Otter Creek.
Otter Creek runs through the Keene Valley township in the northeastern High Peaks — a minor tributary system that feeds into the East Branch of the Ausable River drainage. The creek takes its name from the wetland corridors and beaver activity common to mid-elevation Adirondack streams, though modern otter sightings are sporadic at best. It's not a destination water — no stocked fish, no documented access points, no trail crossings that show up on DEC or USGS maps — but it's part of the Cold River Wild Forest watershed, which means the upper reaches see occasional bushwhacking traffic from hunters and winter trapline checkers. If you're looking for moving water in Keene, the Ausable itself is the draw.
Otter Creek has public access.
The water, surveyed.
Before you launch.
Seasonal pattern for this lake · live closures appear above
2 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.
- 01Louis Clearing Bay Trail ParkingTrailhead5.3 miunpavedDirections →
- 02Webb-Royce Trail Parking Lot5.8 miunpavedDirections →
Getting in, staying over.
Camping.
What the lake is doing today.
What rings this water.
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- Turtle Island Cafe12.7 mi
Turtle Island Cafe is a full-service restaurant in Willsboro, NY, offering bistro-style food, wine, beer, and cocktails in a casual and friendly environment. It has been named Best Burger in the Adirondacks by Adirondack Life Magazine for…
- F.I.G's Riverside Pizza Cafe15.0 mi
A casual pizza cafe on the Boquet River in Elizabethtown serving pies, sandwiches, and cafe fare.
- The Deer's Head Inn Restaurant15.1 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.
- Noon Mark Diner24.5 mi
A traditional diner experience, offering hearty meals for travelers and locals in the Adirondack Park.
Sip.
4- Life Church Cafe15.0 mi
Life Church Elizabethtown is a local church dedicated to connecting lives and building community.
- Pleasant Valley Cafe15.0 mi
A local cafe in Elizabethtown serving breakfast, lunch, coffee, and comfort food in the heart of the Boquet Valley.
- Counter Space15.1 mi
A casual cafe in Elizabethtown serving coffee, espresso, and light bites — a local gathering spot in the Essex County seat.
- Old Mountain Coffee Company24.6 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.
Sweet.
1— 24.8 mi to the nearest scoop; save it for the ride home.
Drink.
4- The Knock ADK7.9 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.
- Tavern on Main13.9 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 Old Mine14.2 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.
- The Pub24.8 mi
The Pub is a British-inspired restaurant recognized for serving the best Fish and Chips in the U.S. by the UK’s Greene King Brewery. It offers excellent food, drinks, and genuine hospitality with a wide selection of beers.
Stay.
4- The Inn in Westport7.1 mi
Set on the shore of Lake Champlain, this charming, waterfront inn is a 1-minute walk from local hiking trails and Ballard Park. High Falls Gorge is 33 miles away. Quaint, country-chic rooms with individualized decor are named after literary figures and of
- Hilltop Motel10.6 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.
- The Olde Mill Inn Bed and Breakfast14.6 mi
An eight-room historic B&B inside Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, with an authentic 1700s log cabin, a king-sized suite, and homemade breakfast. EV charging on site.
- The Deer's Head Inn15.1 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…
See.
4- Adirondack History Museum14.9 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 Tower21.0 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.
- Penfield Homestead Museum22.4 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.
- Ausable Chasm24.3 mi
A sandstone gorge attraction on US 9 in Ausable Chasm, with rim trails, walkways through the gorge floor, and add-on tubing and rafting on the Ausable River. Open seasonally, roughly mid-May through Columbus Day.
Add to the record.
Free, takes thirty seconds. Yours forever.
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.
Add a shot.
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 Otter Creek located?Otter Creek is a river in the Keene region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- Is Otter Creek open to the public?Yes, Otter Creek 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 Otter Creek?Within roughly seven miles of Otter Creek: 7 designated campsites, 1 lean-to or shelter. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.