The Branch.
The Branch drains north through Keene — one of those unassuming named tributaries that shows up on the quad but rarely in trip reports. It feeds into the East Branch of the Ausable somewhere in the agricultural bottomland between Keene Valley and the Ausable River corridor, running cold and quick through a mix of private land and roadside forest. No documented fishery, no formal access points — this is a water defined more by its hydrology than its recreation. If you're tracking down every named stream in the Park for the sake of completeness, The Branch is on the list; if you're planning a weekend, it isn't.
The Branch has public access. Summits nearby include Pitchoff Mountain and Owls Head Lookout.
The water, surveyed.
Before you launch.
Seasonal pattern for this lake · live closures appear above
12 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.
- 01North Trail To Giant Mtn. Parking LotTrailhead566 ftunpavedDirections →
- 029N Hurricane Parking Lot2.3 miunpavedDirections →
- 03Crow Clearing Parking Lot4.3 miunpavedDirections →
- 04East Trail To Giant Mtn. Parking Lot5.1 miunpavedDirections →
- 05Baxter Mountain Parking5.3 miunpavedDirections →
- 06Route 73/9N Parking Area5.4 mi
- 07Beerwalls Parking Lot6.1 mipavedDirections →
- 08Chapel Pond Parking Lot6.1 mipavedDirections →
+4 more on the map above
What’s in the water.
NYSDEC has stocked this water across 14 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 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- The Deer's Head Inn Restaurant4.1 mi
The Deer's Head Inn is a historic Elizabethtown tavern and restaurant — among the oldest inns in the Adirondacks — serving pub fare and regional dishes.
- F.I.G's Riverside Pizza Cafe4.3 mi
A casual pizza cafe on the Boquet River in Elizabethtown serving pies, sandwiches, and cafe fare.
- Ausable Inn5.6 mi
Comfortable Keene Valley restaurant, bar, liquor store, and small inn. American comfort menu — wings, fish and chips, Montreal brisket, steak au poivre, plus the locally famous Hungarian mushroom soup.
- Noon Mark Diner5.7 mi
A traditional diner experience, offering hearty meals for travelers and locals in the Adirondack Park.
Sip.
4- Counter Space4.1 mi
A casual cafe in Elizabethtown serving coffee, espresso, and light bites — a local gathering spot in the Essex County seat.
- Pleasant Valley Cafe4.2 mi
A local cafe in Elizabethtown serving breakfast, lunch, coffee, and comfort food in the heart of the Boquet Valley.
- Life Church Cafe4.2 mi
Life Church Elizabethtown is a local church dedicated to connecting lives and building community.
- Old Mountain Coffee Company5.7 mi
Great Coffee, Great Food, Great Baked Goods & Great People. Stop in to enjoy our house roasted coffee, browse our menu for a bite to eat or grab a delicious treat from our bakery. Order Online for pickup or stop in.
Sweet.
4- Black Rooster Maple5.9 mi
Pure Adirondack Maple Syrup, Maple Cream, Bourbon Barrel Maple Syrup
- Cedar Run Bakery & Market6.5 mi
Cedar Run Bakery & Market offers scratch-made baked goods, deli items, fresh menu options, and take & bake meals, alongside a selection of wine and spirits. They are open Friday through Monday from 8 AM to 6 PM.
- Sugar House Creamery10.0 mi
Sugar House Creamery is a farmstead creamery located in the Adirondacks, producing artisanal cheeses from the milk of their own cows. They offer a variety of cheeses, showcasing the quality of their local dairy.
- Whitebrook Dairy Bar14.5 mi
A classic roadside drive-in on Route 86 in Wilmington, five minutes from Whiteface — creamy soft serve (try the peanut-butter dip) plus footlongs and the Wilmington burger. Opening day is a local rite of spring.
Drink.
4- The Knock ADK11.4 mi
The Knock ADK is a restaurant and bar in Westport, NY, offering a plant-based dinner menu alongside classic and craft cocktails. They provide dinner reservations on non-show nights and welcome walk-ins on show nights.
- R.F. McDougall's Pub13.3 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.
- The Old Mine13.4 mi
The Old Miners Tavern is a historic Adirondack tavern in Moriah, NY, offering classic bar food like juicy burgers and chicken wings, a full bar with rotating craft beers, and a welcoming atmosphere for friends to gather.
- Lake Placid Pub & Brewery15.8 mi
A brewpub on Mirror Lake Drive in Lake Placid since 1996, with 12 house beers on tap including the original Ubu Ale, a downstairs Irish pub, and a deck over Mirror Lake.
Stay.
4- The Halfway House Motel3.5 mi
A small motel with an on-site restaurant on Lobdell Lane in Elizabethtown, the Essex County seat between the Northway and the High Peaks. Simple rooms for travelers passing through or basing for a day in the Adirondacks.
- Park Motor Inn4.0 mi
The Park Motor Inn is a charming, vintage, motel-style property that opened in Elizabethtown, New York, during the heyday of automobile tourism in the 1950's. Elizabethtown is where the Adirondack High Peaks meet the Champlain Valley, giving visitors unparalleled access to the region's spectacular lakes, rivers, and mountains.
- The Deer's Head Inn4.1 mi
The Deer's Head Inn in Elizabethtown, NY, is the oldest tavern in the Adirondacks. Reopened in August 2016 as an eatery and inn, it features tavern dining with a changing, seasonal menu focused on local, regional, and sustainably produced…
- The Olde Mill Inn Bed and Breakfast4.6 mi
An eight-room historic B&B inside Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, with an authentic 1700s log cabin, a king-sized suite, and homemade breakfast. EV charging on site.
See.
4- Hurricane Mountain Fire Tower2.2 mi
Perched atop Hurricane Mountain, this historic fire tower provides hikers with unparalleled 360-degree views of the Adirondacks, Lake Champlain, and Vermont's Green Mountains.
- Adirondack History Museum4.3 mi
The Adirondack History Museum in Elizabethtown tells the story of Essex County and the Adirondacks — pioneer life, mining, tourism, and mountain heritage.
- Keene Arts6.2 mi
Keene Arts is a venue in Keene, NY, hosting diverse events including art exhibits, concerts, film screenings, and a winter farmers market.
- Upper Jay Art Center and Recovery Lounge9.8 mi
The Upper Jay Art Center and Recovery Lounge is a vibrant venue dedicated to presenting music, theater, and visual arts in Upper Jay, NY. It serves as a community hub for various cultural events.
Add to the record.
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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 The Branch located?The Branch is a stream in the Keene region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- Is The Branch open to the public?Yes, The Branch 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 The Branch?Within roughly seven miles of The Branch: 36 designated campsites, 6 lean-tos or shelters. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.