South Inlet.
South Inlet flows into the southern end of Upper Saranac Lake — one of the main tributaries feeding the lake system and a defining feature of the southern basin's marshy shoreline. The stream drains a cluster of smaller ponds and wetlands to the south, threading through mixed hardwood and conifer before opening into the lake proper. Access is by boat from Upper Saranac's public launch or via the network of state land trails that run through the southern drainage — paddlers working upstream will find slow current, shallow gravel runs, and the kind of quiet wetland corridor that holds wood ducks and occasional otter sign. No fish data on file, but brook trout are likely in the cooler headwater reaches.
South Inlet has public access. Summits nearby include Johnson Mountain and Lyon Mountain.
The water, surveyed.
Seasonal pattern for this lake · live closures appear above
7 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.
- 01Chazy Lake Road Parking AreaTrailhead0.3 miunpavedDirections →
- 02Bridge Road Parking Area0.6 miunpavedDirections →
- 03Wilfred King Parking Area1.3 miunpavedDirections →
- 04Lyon Mountain Trail Parking Area1.4 miunpavedDirections →
- 05Nys Route 374 Field Parking Area4.4 miunpavedDirections →
- 06Route 374 Spring Parking Area4.4 mipavedDirections →
- 07Route 374 Parking Area4.5 mipavedDirections →
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.
1— 24.1 mi to the nearest table out here; plan the drive to dinner.
Sweet.
1— 22.1 mi to the nearest scoop; save it for the ride home.
Drink.
2- R.F. McDougall's Pub24.1 mi
The casual sibling of the Hungry Trout Restaurant, sharing the same Adirondack riverside property next to Whiteface. Pub food, regional beers, and the same view of the West Branch Ausable at a more relaxed price point.
- Hex and Hop Brewing24.8 mi
Hex and Hop Brewing is a craft brewery and meadery in Bloomingdale, New York, making full-flavored, locally sourced beer and mead. They prioritize community and craft, using fresh, local ingredients.
— 24.1 mi to the nearest pint; appoint a driver.
Stay.
4- Adirondack Spruce Lodge22.4 mi
Twenty-seven-room independent lodge in Wilmington village, minutes from Whiteface Mountain and walking distance from the Ausable River. Complimentary breakfast, fire pit, and Adirondack-character rooms.
- Cadence Lodge at Whiteface22.4 mi
Cadence Lodge in Wilmington, NY, offers an ideal base camp for outdoor adventurers. The property features recently updated guest rooms with amenities to enhance your stay, including a restaurant onsite, weekend breakfast options, and…
- Mountain Brook Lodge22.4 mi
Welcome to your home away from home! Mountain Brook Lodge offers a unique blend of comfort and convenience, ensuring your stay is memorable. We pride ourselves on offering a variety of amenities to make your stay as comfortable as…
- Wolfjaw Lodge22.5 mi
Welcome to the totally transformed Wolfjaw Lodge, located at the base of Whiteface Mountain, just a 2-minute drive from both Whiteface and Wilmington beach. Each of our 2 private houses and 11 lodge rooms and suites has been recently…
— 22.4 mi to the nearest bed on the register; book before you go.
See.
2- Ausable Chasm21.9 mi
A sandstone gorge attraction on US 9 in Ausable Chasm, with rim trails, walkways through the gorge floor, and add-on tubing and rafting on the Ausable River. Open seasonally, roughly mid-May through Columbus Day.
- Summit Weather Observatory24.3 mi
The Summit Weather Observatory, part of the University at Albany's Atmospheric Sciences Research Center (ASRC), provides real-time weather conditions and data from its observatory at the summit of Whiteface Mountain and a field station at…
— 21.9 mi to the nearest sight on file; fold it into the drive.
Add to the record.
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Sunrise on the dock, a cairn at the summit, a bend on the trail. Your camera roll, our archive.
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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 South Inlet located?South Inlet is a stream in the Saranac 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: 2 designated campsites, 1 lean-to or shelter. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.