Twin Ponds.
Twin Ponds sits in the quiet western corner of the Saranac Lake region — 36 acres split into two connected basins that read as a single water from most shoreline angles. No formal fish stocking records and no maintained trail system means this one stays off the weekend circuit, attracting the occasional paddler willing to scout access and the few who know it from older maps. The ponds drain north toward the Saranac Lakes chain but sit far enough from the main water routes to hold their distance from the paddling crowds. Bring a compass and expect to share the shoreline with beaver workings and the kind of silence that comes from being two turns off the last marked road.
Twin Ponds has public access. Summits nearby include Norton Peak and Parsons Knob.
The water, surveyed.
Seasonal pattern for this lake · live closures appear above
6 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.
- 01Gate Road Parking AreaTrailhead1.3 miunpavedDirections →
- 02Wye Road Parking Area1.9 miunpavedDirections →
- 037 Mile Road Parking Area4.3 miunpavedDirections →
- 04Parking Area6.9 mipavedDirections →
- 05Rt.3 Shoulder Parking Lot6.9 miunpavedDirections →
- 06Lyon Mountain Trail Parking Area7.0 miunpavedDirections →
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.
1— 22.1 mi to the nearest table out here; plan the drive to dinner.
Sip.
1— 20.0 mi to the nearest pour to this spot; pack a thermos.
Sweet.
2- Whitebrook Dairy Bar20.5 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.
- Sugar House Creamery24.8 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.
— 20.5 mi to the nearest scoop; save it for the ride home.
Drink.
3- Hex and Hop Brewing19.2 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.
- R.F. McDougall's Pub22.1 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.
- The 1892 Bar & Grille24.9 mi
The 1892 Bar & Grille is a locally owned rustic bar and restaurant in Lake Clear, NY, offering homemade food. Recently under new ownership, it brings fresh energy and an updated menu to its patrons.
— 19.2 mi to the nearest pint; appoint a driver.
Stay.
4- The St. Regis Suites20.0 mi
Five well-appointed suites of various sizes, between Saranac Lake and Paul Smith's College in Gabriels, NY. Renovated by Cedar Circle LLC with green building techniques. Stays from three days to three months.
- Adirondack Spruce Lodge20.8 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 Whiteface20.8 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 Lodge20.9 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…
— 20.0 mi to the nearest bed on the register; book before you go.
See.
4- White Pine Camp19.7 mi
The 1907 Great Camp on Osgood Pond that served as Calvin Coolidge's Summer White House in the summer of 1926. Seasonal guided tours, and several cottages rent by the week.
- THE GREAT ADIRONDACK CORN MAZE20.3 mi
The Great Adirondack Corn Maze at Tucker Farms in Gabriels offers a new maze design each year, providing a fun experience of getting lost in the cornfield.
- Summit Weather Observatory21.4 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…
- High Falls Gorge22.9 mi
A 22-acre privately owned nature park on Route 86 in Wilmington with rim trails, glass-floor walkways over Ausable River waterfalls, a cafe, and gift shop. Open year-round, weather permitting.
— 19.7 mi to the nearest sight on file; fold it into the drive.
Add to the record.
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Every page on this site gets better when readers contribute. Mark a peak you’ve climbed, drop a photo, file a field note, or flag a correction — every addition makes the next visitor’s page better.
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Sunrise on the dock, a cairn at the summit, a bend on the trail. Your camera roll, our archive.
Add a photo →File a report.
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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 Twin Ponds located?Twin Ponds is a pond in the Saranac Lake region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- How big is Twin Ponds?Twin Ponds has a surface area of approximately 36 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: 2 designated campsites, 1 lean-to or shelter. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.