Salmon River.
The Salmon River runs through the town of Keene — not to be confused with the more famous Salmon River systems near Pulaski or in Franklin County — draining a forested corridor between the High Peaks and the Champlain Valley. It's a tributaried backcountry stream rather than a destination river, feeding into the broader Ausable drainage and surfacing along old logging roads and private property lines where access is limited and unmarked. No stocking records, no developed put-ins, no trail register — this is water you encounter while bushwhacking or cross-referencing old USGS quads. If you're looking for moving water to fish or paddle in Keene, the East Branch Ausable is the name you want.
Salmon River has public access. Summits nearby include Terry Mountain and Burnt Hill.
The water, surveyed.
Before you launch.
- 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
6 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.
- 01Red Road Parking LotTrailhead1.4 miunpavedDirections →
- 02Red Road Parking Area2.0 miunpavedDirections →
- 03Mud Pond Trail Parking2.8 miunpavedDirections →
- 04Parking3.0 miunpavedDirections →
- 05Military Pond Road Parking Lot3.5 miunpavedDirections →
- 06Burnt Hill Parking Lot3.8 miunpavedDirections →
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- The Hungry Trout18.5 mi
Situated on the West Branch of the Ausable River, the Hungry Trout offers two distinct dining experiences, from an upscale restaurant to a lively tavern.
- Monday Tuesday Grill20.9 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.
- Turtle Island Cafe21.0 mi
Turtle Island Cafe is a full-service restaurant in Willsboro, NY, offering bistro-style food, wine, beer, and cocktails in a casual and friendly environment. It has been named Best Burger in the Adirondacks by Adirondack Life Magazine for…
- Forty Six24.9 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.
— 18.5 mi to the nearest table out here; plan the drive to dinner.
Sip.
2- Adirondack Mountain Coffee Cafe19.0 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…
- Saranac Juice24.9 mi
Cold-pressed juices, cleanses, protein elixirs, and nut mylks from Saranac River Ranch in Bloomingdale, made from organic produce grown on the farm or sourced from local Adirondack growers.
— 19.0 mi to the nearest pour to this spot; pack a thermos.
Sweet.
4- Whitebrook Dairy Bar16.4 mi
A classic roadside drive-in on Route 86 in Wilmington, five minutes from Whiteface — creamy soft serve (try the peanut-butter dip) plus footlongs and the Wilmington burger. Opening day is a local rite of spring.
- Sugar House Creamery18.7 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.
- Cedar Run Bakery & Market24.5 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.
- Black Rooster Maple24.8 mi
Pure Adirondack Maple Syrup, Maple Cream, Bourbon Barrel Maple Syrup
— 16.4 mi to the nearest scoop; save it for the ride home.
Drink.
2- R.F. McDougall's Pub18.5 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.
- Hex and Hop Brewing24.6 mi
Hex and Hop Brewing is a craft brewery and meadery in Bloomingdale, New York, making full-flavored, locally sourced beer and mead. They prioritize community and craft, using fresh, local ingredients.
— 18.5 mi to the nearest pint; appoint a driver.
Stay.
4- Mountain Brook Lodge16.4 mi
Welcome to your home away from home! Mountain Brook Lodge offers a unique blend of comfort and convenience, ensuring your stay is memorable. We pride ourselves on offering a variety of amenities to make your stay as comfortable as…
- Cadence Lodge at Whiteface16.5 mi
Cadence Lodge in Wilmington, NY, offers an ideal base camp for outdoor adventurers. The property features recently updated guest rooms with amenities to enhance your stay, including a restaurant onsite, weekend breakfast options, and…
- Adirondack Spruce Lodge16.5 mi
Twenty-seven-room independent lodge in Wilmington village, minutes from Whiteface Mountain and walking distance from the Ausable River. Complimentary breakfast, fire pit, and Adirondack-character rooms.
- Wolfjaw Lodge16.6 mi
Welcome to the totally transformed Wolfjaw Lodge, located at the base of Whiteface Mountain, just a 2-minute drive from both Whiteface and Wilmington beach. Each of our 2 private houses and 11 lodge rooms and suites has been recently…
— 16.4 mi to the nearest bed on the register; book before you go.
See.
4- Ausable Chasm11.2 mi
A sandstone gorge attraction on US 9 in Ausable Chasm, with rim trails, walkways through the gorge floor, and add-on tubing and rafting on the Ausable River. Open seasonally, roughly mid-May through Columbus Day.
- Upper Jay Art Center and Recovery Lounge19.0 mi
The Upper Jay Art Center and Recovery Lounge is a vibrant venue dedicated to presenting music, theater, and visual arts in Upper Jay, NY. It serves as a community hub for various cultural events.
- Summit Weather Observatory20.0 mi
The Summit Weather Observatory, part of the University at Albany's Atmospheric Sciences Research Center (ASRC), provides real-time weather conditions and data from its observatory at the summit of Whiteface Mountain and a field station at…
- High Falls Gorge20.3 mi
A 22-acre privately owned nature park on Route 86 in Wilmington with rim trails, glass-floor walkways over Ausable River waterfalls, a cafe, and gift shop. Open year-round, weather permitting.
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Suggest an edit →Frequently asked.
- Where is Salmon River located?Salmon River is a river in the Keene region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- Is Salmon River open to the public?Yes, Salmon River 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 Salmon River?Within roughly seven miles of Salmon River: 1 designated campsite. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.