Soft Maple Reservoir.
Soft Maple Reservoir is a 423-acre impoundment in the Old Forge working forest — a big sheet of water with limited public information and almost no recreational infrastructure in the usual sense. The reservoir sits in active timber country, which means access and shoreline conditions shift with forestry operations and easement terms; if you're headed out here, confirm current access with the local ranger or the landowner before launching. No fish species on record — not unusual for reservoirs in managed timberlands where stocking priorities follow commercial rather than recreational logic. This is a paddle-your-own-adventure situation: bring a chart, expect solitude, and don't count on a boat launch or a marked put-in.
Soft Maple Reservoir has public access.
The water, surveyed.
Seasonal pattern for this lake · live closures appear above
10 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.
- 01Sand Pond ParkingTrailhead3.5 miunpavedDirections →
- 02Parking Area4.1 mi
- 03Parking Area4.3 mi
- 04Francis Lake Accessible Parking Lot4.8 mi
- 05Moshier Parking Lot5.4 miunpavedDirections →
- 06Jakes Pond Parking Area5.7 miunpavedDirections →
- 07Halfmoon Road Parking Lot6.3 miunpavedDirections →
- 08Mccarthy Road Road Parking Lot6.6 miunpavedDirections →
+2 more on the map above
Soft Maple Reservoir.
From the people who’ve been here, plus what Google has on file.
What’s in the water.
NYSDEC has stocked this water across 11 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 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- Big Moose Station Restaurant16.6 mi
Website under development
- The SteakHouse18.7 mi
The Steak House is a family-owned and operated restaurant since 1971, offering a classic Adirondack dining experience with handcrafted steaks, quality meats, seafood, homemade dishes, and a cocktail lounge.
- Frankie's Taste of Italy18.9 mi
Frankie's Taste of Italy is Old Forge's original Italian restaurant — 24 years on Route 28, fresh pasta brought in from Boston's North End, a serious menu of pasta, chicken, veal, and seafood, and one of New York State's largest selections of rare premium Kentucky bourbons. Homemade gelato and bread pudding.
- Walt's Diner19.0 mi
A working diner on Route 28 in Old Forge running for 25-plus years, with breakfast and lunch most days and a Friday fish fry until 8 p.m. Closed Tuesdays.
— 16.6 mi to the nearest table out here; plan the drive to dinner.
Sip.
3- Blue Line Coffee House19.0 mi
A coffee shop on Route 28 in Old Forge selling drinks, Adirondack-themed apparel, handcrafted mugs, and shipped coffee subscriptions. Order drinks for pickup or shop the gift line online.
- Blue Line Coffee House24.2 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…
- Tamarack Cafe24.2 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.
— 19.0 mi to the nearest pour to this spot; pack a thermos.
Sweet.
3- Pied Piper18.9 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.
- Benny’s Ice Cream18.9 mi
A family-run, locally loved scoop shop on Old Forge's Main Street — hand-scooped hard flavors and soft serve.
- Northern Lights Creamery Inc.24.8 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.
— 18.9 mi to the nearest scoop; save it for the ride home.
Drink.
3- Old Forge Brewing Company19.0 mi
Old Forge Brewing Company, established in 2008, is a brewpub committed to crafting quality beer and food while prioritizing local ingredients and community support. They offer a diverse menu, a range of craft beers, and host regular events.
- Slickers Adirondack Tavern19.0 mi
Slickers Adirondack Tavern, established in 1984, offers a classic tavern experience with a focus on quality ingredients. They are well-known for their signature French Dip Sandwich.
- Daiker's20.7 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.
— 19.0 mi to the nearest pint; appoint a driver.
Stay.
4- Norridgewock Lodge15.6 mi
NORRIDGEWOCK LODGE, an oasis in the Adirondack Mountains. Our lakeside resort is the perfect remote vacation in the wilderness of the Beaver River. Book online!
- Adirondack Lodge Old Forge18.9 mi
Step into Adirondack charm, reimagined. At Adirondack Lodge, rustic knotty-pine details meet modern comfort, creating a year-round base for snowmobile rides, lakeside picnics, and sweeping mountain views just outside your window. Each of…
- The Waldheim19.0 mi
A rustic resort with log-cottages featuring porches with lake views, plus 3 included meals a day.
- Water's Edge Inn19.0 mi
Homey rooms & suites with balconies, plus an indoor pool, free breakfast & a deck with lake views.
— 15.6 mi to the nearest bed on the register; book before you go.
See.
3- Adirondack Railbike18.6 mi
Adirondack Railbike Adventures offers unique railbike tours in the Adirondack Mountains. Riders can explore scenic routes from Old Forge (Thendara) and Tupper Lake, experiencing natural beauty and spectacular views on railbikes made in New…
- Enchanted Forest Water Safari19.0 mi
Located in Old Forge, Enchanted Forest Water Safari offers a blend of water park experiences and traditional theme park attractions. Visitors can access various slides, pools, and dry rides.
- Calypso's Cove19.0 mi
Calypso's Cove is a family fun park in Old Forge, NY, located next to Enchanted Forest Water Safari. It features attractions like go-karts, mini-golf, arcade games, and a ropes course with a zipline, offering afternoon and evening entertai…
— 18.6 mi to the nearest sight on file; fold it into the drive.
Add to the record.
Free, takes thirty seconds. Yours forever.
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Add a shot.
Sunrise on the dock, a cairn at the summit, a bend on the trail. Your camera roll, our archive.
Add a photo →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 Soft Maple Reservoir located?Soft Maple Reservoir is a reservoir in the Old Forge region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- How big is Soft Maple Reservoir?Soft Maple Reservoir has a surface area of approximately 423 acres, a mid-sized water.
- Is Soft Maple Reservoir open to the public?Yes, Soft Maple Reservoir 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 Soft Maple Reservoir?Within roughly seven miles of Soft Maple Reservoir: 29 designated campsites, 1 lean-to or shelter. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.