Upper Pine Lakes.
Upper Pine Lakes is a small, unmapped water in the Speculator region — the kind of pond that appears on USGS quads but not in guidebooks, and rarely in trip reports. At six acres, it's likely a beaver meadow or a glacial remnant tucked into second-growth forest, accessible only by bushwhack or unmaintained logging trace. No fish stocking data on record, which usually means brook trout *might* be present if there's inlet flow and depth, but just as often means it's too shallow or too warm to hold anything year-round. A local-knowledge spot, if it's a spot at all.
Upper Pine Lakes has public access. Summits nearby include Poplar Hill and Petes Hill.
The water, surveyed.
Seasonal pattern for this lake · live closures appear above
6 parking areas· 3 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.
- 01Cisco Brook Trailhead ParkingTrailhead2.0 miunpavedDirections →
- 02Indian Lake Parking6.4 mi
- 03Indian Lake Parking Lot6.7 mi
- 04Watch Hill Parking Area6.8 miunpavedDirections →
- 05DEC parking 189256.9 mi
- 06Big Brook Rd Parking Lot7.0 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.
4- Charlie Johns Store8.4 mi
Opened in 1939, Charlie Johns Store is Speculator's anchor general store — 12,000 square feet of full grocery selection, produce, fresh meats, a full deli, bakery, and hardware. Purchased from Charlie Johns in 1971 by Dean Lane, the Lane family has owned and operated it since.
- Firetower Pizza8.5 mi
Hand-tossed pizzeria in Speculator with specialty pies named after Adirondack peaks (Mt Marcy, Snowy Mountain, Whiteface). Wings, baked ziti, white clam pie. Cozy waiting area with retro jukebox and arcade.
- McSweeney's Irish Pub12.3 mi
An Irish-style pub on Route 30 in Indian Lake serving comfort-food classics (shepherd's pie, fish and chips) seven days a week, year-round. The dependable dinner spot in town.
- becks TAVERN15.1 mi
A tavern on Peaceful Valley Road in North Creek serving German-inspired dishes alongside burgers, wings, and bar standards. The Yurts out back are the conversation piece.
Sip.
3- The PERKS of Speculator8.7 mi
Speculator coffee shop and bakery at 2855 NY-30. Specialty coffee, espresso, fresh-baked bagels and pastries, plus breakfast and lunch sandwiches. Gluten-free options across the bakery case.
- Uncle Carl's Coffee13.5 mi
Uncle Carl's Coffee serves expertly crafted coffees, artisan teas, pastries, and light savory bites. They also offer daily quiche and bagels, along with homemade soups, frozen meals, local meats, and cheeses.
- Schoolhouse Grounds Coffee Shop19.4 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.
4- Speculator Creamery8.8 mi
A family-run village creamery anchoring Speculator's tiny downtown near Lake Pleasant — a genuine community summer hub. Wide-ranging soft-serve flavors, the 16oz Nor'Easter blend, and hand-dipped hard ice cream. Roughly May through September.
- The Hungry Crow Market & Café15.5 mi
A downtown North Creek market and cafe serving soft serve alongside scratch-made desserts, next to Hudson River Trading Co. — the cone stop in the Gore and Upper Hudson area.
- Main Street Ice Cream Parlor23.8 mi
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- Crossroads Ice Cream23.9 mi
The ice cream counter at The Crossroads, a country and outdoors store off I-87 Exit 25 in Chestertown between Schroon and Brant Lake — hard and soft ice cream on the road north.
Drink.
4- Acorn Pub & Eatery at Oak Mountain7.7 mi
Acorn Pub & Eatery is a dining option at Oak Mountain, offering a place to eat and drink.
- Lemon Tree Brewery8.7 mi
Lemon Tree Brewery is a brewery and taproom located in Speculator, NY, steps from Lake Pleasant. It offers house brews like SASQUATCH HAZY IPA and Blueberry Wheat, along with other local NY State micro-brewed beers and wines in a relaxed s…
- Indian Lake Restaurant, Tavern and Liquor Store12.3 mi
Indian Lake Restaurant, Tavern and Liquor Store offers a full bar with an extensive bottle selection and local drafts, alongside a menu featuring appetizers, sandwiches, and entrees. The restaurant is currently closed for mud season and wi…
- Hex and Hop Tasting Room - Blue Mountain Lake19.2 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 Cabins at Chimney Mountain6.1 mi
The Cabins at Chimney Mountain offers an all-American camp adventure with 9 cozy cabins and 4 glamping tent sites on a secluded 280-acre estate in Indian Lake, NY. Enjoy hiking trails, a private lake, and a camp store.
- Timberlock6.4 mi
Since 1899, Timberlock has been a family camp offering rustic cabins, lakeside activities, and unforgettable summers in upstate New York.
- Snowy Mountain Inn7.8 mi
Snowy Mountain Inn offers Bed & Breakfast lodging and secluded cottages with lake and mountain views, plus a "guests only" dining room featuring Real Pit Southern BBQ.
- The Lorca Adirondacks8.4 mi
A classic Adirondack drive-in lodge rebuilt as a self-check-in contemporary boutique. Eight rooms walled in natural pine, with fire pits, grills, lawn games, a seasonal pool, and a short walk to Indian Lake.
See.
4- Ampersand Christine Falls6.6 mi
Ampersand Energy LLC.
- Speculator Historical Museum8.7 mi
A small local-history museum on Route 8 in Speculator inside the original Lake Pleasant Town Hall and Library. Open weekends Memorial Day through August, plus weekday hours in summer.
- Revolution Rail Co. - Thurman Station15.7 mi
A pedal-powered rail biking operation at Thurman Station on the Adirondack Railroad bed near North Creek, with family-friendly seasonal tours rolling alongside the Hudson River corridor through forest and open river-bank country.
- North Creek Depot Museum15.7 mi
Saved from demolition, this 1872 landmark station is now a museum, heritage center, and cultural hub in historic North Creek, featuring a fabulous diorama and exhibits on the Adirondack Railroad, Theodore Roosevelt, and local history.
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Suggest an edit →Frequently asked.
- Where is Upper Pine Lakes located?Upper Pine Lakes is a pond in the Speculator region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- How big is Upper Pine Lakes?Upper Pine Lakes has a surface area of approximately 6 acres, a small pond.
- Is Upper Pine Lakes open to the public?Yes, Upper Pine Lakes 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 Upper Pine Lakes?Within roughly seven miles of Upper Pine Lakes: 65 designated campsites, 10 lean-tos or shelters. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.