Paradox Creek.
Paradox Creek drains the east side of the Schroon Lake divide and winds northeast through farmland and forest before feeding into Paradox Lake — a quiet, overlooked tributary in a region better known for its namesake lake and the oddity of water flowing *north* from the valley despite sitting well south of the primary watershed divide. The creek runs through a mix of posted private land and state forest, so access is scattered and local-knowledge dependent; most paddlers and anglers encounter it only at road crossings or where it opens into the lake. The name dates to early surveying confusion over drainage patterns in the valley — the same geographic quirk that named the lake itself. If you're fishing the inlet at Paradox Lake, you're technically fishing the mouth of Paradox Creek.
Paradox Creek has public access. Summits nearby include Little Pidgeon Hill and Dudley 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
6 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.
- 01Hammond Pond/Berrymill Flow Trail ParkingTrailhead4.6 miunpavedDirections →
- 02EAGLE LAKE/OTTER POND PARKING LOT5.1 miunpavedDirections →
- 03Tubmill Marsh/Short Swing Trail Parking5.2 miunpavedDirections →
- 04East Mill Flow - Round Pond Trail Parking5.5 miunpavedDirections →
- 05LONG SWING TRAILHEAD PARKING6.4 miunpavedDirections →
- 06Walker Brook Parking Lot6.8 miunpavedDirections →
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- Hot Biscuit Diner10.5 mi
Hot Biscuit Diner is a full service family style restaurant in Ticonderoga. Visit us today to try our recipes! We put an emphasis on country style cooking, friendly service and affordable pricing. This Diner has been a family owned and ope…
- Trail Break at Schroon Lake10.6 mi
Trail Break at Schroon Lake offers a restaurant, bar, and lodging in Schroon Lake. Guests can enjoy a menu of food, wine, and beer, live music on select evenings, and overnight stays in their rooms from May through October.
- House of Pizza10.8 mi
A family- and woman-owned pizzeria on Montcalm Street in Ticonderoga since 2002, doing traditional pizza, calzones, pasta, and salads with in-store pickup, curbside pickup, delivery, and no-contact delivery. Pizza-club program.
- Burleigh's Luncheonette10.8 mi
Burleigh's Luncheonette is a 1950s and 1960s themed restaurant located in historic downtown Ticonderoga, New York, offering classic diner vibes and freshly made meals.
Sip.
4- Cupola Crepes11.4 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.
- 9 Mile Coffee Co11.5 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.
- Counter Space18.4 mi
A casual cafe in Elizabethtown serving coffee, espresso, and light bites — a local gathering spot in the Essex County seat.
- Pleasant Valley Cafe18.5 mi
A local cafe in Elizabethtown serving breakfast, lunch, coffee, and comfort food in the heart of the Boquet Valley.
Sweet.
4- Stone Bridge Ice Cream18.6 mi
Stone Bridge Ice Cream is a seasonal stand located 2.5 miles from the Natural Stone Bridge & Caves, offering over 40 flavors of soft serve, custom ice cream cakes, and signature sundaes. It features outdoor seating and a kids' swing set.
- Crossroads Ice Cream22.5 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.
- Main Street Ice Cream Parlor23.0 mi
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- Black Rooster Maple23.0 mi
Pure Adirondack Maple Syrup, Maple Cream, Bourbon Barrel Maple Syrup
— 18.6 mi to the nearest scoop; save it for the ride home.
Drink.
4- Paradox Brewery7.0 mi
Paradox Brewery offers a diverse tap selection, a full menu with pizza, burgers, and BBQ, and an expansive mountain landscape.
- The Old Mine8.8 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.
- Tavern on Main8.8 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 Pub10.8 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- Blue Ridge Motel7.7 mi
A renovated roadside motel on Route 9 between Schroon Lake and North Hudson, with private baths, AC, wifi, a pet-friendly room, and a continental breakfast in the lobby.
- Medcalf Acres Riverfront Campground - Camping in the Adirondacks9.0 mi
A riverfront campground on River Road in Schroon Lake with seasonal sites, in-house Schroon River tubing, free ice and wood at check-in, and tribute-band weekends.
- Blue Ridge Falls Campsites9.4 mi
Blue Ridge Falls Campsites is a campground in North Hudson, NY, offering RV, pop-up, and tent camping near Schroon Lake and I-87. Guests can enjoy Wi-Fi, a swimming pool, tennis courts, and a camp store, with easy access to area attraction…
- Maple Leaf Motel10.4 mi
Modest property offering simple rooms & cabins with fridges, microwaves & free WiFi, plus a pool.
See.
4- Penfield Homestead Museum3.3 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.
- Ticonderoga Heritage Museum10.9 mi
A local history museum on Montcalm Street in Ticonderoga inside the 1888 building, the sole surviving structure from the Ticonderoga Pulp and Paper Company. Free walking tours of the La Chute industrial corridor.
- Fort Ticonderoga12.5 mi
A restored French and Indian War / Revolutionary War fort on 2,000-plus acres at the south end of Lake Champlain in Ticonderoga, with living-history demonstrations, the King's Garden, a corn maze, and boat tours on the lake aboard the Carillon.
- Adirondack History Museum18.4 mi
The Adirondack History Museum in Elizabethtown tells the story of Essex County and the Adirondacks — pioneer life, mining, tourism, and mountain heritage.
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Suggest an edit →Frequently asked.
- Where is Paradox Creek located?Paradox Creek is a stream in the Paradox Lake region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- Is Paradox Creek open to the public?Yes, Paradox 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 Paradox Creek?Within roughly seven miles of Paradox Creek: 21 designated campsites, 10 lean-tos or shelters. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.