Twin Ponds.
Twin Ponds sits in the working forest west of Old Forge — a pair of small basins totaling 14 acres, tucked into the rolling lowlands where the central Adirondacks flatten out toward the Tug Hill Plateau. No official fish stocking records and no formal trail system, which means this is either private, gated timber company land, or a bushwhack destination for anglers willing to navigate by topo map and compass. The Old Forge area has dozens of these small, lightly documented ponds — some accessible by seasonal logging roads, most not — and Twin Ponds falls into that category of water that exists more clearly on paper than it does in the recreational landscape. If you're chasing it, confirm access and ownership before you go.
Twin Ponds has public access.
The water, surveyed.
Seasonal pattern for this lake · live closures appear above
11 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.
- 01Sand Pond Road Parking LotTrailhead0.6 miunpavedDirections →
- 02Branaugh Road Parking Area1.0 miunpavedDirections →
- 03Sand Pond Road Parking Lot1.2 miunpavedDirections →
- 04Little Otter Parking Area2.2 miunpavedDirections →
- 05Payne Lake Parking Lot3.6 miunpavedDirections →
- 06Ten Mile Road Parking Lot4.7 miunpavedDirections →
- 07Beech Mill Parking Lot4.7 miunpavedDirections →
- 08Centennial Ski Trails Parking Area5.0 miunpavedDirections →
+3 more on the map above
Getting in, staying over.
Camping.
What the lake is doing today.
What rings this water.
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 SteakHouse15.7 mi
The Steak House is a family-owned and operated restaurant since 1971, offering a classic Adirondack dining experience with handcrafted steaks, quality meats, seafood, homemade dishes, and a cocktail lounge.
- Frankie's Taste of Italy16.3 mi
Frankie's Taste of Italy is Old Forge's original Italian restaurant — 24 years on Route 28, fresh pasta brought in from Boston's North End, a serious menu of pasta, chicken, veal, and seafood, and one of New York State's largest selections of rare premium Kentucky bourbons. Homemade gelato and bread pudding.
- Walt's Diner16.9 mi
A working diner on Route 28 in Old Forge running for 25-plus years, with breakfast and lunch most days and a Friday fish fry until 8 p.m. Closed Tuesdays.
- Tony Harper's Pizza & Clam Shack16.9 mi
Tony Harper's Pizza & Clam Shack is a family-friendly restaurant offering homemade traditional and thin-crust pizzas, signature Whiskey Wings, steamers, and "Raquette Cheesesteaks". They feature a full bar with microbrews, high-definition…
— 15.7 mi to the nearest table out here; plan the drive to dinner.
Sip.
1— 17.0 mi to the nearest pour to this spot; pack a thermos.
Sweet.
2- Benny’s Ice Cream17.0 mi
A family-run, locally loved scoop shop on Old Forge's Main Street — hand-scooped hard flavors and soft serve.
- Pied Piper17.0 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.
— 17.0 mi to the nearest scoop; save it for the ride home.
Drink.
3- Old Forge Brewing Company16.9 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.
- Slickers Adirondack Tavern17.1 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.
- Daiker's21.5 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.
— 16.9 mi to the nearest pint; appoint a driver.
Stay.
4- Adirondack Lodge Old Forge16.1 mi
Step into Adirondack charm, reimagined. At Adirondack Lodge, rustic knotty-pine details meet modern comfort, creating a year-round base for snowmobile rides, lakeside picnics, and sweeping mountain views just outside your window. Each of…
- Water's Edge Inn17.2 mi
Homey rooms & suites with balconies, plus an indoor pool, free breakfast & a deck with lake views.
- Old Forge Camping Resort17.6 mi
A year-round campground on Route 28 in Old Forge in the Water Safari Resort family, with deluxe cabins, cottages, RV sites, and tent sites. Stay-and-Play packages for Water Safari.
- Fulton House Cottages20.9 mi
Fulton House Cottages offers family-friendly accommodations in the Adirondack Mountains, providing a serene lakefront setting for creating lasting memories.
— 16.1 mi to the nearest bed on the register; book before you go.
See.
3- Adirondack Railbike15.5 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…
- Enchanted Forest Water Safari17.2 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.
- Calypso's Cove17.2 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…
— 15.5 mi to the nearest sight on file; fold it into the drive.
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- Where is Twin Ponds located?Twin Ponds is a pond in the Old Forge region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- How big is Twin Ponds?Twin Ponds has a surface area of approximately 14 acres, a smaller backcountry water.
- Is Twin Ponds open to the public?Yes, Twin 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 Twin Ponds?Within roughly seven miles of Twin Ponds: 9 designated campsites. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.