Pack Forest Lake.
Pack Forest Lake sits on 2,800 acres of SUNY ESF research and teaching forest west of Warrensburg — working land, not wilderness, with active forestry demonstrations and a trail network that changes with timber management cycles. The 69-acre lake anchors the property and sees light recreational use: the college allows public access for hiking and paddling, but this isn't a DEC campground — no facilities, no designated sites, and gates close seasonally depending on academic calendar and logging operations. The fish population is undocumented in state records, which usually means limited natural reproduction and no active stocking program. Check SUNY ESF's Pack Forest website for current access hours before driving out.
Pack Forest Lake has public access. Summits nearby include Ben Wood Mountain and Spruce Mountain.
The water, surveyed.
Seasonal pattern for this lake · live closures appear above
4 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.
- 01Hudson River Nature TrailsTrailhead2.9 miunpavedDirections →
- 02Edgecomb Pond Trailhead Parking6.5 miunpavedDirections →
- 03Cat And Thomas Mountain Trailhead Parking6.8 miunpavedDirections →
- 04Palmer Pond Parking Area7.3 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- Oscar's Smokehouse4.2 mi
Oscar's Smokehouse has been making fine smoked meats and cheeses for over 70 years in Warrensburg, NY.
- Canepa’s Pizza Shop4.4 mi
Canepa's Pizza Shop, formerly The Pizza Shop of Warrensburg, has been serving award-winning pizza since 2014. Featured on Rachael Ray and PMQ Magazine, they offer authentic Italian hospitality with family recipes and fine ingredients.
- Deli & Meat Store of the North4.6 mi
Deli & Meat Store of the North is a long-standing deli, meat market, and grocery store in Warrensburg, NY, known for its fresh meats, famous 18-inch subs, daily hot items, all-day breakfast, pizza, and catering services.
- Tommy Guns Pizzeria5.1 mi
Tommy Guns Pizzeria & Bar in Warrensburg, NY, serves delicious pizza, wings, and a variety of other dishes crafted from top-notch ingredients. It offers a cozy and inviting atmosphere, perfect for meals with family and friends or for hosti…
Sip.
3- Caffe Vero10.4 mi
Breakfast, baked goods, sandwiches & house-roasted coffee in a comfy, earth-toned cafe.
- 9 Mile Coffee Co19.4 mi
9 Mile Coffee Co. is a coffee shop in downtown Schroon Lake, NY, serving a variety of coffees, teas, smoothies, sandwiches, and soups. They also sell their custom coffee blends and gift cards online.
- Cupola Crepes19.5 mi
Family-run creperie at 1095 Main Street in Schroon Lake. Sweet and savory crepes (gluten-free batter available), scones, coffee, and soft serve. Wednesday through Sunday.
Sweet.
4- Main Street Ice Cream Parlor6.5 mi
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- Crossroads Ice Cream7.1 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.
- Cate's Creamery8.1 mi
The main ice cream spot in the heart of Bolton Landing village on Lake George's quieter west shore — soft serve, hand-dipped hard ice cream, and slushies, a short stroll from the lakefront.
- Scoop's Ice Cream Parlor10.3 mi
Scoop's Ice Cream Parlor in Lake George offers ice cream and frozen yogurt at inexpensive prices. Located at 327 Canada St, it provides take-out service and accepts credit cards.
Drink.
4- Bandstand Brew Works4.4 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…
- George Henry's5.1 mi
A family-owned bar and grill on Main Street in Warrensburg doing made-to-order American grill plates, hearty steak and chicken specialties, local craft beer, and fresh-baked breads from area bakeries. No fast food.
- Crazy Loon Distillery6.1 mi
At the Crazy Loon Distillery, we produce high quality Adirondack inspired craft spirits that reflect the innovative nature and peaceful mindset of the North Country of New York. We offer a lineup of flavorful craft spirits inspired by the…
- Diamond Point Grille8.2 mi
Diamond Point Grille is a casual family restaurant located in Diamond Point, NY, on Lake George. It specializes as a fish and burger joint, serving simple comfort food made with local, affordable ingredients in a relaxed setting.
Stay.
4- Glen Lodge & Market3.0 mi
Come stay at our cabin... you may never want to go back home! We are currently taking group bookings for the entire lodge only. Pull up an Adirondack chair and take in the beauty and nature of the Adirondack Mountains of Upstate New York,…
- Cornerstone Victorian B & B4.4 mi
Cornerstone Victorian Bed & Breakfast is a historic Queen Anne home in Warrensburg, New York, offering elegant rooms and an award-winning four-course gourmet breakfast. It is minutes from Lake George, Gore Mountain, and Saratoga Springs.
- Lake George Escape Campground5.0 mi
Basic log cabins & trailers in a 178-acre riverfront resort with 2 outdoor pools, dining & a beach.
- Lake George Riverview Campground5.3 mi
Lake George Riverview Campground offers 170 campsites along the Schroon River with amenities like a beach, pool, and water recreation, located 4 miles north of Lake George Village.
See.
4- Revolution Rail Co. Thurman5.3 mi
A pedal-powered rail biking operation in Warrensburg on Route 418, with family-friendly tours rolling on disused railroad tracks through Adirondack forest and river corridors. Suitable for all ages and ability levels.
- The Promise Gardens Estate of the Adirondacks5.4 mi
The Promise Gardens is the perfect wedding venue with gorgeous gardens, rustic barns and mountain views near Lake George and the Adirondacks.
- Bolton Historical Museum7.9 mi
The Bolton Historical Museum, located on the shores of Lake George in Bolton Landing, educates visitors about the history of Bolton, Lake George, and the surrounding region.
- Tour Boat Lake George at Blue Lagoon Resort8.4 mi
Tour Boat Lake George at Blue Lagoon Resort offers private guided boat tours of Lake George on a 24-foot bowrider motorboat. Guests enjoy sightseeing, swimming, tubing, and cliff jumping with an experienced captain.
Add to the record.
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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.
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Sunrise on the dock, a cairn at the summit, a bend on the trail. Your camera roll, our archive.
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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 Pack Forest Lake located?Pack Forest Lake is a lake in the Lake George region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- How big is Pack Forest Lake?Pack Forest Lake has a surface area of approximately 69 acres, a smaller backcountry water.
- Is Pack Forest Lake open to the public?Yes, Pack Forest Lake 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 Pack Forest Lake?Within roughly seven miles of Pack Forest Lake: 15 designated campsites, 1 lean-to or shelter, 2 listed campgrounds. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.