Whiteface Brook.
Whiteface Brook drains the eastern slopes of Whiteface Mountain and runs through Lake Placid village before emptying into Mirror Lake — most visitors cross it without noticing, though it's the reason the Olympic ski jumps and much of the village sit where they do. The upper reaches hold native brook trout in pocket water above the developed corridor; below town it's a bedrock-and-culvert affair threading between Route 86 and the Mirror Lake shoreline. The brook is Lake Placid's working stream — stormwater management, snowmelt route, the drainage spine of a resort town built in a narrow valley. You'll hear it before you see it if you're walking Main Street after a hard rain.
Whiteface Brook has public access. Summits nearby include Eagle Eyrie and 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.
- 01Basset Flats ParkingTrailhead1.9 miunpavedDirections →
- 02Copperas Owen Pond lot1.9 mipavedDirections →
- 03Copperas Pond Parking1.9 miunpavedDirections →
- 04Upper Basset Flats1.9 mipavedDirections →
- 05Upper Notch1.9 mipavedDirections →
- 06Owen Pond Parking2.1 miunpavedDirections →
- 07Notch Parking2.1 miunpavedDirections →
- 08Old Owens Pond Parking2.2 miunpavedDirections →
+4 more on the map above
Getting in, staying over.
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Closest editorial picks for a meal, a scoop, a pint, a bed, and a sight worth your time.
Eat.
4- The Hungry Trout4.3 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.
- Artisans at the Lake Placid Lodge4.7 mi
The restaurant at the Lake Placid Lodge, a Relais and Chateaux property, serving a seasonal farm-to-fork menu in a fire-lit dining room with a three-season terrace over the lake. Breakfast and dinner daily.
- The Cottage at Mirror Lake Inn4.9 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 Bears5.0 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- Simply Gourmet5.2 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…
- The Coffee Bar5.3 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 Coffee5.5 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.
- Adirondack Mountain Coffee Cafe7.7 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- Ben & Jerry's5.7 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 Creamery5.7 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.
- Whitebrook Dairy Bar5.8 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.
- Adirondack Corner Store6.2 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.
Drink.
4- R.F. McDougall's Pub4.3 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 Park5.0 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 & Brewery5.5 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.
- Ray Brook Brewhouse8.1 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 Campground3.4 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 Whiteface3.9 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 Resort4.4 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 Club4.7 mi
A historic resort on Whiteface Inn Lane in Lake Placid since 1882, with 18-hole Van Kleek championship golf, tennis and pickleball, a private marina on Lake Placid, and a Nordic Center.
See.
4- Summit Weather Observatory1.6 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…
- High Falls Gorge2.6 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.
- Captain Marney's Boat Rental4.5 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.
- Boots & Birdies5.4 mi
Boots & Birdies is a family-owned, Western-themed fun center in Lake Placid, NY. It offers an 18-hole miniature golf course, a baseball batting cage, and a custom mining sluice for gemstone and fossil mining, providing hours of outdoor act…
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- Where is Whiteface Brook located?Whiteface Brook is a stream in the Lake Placid region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- Is Whiteface Brook open to the public?Yes, Whiteface Brook 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 Whiteface Brook?Within roughly seven miles of Whiteface Brook: 19 designated campsites, 9 lean-tos or shelters, 1 listed campground. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.