Moss Ponds.
Moss Ponds — plural, though often mapped as singular — sits in the Hurricane Mountain Wild Forest northeast of Keene, tucked into a low drainage basin that doesn't show up on most recreation maps. The ponds are wetland-adjacent, shallow, and beaver-active — more of a bushwhack destination for anglers testing the viability of native brook trout populations than a swimming or paddling draw. Access is informal, likely via old logging roads or unmarked trails from nearby Hurricane Mountain Road or Crow Clearing Road, though the precise put-in isn't well-documented. No fish records on file, which usually means either unstocked or unreported — but 19 acres of quiet water in the Keene drainage often holds brookies if the inlet stays cold.
Moss Ponds has public access. Summits nearby include Potter Hill and Makomis Mountain.
The water, surveyed.
Before you launch.
- Peak foliage from the water — the best seats in the Park are in a canoe this month.
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.
- 01King Phillips Spring Parking LotTrailhead1.2 mipavedDirections →
- 02South Branch Bouquet River Parking Lot1.6 miunpavedDirections →
- 03North Branch Bouquet River Parking Lot2.5 miunpavedDirections →
- 04Courtney Pond Trail Parking Area2.9 miunpavedDirections →
- 05Crowfoot Pond Trail Parking2.9 miunpavedDirections →
- 06Spanky'S Wall Parking Lot3.2 miunpavedDirections →
- 07Split Rock Falls Parking Area3.3 mipavedDirections →
- 08West Mill Brook Parking Lot4.0 miunpavedDirections →
+4 more on the map above
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- Noon Mark Diner8.8 mi
A traditional diner experience, offering hearty meals for travelers and locals in the Adirondack Park.
- Ausable Inn9.0 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.
- The Deer's Head Inn Restaurant10.3 mi
The Deer's Head Inn is a historic Elizabethtown tavern and restaurant — among the oldest inns in the Adirondacks — serving pub fare and regional dishes.
- F.I.G's Riverside Pizza Cafe10.5 mi
A casual pizza cafe on the Boquet River in Elizabethtown serving pies, sandwiches, and cafe fare.
Sip.
4- Old Mountain Coffee Company8.8 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.
- Counter Space10.3 mi
A casual cafe in Elizabethtown serving coffee, espresso, and light bites — a local gathering spot in the Essex County seat.
- Pleasant Valley Cafe10.4 mi
A local cafe in Elizabethtown serving breakfast, lunch, coffee, and comfort food in the heart of the Boquet Valley.
- Life Church Cafe10.5 mi
Life Church Elizabethtown is a local church dedicated to connecting lives and building community.
Sweet.
4- Black Rooster Maple12.6 mi
Pure Adirondack Maple Syrup, Maple Cream, Bourbon Barrel Maple Syrup
- Cedar Run Bakery & Market13.2 mi
Cedar Run Bakery & Market offers scratch-made baked goods, deli items, fresh menu options, and take & bake meals, alongside a selection of wine and spirits. They are open Friday through Monday from 8 AM to 6 PM.
- Sugar House Creamery18.3 mi
Sugar House Creamery is a farmstead creamery located in the Adirondacks, producing artisanal cheeses from the milk of their own cows. They offer a variety of cheeses, showcasing the quality of their local dairy.
- Adirondack Corner Store18.8 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.
Drink.
4- The Old Mine9.0 mi
The Old Miners Tavern is a historic Adirondack tavern in Moriah, NY, offering classic bar food like juicy burgers and chicken wings, a full bar with rotating craft beers, and a welcoming atmosphere for friends to gather.
- Paradox Brewery9.7 mi
Paradox Brewery offers a diverse tap selection, a full menu with pizza, burgers, and BBQ, and an expansive mountain landscape.
- Tavern on Main11.7 mi
Tavern on Main brings a Chicago-style modern upscale gastropub to the historic Crown Point square — the closest sit-down dining to the Crown Point State Historic Site and the Lake Champlain Bridge crossing.
- The Knock ADK13.9 mi
The Knock ADK is a restaurant and bar in Westport, NY, offering a plant-based dinner menu alongside classic and craft cocktails. They provide dinner reservations on non-show nights and welcome walk-ins on show nights.
Stay.
4- The Halfway House Motel8.5 mi
A small motel with an on-site restaurant on Lobdell Lane in Elizabethtown, the Essex County seat between the Northway and the High Peaks. Simple rooms for travelers passing through or basing for a day in the Adirondacks.
- Rooster Comb Inn8.9 mi
Rooster Comb Inn is a dog-friendly inn located in the heart of Keene Valley, NY, offering comfortable, rustic lodging within walking distance to Adirondack trailheads and local eateries. It features shared amenities like a full kitchen and…
- Keene Valley Lodge9.1 mi
A seven-room lodge and three-bedroom cottage at the center of Keene Valley, with breakfast and direct walk access to the Great Range trailheads and village restaurants.
- Blue Ridge Falls Campsites9.8 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…
See.
4- Adirondack History Museum10.4 mi
The Adirondack History Museum in Elizabethtown tells the story of Essex County and the Adirondacks — pioneer life, mining, tourism, and mountain heritage.
- Hurricane Mountain Fire Tower10.7 mi
Perched atop Hurricane Mountain, this historic fire tower provides hikers with unparalleled 360-degree views of the Adirondacks, Lake Champlain, and Vermont's Green Mountains.
- Keene Arts12.9 mi
Keene Arts is a venue in Keene, NY, hosting diverse events including art exhibits, concerts, film screenings, and a winter farmers market.
- Penfield Homestead Museum13.3 mi
Penfield Homestead Museum preserves the history of Crown Point, NY, and the surrounding Ironville area. Explore the historic homestead, barns, church, and learn about local history, military conflicts, and notable families.
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Suggest an edit →Frequently asked.
- Where is Moss Ponds located?Moss Ponds is a pond in the Keene region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- How big is Moss Ponds?Moss Ponds has a surface area of approximately 19 acres, a smaller backcountry water.
- Is Moss Ponds open to the public?Yes, Moss Ponds 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 Moss Ponds?Within roughly seven miles of Moss Ponds: 66 designated campsites, 9 lean-tos or shelters. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.