Raquette Lake.
Raquette Lake — the largest natural water in the Adirondack Park — sprawls across 3,179 acres and defines the geography of the central Adirondacks, a hub from which the Raquette River drains north and the Fulton Chain system drains southwest. The lake unfolds in a jagged, multi-armed shape: South Inlet, North Bay, Sucker Brook Bay, and a handful of others break the shoreline into coves and narrows that give the water its character. Historically a steamboat crossroads and the heart of Great Camp country, Raquette Lake still carries that legacy in its boating culture — this is a motor lake, busy in summer, with marinas, lodges, and a year-round hamlet on the north shore. No fish data on file, but locals run walleye, smallmouth, and northern pike lines; launch at the state ramp off NY-28.
Raquette Lake has public access. Summits nearby include Bluff Point Hill and Fox 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
11 parking areas· 5 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.
- 01DEC parking 18886Trailhead3.1 mi
- 02DEC parking 188844.7 mi
- 03DEC parking 188875.0 mi
- 04Cascades Trail Parking Lot5.1 miunpavedDirections →
- 05Blue Ridge Parking5.3 miunpavedDirections →
- 06Sagamore Road Parking5.7 miunpavedDirections →
- 07DEC parking 188855.8 mi
- 08DEC parking 188836.6 mi
+3 more on the map above
What’s in the water.
NYSDEC has stocked this water across 13 recent seasons — the ledger below is the public record.
The stocking record.
Launch & supply.
Getting in, staying over.
Camping.
On the water.
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- Tony Harper's Pizza & Clam Shack2.7 mi
Tony Harper's Pizza & Clam Shack is a family restaurant and bar with four Adirondack locations, offering homemade pizza, wings, and seafood. Guests can enjoy sports on high-def TVs, a full bar, and live music.
- Seventh Lake House9.5 mi
Rustic space with a lake view preps classic & contemporary American dishes from seasonal goods.
- Tony Harpers Pizza and Clam Shack10.3 mi
Tony Harper's Pizza & Clam Shack offers family-friendly dining with pizza, wings, and seafood across four Adirondack locations: year-round in Old Forge and Lowville, and seasonal spots in Inlet and Raquette Lake. The Raquette Lake location…
- Screamen Eagle10.4 mi
Gift certificates available, please give us a call! (315) 357-6026
Sip.
4- Schoolhouse Grounds Coffee Shop10.1 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 Cafe10.3 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.
- Blue Line Coffee House10.3 mi
Blue Line Coffee House offers Adirondack-inspired apparel, handcrafted mugs, and mountain-themed gifts, along with pre-packaged coffee and coffee accessories. Products are available for nationwide shipping, and local customers can order dr…
- Waypoint Cafe13.7 mi
Long Lake cafe at 1265 Main St. La Colombe coffee, homemade quiche, avocado toast, artisan sandwiches, salads, poke bowls, soups, and charcuterie. Closed Mondays; weeknight happy hour 4–6 p.m.
Sweet.
4- Northern Lights Creamery Inc.10.3 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.
- Custard’s Last Stand13.6 mi
Custard's Last Stand is a historic ice cream shop in Long Lake, established in 1958, serving a variety of soft frozen custard & hard ice cream, sundaes, specialty shakes, floats, and ice cream sodas. They also offer merchandise and gift cards.
- The Park13.6 mi
Trying to find a fast food restaurant in Long Lake? Pay a visit to The Park. We offer a range of burgers, sides, ice cream, drinks and coffee options.
- Benny’s Ice Cream19.3 mi
A family-run, locally loved scoop shop on Old Forge's Main Street — hand-scooped hard flavors and soft serve.
Drink.
4- Hex and Hop Tasting Room - Blue Mountain Lake10.1 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.
- Brookside Hops & Hoagies13.7 mi
Brookside Hops & Hoagies is a casual, family-friendly shop in Long Lake, founded in 2023, offering craft beers and hoagies made with fresh ingredients and Boars Head deli meats. It operates Wednesday through Sunday from 11 AM to 7 PM.
- Daiker's13.9 mi
Daikers is an Adirondack pitstop in Old Forge, NY, offering seasonal and local dining with a deck overlooking Fourth Lake. Their caring and committed staff ensure a fantastic experience for guests.
- Indian Lake Restaurant, Tavern and Liquor Store18.8 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…
Stay.
4- Tioga Point Campground - Lean-To - Site #6313 ft
Tioga Point Campground is a primitive campground located in Raquette Lake, NY with 15 lean-tos and 10 tent sites.
- Tioga Point Campground - Lean-To - Site #7372 ft
A specific lean-to site (Site #7) at the DEC's Tioga Point Campground on Long Lake, with shoreline access reachable primarily by boat. Reservations through DEC.
- Tioga Point Campground - Lean-To - Site #5441 ft
Tioga Point Campground is a primitive campground located in Raquette Lake, NY with 15 lean-tos and 10 tent sites.
- Tioga Point Campground - Lean-To - Site #4460 ft
Tioga Point Campground is a primitive campground located in Raquette Lake, NY with 15 lean-tos and 10 tent sites.
See.
4- Camp Pine Knot1.8 mi
William West Durant's 1877 compound on Raquette Lake — the camp that invented the Adirondack Great Camp style. Now SUNY Cortland's Huntington Memorial Camp, an outdoor-education center with occasional public programs.
- Raquette Lake Navigation Cruise2.5 mi
Raquette Lake Navigation Company offers dining, sightseeing, and special event cruises on Raquette Lake in New York. This family-owned and operated business has been providing scenic experiences aboard the W.W. Durant since 1991.
- Great Camp Sagamore5.5 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 CENTER7.7 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.
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.
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 Raquette Lake located?Raquette Lake is a lake in the Raquette Lake region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- How big is Raquette Lake?Raquette Lake has a surface area of approximately 3,179 acres, a large lake by Adirondack standards.
- Is Raquette Lake open to the public?Yes, Raquette 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 Raquette Lake?Within roughly seven miles of Raquette Lake: 46 designated campsites, 45 lean-tos or shelters, 3 listed campgrounds. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.