West Branch Ausable River.
The West Branch Ausable River runs north from the High Peaks through Lake Placid village, paralleling NY-86 and Wilmington Notch Road before joining the East Branch downstream near Au Sable Forks. It's the drainage for the northwest face of the range — everything coming off Whiteface, Esther, and the back side of Cascade pours into this corridor — and the flow moves fast after rain or snowmelt. The river runs through town, under bridges, past the Olympic ski jumps, accessible but not wild until you're upstream of the village or deep into the notch. Kayakers and anglers know the West Branch as a cold-water system; rafters wait for spring runoff and head for the lower gorge sections.
West Branch Ausable River has public access. Summits nearby include Cobble Hill and Mount Whitney.
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.
- 0110Th Mountain Division MemeorialTrailhead0.4 miunpavedDirections →
- 02Cobble Hill Trail Parking0.8 miunpavedDirections →
- 03River Road # 2 River Access Parking0.9 miunpavedDirections →
- 04Cherry Patch Pond Trail Parking0.9 miunpavedDirections →
- 05Rt 86, Old Loggers Rd Trail Parking0.9 miunpavedDirections →
- 06Rt 86, Old Loggers Rd Trail Parking1.0 miunpavedDirections →
- 07Little Charry Patch Pond Water Access Parking1.2 miunpavedDirections →
- 08Ausable Bridge #2 Trail Parking1.2 miunpavedDirections →
+4 more on the map above
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Closest editorial picks for a meal, a scoop, a pint, a bed, and a sight worth your time.
Eat.
4- Mr. Mike's Pizza2.1 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…
- Salt of the Earth Bistro2.1 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's2.1 mi
Creative American fare with global twists in a welcoming space with vivid murals & waterside patio.
- The Cabin Grill2.2 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 Coffee2.1 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 Bar2.2 mi
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- Simply Gourmet3.0 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…
- Adirondack Mountain Coffee Cafe9.0 mi
Adirondack Mountain Coffee Cafe is a coffee shop in Upper Jay, NY, serving fresh, slow-roasted coffee, breakfast, and lunch daily. Located near Whiteface Mountain and the Adirondack State Park, it also offers local beer and cocktails, with…
Sweet.
4- Adirondack Corner Store1.7 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's2.1 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 Creamery2.1 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.
- Cedar Run Bakery & Market7.4 mi
Cedar Run Bakery & Market offers scratch-made baked goods, deli items, fresh menu options, and take & bake meals, alongside a selection of wine and spirits. They are open Friday through Monday from 8 AM to 6 PM.
Drink.
4- Lake Placid Pub & Brewery2.0 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.
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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 Brewhouse6.8 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.
- R.F. McDougall's Pub7.4 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.
Stay.
4- River Road Loj - Lake Placid log cabin rental0.8 mi
River Road Loj - Lake Placid log cabin rental Lake Placid United States, New York
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A historic resort on Morningside Drive above Lake Placid, with 45 holes of championship golf, a wedding venue with High Peaks views, lodging through the Grandview Hotel, and real-estate offerings across 900-plus acres.
- Courtyard Lake Placid2.0 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.
- The Devlin2.1 mi
A hotel on Main Street in Lake Placid with views of the Olympic ski jumps and the High Peaks. Rooms and suites, premium suites with full kitchens, dog-friendly, outdoor pool. Memorabilia from Olympic ski jumper Art Devlin on display.
See.
4- 1980 Winter Olympic cauldron1.9 mi
The cauldron associated with the Olympic flame of the 1980 Winter Games in Lake Placid — a piece of the village's enduring Olympic legacy.
- Lake Placid Olympic Museum2.2 mi
Museum focusing on the winter Olympic games & its events, including hockey, skating & curling.
- Olympic Center2.2 mi
The hockey arena where the 1980 'Miracle on Ice' happened, now part of a larger Olympic complex with skating rinks, the Olympic Museum, training facilities, and bobsled / skeleton experiences.
- Olympic Ski Jump Tower2.4 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.
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- 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: 26 designated campsites, 8 lean-tos or shelters, 2 listed campgrounds. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.