Mountain Pond.
Mountain Pond is a 14-acre water in the Old Forge area — small enough that it doesn't appear on most regional shortlists, but that's often the point in a town where the larger lakes pull the weekend traffic. No fish species data on record, which typically means it's either marginal habitat or simply under-surveyed; either way, it's not a destination for anglers. The pond sits in the working forest and recreation patchwork west of the core Wild Forest blocks, where access and use patterns vary widely depending on adjacent landowner agreements. If you're looking for it, confirm current public access and parking before you make the drive.
Mountain Pond has public access. Summits nearby include Fernow Mountain and Burnt Mountain.
The water, surveyed.
Seasonal pattern for this lake · live closures appear above
10 parking areas· 1 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.
- 01Third Lake Creek ParkingTrailhead1.4 miunpavedDirections →
- 02Rodaxe Fire Tower Parking2.9 miunpavedDirections →
- 03Bub & Sis Lakes Trail Parking4.5 mipavedDirections →
- 04Nick'S Lake Trail Pullof5.6 miunpavedDirections →
- 05Cascade Lake Trail Parking5.6 miunpavedDirections →
- 06Black Bear And Rocky Mtn Parking Area5.7 miunpavedDirections →
- 07Moss Lake Parking5.9 miunpavedDirections →
- 08Moss Lake Accessible Parking5.9 mi
+2 more on the map above
Getting in, staying over.
Camping.
On the water.
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- The Lean-to at Great Pines3.6 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 & Grill4.1 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.
- Tony Harper's Pizza & Clam Shack4.9 mi
Tony Harper's Pizza & Clam Shack is a family-friendly restaurant offering homemade traditional and thin-crust pizzas, signature Whiskey Wings, steamers, and "Raquette Cheesesteaks". They feature a full bar with microbrews, high-definition…
- Walt's Diner4.9 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.
Sip.
4- Blue Line Coffee House4.8 mi
A coffee shop on Route 28 in Old Forge selling drinks, Adirondack-themed apparel, handcrafted mugs, and shipped coffee subscriptions. Order drinks for pickup or shop the gift line online.
- Blue Line Coffee House5.1 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 Cafe5.1 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.
- Schoolhouse Grounds Coffee Shop24.6 mi
Seasonal coffee shop inside the 1895 schoolhouse that houses Blue Mountain Designs. Espresso, locally roasted coffee, loose-leaf tea, baked goods, avocado toast, sandwiches, and soups. May through October.
Sweet.
3- Pied Piper4.8 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.
- Benny’s Ice Cream4.8 mi
A family-run, locally loved scoop shop on Old Forge's Main Street — hand-scooped hard flavors and soft serve.
- Northern Lights Creamery Inc.5.2 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.
Drink.
4- Daiker's2.9 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 Tavern4.7 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 Company4.8 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.
- Hex and Hop Tasting Room - Blue Mountain Lake24.5 mi
Hex and Hop is a craft brewery and meadery located in Bloomingdale, New York. They offer full-flavored, high-quality craft beer and mead, made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, emphasizing community and craft.
Stay.
4- Fulton House Cottages2.5 mi
Fulton House Cottages offers family-friendly accommodations in the Adirondack Mountains, providing a serene lakefront setting for creating lasting memories.
- Great Pines Resort3.6 mi
Airy quarters, some with balconies, in a relaxed lakeside retreat offering a private beach & dining.
- Viking Village on Fourth Lake3.7 mi
A family cottage resort on Fourth Lake near Old Forge, with waterfront cabins and boating on the Fulton Chain of Lakes.
- Old Forge Camping Resort4.1 mi
A year-round campground on Route 28 in Old Forge in the Water Safari Resort family, with deluxe cabins, cottages, RV sites, and tent sites. Stay-and-Play packages for Water Safari.
See.
4- Calypso's Cove4.5 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…
- Enchanted Forest Water Safari4.6 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.
- Adirondack Railbike6.5 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…
- Great Camp Sagamore13.1 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.
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Suggest an edit →Frequently asked.
- Where is Mountain Pond located?Mountain Pond is a pond in the Old Forge region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- How big is Mountain Pond?Mountain Pond has a surface area of approximately 14 acres, a smaller backcountry water.
- Is Mountain Pond open to the public?Yes, Mountain Pond 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 Mountain Pond?Within roughly seven miles of Mountain Pond: 56 designated campsites. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.