West Branch Dead Creek.
West Branch Dead Creek drains a quiet section of backcountry between the east shore of Paradox Lake and the hamlet of Paradox — part of the broader wetland and creek system that feeds the lake from the west. The stream moves through mixed hardwood and conifer lowlands with minimal road access, which keeps it off most paddlers' maps but keeps it productive for native brook trout in the cooler months. Dead Creek itself (the mainstem) eventually flows north into the lake near Paradox; the West Branch is the upstream feeder, accessible mainly by bushwhack or old logging trace. Worth a look if you're already exploring the western Paradox shoreline and want moving water instead of stillwater camping.
West Branch Dead Creek has public access.
The water, surveyed.
Seasonal pattern for this lake · live closures appear above
1 parking area
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.
- 01Port Henry Boat Launch ParkingTrailhead4.9 mipavedDirections →
Getting in, staying over.
Camping.
What the lake is doing today.
What rings this water.
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- House of Pizza14.5 mi
A family- and woman-owned pizzeria on Montcalm Street in Ticonderoga since 2002, doing traditional pizza, calzones, pasta, and salads with in-store pickup, curbside pickup, delivery, and no-contact delivery. Pizza-club program.
- Burleigh's Luncheonette14.5 mi
Burleigh's Luncheonette is a 1950s and 1960s themed restaurant located in historic downtown Ticonderoga, New York, offering classic diner vibes and freshly made meals.
- Hot Biscuit Diner14.7 mi
Hot Biscuit Diner is a full service family style restaurant in Ticonderoga. Visit us today to try our recipes! We put an emphasis on country style cooking, friendly service and affordable pricing. This Diner has been a family owned and ope…
- The Deer's Head Inn Restaurant16.3 mi
The Deer's Head Inn is a historic Elizabethtown tavern and restaurant — among the oldest inns in the Adirondacks — serving pub fare and regional dishes.
Sip.
4- Pleasant Valley Cafe16.3 mi
A local cafe in Elizabethtown serving breakfast, lunch, coffee, and comfort food in the heart of the Boquet Valley.
- Counter Space16.3 mi
A casual cafe in Elizabethtown serving coffee, espresso, and light bites — a local gathering spot in the Essex County seat.
- Life Church Cafe16.3 mi
Life Church Elizabethtown is a local church dedicated to connecting lives and building community.
- Old Mountain Coffee Company23.4 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.
— 16.3 mi to the nearest pour to this spot; pack a thermos.
Drink.
4- Tavern on Main5.5 mi
Tavern on Main brings a Chicago-style modern upscale gastropub to the historic Crown Point square — the closest sit-down dining to the Crown Point State Historic Site and the Lake Champlain Bridge crossing.
- The Old Mine7.7 mi
The Old Miners Tavern is a historic Adirondack tavern in Moriah, NY, offering classic bar food like juicy burgers and chicken wings, a full bar with rotating craft beers, and a welcoming atmosphere for friends to gather.
- The Knock ADK10.3 mi
The Knock ADK is a restaurant and bar in Westport, NY, offering a plant-based dinner menu alongside classic and craft cocktails. They provide dinner reservations on non-show nights and welcome walk-ins on show nights.
- The Pub14.6 mi
The Pub is a British-inspired restaurant recognized for serving the best Fish and Chips in the U.S. by the UK’s Greene King Brewery. It offers excellent food, drinks, and genuine hospitality with a wide selection of beers.
Stay.
4- The Inn in Westport9.7 mi
Set on the shore of Lake Champlain, this charming, waterfront inn is a 1-minute walk from local hiking trails and Ballard Park. High Falls Gorge is 33 miles away. Quaint, country-chic rooms with individualized decor are named after literary figures and of
- Hilltop Motel13.2 mi
Hilltop Motel offers clean, comfortable lodging conveniently located at I-87 Exit 31 in Westport, where the Adirondack Mountains meet Lake Champlain. Guests enjoy easy access to a vast array of outdoor activities and attractions.
- Stone House Motel & Motor Lodge14.7 mi
A stone-built motor lodge on Montcalm Street in Ticonderoga, family-run since 1948, with antique-furnished lodge rooms, A-frame units with Adirondack themes, and motel-strip housekeeping units with kitchen appliances.
- The Olde Mill Inn Bed and Breakfast15.9 mi
An eight-room historic B&B inside Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, with an authentic 1700s log cabin, a king-sized suite, and homemade breakfast. EV charging on site.
See.
4- Penfield Homestead Museum12.8 mi
Penfield Homestead Museum preserves the history of Crown Point, NY, and the surrounding Ironville area. Explore the historic homestead, barns, church, and learn about local history, military conflicts, and notable families.
- Ticonderoga Heritage Museum14.5 mi
A local history museum on Montcalm Street in Ticonderoga inside the 1888 building, the sole surviving structure from the Ticonderoga Pulp and Paper Company. Free walking tours of the La Chute industrial corridor.
- Fort Ticonderoga14.7 mi
A restored French and Indian War / Revolutionary War fort on 2,000-plus acres at the south end of Lake Champlain in Ticonderoga, with living-history demonstrations, the King's Garden, a corn maze, and boat tours on the lake aboard the Carillon.
- Adirondack History Museum16.2 mi
The Adirondack History Museum in Elizabethtown tells the story of Essex County and the Adirondacks — pioneer life, mining, tourism, and mountain heritage.
Add to the record.
Free, takes thirty seconds. Yours forever.
Every page on this site gets better when readers contribute. Mark a peak you’ve climbed, drop a photo, file a field note, or flag a correction — every addition makes the next visitor’s page better.
Add a shot.
Sunrise on the dock, a cairn at the summit, a bend on the trail. Your camera roll, our archive.
Add a photo →File a report.
Trail conditions, water level, bug pressure, blowdown. The kind of detail that helps the next person plan.
Write a field note →Spot something off?
Wrong elevation, outdated access notes, a coordinate that's drifted. We'd rather hear it than miss it.
Suggest an edit →Frequently asked.
- Where is West Branch Dead Creek located?West Branch Dead Creek is a river in the Paradox Lake region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- Is West Branch Dead Creek open to the public?Yes, West Branch Dead Creek 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 Dead Creek?Within roughly seven miles of West Branch Dead Creek: 48 designated campsites. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.