Porter Brook.
Porter Brook drains the north shoulder of Porter Mountain and runs west through Keene, crossing under NY-73 just south of the Johns Brook Lodge trailhead — a cold, fast stream you'll parallel or cross if you're hiking into the Johns Brook Valley from Marcy Field. It's brook trout water in the upper reaches, though fishing pressure tends to focus on the ponds and the main stem of Johns Brook itself. The stream picks up volume quickly in spring melt and after heavy rain, and the crossings on the trail to Johns Brook Lodge can run knee-deep by late April. If you're day-hiking Giant or Rocky Peak Ridge from NY-73, you'll hear it but likely won't see it — the drainage runs parallel to the road, tucked into the trees on the valley floor.
Porter Brook has public access. Summits nearby include Blueberry Mountain and Little Porter Mountain.
The water, surveyed.
Before you launch.
Seasonal pattern for this lake · live closures appear above
12 parking areas· 1 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.
- 01Route 73/9N Parking AreaTrailhead2.3 mi
- 02Baxter Mountain Parking2.4 miunpavedDirections →
- 03State 73 Parking Lot3.1 miunpavedDirections →
- 04Cascade Lakes Picnic Parking3.5 miunpavedDirections →
- 05Cascade Mountain Parking3.8 mipavedDirections →
- 06Cascade Mountain Parking3.9 mipavedDirections →
- 07Cascade Mountain Parking3.9 mipavedDirections →
- 08Cascade Mountain Parking4.0 mipavedDirections →
+4 more on the map above
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- Ausable Inn1.6 mi
Comfortable Keene Valley restaurant, bar, liquor store, and small inn. American comfort menu — wings, fish and chips, Montreal brisket, steak au poivre, plus the locally famous Hungarian mushroom soup.
- Noon Mark Diner1.7 mi
A traditional diner experience, offering hearty meals for travelers and locals in the Adirondack Park.
- Forty Six3.2 mi
A small fine-dining room on Route 9N in Keene at the Dartbrook Lodge campus, with a seasonal menu that rotates regularly and elegant plating. Reservations recommended.
- Monday Tuesday Grill7.2 mi
Monday Tuesday Grill in Upper Jay offers fresh, friendly, and affordable comfort meals for indoor, outdoor, and takeout dining, including grilled cheese sandwiches, soups, and Swedish meatballs.
Sip.
4- Old Mountain Coffee Company1.7 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.
- Adirondack Mountain Coffee Cafe9.1 mi
Adirondack Mountain Coffee Cafe is a coffee shop in Upper Jay, NY, serving fresh, slow-roasted coffee, breakfast, and lunch daily. Located near Whiteface Mountain and the Adirondack State Park, it also offers local beer and cocktails, with…
- Origin Coffee10.1 mi
Origin Coffee Co. is a specialty coffee shop with locations in Lake Placid and Saranac Lake, offering a chef-driven breakfast and lunch menu served all day. It serves as a community gathering spot for locals and Adirondack travelers.
- The Coffee Bar10.3 mi
A small coffee bar on Main Street in Lake Placid with Mirror Lake and Whiteface Mountain views, pulling shots from Tug Hill Artisan Roasters beans.
Sweet.
4- Black Rooster Maple3.3 mi
Pure Adirondack Maple Syrup, Maple Cream, Bourbon Barrel Maple Syrup
- Cedar Run Bakery & Market3.5 mi
Cedar Run Bakery & Market offers scratch-made baked goods, deli items, fresh menu options, and take & bake meals, alongside a selection of wine and spirits. They are open Friday through Monday from 8 AM to 6 PM.
- Adirondack Corner Store8.8 mi
A longtime deli and general store at the corner of Route 73 in Lake Placid with an ice cream counter and subs — a locals' spot off the Main Street tourist row.
- Sugar House Creamery9.3 mi
Sugar House Creamery is a farmstead creamery located in the Adirondacks, producing artisanal cheeses from the milk of their own cows. They offer a variety of cheeses, showcasing the quality of their local dairy.
Drink.
4- Lake Placid Pub & Brewery10.0 mi
A brewpub on Mirror Lake Drive in Lake Placid since 1996, with 12 house beers on tap including the original Ubu Ale, a downstairs Irish pub, and a deck over Mirror Lake.
- Top of the Park10.4 mi
A Lake Placid bar on Main Street offering a curated selection of wine, scotch, bourbon, craft beer, and top-shelf liquors, complemented by small plates and signature cocktails. Enjoy 'Spirits with a View' from its large deck overlooking Mi…
- R.F. McDougall's Pub11.0 mi
The casual sibling of the Hungry Trout Restaurant, sharing the same Adirondack riverside property next to Whiteface. Pub food, regional beers, and the same view of the West Branch Ausable at a more relaxed price point.
- Ray Brook Brewhouse14.6 mi
Ray Brook Brewhouse is a unique brewery in Ray Brook, NY, offering wild and traditional brews paired with adventurous dishes made from local and exotic ingredients.
Stay.
4- Keene Valley Lodge1.5 mi
A seven-room lodge and three-bedroom cottage at the center of Keene Valley, with breakfast and direct walk access to the Great Range trailheads and village restaurants.
- Rooster Comb Inn1.7 mi
Rooster Comb Inn is a dog-friendly inn located in the heart of Keene Valley, NY, offering comfortable, rustic lodging within walking distance to Adirondack trailheads and local eateries. It features shared amenities like a full kitchen and…
- Dartbrook Lodge3.2 mi
A small lodge on Route 9N in Keene offering individually furnished cottages and suites in the Great Camp tradition, many with kitchens and private porches. The High Peaks trailheads start a few miles up the road.
- The Mountain House4.5 mi
Your private escape in the lush Adirondack mountains. Situated above the town of Keene Valley, the large Mountain House property boasts three beautifully appointed, rustic guest houses with updated amenities. Book for family vacations, c…
See.
4- Keene Arts3.4 mi
Keene Arts is a venue in Keene, NY, hosting diverse events including art exhibits, concerts, film screenings, and a winter farmers market.
- Hurricane Mountain Fire Tower5.3 mi
Perched atop Hurricane Mountain, this historic fire tower provides hikers with unparalleled 360-degree views of the Adirondacks, Lake Champlain, and Vermont's Green Mountains.
- Lake Placid Bobsled Experience5.6 mi
Mt Van Hoevenberg, a Lake Placid Legacy Site, offers the thrilling Skeleton Experience for visitors and youth bobsled and skeleton programs, continuing its Olympic legacy as a venue for winter sports.
- Cliffside Coaster5.7 mi
The Cliffside Coaster in Lake Placid, NY, is the longest coaster in North America. It follows the path of Olympic history at Mt Van Hoevenberg.
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Suggest an edit →Frequently asked.
- Where is Porter Brook located?Porter Brook is a stream in the Keene region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- Is Porter Brook open to the public?Yes, Porter Brook 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 Porter Brook?Within roughly seven miles of Porter Brook: 71 designated campsites, 27 lean-tos or shelters. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.