Rock Lake.
Rock Lake is a remote body of water in the western High Peaks, accessible by bushwhack or winter ice approach. No marked trails lead to the shore — experienced navigators only.
Rock Lake has public access. Summits nearby include Stark Hills and Ledger Mountain.
The water, surveyed.
- Cold-water season returns — dress for immersion, and from Nov 1 New York requires wearing a PFD in boats under 21 ft.
Seasonal pattern for this lake · live closures appear above
12 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.
- 01Rock Lake Trail Parking LotTrailhead0.9 mipavedDirections →
- 02Rock River Trail Parking Lot1.2 mipavedDirections →
- 03Sawyer Mountain Parking Lot1.4 miunpavedDirections →
- 04Sawyer Mountain Trail Parking1.4 mipavedDirections →
- 05Lake Durant Northville Placid Trail Parking Lot2.8 mipavedDirections →
- 06Northville Lake Placid Trail Parking Lot2.8 mipavedDirections →
- 07Sprague Pond Parking Area3.6 miunpavedDirections →
- 08Cascade Pond Trail Parking Lot4.7 miunpavedDirections →
+4 more on the map above
Rock Lake.
From the people who’ve been here, plus what Google has on file.
Getting in, staying over.
Access.
On the water.
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- McSweeney's Irish Pub4.6 mi
An Irish-style pub on Route 30 in Indian Lake serving comfort-food classics (shepherd's pie, fish and chips) seven days a week, year-round. The dependable dinner spot in town.
- Chef Darrell’s Mountain Diner4.9 mi
Chef Darrell’s Mountain Diner: the best Diner in Indian Lake, NY. Order directly online today for takeout or delivery. Save money, support local business!
- Long View Lodge Restaurant10.1 mi
Long View Lodge Restaurant on Long Lake offers a full-service dining experience with an award-winning chef. Known for its quality ingredients and an ever-changing menu in a warm, inviting Adirondack setting, no reservations are necessary.
- Long Lake Diner & Owl’s Head Pub10.6 mi
Long Lake Diner & Owl's Head Pub has been proudly serving food, beverages, and memories since 2004.
Sip.
4- Schoolhouse Grounds Coffee Shop5.4 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.
- Waypoint Cafe11.0 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.
- The PERKS of Speculator23.0 mi
Speculator coffee shop and bakery at 2855 NY-30. Specialty coffee, espresso, fresh-baked bagels and pastries, plus breakfast and lunch sandwiches. Gluten-free options across the bakery case.
- Tamarack Cafe23.6 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.
Sweet.
4- Custard’s Last Stand10.5 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 Park10.5 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.
- The Hungry Crow Market & Café19.5 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.
- Speculator Creamery23.0 mi
A family-run village creamery anchoring Speculator's tiny downtown near Lake Pleasant — a genuine community summer hub. Wide-ranging soft-serve flavors, the 16oz Nor'Easter blend, and hand-dipped hard ice cream. Roughly May through September.
Drink.
4- Indian Lake Restaurant, Tavern and Liquor Store4.6 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…
- Hex and Hop Tasting Room - Blue Mountain Lake5.3 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 & Hoagies10.6 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.
- Acorn Pub & Eatery at Oak Mountain21.9 mi
Acorn Pub & Eatery is a dining option at Oak Mountain, offering a place to eat and drink.
Stay.
4- Adirondack Trail Motel4.1 mi
The Adirondack Trail Motel is a welcoming year-round lodging option in Indian Lake, offering comfortable rooms with modern amenities and easy access to outdoor activities.
- Twin Coves on Indian Lake4.7 mi
Twin Coves offers nine fully equipped cottages on the shore of Indian Lake, surrounded by the Adirondack Mountains. Guests can enjoy swimming, fishing, water skiing, and various games, with nearby amenities like marinas, golf, and restaura…
- Steamboat Landing on Blue Mountain Lake5.3 mi
Steamboat Landing is a comfortable lakeside lodge in Blue Mountain Lake, Adirondack Park, offering renovated accommodations with scenic views and peaceful stays from June to October.
- Blue Mountain Lake Inn5.4 mi
Blue Mountain Lake Inn is a historic 1880s Victorian boarding house offering bed and breakfast lodging and whole house rentals in Blue Mountain Lake, NY, providing hospitality for guests exploring the Adirondack Park.
See.
4- Blue Mountain Fire Observation Station4.5 mi
Blue Mountain offers a rewarding fire tower hike in the Central Adirondacks, featuring sweeping views and historical significance, with a world-class museum located at its base.
- Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts5.3 mi
Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts is a vibrant hub for creativity in the Adirondacks, offering inspiring performances, gallery exhibits, workshops, and community events for all ages.
- Adirondack Experience — Museum on Blue Mountain Lake6.2 mi
More than 20 buildings across 121 acres hold interactive exhibitions on Adirondack life, from boat collections and photography archives to outdoor activities and a research library.
- BLUE MOUNTAIN CENTER7.5 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 Rock Lake located?Rock Lake is a lake in the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- How big is Rock Lake?Rock Lake has a surface area of approximately 213 acres, a mid-sized water.
- Is Rock Lake open to the public?Yes, Rock 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 Rock Lake?Within roughly seven miles of Rock Lake: 60 designated campsites, 11 lean-tos or shelters, 1 listed campground. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.