Middle Branch Oswegatchie River.
The Middle Branch Oswegatchie River drains a remote section of the western Adirondacks — quieter country than the main stem, less trafficked than the popular Five Ponds Wilderness corridor to the east. This is backcountry paddling and bushwhacking terrain, the kind of drainage that appears on the map as a blue line through unbroken green, with access determined more by old logging roads and private inholdings than by trailhead signs. The watershed eventually feeds the main Oswegatchie near the Five Ponds area, but the middle branch itself remains a sleeper — known mostly to hunters, anglers willing to work for it, and paddlers who treat a put-in as a starting suggestion rather than a guarantee.
Middle Branch Oswegatchie River has public access. Summits nearby include Maple Hill.
The water, surveyed.
Seasonal pattern for this lake · live closures appear above
8 parking areas· 2 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.
- 01Parking AreaTrailhead2.3 mi
- 02Jakes Pond Parking Area4.4 miunpavedDirections →
- 03Buck Pond Road Parking4.7 miunpavedDirections →
- 04Tied Lake Parking Area5.3 miunpavedDirections →
- 05Trailhead Parking5.4 miunpavedDirections →
- 06Parking Area6.4 mi
- 07South Creek Lake Parking Area6.9 miunpavedDirections →
- 08Sand Pond 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- Big Moose Station Restaurant18.7 mi
Website under development
- The Lean-to at Great Pines23.9 mi
The Lean-To is our casual lakeside restaurant, open to guests and the public. It offers a full-service bar and a craft beer menu, along with a food menu inspired by local ingredients and regional influences.
- Mountainside Smokehouse & Grill23.9 mi
Mountainside Smokehouse & Grill offers delicious smoked meats, homemade BBQ sauces and desserts, with smoking done on-premise using apple wood. They also provide catering and meeting space.
- Walt's Diner24.4 mi
A working diner on Route 28 in Old Forge running for 25-plus years, with breakfast and lunch most days and a Friday fish fry until 8 p.m. Closed Tuesdays.
— 18.7 mi to the nearest table out here; plan the drive to dinner.
Sip.
1— 24.3 mi to the nearest pour to this spot; pack a thermos.
Sweet.
2- Benny’s Ice Cream24.3 mi
A family-run, locally loved scoop shop on Old Forge's Main Street — hand-scooped hard flavors and soft serve.
- Pied Piper24.3 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.
— 24.3 mi to the nearest scoop; save it for the ride home.
Drink.
3- Daiker's23.8 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 Tavern24.3 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.
- Old Forge Brewing Company24.4 mi
Old Forge Brewing Company, established in 2008, is a brewpub committed to crafting quality beer and food while prioritizing local ingredients and community support. They offer a diverse menu, a range of craft beers, and host regular events.
— 23.8 mi to the nearest pint; appoint a driver.
Stay.
4- Norridgewock Lodge14.5 mi
NORRIDGEWOCK LODGE, an oasis in the Adirondack Mountains. Our lakeside resort is the perfect remote vacation in the wilderness of the Beaver River. Book online!
- The Waldheim19.8 mi
A rustic resort with log-cottages featuring porches with lake views, plus 3 included meals a day.
- Covewood Lodge20.7 mi
A Great Camp-style lodge on Big Moose Lake in Eagle Bay, with 19 housekeeping cottages and Main Lodge apartments and rooms. Open May through October, with kids' programming and weekly campfires from late June to Labor Day.
- Great Pines Resort23.9 mi
Airy quarters, some with balconies, in a relaxed lakeside retreat offering a private beach & dining.
See.
3- Enchanted Forest Water Safari24.2 mi
Located in Old Forge, Enchanted Forest Water Safari offers a blend of water park experiences and traditional theme park attractions. Visitors can access various slides, pools, and dry rides.
- Calypso's Cove24.2 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…
- Adirondack Railbike24.7 mi
Adirondack Railbike Adventures offers unique railbike tours in the Adirondack Mountains. Riders can explore scenic routes from Old Forge (Thendara) and Tupper Lake, experiencing natural beauty and spectacular views on railbikes made in New…
— 24.2 mi to the nearest sight on file; fold it into the drive.
Add to the record.
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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.
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Sunrise on the dock, a cairn at the summit, a bend on the trail. Your camera roll, our archive.
Add a photo →File a report.
Trail conditions, water level, bug pressure, blowdown. The kind of detail that helps the next person plan.
Write a field note →Spot something off?
Wrong elevation, outdated access notes, a coordinate that's drifted. We'd rather hear it than miss it.
Suggest an edit →Frequently asked.
- Where is Middle Branch Oswegatchie River located?Middle Branch Oswegatchie River is a river in the Old Forge region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- Is Middle Branch Oswegatchie River open to the public?Yes, Middle Branch Oswegatchie River 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 Middle Branch Oswegatchie River?Within roughly seven miles of Middle Branch Oswegatchie River: 29 designated campsites, 4 lean-tos or shelters. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.