South Inlet.
South Inlet is the primary feeder stream for Raquette Lake — the largest natural water in the central Adirondacks — flowing in from the south and drawing from a chain of smaller ponds and wetlands upstream. The inlet drains a significant watershed, and its flow shapes the shallow southern arm of Raquette Lake, where the water runs warmer and weeds grow thick by mid-summer. Paddlers occasionally push upstream from the lake into the lower reaches of the inlet, where the channel narrows and the current picks up, but access is more exploratory than maintained. The inlet's influence on Raquette Lake's ecology is outsized — it carries sediment, nutrients, and the spring melt that turns the southern bays into prime early-season bass water.
South Inlet has public access. Summits nearby include Estelle Mountain and Buck Mountain.
The water, surveyed.
Seasonal pattern for this lake · live closures appear above
9 parking areas· 5 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.
- 01Cascades Trail Parking LotTrailhead1.1 miunpavedDirections →
- 02Blue Ridge Parking1.1 miunpavedDirections →
- 03Sagamore Road Parking1.5 miunpavedDirections →
- 04DEC parking 188861.7 mi
- 05DEC parking 188843.5 mi
- 06DEC parking 188853.7 mi
- 07DEC parking 188834.2 mi
- 087Th Lake Boat Launch Parking5.6 mi
+1 more on the map above
Getting in, staying over.
Camping.
On the water.
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- Tony Harper's Pizza & Clam Shack1.6 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.
- Seventh Lake House7.2 mi
Rustic space with a lake view preps classic & contemporary American dishes from seasonal goods.
- Archie's Alley8.7 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.
- Tony Harpers Pizza and Clam Shack8.7 mi
Tony Harper's Pizza & Clam Shack offers family-friendly dining with pizza, wings, and seafood across four Adirondack locations: year-round in Old Forge and Lowville, and seasonal spots in Inlet and Raquette Lake. The Raquette Lake location…
Sip.
4- Tamarack Cafe8.7 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 House8.7 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 Shop11.0 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.
- Waypoint Cafe16.5 mi
Long Lake cafe at 1265 Main St. La Colombe coffee, homemade quiche, avocado toast, artisan sandwiches, salads, poke bowls, soups, and charcuterie. Closed Mondays; weeknight happy hour 4–6 p.m.
Sweet.
4- Northern Lights Creamery Inc.8.4 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.
- Custard’s Last Stand16.3 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.
- The Park16.4 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.
- Pied Piper18.0 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- Hex and Hop Tasting Room - Blue Mountain Lake10.9 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.
- Daiker's12.8 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.
- Brookside Hops & Hoagies16.4 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.
- Indian Lake Restaurant, Tavern and Liquor Store17.9 mi
Indian Lake Restaurant, Tavern and Liquor Store offers a full bar with an extensive bottle selection and local drafts, alongside a menu featuring appetizers, sandwiches, and entrees. The restaurant is currently closed for mud season and wi…
Stay.
4- Kamp Kill Kare2.7 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.
- Lake Kora2.9 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.
- Brown Tract Pond Campground3.9 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.
- Brightside on Raquette Lake3.9 mi
Brightside on Raquette Lake offers an all-inclusive experience combining historic charm with modern comforts. It also serves as a venue for company retreats, fostering creativity and team building in the Adirondacks.
See.
4- Great Camp Sagamore1.3 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 Cruise2.5 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 Knot2.6 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 CENTER8.6 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 South Inlet located?South Inlet is a river in the Raquette Lake region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- Is South Inlet open to the public?Yes, South Inlet 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 Inlet?Within roughly seven miles of South Inlet: 53 designated campsites, 34 lean-tos or shelters, 2 listed campgrounds. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.