Mud Pond.
Mud Pond — ten acres in the Speculator region — is one of dozens of small, named waters scattered through the southern Adirondacks that exist more as cartographic fact than recreational destination. No fish stocking records, no marked trail, no lean-to — the kind of pond you bushwhack to if you're curious or if you're connecting larger routes through the backcountry. The name tells you what to expect: shallow, marshy shoreline, likely beaver activity, and water that warms early in the season. If you're poking around this drainage, bring a topo map and a tolerance for wet feet.
Mud Pond has public access. Summits nearby include Blue Hills and Black Mountain.
The water, surveyed.
- 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
10 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.
- 01Shanty Falls Parking LotTrailhead2.5 miunpavedDirections →
- 02E. Sacandaga Parking Lot2.6 mipavedDirections →
- 03Cod Pond Parking Lot2.9 miunpavedDirections →
- 04E. Branch Gorge Trail Parking Area2.9 miunpavedDirections →
- 05Kibby Pond Trail Parking Lot3.5 miunpavedDirections →
- 0611Th Mountain Parking Lot4.4 miunpavedDirections →
- 07Georgia Creek Parking Lot5.3 miunpavedDirections →
- 08Bartman Road Parking Lot6.3 miunpavedDirections →
+2 more on the map above
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- Charlie Johns Store10.6 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.
- Firetower Pizza10.7 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.
- becks TAVERN12.2 mi
A tavern on Peaceful Valley Road in North Creek serving German-inspired dishes alongside burgers, wings, and bar standards. The Yurts out back are the conversation piece.
- McSweeney's Irish Pub15.6 mi
An Irish-style pub on Route 30 in Indian Lake serving comfort-food classics (shepherd's pie, fish and chips) seven days a week, year-round. The dependable dinner spot in town.
Sip.
4- The PERKS of Speculator10.7 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 Coffee12.2 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.
- ADK Blend23.8 mi
Northville smoothie & açaí-bowl spot in the Great Sacandaga Lake corridor.
- Schoolhouse Grounds Coffee Shop24.1 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.
4- Speculator Creamery10.9 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.
- The Hungry Crow Market & Café12.8 mi
A downtown North Creek market and cafe serving soft serve alongside scratch-made desserts, next to Hudson River Trading Co. — the cone stop in the Gore and Upper Hudson area.
- Main Street Ice Cream Parlor19.4 mi
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- Crossroads Ice Cream19.7 mi
The ice cream counter at The Crossroads, a country and outdoors store off I-87 Exit 25 in Chestertown between Schroon and Brant Lake — hard and soft ice cream on the road north.
Drink.
4- Acorn Pub & Eatery at Oak Mountain10.2 mi
Acorn Pub & Eatery is a dining option at Oak Mountain, offering a place to eat and drink.
- Lemon Tree Brewery10.7 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…
- Indian Lake Restaurant, Tavern and Liquor Store15.6 mi
Indian Lake Restaurant, Tavern and Liquor Store offers a full bar with an extensive bottle selection and local drafts, alongside a menu featuring appetizers, sandwiches, and entrees. The restaurant is currently closed for mud season and wi…
- Bandstand Brew Works20.2 mi
Bandstand Brew Works is a family-friendly brewpub in Warrensburg, NY, offering handcrafted beers, cocktails, and a diverse menu made with local ingredients. It's a community gathering spot known for live music, weekly events, and a vibrant…
Stay.
4- The Cabins at Chimney Mountain8.9 mi
The Cabins at Chimney Mountain offers an all-American camp adventure with 9 cozy cabins and 4 glamping tent sites on a secluded 280-acre estate in Indian Lake, NY. Enjoy hiking trails, a private lake, and a camp store.
- Black Mountain Lodge9.9 mi
A cabin resort on State Highway 8 in Johnsburg, between Brant Lake and Garnet Lake in the southern Adirondacks. Year-round.
- Cedarhurst Motor Lodge10.7 mi
A family-owned year-round motor lodge in Speculator, on the route between Lake Pleasant and Indian Lake, with free Wi-Fi and weekly rates. Standard rooms, no frills.
- Bearhurst Lakeside Cottages11.1 mi
Five renovated outbuildings from a turn-of-the-century Adirondack Great Camp on Lake Pleasant in Speculator, run as lakefront rental cottages by the Armstrong family. Boathouse, Icehouse, Cubhurst, and two Cherry duplex halves.
See.
4- Ampersand Christine Falls7.9 mi
Ampersand Energy LLC.
- Speculator Historical Museum10.8 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.
- Revolution Rail Co. - Thurman Station13.1 mi
A pedal-powered rail biking operation at Thurman Station on the Adirondack Railroad bed near North Creek, with family-friendly seasonal tours rolling alongside the Hudson River corridor through forest and open river-bank country.
- North Creek Depot Museum13.1 mi
Saved from demolition, this 1872 landmark station is now a museum, heritage center, and cultural hub in historic North Creek, featuring a fabulous diorama and exhibits on the Adirondack Railroad, Theodore Roosevelt, and local history.
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- Where is Mud Pond located?Mud Pond is a pond in the Speculator region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- How big is Mud Pond?Mud Pond has a surface area of approximately 10 acres, a smaller backcountry water.
- Is Mud Pond open to the public?Yes, Mud 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 Mud Pond?Within roughly seven miles of Mud Pond: 36 designated campsites, 2 lean-tos or shelters. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.