South Branch Grasse River.
The South Branch Grasse River drains northwest out of the Cranberry Lake Wild Forest, threading through low country between Tupper Lake and the St. Lawrence plains — working water more than destination water, crossing under back roads and logging routes without much fanfare. It's a put-in option for paddlers willing to scout access and deal with beaver work, but it doesn't show up on the short list of named Adirondack river trips the way the Raquette or the St. Regis branches do. The fishing and species data are thin, which usually means brook trout in the headwater tributaries and whatever moves up from the mainstem Grasse downstream. Check DEC atlases for road crossings if you're scouting a solo trip.
South Branch Grasse River has public access. Summits nearby include Hay Meadow Mountain and Spruce Mountain.
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
8 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.
- 01Spruce Mtn. Road Parking AreaTrailhead2.1 miunpavedDirections →
- 02Tooley Pond Mtn. Parking Area2.7 miunpavedDirections →
- 03Tooley Pond Mtn Parking Area North2.7 miunpavedDirections →
- 04Tooley Pond Campsite Parking Area2.8 miunpavedDirections →
- 05Tooley Pond Parking Area2.8 miunpavedDirections →
- 06Copper Rock Falls Parking Area3.4 miunpavedDirections →
- 07Newbridge Parking Area4.0 miunpavedDirections →
- 08First Brook Parking Area4.5 miunpavedDirections →
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 BBQ21.2 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.
- Amado22.6 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 Pizzeria22.7 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.
- The Clubhouse at Tupper Lake Country Club22.7 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.
— 21.2 mi to the nearest table out here; plan the drive to dinner.
Sweet.
1— 22.9 mi to the nearest scoop; save it for the ride home.
Drink.
2- Raquette River Brewing22.0 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 Bar22.8 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.
— 22.0 mi to the nearest pint; appoint a driver.
Stay.
4- The Lodge at Seveys8.9 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 LLC22.2 mi
No-frills lodgings by Tupper Lake with boat rentals and nightly bonfires by the lake.
- Pine Terrace Motel & Resort22.4 mi
Waterfront motel offers basic cabins with kitchens & WiFi plus pool & tennis courts.
- Trailhead Hotel in Tupper Lake, NY23.4 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.
3- Adirondack Railroad21.6 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 & Observatory21.8 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 Center24.0 mi
Live animals, hands-on exhibits & forest trails connect guests with the Adirondacks.
— 21.6 mi to the nearest sight on file; fold it into the drive.
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Suggest an edit →Frequently asked.
- Where is South Branch Grasse River located?South Branch Grasse River is a river in the Tupper Lake region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- Is South Branch Grasse River open to the public?Yes, South Branch Grasse 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 Grasse River?Within roughly seven miles of South Branch Grasse River: 7 designated campsites. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.