Panther Pond.
Panther Pond is a three-acre pocket water in the Speculator region — small enough that it likely holds more interest as a bushwhack objective or a corner-of-the-map curiosity than as a destination for fishing or paddling. No fish species data on record, which for a pond this size often means seasonal oxygen depletion or intermittent winterkill. The name suggests old wildcatter history or a trapper's reference, but without maintained trail access or lean-to infrastructure, this one stays off most recreational itineraries. If you're poking around the backroads south or west of Speculator with a topo map and time to spare, it's there — but expect shallow water and dense shoreline.
Panther Pond has public access. Summits nearby include Floodwood Mountain and Pine Hill.
The water, surveyed.
Seasonal pattern for this lake · live closures appear above
8 parking areas· 4 accessible
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.
- 01Mason LakeTrailhead0.4 mipavedDirections →
- 02Mason Lake Parking0.7 mi
- 03DEC parking 189251.3 mi
- 04Indian Lake Parking Lot3.9 mi
- 05Pillsbury Mountain Trail Parking4.0 miunpavedDirections →
- 06Indian Lake Parking4.4 mi
- 07Cisco Brook Trailhead Parking4.9 miunpavedDirections →
- 08Watch Hill Parking Area6.9 miunpavedDirections →
What’s in the water.
NYSDEC has stocked this water across 14 recent seasons — the ledger below is the public record.
The stocking record.
Launch & supply.
Getting in, staying over.
Camping.
What the lake is doing today.
What rings this water.
The peaks.
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- Charlie Johns Store7.2 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 Pizza7.2 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.
- Oxbow Inn12.4 mi
Oxbow Inn is a welcoming restaurant and bar in Lake Pleasant offering great pizza, local beef burgers, and a wide selection of 16 draft beers. Enjoy casual dining, live music, and an outdoor deck with fire pits and lake views.
- McSweeney's Irish Pub14.4 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 Speculator7.5 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 Coffee14.7 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.
- Schoolhouse Grounds Coffee Shop17.9 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.
- Tamarack Cafe21.9 mi
Tamarack Cafe in downtown Inlet serves a wide variety of breakfast and lunch options, from traditional favorites and specialty bowls to creative salads, sandwiches, and burgers. The cafe also features an 18-hole mini-golf course.
Sweet.
3- Speculator Creamery7.5 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.
- Northern Lights Creamery Inc.21.3 mi
An Inlet institution for 40-plus years, a short walk from Arrowhead Park on Fourth Lake — soft serve, homemade gelato, floats, flurries, and specialty sundaes.
- The Hungry Crow Market & Café22.0 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.
Drink.
4- Acorn Pub & Eatery at Oak Mountain6.5 mi
Acorn Pub & Eatery is a dining option at Oak Mountain, offering a place to eat and drink.
- Lemon Tree Brewery7.6 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 Store14.4 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…
- Hex and Hop Tasting Room - Blue Mountain Lake17.7 mi
Hex and Hop is a craft brewery and meadery located in Bloomingdale, New York. They offer full-flavored, high-quality craft beer and mead, made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, emphasizing community and craft.
Stay.
4- Timberlock5.7 mi
Since 1899, Timberlock has been a family camp offering rustic cabins, lakeside activities, and unforgettable summers in upstate New York.
- Moffit Beach Campground7.4 mi
A 247-site DEC campground on Sacandaga Lake near Speculator at 1,730 feet elevation, with flat well-wooded sites under white pines and hardwoods. Pets allowed on a 6-foot leash.
- Moffitt Beach State Campground7.5 mi
This popular state campground offers 260 sites among tall white pines, with many enjoying direct access to Sacandaga Lake for fishing, boating, and swimming.
- Cedarhurst Motor Lodge7.5 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.
See.
4- Speculator Historical Museum7.3 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.
- Ampersand Christine Falls7.9 mi
Ampersand Energy LLC.
- Great Camp Sagamore15.7 mi
Great Camp Sagamore is a historic Adirondack Great Camp offering multi-day programs, overnight stays, and daily activities focused on history, arts, outdoor recreation, and wellness.
- BLUE MOUNTAIN CENTER17.6 mi
Blue Mountain Center is a working community of writers, artists, and activists set in the heart of the Adirondacks, the largest state park in the continental U.S.
Add to the record.
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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 Panther Pond located?Panther Pond is a pond in the Speculator region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- How big is Panther Pond?Panther Pond has a surface area of approximately 3 acres, a small pond.
- 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: 60 designated campsites, 9 lean-tos or shelters. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.