West Branch Ausable River.
The West Branch Ausable River drains the northwestern High Peaks — most notably the slopes of Whiteface, Esther, and the Sentinel Range — before meeting the East Branch downstream near Ausable Forks. Above Lake Placid the river runs cold and tight through boreal forest, accessible primarily via the Whiteface Mountain Memorial Highway corridor and Wilmington Notch; below the village it widens and warms as it bends north through farmland and second-growth hardwoods. The West Branch sees consistent stocking and natural reproduction of brook and brown trout, with the upper stretches holding wild brookies in the pocket water above Highway drops. Spring runoff turns the river into a churning freight train by mid-April; by late June it's wadeable and fishable again.
West Branch Ausable River has public access. Summits nearby include Sugarloaf Mountain and Mount Van Hoevenberg.
The water, surveyed.
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.
- 01Trail ParkingTrailhead1.8 miunpavedDirections →
- 02Mountain Lane Trail Parking2.4 miunpavedDirections →
- 03Marcy Dam Parking Lot2.9 miunpavedDirections →
- 04Cascade Mountain Parking3.5 mipavedDirections →
- 05Chubb River Bridge3.6 miunpavedDirections →
- 06Cascade Mountain Parking3.6 mipavedDirections →
- 07Cascade Mountain Parking3.7 mipavedDirections →
- 08Cascade Mountain Parking3.7 mipavedDirections →
+4 more on the map above
Getting in, staying over.
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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- Salt of the Earth Bistro3.2 mi
A small reservation-required bistro on Sentinel Road in Lake Placid, serving twisted takes on traditional dishes including a signature peanut stew. Parties of six or fewer.
- Lisa G's3.6 mi
Creative American fare with global twists in a welcoming space with vivid murals & waterside patio.
- Mr. Mike's Pizza3.8 mi
Mr. Mikes Pizza & Italian Kitchen 518-523-9770 Leave a Review Sale Quick View Pizza Rimini Peeled tomato, cheese, mushrooms, red onion, cherry tomato, black olives, rocket $25.00 Original price was: $25.00.$15.00Current price is: $15.00. A…
- The Cabin Grill4.1 mi
The on-site restaurant and bar at The Grand Adirondack, a Tribute Portfolio hotel on Main Street in Lake Placid, with Great Room lobby dining, fireplace seating, and a relaxed bar register.
Sip.
4- Origin Coffee3.9 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 Bar4.2 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.
- Simply Gourmet5.0 mi
Simply Gourmet in Lake Placid offers daily breakfast and lunch with a focus on clean food, using fresh, local, and sustainable ingredients free of additives or preservatives. They also provide comprehensive catering services for various ev…
- Old Mountain Coffee Company9.0 mi
Great Coffee, Great Food, Great Baked Goods & Great People. Stop in to enjoy our house roasted coffee, browse our menu for a bite to eat or grab a delicious treat from our bakery. Order Online for pickup or stop in.
Sweet.
4- Adirondack Corner Store2.7 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.
- Ben & Jerry's3.7 mi
The Ben & Jerry's scoop shop on Lake Placid's Main Street above Mirror Lake — the Vermont brand's pints and cones in the heart of the village.
- Emma's Lake Placid Creamery3.7 mi
A 1950s-themed creamery in the heart of walkable Lake Placid, famous for its Maple Creme soft serve alongside 16 hard flavors, gelato, sorbet, and old-fashioned malts. The reliable apres-hike treat.
- Donnelly's Soft Ice Cream8.1 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- Lake Placid Pub & Brewery3.9 mi
A brewpub on Mirror Lake Drive in Lake Placid since 1996, with 12 house beers on tap including the original Ubu Ale, a downstairs Irish pub, and a deck over Mirror Lake.
- Top of the Park4.5 mi
A Lake Placid bar on Main Street offering a curated selection of wine, scotch, bourbon, craft beer, and top-shelf liquors, complemented by small plates and signature cocktails. Enjoy 'Spirits with a View' from its large deck overlooking Mi…
- Ray Brook Brewhouse7.6 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.
- RiverTrail Beerworks10.9 mi
RiverTrail Beerworks is Saranac Lake’s only riverfront brewpub, located on the Saranac Lake River Walk and Rail Trail. It features a heated patio, firepits, two golf simulators, and serves lunch and dinner daily with house-brewed beers and…
Stay.
4- TMax-n-Topo's Hostel1.2 mi
A budget hostel on Cascade Road outside Lake Placid with shared bunkrooms, private motel-style rooms, and a seasonal pop-up camper. Full kitchen, communal dining, fire pit, outdoor deck.
- Cascade Inn and Restaurant1.2 mi
A roadside motel and restaurant on Cascade Road between Lake Placid and Keene, with Whiteface views, Italian classics, and ski-out cross-country access from the door.
- Van Hoevenberg Cabins2.4 mi
Eight pet-friendly cabins on Cascade Road outside Lake Placid, each named for a High Peaks summit, with kitchenettes and queen, king, or twin configurations. Year-round operation.
- Courtyard Lake Placid3.1 mi
A modern chain hotel blending lodge-style comfort with convenient amenities, ideal for those exploring Lake Placid's Olympic sites, Whiteface Mountain, or conducting business in the Adirondacks.
See.
4- John Brown Farm State Historic Site1.6 mi
Simple, furnished farmhouse home & grave of abolitionist John Brown, set in parkland with trails.
- Olympic Ski Jump Tower1.9 mi
Experience the thrill of Olympic ski jumping history and world-class training at this iconic Lake Placid venue, offering stunning Adirondack vistas from its towering structures.
- Cliffside Coaster1.9 mi
The Cliffside Coaster in Lake Placid, NY, is the longest coaster in North America. It follows the path of Olympic history at Mt Van Hoevenberg.
- Lake Placid Bobsled Experience1.9 mi
Mt Van Hoevenberg, a Lake Placid Legacy Site, offers the thrilling Skeleton Experience for visitors and youth bobsled and skeleton programs, continuing its Olympic legacy as a venue for winter sports.
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Suggest an edit →Frequently asked.
- Where is West Branch Ausable River located?West Branch Ausable River is a river in the Lake Placid region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- Is West Branch Ausable River open to the public?Yes, West Branch Ausable River 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 West Branch Ausable River?Within roughly seven miles of West Branch Ausable River: 66 designated campsites, 35 lean-tos or shelters. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.