Panther Pond.
Panther Pond is an 11-acre pocket water in the Tupper Lake region — small enough to be easily overlooked, which is often the appeal of ponds this size in the northern Adirondacks. No fish stocking records on file, which typically means it's either too shallow for consistent winter survival or it's simply off the DEC's rotation — either way, it's more likely a paddling destination than a fishing one. The name suggests old trapper geography; "Panther" shows up on enough Adirondack maps to confirm that mountain lions were part of the local vocabulary, even if the last verified sighting in New York was over a century ago. Worth confirming access before planning a trip — many small ponds in this area sit on private timberland or require navigating unmaintained routes.
Panther Pond reaches a maximum depth of 18 feet, with a mean depth of 11 feet. Panther Pond has public access. Summits nearby include Panther 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
12 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.
- 01Panther Mtn. Paved Parking LotTrailhead744 ftpavedDirections →
- 02Rt 3 Plow Turn Misc Parking1.1 mipavedDirections →
- 03Indian Carry (Road) Trail Parking1.2 mipavedDirections →
- 04Coreys Road 1 Trail Parking1.3 miunpavedDirections →
- 05Indian Carry Fishing Access Parking1.3 miunpavedDirections →
- 06Trombley Landing Parking Lot1.4 mipavedDirections →
- 07Rt 30 Intersection Misc Parking1.5 miunpavedDirections →
- 08Fernow Forest Parking Lot1.5 mipavedDirections →
+4 more on the map above
Getting in, staying over.
Camping.
What the lake is doing today.
What rings this water.
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- ADK Food Hub5.5 mi
A year-round market and casual eatery on Park Street in Tupper Lake, with a deli case, pantry staples, and a summer buffet built around the on-site Whitten Family Farm. Sunday farmhouse breakfast in July and August.
- Guido's Pizzeria6.3 mi
Guido's Pizzeria in Tupper Lake has been serving hand-thrown pizzas, subs, calzones, dinners, and wings since 1988. They offer free delivery within the Town of Tupper Lake on any size order and make fresh dough daily.
- Amado6.4 mi
A small restaurant on Cliff Avenue in Tupper Lake serving Brazilian dishes (moqueca, feijoada) alongside lamb pot pie, fish fry, and a clearly marked vegan section. Homemade desserts.
- PorkBusters BBQ7.4 mi
PorkBusters BBQ is a Tupper Lake restaurant serving barbecue dishes seven days a week from 11 AM to 9 PM. They offer a menu for dine-in or takeout, plus catering for parties and events.
Sip.
4- Blue Moon12.2 mi
Blue Moon Café in Saranac Lake offers dine-in, pick-up, and curbside delivery services. Guests can enjoy weekly specials, restaurant menus, baked goods, coffee, grocery items, and adult beverages.
- Origin Coffee12.2 mi
Origin Coffee Co is a specialty coffee shop with locations in Lake Placid and Saranac Lake serving a chef-driven breakfast and lunch menu.
- Nori's Village Market12.3 mi
Nori's Village Market and Riverside Cafe offers a market with organic and local produce, bulk foods, coffee, and teas, alongside a cafe serving natural, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and local meat options.
- Saranac Juice17.2 mi
Cold-pressed juices, cleanses, protein elixirs, and nut mylks from Saranac River Ranch in Bloomingdale, made from organic produce grown on the farm or sourced from local Adirondack growers.
Sweet.
4- Skyline Ice Cream6.1 mi
A roadside soft-serve stand on Route 30 in Tupper Lake since 1985 — vanilla and black-raspberry twists, gelato, Dole Whip, and Michigans, now with an expanded burger-and-fries menu.
- Mark Twain Maple Works10.9 mi
Mark Twain Maple Works produces New York State maple syrup on the shore of Saranac Lake in the Adirondack Park. They have been making syrup since 2013, expanding their operation and offering various grades.
- Mountain Mist Custard11.7 mi
A summer fixture on the shore of Lake Flower in Saranac Lake, with picnic tables and a dock you can tie a boat to. Frozen custard and soft serve with weekly-rotating flavors, shakes, and sundaes.
- Donnelly's Soft Ice Cream13.2 mi
A fourth-generation Saranac Lake institution on a former dairy farm, serving exactly one rotating soft-serve flavor each day — twisted with vanilla on the same 1953 machine. Cash only; check the daily flavor. Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Drink.
4- Lakeview Lanes & The Foul Line Sports Bar6.6 mi
Lakeview Lanes & The Foul Line Sports Bar in Tupper Lake offers 8 lanes of bowling, an arcade, a sports bar, and outdoor seating with food and drinks for family fun.
- Raquette River Brewing6.9 mi
A family- and dog-friendly taproom pouring year-round craft beer alongside four permanent food trucks, from wood-fired pizza to Carolina barbecue.
- The 1892 Bar & Grille10.8 mi
The 1892 Bar & Grille is a locally owned rustic bar and restaurant in Lake Clear, NY, offering homemade food. Recently under new ownership, it brings fresh energy and an updated menu to its patrons.
- Bitters & Bones12.2 mi
Saranac Lake's only downtown brewery, restaurant, and bar, Bitters & Bones offers craft beer brewed upstairs, fresh local cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and craft cocktails. It features rooftop decks and unique private event spa…
Stay.
4- Northwood Cabins3.7 mi
Straightforward cabins with TVs & porches on a wooded property offering fire pits.
- Saranac Lake Islands Campground - Campsite #704.1 mi
Saranac Lake Islands Campground offers primitive, boat-access-only island campsites on Lower Saranac Lake, providing extensive boater recreation and access to four additional lakes via a system of locks.
- Saranac Lake Islands Campground Campsite 714.1 mi
Saranac Lake Islands Campground offers primitive, boat-access-only camping on Lower Saranac Lake. It provides extensive boater recreation and direct access to four other lakes via a system of locks.
- Saranac Lake Islands Campground - Campsite #774.3 mi
Explore the Lower Saranac Lake Islands, offering extensive boater recreation and access to four other lakes via locks. Camp on designated island sites for a primitive, boat-access-only experience.
See.
4- The Wild Center5.0 mi
Live animals, hands-on exhibits & forest trails connect guests with the Adirondacks.
- The Adirondack Sky Center & Observatory6.8 mi
Free 2-Day Space Camp at the Adirondack Sky Center Calling all future space explorers— get ready for an out-of-this-world adventure! Join us to explore some of the most fascinating topics in outer space! We’ll cover black holes, space tra…
- Adirondack Railroad7.0 mi
Adirondack Railroad offers scenic train experiences through the beautiful outdoor scenery of New York, departing from stations in Utica, Thendara, and Tupper Lake. They provide various themed rides, including special events and multi-hour…
- Sail Adirondacks: Saranac Lake-Lake Placid10.4 mi
A crewed sailboat charter operation with bases in Saranac Lake and Port Henry on Lake Champlain, running learn-to-sail lessons and skippered cruises on a fleet of classic sailboats.
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- Where is Panther Pond located?Panther Pond is a pond in the Tupper Lake region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- How big is Panther Pond?Panther Pond has a surface area of approximately 11 acres, a smaller backcountry water.
- How deep is Panther Pond?Panther Pond has a maximum depth of 18 feet, with a mean depth of 10.8 feet.
- Is Panther Pond open to the public?Yes, Panther 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 Panther Pond?Within roughly seven miles of Panther Pond: 189 designated campsites, 12 lean-tos or shelters, 5 listed campgrounds. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.