West Branch Ausable River.
The West Branch Ausable River drains the northwest flank of the High Peaks — fed by tributary streams off Marcy, Colden, and the MacIntyre Range — and meets the East Branch at Ausable Forks to form the main stem that cuts north toward Lake Champlain. It's a whitewater river in spring, a boulder-garden trout stream by midsummer, and the primary drainage for the Lake Placid / Wilmington corridor. Access is scattered: Old Military Road parallels stretches of the upper river south of Lake Placid, and Wilmington Notch offers roadside pull-offs where NY-86 shadows the water downstream. Anglers work the pocket water for brookies and browns; kayakers scout the Wilmington section in May.
West Branch Ausable River has public access. Summits nearby include Stewart Mountain and Little Whiteface Mountain.
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.
- 01Notch ParkingTrailhead0.6 miunpavedDirections →
- 02Lower Notch Parking0.6 miunpavedDirections →
- 03Upper Notch0.8 mipavedDirections →
- 04Pull Off Parking1.0 miunpavedDirections →
- 05Copperas Pond Parking1.0 miunpavedDirections →
- 06Copperas Owen Pond lot1.0 mipavedDirections →
- 07Basset Flats Parking1.1 miunpavedDirections →
- 08Upper Basset Flats1.3 mipavedDirections →
+4 more on the map above
Getting in, staying over.
Camping.
On the water.
What the lake is doing today.
What rings this water.
The peaks.
The waters.
The trails.
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- The Hungry Trout2.7 mi
Situated on the West Branch of the Ausable River, the Hungry Trout offers two distinct dining experiences, from an upscale restaurant to a lively tavern.
- Monday Tuesday Grill5.0 mi
Monday Tuesday Grill in Upper Jay offers fresh, friendly, and affordable comfort meals for indoor, outdoor, and takeout dining, including grilled cheese sandwiches, soups, and Swedish meatballs.
- The Cottage at Mirror Lake Inn5.9 mi
The Cottage Restaurant and Cafe is located directly on the shore of Mirror Lake, offering spectacular views of the Adirondack High Peaks. It features food and drink options sourced from the Lake Placid region and operates on a first-come,…
- The Dancing Bears6.0 mi
A Main Street restaurant in Lake Placid running 40-plus years, serving Adirondack-inspired brunch from 7 a.m. and dinner from 3 p.m. with locally sourced ingredients, signature cocktails, and craft beer.
Sip.
4- Adirondack Mountain Coffee Cafe5.2 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…
- The Coffee Bar6.2 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.
- Origin Coffee6.3 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.
- Simply Gourmet6.5 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…
Sweet.
4- Whitebrook Dairy Bar4.7 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 Creamery5.2 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.
- Adirondack Corner Store6.4 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's6.4 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.
Drink.
4- R.F. McDougall's Pub2.7 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.
- Top of the Park6.0 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…
- Lake Placid Pub & Brewery6.2 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.
- Ray Brook Brewhouse10.0 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- Wilmington Notch Campground1.4 mi
Wilmington Notch is located beside the Ausable River and accommodates fishermen looking to challenge the rapids in search of a great catch.
- Ledge Rock at Whiteface2.0 mi
Cottages and lodging in Wilmington near Whiteface Mountain and the Ausable River — a base for skiing, hiking, and fly-fishing in the High Peaks.
- The Hungry Trout Resort2.8 mi
A year-round resort in Wilmington with 1,500 feet of frontage on the West Branch of the Ausable, two on-site restaurants, an in-house fly shop, and Whiteface Mountain a mile up the road.
- Whiteface Farm Bed and Breakfast3.2 mi
Wilmington bed-and-breakfast with three deluxe rooms (king/queen feather beds, in-room fireplaces, jacuzzis), plus a suite and a one-bedroom apartment. Sauna, outdoor hot tub, full local-ingredient breakfast. Bike- and ski-friendly.
See.
4- High Falls Gorge0.8 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.
- Summit Weather Observatory2.3 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…
- Upper Jay Art Center and Recovery Lounge5.2 mi
The Upper Jay Art Center and Recovery Lounge is a vibrant venue dedicated to presenting music, theater, and visual arts in Upper Jay, NY. It serves as a community hub for various cultural events.
- Captain Marney's Boat Rental5.6 mi
Captain Marney's Boat Rental offers boat and water sports rentals in the Lake Placid, NY area. They provide reasonably priced options for various water enthusiasts, including discounts for multi-day, multi-boat, and group rentals.
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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: 7 designated campsites, 9 lean-tos or shelters, 1 listed campground. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.