South Branch Grass River.
The South Branch Grass River drains north from the Cranberry Lake Wild Forest toward the main stem of the Grass River, threading through a mix of state forest land and private holdings west of Tupper Lake village. The corridor is part of the larger Grass River watershed — a low-gradient maze of rivers, oxbows, and wetlands that sees more canoe traffic than foot traffic, more beaver sign than blazes. Access is scattered and seasonal: some stretches are best reached by paddling upstream from public put-ins on the main river; others dead-end at private land or logging roads that may or may not be passable depending on spring runoff and timber operations. If you're looking for solitude and don't mind navigating by topo map and deadfall, this is functional wilderness — just verify access before you commit to a long carry.
South Branch Grass River has public access. Summits nearby include Burnt Rock.
The water, surveyed.
Seasonal pattern for this lake · live closures appear above
5 parking areas· 1 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.
- 01Burntbridge Pond Trail Parking AreaTrailhead4.6 miunpavedDirections →
- 02Mt Arab Parking Area5.2 miunpavedDirections →
- 03Gilbert Tract Parking Area6.1 miunpavedDirections →
- 04Jamestown Falls Campsite6.7 mi
- 05Jamestown Falls Parking Area6.8 miunpavedDirections →
What’s in the water.
Launch & supply.
Getting in, staying over.
Camping.
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- PorkBusters BBQ10.5 mi
PorkBusters BBQ is a Tupper Lake restaurant serving barbecue dishes seven days a week from 11 AM to 9 PM. They offer a menu for dine-in or takeout, plus catering for parties and events.
- The Clubhouse at Tupper Lake Country Club11.2 mi
The Clubhouse Restaurant & Bar at Tupper Lake Golf Club offers a full bar, weekly specials, and hosts events and weddings. Open to the public, enjoy meals with a view of the golf course.
- Amado11.5 mi
A small restaurant on Cliff Avenue in Tupper Lake serving Brazilian dishes (moqueca, feijoada) alongside lamb pot pie, fish fry, and a clearly marked vegan section. Homemade desserts.
- Guido's Pizzeria11.6 mi
Guido's Pizzeria in Tupper Lake has been serving hand-thrown pizzas, subs, calzones, dinners, and wings since 1988. They offer free delivery within the Town of Tupper Lake on any size order and make fresh dough daily.
Sip.
1— 22.3 mi to the nearest pour to this spot; pack a thermos.
Sweet.
3- Skyline Ice Cream11.8 mi
A roadside soft-serve stand on Route 30 in Tupper Lake since 1985 — vanilla and black-raspberry twists, gelato, Dole Whip, and Michigans, now with an expanded burger-and-fries menu.
- The Park22.8 mi
Trying to find a fast food restaurant in Long Lake? Pay a visit to The Park. We offer a range of burgers, sides, ice cream, drinks and coffee options.
- Custard’s Last Stand22.8 mi
Custard's Last Stand is a historic ice cream shop in Long Lake, established in 1958, serving a variety of soft frozen custard & hard ice cream, sundaes, specialty shakes, floats, and ice cream sodas. They also offer merchandise and gift cards.
Drink.
4- Raquette River Brewing10.9 mi
A family- and dog-friendly taproom pouring year-round craft beer alongside four permanent food trucks, from wood-fired pizza to Carolina barbecue.
- Lakeview Lanes & The Foul Line Sports Bar11.5 mi
Lakeview Lanes & The Foul Line Sports Bar in Tupper Lake offers 8 lanes of bowling, an arcade, a sports bar, and outdoor seating with food and drinks for family fun.
- Brookside Hops & Hoagies22.8 mi
Brookside Hops & Hoagies is a casual, family-friendly shop in Long Lake, founded in 2023, offering craft beers and hoagies made with fresh ingredients and Boars Head deli meats. It operates Wednesday through Sunday from 11 AM to 7 PM.
- The 1892 Bar & Grille24.9 mi
The 1892 Bar & Grille is a locally owned rustic bar and restaurant in Lake Clear, NY, offering homemade food. Recently under new ownership, it brings fresh energy and an updated menu to its patrons.
Stay.
4- The Lodge at Seveys7.1 mi
The Lodge @ Seveys is a spacious and recently remodeled facility that serves as the perfect family getaway in the heart of the Adirondacks. With seven bedrooms accommodating up to fourteen people, the lodge features a fully equipped…
- Red Top Inn LLC10.7 mi
No-frills lodgings by Tupper Lake with boat rentals and nightly bonfires by the lake.
- Pine Terrace Motel & Resort10.9 mi
Waterfront motel offers basic cabins with kitchens & WiFi plus pool & tennis courts.
- Trailhead Hotel in Tupper Lake, NY12.3 mi
A motel on Park Street in Tupper Lake with an outdoor pool, basketball court, putting green, mini-golf, free breakfast, and voice-controlled smart-room features. ADA-accessible rooms available.
See.
4- Adirondack Railroad10.9 mi
Adirondack Railroad offers scenic train experiences through the beautiful outdoor scenery of New York, departing from stations in Utica, Thendara, and Tupper Lake. They provide various themed rides, including special events and multi-hour…
- The Adirondack Sky Center & Observatory11.3 mi
Free 2-Day Space Camp at the Adirondack Sky Center Calling all future space explorers— get ready for an out-of-this-world adventure! Join us to explore some of the most fascinating topics in outer space! We’ll cover black holes, space tra…
- The Wild Center12.9 mi
Live animals, hands-on exhibits & forest trails connect guests with the Adirondacks.
- John Dillon Park18.6 mi
John Dillon Park, run by Paul Smith's College, is an accessible outdoor recreation area in Long Lake featuring a 3.5-mile accessible trail system, lean-tos, and fishing access. It is closed for the summer 2026 season for water system impro…
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Suggest an edit →Frequently asked.
- Where is South Branch Grass River located?South Branch Grass River is a river in the Tupper Lake region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- Is South Branch Grass River open to the public?Yes, South Branch Grass 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 South Branch Grass River?Within roughly seven miles of South Branch Grass River: 41 designated campsites, 5 lean-tos or shelters. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.