Thirsty Pond.
Thirsty Pond is a 30-acre water in the Old Forge corridor — small enough to stay off most radar, large enough to hold a canoe route worth paddling. No fish data on record, which usually means it's either drawn down seasonally, shallow and weedy, or stocked so irregularly that DEC stopped tracking it — or all three. The name suggests it might dry to mudflats by late summer in drought years, a common pattern for ponds in this elevation band that depend on snowmelt and spring runoff more than groundwater. Worth a look in May or June if you're camping nearby and want an hour of quiet water before the Old Forge lake traffic picks up.
Thirsty Pond reaches a maximum depth of 12 feet, with a mean depth of 5 feet. Thirsty Pond has public access. Summits nearby include Twitchell Mountain and Slide Off Mountain.
The water, surveyed.
Seasonal pattern for this lake · live closures appear above
11 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.
- 01Orvis Schoolhouse (Safford Pond Trail) ParkingTrailhead1.2 miunpavedDirections →
- 02Twitchell Lake Parking1.3 miunpavedDirections →
- 03Windfall Pond Parking3.2 miunpavedDirections →
- 04Moss Lake Accessible Parking3.8 mi
- 05Moss Lake Parking3.9 miunpavedDirections →
- 06Cascade Lake Trail Parking4.7 miunpavedDirections →
- 07Bub & Sis Lakes Trail Parking5.0 mipavedDirections →
- 08Rodaxe Fire Tower Parking5.4 miunpavedDirections →
+3 more on the map above
Getting in, staying over.
Camping.
What the lake is doing today.
What rings this water.
The peaks.
The waters.
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- Big Moose Station Restaurant0.8 mi
Website under development
- Mountainside Smokehouse & Grill5.1 mi
Mountainside Smokehouse & Grill offers delicious smoked meats, homemade BBQ sauces and desserts, with smoking done on-premise using apple wood. They also provide catering and meeting space.
- The Lean-to at Great Pines5.1 mi
The Lean-To is our casual lakeside restaurant, open to guests and the public. It offers a full-service bar and a craft beer menu, along with a food menu inspired by local ingredients and regional influences.
- The Tavern5.8 mi
Located at 5520 state route 28 in Eagle Bay, NY.
Sip.
4- Blue Line Coffee House7.4 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…
- Tamarack Cafe7.4 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 House8.4 mi
A coffee shop on Route 28 in Old Forge selling drinks, Adirondack-themed apparel, handcrafted mugs, and shipped coffee subscriptions. Order drinks for pickup or shop the gift line online.
- Schoolhouse Grounds Coffee Shop23.8 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.
Sweet.
3- Northern Lights Creamery Inc.8.0 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.
- Benny’s Ice Cream8.4 mi
A family-run, locally loved scoop shop on Old Forge's Main Street — hand-scooped hard flavors and soft serve.
- Pied Piper8.4 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- Daiker's5.3 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.
- Slickers Adirondack Tavern8.4 mi
Slickers Adirondack Tavern, established in 1984, offers a classic tavern experience with a focus on quality ingredients. They are well-known for their signature French Dip Sandwich.
- Old Forge Brewing Company8.6 mi
Old Forge Brewing Company, established in 2008, is a brewpub committed to crafting quality beer and food while prioritizing local ingredients and community support. They offer a diverse menu, a range of craft beers, and host regular events.
- Hex and Hop Tasting Room - Blue Mountain Lake23.7 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.
Stay.
4- The Waldheim2.3 mi
A rustic resort with log-cottages featuring porches with lake views, plus 3 included meals a day.
- Covewood Lodge2.6 mi
A Great Camp-style lodge on Big Moose Lake in Eagle Bay, with 19 housekeeping cottages and Main Lodge apartments and rooms. Open May through October, with kids' programming and weekly campfires from late June to Labor Day.
- Great Pines Resort5.1 mi
Airy quarters, some with balconies, in a relaxed lakeside retreat offering a private beach & dining.
- Palmer Point Boats & Cottages5.2 mi
Palmer Point offers pontoon boat rentals and charming cottages in Old Forge, NY, perfect for enjoying Fourth Lake in the Adirondacks.
See.
4- Calypso's Cove8.2 mi
Calypso's Cove is a family fun park in Old Forge, NY, located next to Enchanted Forest Water Safari. It features attractions like go-karts, mini-golf, arcade games, and a ropes course with a zipline, offering afternoon and evening entertai…
- Enchanted Forest Water Safari8.2 mi
Located in Old Forge, Enchanted Forest Water Safari offers a blend of water park experiences and traditional theme park attractions. Visitors can access various slides, pools, and dry rides.
- Adirondack Railbike10.0 mi
Adirondack Railbike Adventures offers unique railbike tours in the Adirondack Mountains. Riders can explore scenic routes from Old Forge (Thendara) and Tupper Lake, experiencing natural beauty and spectacular views on railbikes made in New…
- Raquette Lake Navigation Cruise12.5 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.
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- Where is Thirsty Pond located?Thirsty Pond is a pond in the Old Forge region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- How big is Thirsty Pond?Thirsty Pond has a surface area of approximately 30 acres, a smaller backcountry water.
- How deep is Thirsty Pond?Thirsty Pond has a maximum depth of 12 feet, with a mean depth of 4.6 feet.
- Is Thirsty Pond open to the public?Yes, Thirsty Pond 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 Thirsty Pond?Within roughly seven miles of Thirsty Pond: 54 designated campsites, 4 lean-tos or shelters. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.