Rock Pond.
Rock Pond sits just outside Speculator village limits — a 38-acre water with no designated public access and no recorded fishery data, which usually means private shoreline or a walk-in that hasn't made it onto the DEC stocking lists. The name shows up on USGS quads but not in the angler logbooks, and there's no trailhead signage on NY-8 or NY-30 to point the way in. If you're paddling the Cedar River Flow or hiking the Pillsbury Mountain trail system, Rock Pond might be worth a detour if you spot an unmarked path — but this one lives in that gap between local knowledge and public record. Check property lines before you bushwhack.
Rock Pond has public access. Summits nearby include Hemlock Cobble and Little Hardwood Hill.
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
9 parking areas· 3 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.
- 01Cisco Brook Trailhead ParkingTrailhead2.1 miunpavedDirections →
- 02Indian Lake Parking4.1 mi
- 03Watch Hill Parking Area4.5 miunpavedDirections →
- 04Indian Lake Parking Lot4.6 mi
- 05Snowy Mountain Trail Parking5.1 miunpavedDirections →
- 06Big Brook Rd Parking Lot5.8 miunpavedDirections →
- 07Mason Lake6.1 mipavedDirections →
- 08DEC parking 189256.2 mi
+1 more on the map above
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- Charlie Johns Store9.4 mi
Opened in 1939, Charlie Johns Store is Speculator's anchor general store — 12,000 square feet of full grocery selection, produce, fresh meats, a full deli, bakery, and hardware. Purchased from Charlie Johns in 1971 by Dean Lane, the Lane family has owned and operated it since.
- Firetower Pizza9.4 mi
Hand-tossed pizzeria in Speculator with specialty pies named after Adirondack peaks (Mt Marcy, Snowy Mountain, Whiteface). Wings, baked ziti, white clam pie. Cozy waiting area with retro jukebox and arcade.
- McSweeney's Irish Pub10.6 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.
- becks TAVERN16.0 mi
A tavern on Peaceful Valley Road in North Creek serving German-inspired dishes alongside burgers, wings, and bar standards. The Yurts out back are the conversation piece.
Sip.
4- The PERKS of Speculator9.7 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.
- Uncle Carl's Coffee15.3 mi
Uncle Carl's Coffee serves expertly crafted coffees, artisan teas, pastries, and light savory bites. They also offer daily quiche and bagels, along with homemade soups, frozen meals, local meats, and cheeses.
- Schoolhouse Grounds Coffee Shop17.1 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.
- Waypoint Cafe24.5 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- Speculator Creamery9.8 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.
- The Hungry Crow Market & Café16.3 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.
- Custard’s Last Stand24.0 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 Park24.0 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.
Drink.
4- Acorn Pub & Eatery at Oak Mountain8.6 mi
Acorn Pub & Eatery is a dining option at Oak Mountain, offering a place to eat and drink.
- Lemon Tree Brewery9.7 mi
Lemon Tree Brewery is a brewery and taproom located in Speculator, NY, steps from Lake Pleasant. It offers house brews like SASQUATCH HAZY IPA and Blueberry Wheat, along with other local NY State micro-brewed beers and wines in a relaxed s…
- Indian Lake Restaurant, Tavern and Liquor Store10.6 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 Lake16.9 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.
Stay.
4- Timberlock4.0 mi
Since 1899, Timberlock has been a family camp offering rustic cabins, lakeside activities, and unforgettable summers in upstate New York.
- The Cabins at Chimney Mountain5.4 mi
The Cabins at Chimney Mountain offers an all-American camp adventure with 9 cozy cabins and 4 glamping tent sites on a secluded 280-acre estate in Indian Lake, NY. Enjoy hiking trails, a private lake, and a camp store.
- Snowy Mountain Inn5.6 mi
Snowy Mountain Inn offers Bed & Breakfast lodging and secluded cottages with lake and mountain views, plus a "guests only" dining room featuring Real Pit Southern BBQ.
- The Lorca Adirondacks6.4 mi
A classic Adirondack drive-in lodge rebuilt as a self-check-in contemporary boutique. Eight rooms walled in natural pine, with fire pits, grills, lawn games, a seasonal pool, and a short walk to Indian Lake.
See.
4- Ampersand Christine Falls8.2 mi
Ampersand Energy LLC.
- Speculator Historical Museum9.6 mi
A small local-history museum on Route 8 in Speculator inside the original Lake Pleasant Town Hall and Library. Open weekends Memorial Day through August, plus weekday hours in summer.
- Revolution Rail Co. - Thurman Station16.4 mi
A pedal-powered rail biking operation at Thurman Station on the Adirondack Railroad bed near North Creek, with family-friendly seasonal tours rolling alongside the Hudson River corridor through forest and open river-bank country.
- North Creek Depot Museum16.4 mi
Saved from demolition, this 1872 landmark station is now a museum, heritage center, and cultural hub in historic North Creek, featuring a fabulous diorama and exhibits on the Adirondack Railroad, Theodore Roosevelt, and local history.
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 Pond located?Rock Pond is a pond in the Speculator region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- How big is Rock Pond?Rock Pond has a surface area of approximately 38 acres, a smaller backcountry water.
- Is Rock Pond open to the public?Yes, Rock Pond 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 Pond?Within roughly seven miles of Rock Pond: 76 designated campsites, 8 lean-tos or shelters. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.