West Inlet.
West Inlet feeds the northwest corner of Raquette Lake from the high country between Stillwater Reservoir and the Upper Works — a drainage corridor running through state Forest Preserve land but bordered by private holdings that keep it off most paddlers' maps. The stream itself is small, rocky, and seasonal in flow, more of a navigational reference point than a destination: if you're paddling the northern bays of Raquette Lake or exploring the shoreline west of South Inlet, West Inlet marks the transition from open water to forested lowlands. No formal trail follows the inlet upstream, and no fish species are documented in state survey records — this is backcountry drainage, not a fishing creek. Best known to paddlers working the perimeter of Raquette Lake or plotting long portage routes between watersheds.
West Inlet has public access. Summits nearby include Cy Beedes Ledge and Pinnacle.
The water, surveyed.
Before you launch.
- 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
12 parking areas· 1 accessible
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.
- 01Elk Lake Parking LotTrailhead3.4 miunpavedDirections →
- 02Elk Lake Road Parking Area #25.5 mi
- 03Amr Parking Lot6.5 miunpavedDirections →
- 04Roaring Brook Falls Parking Lot6.5 miunpavedDirections →
- 05Pull Off6.5 miunpavedDirections →
- 06Beerwalls Parking Lot6.6 mipavedDirections →
- 07Zander Scott Trail Head Parking Lot6.6 mipavedDirections →
- 08Chapel Pond Parking Lot6.6 mipavedDirections →
+4 more on the map above
Getting in, staying over.
Camping.
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- Noon Mark Diner8.6 mi
A traditional diner experience, offering hearty meals for travelers and locals in the Adirondack Park.
- Ausable Inn8.8 mi
Comfortable Keene Valley restaurant, bar, liquor store, and small inn. American comfort menu — wings, fish and chips, Montreal brisket, steak au poivre, plus the locally famous Hungarian mushroom soup.
- Forty Six12.7 mi
A small fine-dining room on Route 9N in Keene at the Dartbrook Lodge campus, with a seasonal menu that rotates regularly and elegant plating. Reservations recommended.
- Trail Break at Schroon Lake15.5 mi
Trail Break at Schroon Lake offers a restaurant, bar, and lodging in Schroon Lake. Guests can enjoy a menu of food, wine, and beer, live music on select evenings, and overnight stays in their rooms from May through October.
Sip.
4- Old Mountain Coffee Company8.6 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.
- Counter Space15.6 mi
A casual cafe in Elizabethtown serving coffee, espresso, and light bites — a local gathering spot in the Essex County seat.
- Pleasant Valley Cafe15.7 mi
A local cafe in Elizabethtown serving breakfast, lunch, coffee, and comfort food in the heart of the Boquet Valley.
- Life Church Cafe15.8 mi
Life Church Elizabethtown is a local church dedicated to connecting lives and building community.
Sweet.
4- Black Rooster Maple12.8 mi
Pure Adirondack Maple Syrup, Maple Cream, Bourbon Barrel Maple Syrup
- Cedar Run Bakery & Market13.1 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.
- Adirondack Corner Store15.2 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's16.3 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- Paradox Brewery10.0 mi
Paradox Brewery offers a diverse tap selection, a full menu with pizza, burgers, and BBQ, and an expansive mountain landscape.
- The Old Mine16.1 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.
- Lake Placid Pub & Brewery16.5 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.
- The Brown Swan and Tavern16.5 mi
The Brown Swan and Tavern in Schroon Lake, NY, offers Adirondacks-inspired cuisine with locally sourced ingredients in a family-friendly setting.
Stay.
4- Blue Ridge Falls Campsites8.2 mi
Blue Ridge Falls Campsites is a campground in North Hudson, NY, offering RV, pop-up, and tent camping near Schroon Lake and I-87. Guests can enjoy Wi-Fi, a swimming pool, tennis courts, and a camp store, with easy access to area attraction…
- Rooster Comb Inn8.6 mi
Rooster Comb Inn is a dog-friendly inn located in the heart of Keene Valley, NY, offering comfortable, rustic lodging within walking distance to Adirondack trailheads and local eateries. It features shared amenities like a full kitchen and…
- Keene Valley Lodge8.9 mi
A seven-room lodge and three-bedroom cottage at the center of Keene Valley, with breakfast and direct walk access to the Great Range trailheads and village restaurants.
- Adirondack Loj10.2 mi
Adirondak Loj is a lodging and camping facility operated by the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK) in Lake Placid, New York. It serves as a hub for outdoor programs and access to the High Peaks region, offering accommodations and information f…
See.
4- Lake Placid Bobsled Experience11.2 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.
- Cliffside Coaster11.2 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.
- Keene Arts13.0 mi
Keene Arts is a venue in Keene, NY, hosting diverse events including art exhibits, concerts, film screenings, and a winter farmers market.
- Hurricane Mountain Fire Tower13.0 mi
Perched atop Hurricane Mountain, this historic fire tower provides hikers with unparalleled 360-degree views of the Adirondacks, Lake Champlain, and Vermont's Green Mountains.
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Suggest an edit →Frequently asked.
- Where is West Inlet located?West Inlet is a stream in the Keene region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- Is West Inlet open to the public?Yes, West Inlet 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 Inlet?Within roughly seven miles of West Inlet: 81 designated campsites, 34 lean-tos or shelters. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.