West Lake.
West Lake sits just off NY-28 on the western edge of Old Forge — a 33-acre kettle pond shaped by glacial retreat and now ringed by seasonal camps and year-round homes. The lake is accessible by boat launch on the north shore (cartop or small trailer rigs; the ramp is maintained by the town), and the water stays relatively quiet mid-week even in high summer. No public fishing data on file, but the lake is stocked periodically and local anglers work the drop-offs for panfish and bass. On a clear morning you can see the smoke from the Old Forge bakery drifting across the water from the village a mile east.
West Lake reaches a maximum depth of 23 feet, with a mean depth of 14 feet. West Lake has public access. Summits nearby include Bottle Mountain and Bald Mountain.
The water, surveyed.
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.
- 01Rodaxe Fire Tower ParkingTrailhead1.3 miunpavedDirections →
- 02Third Lake Creek Parking2.6 miunpavedDirections →
- 03Bub & Sis Lakes Trail Parking3.9 mipavedDirections →
- 04Moss Lake Accessible Parking4.4 mi
- 05Moss Lake Parking4.4 miunpavedDirections →
- 06Orvis Schoolhouse (Safford Pond Trail) Parking4.7 miunpavedDirections →
- 07Cascade Lake Trail Parking4.8 miunpavedDirections →
- 08Windfall Pond Parking4.9 miunpavedDirections →
+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 Lean-to at Great Pines3.1 mi
The Lean-To is our casual lakeside restaurant, open to guests and the public. It offers a full-service bar and a craft beer menu, along with a food menu inspired by local ingredients and regional influences.
- Mountainside Smokehouse & Grill3.6 mi
Mountainside Smokehouse & Grill offers delicious smoked meats, homemade BBQ sauces and desserts, with smoking done on-premise using apple wood. They also provide catering and meeting space.
- Tony Harper's Pizza & Clam Shack4.2 mi
Tony Harper's Pizza & Clam Shack is a family-friendly restaurant offering homemade traditional and thin-crust pizzas, signature Whiskey Wings, steamers, and "Raquette Cheesesteaks". They feature a full bar with microbrews, high-definition…
- Walt's Diner4.2 mi
A working diner on Route 28 in Old Forge running for 25-plus years, with breakfast and lunch most days and a Friday fish fry until 8 p.m. Closed Tuesdays.
Sip.
3- Blue Line Coffee House4.0 mi
A coffee shop on Route 28 in Old Forge selling drinks, Adirondack-themed apparel, handcrafted mugs, and shipped coffee subscriptions. Order drinks for pickup or shop the gift line online.
- Blue Line Coffee House6.3 mi
Blue Line Coffee House offers Adirondack-inspired apparel, handcrafted mugs, and mountain-themed gifts, along with pre-packaged coffee and coffee accessories. Products are available for nationwide shipping, and local customers can order dr…
- Tamarack Cafe6.3 mi
Tamarack Cafe in downtown Inlet serves a wide variety of breakfast and lunch options, from traditional favorites and specialty bowls to creative salads, sandwiches, and burgers. The cafe also features an 18-hole mini-golf course.
Sweet.
3- Benny’s Ice Cream4.0 mi
A family-run, locally loved scoop shop on Old Forge's Main Street — hand-scooped hard flavors and soft serve.
- Pied Piper4.0 mi
A circa-1950s soft-serve and frozen-custard stand locals treat as a permanent fixture — the walk-up window after a day on the Fulton Chain or at the water park. Three daily soft-serve flavors plus around 20 hard flavors.
- Northern Lights Creamery Inc.6.7 mi
An Inlet institution for 40-plus years, a short walk from Arrowhead Park on Fourth Lake — soft serve, homemade gelato, floats, flurries, and specialty sundaes.
Drink.
3- Daiker's2.2 mi
Daikers is an Adirondack pitstop in Old Forge, NY, offering seasonal and local dining with a deck overlooking Fourth Lake. Their caring and committed staff ensure a fantastic experience for guests.
- Slickers Adirondack Tavern3.9 mi
Slickers Adirondack Tavern, established in 1984, offers a classic tavern experience with a focus on quality ingredients. They are well-known for their signature French Dip Sandwich.
- Old Forge Brewing Company4.1 mi
Old Forge Brewing Company, established in 2008, is a brewpub committed to crafting quality beer and food while prioritizing local ingredients and community support. They offer a diverse menu, a range of craft beers, and host regular events.
Stay.
4- Fulton House Cottages1.8 mi
Fulton House Cottages offers family-friendly accommodations in the Adirondack Mountains, providing a serene lakefront setting for creating lasting memories.
- Great Pines Resort3.1 mi
Airy quarters, some with balconies, in a relaxed lakeside retreat offering a private beach & dining.
- Old Forge Camping Resort3.3 mi
A year-round campground on Route 28 in Old Forge in the Water Safari Resort family, with deluxe cabins, cottages, RV sites, and tent sites. Stay-and-Play packages for Water Safari.
- Water's Edge Inn3.8 mi
Homey rooms & suites with balconies, plus an indoor pool, free breakfast & a deck with lake views.
See.
4- Calypso's Cove3.7 mi
Calypso's Cove is a family fun park in Old Forge, NY, located next to Enchanted Forest Water Safari. It features attractions like go-karts, mini-golf, arcade games, and a ropes course with a zipline, offering afternoon and evening entertai…
- Enchanted Forest Water Safari3.8 mi
Located in Old Forge, Enchanted Forest Water Safari offers a blend of water park experiences and traditional theme park attractions. Visitors can access various slides, pools, and dry rides.
- Adirondack Railbike5.8 mi
Adirondack Railbike Adventures offers unique railbike tours in the Adirondack Mountains. Riders can explore scenic routes from Old Forge (Thendara) and Tupper Lake, experiencing natural beauty and spectacular views on railbikes made in New…
- Raquette Lake Navigation Cruise13.8 mi
Raquette Lake Navigation Company offers dining, sightseeing, and special event cruises on Raquette Lake in New York. This family-owned and operated business has been providing scenic experiences aboard the W.W. Durant since 1991.
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- Where is West Lake located?West Lake is a lake in the Old Forge region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- How big is West Lake?West Lake has a surface area of approximately 33 acres, a smaller backcountry water.
- How deep is West Lake?West Lake has a maximum depth of 23 feet, with a mean depth of 14.1 feet.
- Is West Lake open to the public?Yes, West Lake 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 Lake?Within roughly seven miles of West Lake: 31 designated campsites. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.