Schroon Lake.
Schroon Lake runs nine miles north-south along US-9 between Pottersville and the village of Schroon Lake — 4,200 acres of open water with a long history as a resort destination and one of the few large lakes in the Park with consistent highway access along its entire western shore. The lake supports a year-round population and a summer tourism economy: marinas, public beaches, boat launches at multiple points, and enough open water to keep the motorboat traffic dispersed. Unlike the remote ponds tucked into the High Peaks, Schroon Lake is a working lake — fishing tournaments, water skiing, public access ramps that fill on holiday weekends. For stillwater paddling without a shuttle, the Schroon River inlet at the south end offers a quieter option.
Schroon Lake has public access. Summits nearby include Steep Bay Hill and Quackenbush 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
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.
- 01DEC parking 228255Trailhead1.9 miunpavedDirections →
- 02Trail Parking4.3 miunpavedDirections →
- 03PHARAOH LAKE PARKING4.6 miunpavedDirections →
- 04CRANE POND TRAILHEAD6.6 miunpavedDirections →
- 05Brant Lake Boat Launch7.2 mipavedDirections →
- 06Dirgy Lot Parking7.6 miunpavedDirections →
- 07Lily Pond Parking Area7.8 miunpavedDirections →
- 08Schroon Falls Parking Area7.9 miunpavedDirections →
+4 more on the map above
Getting in, staying over.
Camping.
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- Sticks & Stones Wood Fired Bistro & Bar2.0 mi
Sticks and Stones Wood fired Bistro and Bar, Menu, Events, Catering, Location, Adirondack style private parties.
- DeCesare's Pizzeria3.0 mi
DeCesare's Pizzeria in Schroon Lake offers a menu of pizza, Italian dishes, and salads. They provide online ordering for both carryout and delivery.
- Pitkins Restaurant3.5 mi
Pitkin's Restaurant is a family dining landmark in Schroon Lake, offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a broad menu in a modern rustic setting. It features a new patio, including pet-friendly outdoor dining, and is conveniently locate…
- Trail Break at Schroon Lake4.5 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.
2- 9 Mile Coffee Co3.4 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.
- Cupola Crepes3.5 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.
Sweet.
4- Stone Bridge Ice Cream4.3 mi
Stone Bridge Ice Cream is a seasonal stand located 2.5 miles from the Natural Stone Bridge & Caves, offering over 40 flavors of soft serve, custom ice cream cakes, and signature sundaes. It features outdoor seating and a kids' swing set.
- Crossroads Ice Cream8.9 mi
The ice cream counter at The Crossroads, a country and outdoors store off I-87 Exit 25 in Chestertown between Schroon and Brant Lake — hard and soft ice cream on the road north.
- Main Street Ice Cream Parlor9.4 mi
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- The Hungry Crow Market & Café12.4 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.
Drink.
4- The Brown Swan and Tavern3.4 mi
The Brown Swan and Tavern in Schroon Lake, NY, offers Adirondacks-inspired cuisine with locally sourced ingredients in a family-friendly setting.
- Flanagan's Pub & Grill3.4 mi
Long-standing, log cabin–style haunt offering traditional pub grub, draft beer & cocktails.
- Black Bear Restaurant & Bar5.1 mi
Black Bear Restaurant & Bar is an American eatery in Pottersville, NY, offering comfort food, sandwiches, and breakfast. Known for its welcoming atmosphere, quick service, and popular dishes like meatloaf and gravy fries.
- The Hub7.7 mi
The Hub is a cafe, restaurant, lounge, bar, and bike repair shop located in Brant Lake, also serving the Lake George, Loon Lake, Friends Lake, and Schroon Lake areas.
Stay.
4- Park Mountain Campground2.4 mi
Park Mountain Campground is a family-owned RV and tent campground with 15 spacious sites in the Adirondack Mountains, less than a mile from Schroon Lake and near the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness area.
- Adirondack Pines Bed & Breakfast2.6 mi
Adirondack Pines offers lodging in an 1837 country farmhouse B&B and a renovated 3-bedroom vacation rental house, located minutes from Schroon Lake and area attractions.
- The Adirondack Inn3.4 mi
Historic Schroon Lake inn at 1051 US 9, walking distance to the lake, beaches, restaurants, and shops. Eight Adirondack-themed rooms, fully renovated in 2014. Open May through October.
- Terra Alta cottages4.0 mi
Historic Montgomery Ward kit-home cottages from the 1930s on 14 acres with 400 feet of Schroon Lake shoreline, owned by the Starfield family since the mid-1950s. Dog-friendly for a fee.
See.
4- Natural Stone Bridge & Caves4.7 mi
Explore the largest marble cave entrance in the eastern U.S., carved by Trout Brook. Offers self-guided trails, adventure tours, and winter snowshoeing with ice formations.
- Town of Horicon Museum7.5 mi
The Brant Lake Museum is housed in an 1890s farmhouse, featuring period furniture, clothing, tools, and photographs from the 19th and 20th centuries. It also includes a Carriage House with military and local hotel exhibits.
- Godwin Preserve12.1 mi
Godwin Preserve in the Town of Bolton offers two hiking trails totaling 112 acres, with moderate difficulty. The Yellow Trail provides views of Amy's Park wetlands and High Nopit, while the Red Trail connects to Pole Hill Pond Preserve.
- North Creek Depot Museum12.2 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.
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- Where is Schroon Lake located?Schroon Lake is a lake in the Schroon Lake region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- How big is Schroon Lake?Schroon Lake has a surface area of approximately 4,207 acres, a large lake by Adirondack standards.
- Is Schroon Lake open to the public?Yes, Schroon 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 Schroon Lake?Within roughly seven miles of Schroon Lake: 135 designated campsites, 19 lean-tos or shelters, 5 listed campgrounds. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.