Paradox Lake.
Paradox Lake is a 840-acre lake in the Schroon Lake region, named for its unusual drainage pattern that reverses with seasonal water levels. State boat launch on the north shore; known for smallmouth bass and northern pike, with several Adirondack lean-tos along the eastern shoreline.
Paradox Lake has public access. Summits nearby include Narrows Mountain and Woodchuck Hill.
The water, surveyed.
§ The water
Loading USGS terrain…
Paradox Lake© tjadk
3D terrain: USGS 3DEP relief with NAIP imagery — loads as this slot scrolls into view. The 2D map carries every pin from the classic lake page.
Seasonal pattern for this lake · live closures appear above
10 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.
- 01LONG SWING TRAILHEAD PARKINGTrailhead1.5 miunpavedDirections →
- 02CRANE POND TRAILHEAD2.1 miunpavedDirections →
- 03Dirgy Lot Parking2.2 miunpavedDirections →
- 04Schroon Falls Parking Area2.2 miunpavedDirections →
- 05Tubmill Marsh/Short Swing Trail Parking4.3 miunpavedDirections →
- 06EAGLE LAKE/OTTER POND PARKING LOT5.2 miunpavedDirections →
- 07Trail Parking5.6 miunpavedDirections →
- 08BERRYMILL POND AND GRIZZLE OCEAN PARKING7.5 miunpavedDirections →
+2 more on the map above
Paradox Lake.
From the people who’ve been here, plus what Google has on file.
What’s in the water.
NYSDEC has stocked this water across 15 recent seasons — the ledger below is the public record.
The stocking record.
Launch & supply.
Getting in, staying over.
Access.
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- Trail Break at Schroon Lake3.5 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.
- Pitkins Restaurant4.4 mi
Pitkin's Restaurant is a family dining landmark in Schroon Lake, offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a broad menu in a modern rustic setting. It features a new patio, including pet-friendly outdoor dining, and is conveniently locate…
- DeCesare's Pizzeria5.0 mi
DeCesare's Pizzeria in Schroon Lake offers a menu of pizza, Italian dishes, and salads. They provide online ordering for both carryout and delivery.
- Sticks & Stones Wood Fired Bistro & Bar5.8 mi
Sticks and Stones Wood fired Bistro and Bar, Menu, Events, Catering, Location, Adirondack style private parties.
Sip.
4- Cupola Crepes4.3 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 Co4.4 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.
- Old Mountain Coffee Company21.3 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.
- Counter Space23.4 mi
A casual cafe in Elizabethtown serving coffee, espresso, and light bites — a local gathering spot in the Essex County seat.
Sweet.
4- Stone Bridge Ice Cream11.9 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 Cream16.3 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 Parlor16.9 mi
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- The Hungry Crow Market & Café19.2 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- Paradox Brewery4.2 mi
Paradox Brewery offers a diverse tap selection, a full menu with pizza, burgers, and BBQ, and an expansive mountain landscape.
- Flanagan's Pub & Grill4.4 mi
Long-standing, log cabin–style haunt offering traditional pub grub, draft beer & cocktails.
- The Brown Swan and Tavern4.6 mi
The Brown Swan and Tavern in Schroon Lake, NY, offers Adirondacks-inspired cuisine with locally sourced ingredients in a family-friendly setting.
- Black Bear Restaurant & Bar12.7 mi
Black Bear Restaurant & Bar is an American eatery in Pottersville, NY, offering comfort food, sandwiches, and breakfast. Known for its welcoming atmosphere, quick service, and popular dishes like meatloaf and gravy fries.
Stay.
4- Medcalf Acres Riverfront Campground - Camping in the Adirondacks2.0 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.
- Maple Leaf Motel3.2 mi
Modest property offering simple rooms & cabins with fridges, microwaves & free WiFi, plus a pool.
- Blue Ridge Motel3.2 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.
- Terra Alta cottages3.8 mi
Historic Montgomery Ward kit-home cottages from the 1930s on 14 acres with 400 feet of Schroon Lake shoreline, owned by the Starfield family since the mid-1950s. Dog-friendly for a fee.
See.
4- Penfield Homestead Museum8.9 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.
- Natural Stone Bridge & Caves12.0 mi
Explore the largest marble cave entrance in the eastern U.S., carved by Trout Brook. Offers self-guided trails, adventure tours, and winter snowshoeing with ice formations.
- Town of Horicon Museum14.3 mi
The Brant Lake Museum is housed in an 1890s farmhouse, featuring period furniture, clothing, tools, and photographs from the 19th and 20th centuries. It also includes a Carriage House with military and local hotel exhibits.
- Ticonderoga Heritage Museum14.5 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.
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.
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 Paradox Lake located?Paradox Lake is a lake in the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- How big is Paradox Lake?Paradox Lake has a surface area of approximately 935 acres, a mid-sized water.
- Is Paradox Lake open to the public?Yes, Paradox 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 Paradox Lake?Within roughly seven miles of Paradox Lake: 152 designated campsites, 30 lean-tos or shelters, 2 listed campgrounds. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.