Bear Cave Trail.
This quarter-mile path leads to a small rock shelter tucked into the hillside, the kind of overhang that gives casual hikers a taste of geological curiosity without the commitment of a full day. The trail is short enough for families with young children, though the final approach to the cave itself may involve a bit of scrambling over boulders.
Seasonal pattern for this trail · tops out ~801 ft · live closures appear above
- GroundSurface
- Foot onlyMotor vehicle
Read the line before you walk it.
What the trailhead is doing today.
Where the hike begins.
Guides, outfitters & shuttles.
If you’re already out here.
Brant Lake.
The corner of the Park this trail calls home — its hamlets, waters, lodging, and the rest of its field record.
Read the Region→
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- Jimbo's Club at the Point10.4 mi
A fine-dining room and private event venue on a 25-acre peninsula on Brant Lake, off Route 8. Weekly-changing menu, an award-winning wine list, and wedding bookings for the full property.
- Hot Biscuit Diner11.4 mi
Hot Biscuit Diner is a full service family style restaurant in Ticonderoga. Visit us today to try our recipes! We put an emphasis on country style cooking, friendly service and affordable pricing. This Diner has been a family owned and ope…
- House of Pizza11.6 mi
A family- and woman-owned pizzeria on Montcalm Street in Ticonderoga since 2002, doing traditional pizza, calzones, pasta, and salads with in-store pickup, curbside pickup, delivery, and no-contact delivery. Pizza-club program.
- Burleigh's Luncheonette11.6 mi
Burleigh's Luncheonette is a 1950s and 1960s themed restaurant located in historic downtown Ticonderoga, New York, offering classic diner vibes and freshly made meals.
Sip.
3- 9 Mile Coffee Co16.1 mi
9 Mile Coffee Co. is a coffee shop in downtown Schroon Lake, NY, serving a variety of coffees, teas, smoothies, sandwiches, and soups. They also sell their custom coffee blends and gift cards online.
- Cupola Crepes16.1 mi
Family-run creperie at 1095 Main Street in Schroon Lake. Sweet and savory crepes (gluten-free batter available), scones, coffee, and soft serve. Wednesday through Sunday.
- Caffe Vero21.1 mi
Breakfast, baked goods, sandwiches & house-roasted coffee in a comfy, earth-toned cafe.
— 16.1 mi to the nearest pour to this spot; pack a thermos.
Sweet.
4- Cate's Creamery11.8 mi
The main ice cream spot in the heart of Bolton Landing village on Lake George's quieter west shore — soft serve, hand-dipped hard ice cream, and slushies, a short stroll from the lakefront.
- Crossroads Ice Cream14.7 mi
The ice cream counter at The Crossroads, a country and outdoors store off I-87 Exit 25 in Chestertown between Schroon and Brant Lake — hard and soft ice cream on the road north.
- Main Street Ice Cream Parlor14.9 mi
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- Stone Bridge Ice Cream15.7 mi
Stone Bridge Ice Cream is a seasonal stand located 2.5 miles from the Natural Stone Bridge & Caves, offering over 40 flavors of soft serve, custom ice cream cakes, and signature sundaes. It features outdoor seating and a kids' swing set.
Drink.
4- The Pub11.6 mi
The Pub is a British-inspired restaurant recognized for serving the best Fish and Chips in the U.S. by the UK’s Greene King Brewery. It offers excellent food, drinks, and genuine hospitality with a wide selection of beers.
- The Hub12.1 mi
The Hub is a cafe, restaurant, lounge, bar, and bike repair shop located in Brant Lake, also serving the Lake George, Loon Lake, Friends Lake, and Schroon Lake areas.
- Crazy Loon Distillery12.6 mi
At the Crazy Loon Distillery, we produce high quality Adirondack inspired craft spirits that reflect the innovative nature and peaceful mindset of the North Country of New York. We offer a lineup of flavorful craft spirits inspired by the…
- Black Bear Restaurant & Bar16.0 mi
Black Bear Restaurant & Bar is an American eatery in Pottersville, NY, offering comfort food, sandwiches, and breakfast. Known for its welcoming atmosphere, quick service, and popular dishes like meatloaf and gravy fries.
Stay.
4- Silver Bay YMCA - Conference and Family Retreat Center0.3 mi
A 700-acre lakeshore conference and family-retreat center in operation since 1904. National Register of Historic Places. 253 rooms across hotel, cottages, dorms, and guest houses; meeting spaces up to 700; 15 miles of hiking trails.
- Northbrook Motel1.4 mi
Pet-friendly cottages on Lake Shore Drive in Silver Bay, on the quieter northern end of Lake George. Private dock access, private beach, and a shared bonfire pit. Twelve miles north of Lake George Village.
- Huletts on Lake George3.5 mi
A collection of named cottages on Lake George's east shore at Huletts Landing, with a sandy beach, dock access, a 9-hole golf course, and Black Mountain hiking nearby.
- The Inn on Lake Champlain - Adirondack Farmstay B&B7.1 mi
Historic 440-acre Adirondack farmstay B&B above Lake Champlain in Putnam Station. Four en-suite bedrooms, two parlors, formal dining, wrap-around porch. Working farm with horses, cows, and chickens.
See.
4- Godwin Preserve8.3 mi
Godwin Preserve in the Town of Bolton offers two hiking trails totaling 112 acres, with moderate difficulty. The Yellow Trail provides views of Amy's Park wetlands and High Nopit, while the Red Trail connects to Pole Hill Pond Preserve.
- Ticonderoga Heritage Museum11.7 mi
A local history museum on Montcalm Street in Ticonderoga inside the 1888 building, the sole surviving structure from the Ticonderoga Pulp and Paper Company. Free walking tours of the La Chute industrial corridor.
- Town of Horicon Museum11.8 mi
The Brant Lake Museum is housed in an 1890s farmhouse, featuring period furniture, clothing, tools, and photographs from the 19th and 20th centuries. It also includes a Carriage House with military and local hotel exhibits.
- Fort Ticonderoga12.0 mi
A restored French and Indian War / Revolutionary War fort on 2,000-plus acres at the south end of Lake Champlain in Ticonderoga, with living-history demonstrations, the King's Garden, a corn maze, and boat tours on the lake aboard the Carillon.
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Frequently asked.
- How long is the Bear Cave Trail?The Bear Cave Trail is approximately 0.16 miles (0.3 kilometers) — a short out-and-back suitable for most fitness levels.
- How long does it take to hike the Bear Cave Trail?Most hikers complete the Bear Cave Trail in about 10 minutes at a steady pace with roughly 165 feet of elevation gain. Allow extra time for rest stops, photos, weather, and trail conditions.
- How difficult is the Bear Cave Trail?Based on its length and elevation gain, the Bear Cave Trail is an easy hike (165 ft of climbing over the route) — gentle grades suitable for most fitness levels and families. This is an estimate from route data, not an official trail rating — check current DEC advisories before heading out.