Shiras Pond.
Shiras Pond is an 8-acre water tucked into the Speculator area — small enough that it likely holds brook trout even without formal stocking records, typical of these backcountry ponds that sit off the main corridors. The name suggests early surveyor or logging-era heritage, common in this stretch of the southern Adirondacks where most waters were named for the men who cut timber or ran the first survey lines through in the 1800s. Access details are scarce, which usually means old logging roads or unmaintained footpaths — worth a local inquiry at the Speculator town offices or a stop at a nearby sporting goods shop before committing to the bushwhack.
Shiras Pond has public access. Summits nearby include Smith Mountain and Georgia Mountain.
The water, surveyed.
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.
- 01Georgia Creek Parking LotTrailhead2.9 miunpavedDirections →
- 02Sacandaga River Parking Picnic Area2.9 mipavedDirections →
- 03W. Stony Creek Rd Baldwin Springs Parking3.0 miunpavedDirections →
- 04Griffin Connector Parking Lot At Route 84.0 miunpavedDirections →
- 05Bakertown Parking Area4.4 miunpavedDirections →
- 06Cod Pond Parking Lot4.5 miunpavedDirections →
- 07E. Sacandaga Parking Lot4.9 mipavedDirections →
- 08Shanty Falls Parking Lot5.0 miunpavedDirections →
+4 more on the map above
What’s in the water.
NYSDEC has stocked this water across 12 recent seasons — the ledger below is the public record.
The stocking record.
Launch & supply.
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- Alpine Grille9.9 mi
A long-running roadside steak-and-seafood house on the Sacandaga, between Northville and Wells. Generous portions, a lively bar, and the kind of dining room where the staff knows the regulars by name. Reservations recommended on weekends.
- Charlie Johns Store11.3 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 Pizza11.3 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.
- Klippel's Kozy Korner Cafe16.6 mi
India’s largest Food Delivery, Dining and Restaurant Discovery Service. Better food for more people.
Sip.
4- Uncle Carl's Coffee7.9 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.
- The PERKS of Speculator11.1 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.
- ADK Blend16.8 mi
Northville smoothie & açaí-bowl spot in the Great Sacandaga Lake corridor.
- Caffe Vero21.9 mi
Breakfast, baked goods, sandwiches & house-roasted coffee in a comfy, earth-toned cafe.
Sweet.
4- Speculator Creamery11.3 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 Village Scoop16.9 mi
A walk-up ice cream shop on Northville's Main Street at the north tip of Great Sacandaga Lake — hard ice cream and soft serve with a wide flavor selection.
- Cree-Mee Freeze17.6 mi
A summer soft-serve stand near Northville on the Great Sacandaga Lake shore, with twists and specialty sundaes.
- The Hungry Crow Market & Café17.8 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- Lemon Tree Brewery11.1 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…
- Acorn Pub & Eatery at Oak Mountain11.3 mi
Acorn Pub & Eatery is a dining option at Oak Mountain, offering a place to eat and drink.
- Sport Island Pub17.3 mi
Sport Island Pub offers great food, refreshing drinks, and friendly entertainment on the Great Sacandaga Lake. This family-run restaurant, with three generations of service, invites you to enjoy exquisite dishes for dine-in or take-out.
- Bandstand Brew Works18.5 mi
Bandstand Brew Works is a family-friendly brewpub in Warrensburg, NY, offering handcrafted beers, cocktails, and a diverse menu made with local ingredients. It's a community gathering spot known for live music, weekly events, and a vibrant…
Stay.
4- The Lodge at Harrisburg Lake5.4 mi
A 12-bedroom group lodge in Stony Creek sleeping up to 42 across 20 beds and 11 full baths, with Alpine-style architecture, lakefront, pool, multiple sport courts, and a historic tavern.
- Bearhurst Lakeside Cottages10.6 mi
Five renovated outbuildings from a turn-of-the-century Adirondack Great Camp on Lake Pleasant in Speculator, run as lakefront rental cottages by the Armstrong family. Boathouse, Icehouse, Cubhurst, and two Cherry duplex halves.
- Cedarhurst Motor Lodge11.1 mi
A family-owned year-round motor lodge in Speculator, on the route between Lake Pleasant and Indian Lake, with free Wi-Fi and weekly rates. Standard rooms, no frills.
- Inn At Speculator11.5 mi
The Inn at Speculator offers a full-service dining experience featuring classic dishes and local flavors, along with comfortable lodging options including private and shared bath rooms. Breakfast is included for guests.
See.
4- Ampersand Christine Falls8.9 mi
Ampersand Energy LLC.
- Speculator Historical Museum11.3 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.
- The Promise Gardens Estate of the Adirondacks15.3 mi
The Promise Gardens is the perfect wedding venue with gorgeous gardens, rustic barns and mountain views near Lake George and the Adirondacks.
- Revolution Rail Co. Thurman16.2 mi
A pedal-powered rail biking operation in Warrensburg on Route 418, with family-friendly tours rolling on disused railroad tracks through Adirondack forest and river corridors. Suitable for all ages and ability levels.
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Suggest an edit →Frequently asked.
- Where is Shiras Pond located?Shiras Pond is a pond in the Speculator region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- How big is Shiras Pond?Shiras Pond has a surface area of approximately 8 acres, a small pond.
- Is Shiras Pond open to the public?Yes, Shiras 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 Shiras Pond?Within roughly seven miles of Shiras Pond: 38 designated campsites, 4 lean-tos or shelters. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.