear it than miss it.
Suggest an edit →
What to do, where to stay, and what's reopening across the Park as the snow melts and the calendar fills.
A complete planning guide: difficulty by peak, common combo days, seasonal realities, and a sortable, filterable table of every summit.
Overnight, day, and trip camps in the Park — the camp belt, choosing the right fit, costs and financial aid, ACA accreditation, and the questions every parent should ask before they commit.