Ore Bed Pond.
Ore Bed Pond is a 4-acre pocket water in the Keene backcountry — small enough that it doesn't show up on most recreational itineraries, tucked into the kind of terrain that favors local knowledge over trailhead signs. The name hints at historical mining activity in the area, part of the 19th-century iron extraction that left scattered adits and tailings throughout the eastern Adirondacks. No fish data on file, no maintained trail markers — this is walk-in-and-see territory, the kind of pond that rewards the curious and punishes the unprepared. Worth confirming access and property boundaries before bushwhacking in.
Ore Bed Pond has public access. Summits nearby include Spear Mountain and Slash Hill.
The water, surveyed.
Before you launch.
Seasonal pattern for this lake · live closures appear above
5 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.
- 01Fay Mountain Trailhead ParkingTrailhead3.2 miunpavedDirections →
- 02Poke-O-Moonshne Fire Tower Parking Area4.2 miunpavedDirections →
- 03Black Mountain Road Parking4.8 miunpavedDirections →
- 04Poke-O-Moonshine Hiker Parking5.1 miunpavedDirections →
- 05Poke-O-Moonshine Rock Climber Parking5.1 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- Turtle Island Cafe8.8 mi
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Sip.
4- Life Church Cafe9.1 mi
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- Counter Space9.3 mi
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Sweet.
4- Sugar House Creamery10.2 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.
- Black Rooster Maple12.6 mi
Pure Adirondack Maple Syrup, Maple Cream, Bourbon Barrel Maple Syrup
- Cedar Run Bakery & Market12.8 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.
- Whitebrook Dairy Bar13.1 mi
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Drink.
4- The Knock ADK12.6 mi
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- R.F. McDougall's Pub13.6 mi
The casual sibling of the Hungry Trout Restaurant, sharing the same Adirondack riverside property next to Whiteface. Pub food, regional beers, and the same view of the West Branch Ausable at a more relaxed price point.
- The Old Mine20.0 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.
- Lake Placid Pub & Brewery20.8 mi
A brewpub on Mirror Lake Drive in Lake Placid since 1996, with 12 house beers on tap including the original Ubu Ale, a downstairs Irish pub, and a deck over Mirror Lake.
Stay.
4- The Olde Mill Inn Bed and Breakfast9.3 mi
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- The Deer's Head Inn9.3 mi
The Deer's Head Inn in Elizabethtown, NY, is the oldest tavern in the Adirondacks. Reopened in August 2016 as an eatery and inn, it features tavern dining with a changing, seasonal menu focused on local, regional, and sustainably produced…
- Park Motor Inn9.4 mi
The Park Motor Inn is a charming, vintage, motel-style property that opened in Elizabethtown, New York, during the heyday of automobile tourism in the 1950's. Elizabethtown is where the Adirondack High Peaks meet the Champlain Valley, giving visitors unparalleled access to the region's spectacular lakes, rivers, and mountains.
- Hilltop Motel10.0 mi
Hilltop Motel offers clean, comfortable lodging conveniently located at I-87 Exit 31 in Westport, where the Adirondack Mountains meet Lake Champlain. Guests enjoy easy access to a vast array of outdoor activities and attractions.
See.
4- Adirondack History Museum9.2 mi
The Adirondack History Museum in Elizabethtown tells the story of Essex County and the Adirondacks — pioneer life, mining, tourism, and mountain heritage.
- Upper Jay Art Center and Recovery Lounge10.2 mi
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- Hurricane Mountain Fire Tower10.4 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 Arts12.7 mi
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- Where is Ore Bed Pond located?Ore Bed Pond is a pond in the Keene region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- How big is Ore Bed Pond?Ore Bed Pond has a surface area of approximately 4 acres, a small pond.
- Is Ore Bed Pond open to the public?Yes, Ore Bed 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 Ore Bed Pond?Within roughly seven miles of Ore Bed Pond: 1 designated campsite, 2 lean-tos or shelters. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.