Willys Lake.
Willys Lake sits in the Old Forge township — a 61-acre water in a region dense with named ponds and lakes, most of them private or semi-private holdovers from the old camp and hotel era. No public fish stocking records on file, which usually means either private ownership or irregular natural reproduction of whatever warmwater species moved in decades ago. The lake doesn't appear on the standard paddling or hiking loops, and without DEC signage or a formal access point it's likely gated or accessible only by local knowledge. If you're poking around Old Forge backcountry, confirm access and ownership before you carry a boat in.
Willys Lake reaches a maximum depth of 45 feet, with a mean depth of 16 feet. Willys Lake has public access. Summits nearby include Summit Mountain and Sitz Mountain.
The water, surveyed.
Seasonal pattern for this lake · live closures appear above
5 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.
- 01Trailhead ParkingTrailhead4.9 miunpavedDirections →
- 02Buck Pond Road Parking5.6 miunpavedDirections →
- 03Tied Lake Parking Area5.8 miunpavedDirections →
- 04Stillwater Parking Area6.8 miunpavedDirections →
- 05Raven Lake Parking Area7.1 miunpavedDirections →
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- Big Moose Station Restaurant10.6 mi
Website under development
- Mountainside Smokehouse & Grill15.2 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.
- The Lean-to at Great Pines15.4 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.
- The Tavern15.5 mi
Located at 5520 state route 28 in Eagle Bay, NY.
Sip.
3- Tamarack Cafe17.0 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.
- Blue Line Coffee House17.0 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…
- Blue Line Coffee House17.9 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.
— 17.0 mi to the nearest pour to this spot; pack a thermos.
Sweet.
3- Northern Lights Creamery Inc.17.6 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.
- Pied Piper17.8 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.
- Benny’s Ice Cream17.8 mi
A family-run, locally loved scoop shop on Old Forge's Main Street — hand-scooped hard flavors and soft serve.
— 17.6 mi to the nearest scoop; save it for the ride home.
Drink.
3- Daiker's15.7 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 Tavern17.8 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 Company18.0 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.
— 15.7 mi to the nearest pint; appoint a driver.
Stay.
4- Norridgewock Lodge5.0 mi
NORRIDGEWOCK LODGE, an oasis in the Adirondack Mountains. Our lakeside resort is the perfect remote vacation in the wilderness of the Beaver River. Book online!
- The Waldheim10.7 mi
A rustic resort with log-cottages featuring porches with lake views, plus 3 included meals a day.
- Covewood Lodge11.7 mi
A Great Camp-style lodge on Big Moose Lake in Eagle Bay, with 19 housekeeping cottages and Main Lodge apartments and rooms. Open May through October, with kids' programming and weekly campfires from late June to Labor Day.
- Palmer Point Boats & Cottages15.3 mi
Palmer Point offers pontoon boat rentals and charming cottages in Old Forge, NY, perfect for enjoying Fourth Lake in the Adirondacks.
See.
4- Enchanted Forest Water Safari17.7 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.
- Calypso's Cove17.7 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…
- Raquette Lake Navigation Cruise18.4 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.
- Adirondack Railbike18.9 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…
— 17.7 mi to the nearest sight on file; fold it into the drive.
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Suggest an edit →Frequently asked.
- Where is Willys Lake located?Willys Lake is a lake in the Old Forge region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- How big is Willys Lake?Willys Lake has a surface area of approximately 61 acres, a smaller backcountry water.
- How deep is Willys Lake?Willys Lake has a maximum depth of 45 feet, with a mean depth of 16.1 feet.
- Is Willys Lake open to the public?Yes, Willys 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 Willys Lake?Within roughly seven miles of Willys Lake: 96 designated campsites, 14 lean-tos or shelters. Permit and primitive-camping rules vary; check NYSDEC before you go.