Payne Mountain.
Payne Mountain rises to 3,182 feet in the central Adirondacks — a trailless peak requiring bushwhacking and compass work. The summit sees light traffic and offers limited views, making it a navigation exercise more than a destination hike.
It is reached by the Northville-Placid Trail (137.2 mi). Nearby waters include Payne Brook and Cedar River Flow.
The summit, surveyed.
Trails that reach Payne Mountain.
What the summit is doing today.
Where to leave the car.
- Ice and snow linger above 3,000 ft — carry microspikes even when the trailhead is bare.
Seasonal pattern for this peak · tops out ~3,182 ft · live closures appear above
Nearby points of interest.
- Payne BrookStream0.6 mi
- Cedar River FlowReservoir1.7 mi
- Wakely PondPond1.8 mi
- Cellar PondPond2.1 mi
- Carry PondPond2.9 mi
- Onion BrookStream3.3 mi
- Carry Lean-To3.1 mi
- Moose Riiver Plains Campsite #11.0 mi
- Moose River Plains Campsite 061.0 mi
- Moose River Plains Campsite 051.1 mi
- Moose River Plains Campsite 041.1 mi
- Moose River Plains Campsite 031.1 mi
- Cedar River Campsite1.1 mi
Peaks that share the range.
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- Tony Harper's Pizza & Clam Shack9.0 mi
Tony Harper's Pizza & Clam Shack is a family restaurant and bar with four Adirondack locations, offering homemade pizza, wings, and seafood. Guests can enjoy sports on high-def TVs, a full bar, and live music.
- Chef Darrell’s Mountain Diner9.7 mi
Chef Darrell’s Mountain Diner: the best Diner in Indian Lake, NY. Order directly online today for takeout or delivery. Save money, support local business!
- McSweeney's Irish Pub12.1 mi
An Irish-style pub on Route 30 in Indian Lake serving comfort-food classics (shepherd's pie, fish and chips) seven days a week, year-round. The dependable dinner spot in town.
- Seventh Lake House13.0 mi
Rustic space with a lake view preps classic & contemporary American dishes from seasonal goods.
Sip.
4- Schoolhouse Grounds Coffee Shop10.0 mi
Seasonal coffee shop inside the 1895 schoolhouse that houses Blue Mountain Designs. Espresso, locally roasted coffee, loose-leaf tea, baked goods, avocado toast, sandwiches, and soups. May through October.
- Tamarack Cafe15.1 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 House15.1 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…
- The PERKS of Speculator16.9 mi
Speculator coffee shop and bakery at 2855 NY-30. Specialty coffee, espresso, fresh-baked bagels and pastries, plus breakfast and lunch sandwiches. Gluten-free options across the bakery case.
Sweet.
4- Northern Lights Creamery Inc.14.6 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.
- Speculator Creamery16.9 mi
A family-run village creamery anchoring Speculator's tiny downtown near Lake Pleasant — a genuine community summer hub. Wide-ranging soft-serve flavors, the 16oz Nor'Easter blend, and hand-dipped hard ice cream. Roughly May through September.
- Custard’s Last Stand17.4 mi
Custard's Last Stand is a historic ice cream shop in Long Lake, established in 1958, serving a variety of soft frozen custard & hard ice cream, sundaes, specialty shakes, floats, and ice cream sodas. They also offer merchandise and gift cards.
- The Park17.4 mi
Trying to find a fast food restaurant in Long Lake? Pay a visit to The Park. We offer a range of burgers, sides, ice cream, drinks and coffee options.
Drink.
4- Hex and Hop Tasting Room - Blue Mountain Lake9.8 mi
Hex and Hop is a craft brewery and meadery located in Bloomingdale, New York. They offer full-flavored, high-quality craft beer and mead, made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, emphasizing community and craft.
- Indian Lake Restaurant, Tavern and Liquor Store12.2 mi
Indian Lake Restaurant, Tavern and Liquor Store offers a full bar with an extensive bottle selection and local drafts, alongside a menu featuring appetizers, sandwiches, and entrees. The restaurant is currently closed for mud season and wi…
- Acorn Pub & Eatery at Oak Mountain16.0 mi
Acorn Pub & Eatery is a dining option at Oak Mountain, offering a place to eat and drink.
- Lemon Tree Brewery17.0 mi
Lemon Tree Brewery is a brewery and taproom located in Speculator, NY, steps from Lake Pleasant. It offers house brews like SASQUATCH HAZY IPA and Blueberry Wheat, along with other local NY State micro-brewed beers and wines in a relaxed s…
Stay.
4- Lake Kora5.3 mi
Originally Kamp Kill Kare, built in 1898 by William West Durant for Lt. Gov. Timothy Woodruff. One-thousand acres, a private 500-acre lake, sixteen bedrooms, all-inclusive — booked as an exclusive buyout for groups up to 35.
- Kamp Kill Kare5.5 mi
Kamp Kill Kare is a historic Adirondack Great Camp on 1,000 acres featuring a private 500-acre lake, offering a luxurious and customized guest experience.
- Timberlock7.8 mi
Since 1899, Timberlock has been a family camp offering rustic cabins, lakeside activities, and unforgettable summers in upstate New York.
- Snowy Mountain Inn8.7 mi
Snowy Mountain Inn offers Bed & Breakfast lodging and secluded cottages with lake and mountain views, plus a "guests only" dining room featuring Real Pit Southern BBQ.
See.
4- Great Camp Sagamore7.2 mi
Great Camp Sagamore is a historic Adirondack Great Camp offering multi-day programs, overnight stays, and daily activities focused on history, arts, outdoor recreation, and wellness.
- BLUE MOUNTAIN CENTER8.8 mi
Blue Mountain Center is a working community of writers, artists, and activists set in the heart of the Adirondacks, the largest state park in the continental U.S.
- Camp Pine Knot9.4 mi
William West Durant's 1877 compound on Raquette Lake — the camp that invented the Adirondack Great Camp style. Now SUNY Cortland's Huntington Memorial Camp, an outdoor-education center with occasional public programs.
- Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts9.8 mi
Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts is a vibrant hub for creativity in the Adirondacks, offering inspiring performances, gallery exhibits, workshops, and community events for all ages.
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.
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 Payne Mountain located?Payne Mountain is a summit in the Raquette Lake region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.
- How tall is Payne Mountain?Payne Mountain rises to 3,182 feet above sea level.
- Is Payne Mountain one of the Adirondack 46?No. The 46 Adirondack High Peaks are summits above 4,000 feet identified by the Adirondack Forty-Sixers club; Payne Mountain is not on that list (it stands at 3,182 feet).
- How difficult is Payne Mountain to climb?Payne Mountain is substantial mountain — a long day-hike for most climbers, often with steep sections. Check the specific trail's length, elevation gain, and current DEC advisories before going.
- What trails reach Payne Mountain?Trails that reach Payne Mountain include: Northville-Placid Trail. Check current DEC advisories before heading out.