Three Ponds.
Three Ponds sits in the northwest corner of the Lake George Wild Forest — a 23-acre water that reads more remote than its access would suggest, tucked into second-growth hardwoods with no maintained trail system and no formal boat launch. The name implies three distinct basins, though water levels and beaver activity over the years have blurred the lines; what you find depends on the season and the decade. No fish stocking records on file, which usually means natural brookies or nothing at all — local anglers will know which. This is a bushwhack destination or a local secret, not a trailhead feature — plan accordingly.
Three Ponds has public access. Summits nearby include Pilot Knob and Burnt Hill.
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
12 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.
- 01Inman Pond Trailhead ParkingTrailhead2.4 miunpavedDirections →
- 02Buck Mt./Pilot Knob Parking Area3.5 miunpavedDirections →
- 03Upper Hogtown Parking Area5.0 miunpavedDirections →
- 04SHELVING ROCK AREA CAMPSITE 8 PARKING LOT5.1 miunpavedDirections →
- 05SHELVING ROCK AREA CAMPSITE 1 PARKING LOT5.1 miunpavedDirections →
- 06Buck Mt./Shelving Rock Road Parking Area5.2 miunpavedDirections →
- 07SHELVING ROCK AREA CAMPSITE 2 PARKING LOT5.4 miunpavedDirections →
- 08SHELVING ROCK AREA CAMPSITE 11 PARKING LOT5.5 miunpavedDirections →
+4 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- Antonio's Bayside Bistro2.8 mi
Discover a unique dining experience at Antonio's Bayside Bistro, where tradition meets innovation on the serene shores of Lake George. Enjoy exquisite Italian cuisine, breathtaking views, and warm hospitality.
- Lone Bull Pancake & Steak House4.3 mi
Hearty plates of traditional daytime fare round out the menu at this seasonal, rustic establishment.
- Bistro LeRoux5.6 mi
Local, French-accented cuisine with multiple rooms displaying artwork & views of the open kitchen.
- Lake George Olive Oil Co.6.1 mi
Lake George Olive Oil Co. is a family-owned business offering a wide selection of fresh extra virgin olive oils, aged balsamic vinegars, and gourmet foods. Visitors can sample from over 50 varieties at their Lake George and Glens Falls loc…
Sweet.
4- Scoop's Ice Cream Parlor6.1 mi
Scoop's Ice Cream Parlor in Lake George offers ice cream and frozen yogurt at inexpensive prices. Located at 327 Canada St, it provides take-out service and accepts credit cards.
- Lake George Baking Company6.1 mi
A bakery with two locations in Queensbury and Lake George, offering custom cakes, breads, rolls, and the original Fudge Fancy. Off-season hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Cate's Creamery6.8 mi
The main ice cream spot in the heart of Bolton Landing village on Lake George's quieter west shore — soft serve, hand-dipped hard ice cream, and slushies, a short stroll from the lakefront.
- Martha's Dandee Creme9.1 mi
The definitive gateway ice cream stand into the Adirondacks, marked by its towering rooster sign on Route 9 in Queensbury. Towering swirls of soft serve in dozens of handmade flavors plus a grill menu, spring through early fall.
Drink.
4- Ridge Terrace Restaurant-Cocktail Lounge1.9 mi
The Ridge Terrace is a chef-owned and operated restaurant in Lake George, NY, celebrating its 60th season. They offer a diverse menu, including a children's menu, and can accommodate special dietary requests.
- Springbrook Hollow Farm Distillery4.3 mi
Springbrook Hollow Farm Distillery, located in the Adirondack Mountains, crafts a variety of spirits including vodka, gin, moonshine, and whiskeys. Visitors can enjoy a beautiful tasting room offering specialty cocktails, local beer, wine,…
- Diamond Point Grille4.4 mi
Diamond Point Grille is a casual family restaurant located in Diamond Point, NY, on Lake George. It specializes as a fish and burger joint, serving simple comfort food made with local, affordable ingredients in a relaxed setting.
- Adirondack Bar and Grill4.7 mi
We pride ourselves on our seasonally inspired American classics and fresh ingredients in the meals we serve. Our food and drink options will have you coming back to troy something new each time!
Stay.
4- Bayside Resort Lake George2.8 mi
A family-run resort (formerly Dunham's Bay Resort) on Route 9L at Dunham's Bay, with rooms, cabins, and cottages renovated in 2023, an indoor pool, a private beach, 100 acres of private trails, and Antonio's Bayside Bistro on site.
- The Juliana Resort4.3 mi
A family resort on Lake Shore Drive in Diamond Point, between Lake George Village and Bolton Landing, with a private beach, a boat dock, a heated outdoor pool (Memorial Day to Labor Day), and a four-bedroom private home rental as the group option.
- Flamingo Resort On Lake George4.3 mi
A waterfront resort in Diamond Point, halfway between Lake George Village and Bolton Landing, with a private sand beach, two heated pools, complimentary kayaks and paddleboards, and a jumping bridge.
- Depe Dene Lakeside Resort4.4 mi
Waterfront property offering homey accommodations, plus a heated pool, sports courts & a beach.
See.
4- Schumann Preserve at Pilot Knob1.3 mi
Schumann Preserve at Pilot Knob offers a moderately steep, 0.7-mile hike to a gazebo with expansive views of Lake George and the Adirondacks. An additional blue trail leads to a seasonal waterfall.
- Dunham Bay Marsh3.0 mi
Peat swamps, bog thickets & other unique areas for kayaking, canoeing & wildlife-watching.
- Tour Boat Lake George at Blue Lagoon Resort4.3 mi
Tour Boat Lake George at Blue Lagoon Resort offers private guided boat tours of Lake George on a 24-foot bowrider motorboat. Guests enjoy sightseeing, swimming, tubing, and cliff jumping with an experienced captain.
- Lake George Historical Association6.1 mi
The Lake George Historical Association is a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to preserving the history of the Lake George region. Located in an 1845 courthouse at 290 Canada Street, it offers free admission to explore centuries of local histor…
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- Where is Three Ponds located?Three Ponds is a pond in the Lake George region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- How big is Three Ponds?Three Ponds has a surface area of approximately 23 acres, a smaller backcountry water.
- Is Three Ponds open to the public?Yes, Three Ponds 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 Three Ponds?Within roughly seven miles of Three Ponds: 58 designated campsites, 3 lean-tos or shelters. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.