Ward Pond.
Ward Pond is an 11-acre pond in the Long Lake town corridor — small enough to miss on a topo map, quiet enough to have if you find it. No fish stocking records on file, no designated campsites, no trailhead signs — the kind of water that exists in the gap between state land and private parcels, more useful as a landmark for hunters and snowmobilers than as a paddling destination. If you're looking for solitude and you know how to navigate by contour, Ward Pond delivers; if you need a put-in and a lean-to, keep driving toward Lake Eaton or Forked Lake.
Ward Pond has public access. Summits nearby include Baldwin Mountain and Moose Mountain.
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
3 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.
- 01Camp Santanoni Parking LotTrailhead3.8 miunpavedDirections →
- 02East River Trail Parking6.3 miunpavedDirections →
- 03Upper Works Trail Parking6.6 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- Northern Borne13.6 mi
Family-owned grocery and outdoor-supply store on Long Lake's Main Street, with organic, gluten-free, and vegan options plus a made-to-order deli counter. Camping and outdoor gear stocked alongside the grocery.
- Long Lake Diner & Owl’s Head Pub13.6 mi
Long Lake Diner & Owl's Head Pub has been proudly serving food, beverages, and memories since 2004.
- Long View Lodge Restaurant15.6 mi
Long View Lodge Restaurant on Long Lake offers a full-service dining experience with an award-winning chef. Known for its quality ingredients and an ever-changing menu in a warm, inviting Adirondack setting, no reservations are necessary.
- McSweeney's Irish Pub17.8 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.
Sip.
4- Waypoint Cafe13.8 mi
Long Lake cafe at 1265 Main St. La Colombe coffee, homemade quiche, avocado toast, artisan sandwiches, salads, poke bowls, soups, and charcuterie. Closed Mondays; weeknight happy hour 4–6 p.m.
- Schoolhouse Grounds Coffee Shop17.8 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.
- Origin Coffee19.7 mi
Origin Coffee Co. is a specialty coffee shop with locations in Lake Placid and Saranac Lake, offering a chef-driven breakfast and lunch menu served all day. It serves as a community gathering spot for locals and Adirondack travelers.
- The Coffee Bar19.9 mi
A small coffee bar on Main Street in Lake Placid with Mirror Lake and Whiteface Mountain views, pulling shots from Tug Hill Artisan Roasters beans.
Sweet.
4- Custard’s Last Stand13.6 mi
Custard's Last Stand is a historic ice cream shop in Long Lake, established in 1958, serving a variety of soft frozen custard & hard ice cream, sundaes, specialty shakes, floats, and ice cream sodas. They also offer merchandise and gift cards.
- The Park13.6 mi
Trying to find a fast food restaurant in Long Lake? Pay a visit to The Park. We offer a range of burgers, sides, ice cream, drinks and coffee options.
- Adirondack Corner Store19.1 mi
A longtime deli and general store at the corner of Route 73 in Lake Placid with an ice cream counter and subs — a locals' spot off the Main Street tourist row.
- Donnelly's Soft Ice Cream19.2 mi
A fourth-generation Saranac Lake institution on a former dairy farm, serving exactly one rotating soft-serve flavor each day — twisted with vanilla on the same 1953 machine. Cash only; check the daily flavor. Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Drink.
4- Brookside Hops & Hoagies13.6 mi
Brookside Hops & Hoagies is a casual, family-friendly shop in Long Lake, founded in 2023, offering craft beers and hoagies made with fresh ingredients and Boars Head deli meats. It operates Wednesday through Sunday from 11 AM to 7 PM.
- Indian Lake Restaurant, Tavern and Liquor Store17.7 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 Lake18.0 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.
- Ray Brook Brewhouse19.2 mi
Ray Brook Brewhouse is a unique brewery in Ray Brook, NY, offering wild and traditional brews paired with adventurous dishes made from local and exotic ingredients.
Stay.
4- The Pilot's House4.4 mi
The Pilot's House sits above the Outfitter's storefront, with a wonderful view of Vanderwhacker Mt. and the Hudson River, and Santanoni Mt as a backdrop.
- Motel Long Lake & Cottages13.4 mi
A family-owned lakefront property on Dock Road in Long Lake with 8 motel rooms and 18 cottages on 3.4 acres of frontage. Private beach, two boat docks, boat rentals, and walking distance to the hamlet.
- Adirondack Hotel13.7 mi
A 20-room hotel from the 1850s on Long Lake's main street, with a fine-dining room, a casual lakeview taproom, and a veranda that earns its keep from June through foliage.
- Adirondack Herrenhaus13.7 mi
A vacation rental in Long Lake in the central Adirondacks — a home base for paddling, hiking, and quiet days on the water.
See.
4- Camp Santanoni1.8 mi
Built by the wealthy Pruyn family, Camp Santanoni is a publicly-owned National Historic Landmark, offering visitors a glimpse into the early Adirondack Great Camp era and opportunities for outdoor recreation.
- Newcomb Ski Slope4.7 mi
2 slope municipal ski slope free to the public.
- Blue Mountain Fire Observation Station16.1 mi
Blue Mountain offers a rewarding fire tower hike in the Central Adirondacks, featuring sweeping views and historical significance, with a world-class museum located at its base.
- John Dillon Park16.6 mi
John Dillon Park, run by Paul Smith's College, is an accessible outdoor recreation area in Long Lake featuring a 3.5-mile accessible trail system, lean-tos, and fishing access. It is closed for the summer 2026 season for water system impro…
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- Where is Ward Pond located?Ward Pond is a pond in the Long Lake region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- How big is Ward Pond?Ward Pond has a surface area of approximately 11 acres, a smaller backcountry water.
- Is Ward Pond open to the public?Yes, Ward 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 Ward Pond?Within roughly seven miles of Ward Pond: 18 designated campsites, 19 lean-tos or shelters. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.