Sly Pond.
Sly Pond is a 21-acre pocket water in the Raquette Lake region — small enough to slip past most paddlers but substantial enough to hold its own shoreline character. No fish species on record, which likely means it's either unstocked and unsampled or too shallow and vegetated to support a cold-water fishery worth documenting. Access details are scarce in the standard references, suggesting either private holdings around the perimeter or a bushwhack-only approach through the working forest blocks that dominate this stretch of the southwestern Park. Best confirmed locally before planning a trip in.
Sly Pond reaches a maximum depth of 28 feet, with a mean depth of 4 feet. Sly Pond has public access. Summits nearby include Little Moose Mountain and Manbury Mountain.
The water, surveyed.
Seasonal pattern for this lake · live closures appear above
4 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.
- 01Brooktrout Lake Trail ParkingTrailhead5.0 miunpavedDirections →
- 02Payne Mountain Trail Parking5.6 miunpavedDirections →
- 03Sagamore Road Parking6.6 miunpavedDirections →
- 04Indian Lake Road Parking Area6.8 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- Seventh Lake House9.3 mi
Rustic space with a lake view preps classic & contemporary American dishes from seasonal goods.
- Tony Harper's Pizza & Clam Shack9.6 mi
Tony Harper's Pizza & Clam Shack is a family restaurant and bar with four Adirondack locations, offering homemade pizza, wings, and seafood. Guests can enjoy sports on high-def TVs, a full bar, and live music.
- Archie's Alley11.4 mi
Archie's Alley, established in 2022 in Inlet, NY, is a restaurant offering Mexican-inspired cuisine, a bar, and family dining with outdoor options. It is open Monday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, with specific hours listed on its website.
- Screamen Eagle11.4 mi
Gift certificates available, please give us a call! (315) 357-6026
Sip.
4- Tamarack Cafe11.4 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.
- Blue Line Coffee House11.4 mi
Blue Line Coffee House offers Adirondack-inspired apparel, handcrafted mugs, and mountain-themed gifts, along with pre-packaged coffee and coffee accessories. Products are available for nationwide shipping, and local customers can order dr…
- Schoolhouse Grounds Coffee Shop15.4 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.
- The PERKS of Speculator16.7 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.
Sweet.
4- Northern Lights Creamery Inc.10.8 mi
An Inlet institution for 40-plus years, a short walk from Arrowhead Park on Fourth Lake — soft serve, homemade gelato, floats, flurries, and specialty sundaes.
- Speculator Creamery16.6 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.
- Benny’s Ice Cream19.0 mi
A family-run, locally loved scoop shop on Old Forge's Main Street — hand-scooped hard flavors and soft serve.
- Pied Piper19.0 mi
A circa-1950s soft-serve and frozen-custard stand locals treat as a permanent fixture — the walk-up window after a day on the Fulton Chain or at the water park. Three daily soft-serve flavors plus around 20 hard flavors.
Drink.
4- Daiker's15.1 mi
Daikers is an Adirondack pitstop in Old Forge, NY, offering seasonal and local dining with a deck overlooking Fourth Lake. Their caring and committed staff ensure a fantastic experience for guests.
- Hex and Hop Tasting Room - Blue Mountain Lake15.2 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.
- Acorn Pub & Eatery at Oak Mountain16.0 mi
Acorn Pub & Eatery is a dining option at Oak Mountain, offering a place to eat and drink.
- Lemon Tree Brewery16.8 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…
— 15.1 mi to the nearest pint; appoint a driver.
Stay.
4- Lake Kora5.4 mi
Originally Kamp Kill Kare, built in 1898 by William West Durant for Lt. Gov. Timothy Woodruff. One-thousand acres, a private 500-acre lake, sixteen bedrooms, all-inclusive — booked as an exclusive buyout for groups up to 35.
- Kamp Kill Kare5.4 mi
Kamp Kill Kare is a historic Adirondack Great Camp on 1,000 acres featuring a private 500-acre lake, offering a luxurious and customized guest experience.
- Deer Meadows Motel & Cottages9.8 mi
A motel and cottage operation on Seventh Lake in the Fulton Chain, 1.5 miles north of Inlet, with a private beach, swim and boat access from the property, and a bonfire setup.
- Brown Tract Pond Campground10.8 mi
Brown Tract Pond Campground is a secluded campground located in the Adirondacks. It is situated a short distance off the main tourist route, offering a quiet outdoor experience.
See.
4- Great Camp Sagamore6.7 mi
Great Camp Sagamore is a historic Adirondack Great Camp offering multi-day programs, overnight stays, and daily activities focused on history, arts, outdoor recreation, and wellness.
- Raquette Lake Navigation Cruise10.3 mi
Raquette Lake Navigation Company offers dining, sightseeing, and special event cruises on Raquette Lake in New York. This family-owned and operated business has been providing scenic experiences aboard the W.W. Durant since 1991.
- Camp Pine Knot10.5 mi
William West Durant's 1877 compound on Raquette Lake — the camp that invented the Adirondack Great Camp style. Now SUNY Cortland's Huntington Memorial Camp, an outdoor-education center with occasional public programs.
- BLUE MOUNTAIN CENTER13.7 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.
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- Where is Sly Pond located?Sly Pond is a pond in the Raquette Lake region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- How big is Sly Pond?Sly Pond has a surface area of approximately 21 acres, a smaller backcountry water.
- How deep is Sly Pond?Sly Pond has a maximum depth of 28 feet, with a mean depth of 3.6 feet.
- Is Sly Pond open to the public?Yes, Sly 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 Sly Pond?Within roughly seven miles of Sly Pond: 96 designated campsites, 21 lean-tos or shelters. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.