Putnam Creek.
Putnam Creek drains north through the eastern Adirondacks toward Paradox Lake — a small tributary system in a region better known for its ironworks history than its backcountry hydrology. The creek runs through a mix of private land and state forest, so access is informal and site-specific; local knowledge matters more here than trail registers. No fish data on file, but the geology and gradient suggest typical Champlain drainage patterns — cold headwaters, warmer lower stretches, brookies possible in the upper reaches if there's enough flow. If you're exploring this drainage, start with the DEC's Unit Management Plan for the Paradox Lake Wild Forest and cross-reference the town tax maps.
Putnam Creek has public access. Summits nearby include Sugar Hill and Breeds Hill.
The water, surveyed.
Seasonal pattern for this lake · live closures appear above
1 parking area
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.
- 01Port Henry Boat Launch ParkingTrailhead6.9 mipavedDirections →
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- House of Pizza7.4 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 Luncheonette7.4 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.
- Hot Biscuit Diner7.5 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 Lake18.5 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.
Sip.
4- Cupola Crepes19.1 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 Co19.1 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 Space20.0 mi
A casual cafe in Elizabethtown serving coffee, espresso, and light bites — a local gathering spot in the Essex County seat.
- Pleasant Valley Cafe20.0 mi
A local cafe in Elizabethtown serving breakfast, lunch, coffee, and comfort food in the heart of the Boquet Valley.
— 19.1 mi to the nearest pour to this spot; pack a thermos.
Drink.
4- Tavern on Main6.0 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 Pub7.4 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.
- The Old Mine8.7 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.
- Paradox Brewery15.7 mi
Paradox Brewery offers a diverse tap selection, a full menu with pizza, burgers, and BBQ, and an expansive mountain landscape.
Stay.
4- Stone House Motel & Motor Lodge7.5 mi
A stone-built motor lodge on Montcalm Street in Ticonderoga, family-run since 1948, with antique-furnished lodge rooms, A-frame units with Adirondack themes, and motel-strip housekeeping units with kitchen appliances.
- Brookwood RV Resort10.8 mi
An RV resort on Route 9N between Hague and Ticonderoga, with full-hookup RV sites, tent sites, and rustic Adirondack-style cabins. WiFi on all sites, fire rings, and Saturday-night live music in July and August.
- Pharoah Lake Lean To15.4 mi
The Pharoah Lake Lean To is located within the 46,283-acre Pharaoh Lake Wilderness, part of the Adirondack Forest Preserve, which features many lakes and ponds.
- The Inn on Lake Champlain - Adirondack Farmstay B&B15.6 mi
Historic 440-acre Adirondack farmstay B&B above Lake Champlain in Putnam Station. Four en-suite bedrooms, two parlors, formal dining, wrap-around porch. Working farm with horses, cows, and chickens.
See.
4- Penfield Homestead Museum6.4 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 Museum7.4 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 Ticonderoga8.0 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 Museum19.9 mi
The Adirondack History Museum in Elizabethtown tells the story of Essex County and the Adirondacks — pioneer life, mining, tourism, and mountain heritage.
Add to the record.
Free, takes thirty seconds. Yours forever.
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 Putnam Creek located?Putnam Creek is a stream in the Paradox Lake region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- Is Putnam Creek open to the public?Yes, Putnam 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 Putnam Creek?Within roughly seven miles of Putnam Creek: 50 designated campsites, 3 lean-tos or shelters. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.