Puffer Pond Trail.
This short trail leads to Puffer Pond, a small body of water tucked into the woods near the southeastern edge of the park. At under half a mile, it's a quick walk suitable for families or anyone looking for a brief forest outing. The pond itself offers a quiet spot to pause before retracing your steps.
Seasonal pattern for this trail · tops out ~2,382 ft · live closures appear above
- GroundSurface
Read the line before you walk it.
What the trailhead is doing today.
Where the hike begins.
What the route itself carries.
Summits reached, waters touched, and the lean-tos along the way — read it like a cue sheet, mile posts ascending.
Guides, outfitters & shuttles.
If you’re already out here.
Indian 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- McSweeney's Irish Pub8.1 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.
- becks TAVERN10.3 mi
A tavern on Peaceful Valley Road in North Creek serving German-inspired dishes alongside burgers, wings, and bar standards. The Yurts out back are the conversation piece.
- Charlie Johns Store14.7 mi
Opened in 1939, Charlie Johns Store is Speculator's anchor general store — 12,000 square feet of full grocery selection, produce, fresh meats, a full deli, bakery, and hardware. Purchased from Charlie Johns in 1971 by Dean Lane, the Lane family has owned and operated it since.
- Firetower Pizza14.7 mi
Hand-tossed pizzeria in Speculator with specialty pies named after Adirondack peaks (Mt Marcy, Snowy Mountain, Whiteface). Wings, baked ziti, white clam pie. Cozy waiting area with retro jukebox and arcade.
Sip.
4- The PERKS of Speculator14.9 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.
- Schoolhouse Grounds Coffee Shop17.3 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.
- Uncle Carl's Coffee19.0 mi
Uncle Carl's Coffee serves expertly crafted coffees, artisan teas, pastries, and light savory bites. They also offer daily quiche and bagels, along with homemade soups, frozen meals, local meats, and cheeses.
- Waypoint Cafe23.5 mi
Long Lake cafe at 1265 Main St. La Colombe coffee, homemade quiche, avocado toast, artisan sandwiches, salads, poke bowls, soups, and charcuterie. Closed Mondays; weeknight happy hour 4–6 p.m.
Sweet.
4- The Hungry Crow Market & Café10.5 mi
A downtown North Creek market and cafe serving soft serve alongside scratch-made desserts, next to Hudson River Trading Co. — the cone stop in the Gore and Upper Hudson area.
- Speculator Creamery15.1 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.
- Stone Bridge Ice Cream19.3 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.
- Main Street Ice Cream Parlor19.8 mi
Create a free link in bio with Bio Sites by Squarespace. Showcase your links, earn money, and grow your brand online, all with one link.
Drink.
4- Indian Lake Restaurant, Tavern and Liquor Store8.1 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 Mountain14.0 mi
Acorn Pub & Eatery is a dining option at Oak Mountain, offering a place to eat and drink.
- Lemon Tree Brewery14.9 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…
- Hex and Hop Tasting Room - Blue Mountain Lake17.1 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.
Stay.
4- The Cabins at Chimney Mountain1.9 mi
The Cabins at Chimney Mountain offers an all-American camp adventure with 9 cozy cabins and 4 glamping tent sites on a secluded 280-acre estate in Indian Lake, NY. Enjoy hiking trails, a private lake, and a camp store.
- The Lorca Adirondacks6.6 mi
A classic Adirondack drive-in lodge rebuilt as a self-check-in contemporary boutique. Eight rooms walled in natural pine, with fire pits, grills, lawn games, a seasonal pool, and a short walk to Indian Lake.
- Camp Driftwood6.7 mi
Camp Driftwood offers 10 unique and comfortable rental cabins on the shores of Indian Lake in the Adirondack Park, providing a serene escape since 1919.
- Snowy Mountain Inn6.7 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- Revolution Rail Co. - Thurman Station10.5 mi
A pedal-powered rail biking operation at Thurman Station on the Adirondack Railroad bed near North Creek, with family-friendly seasonal tours rolling alongside the Hudson River corridor through forest and open river-bank country.
- North Creek Depot Museum10.5 mi
Saved from demolition, this 1872 landmark station is now a museum, heritage center, and cultural hub in historic North Creek, featuring a fabulous diorama and exhibits on the Adirondack Railroad, Theodore Roosevelt, and local history.
- Ampersand Christine Falls12.7 mi
Ampersand Energy LLC.
- Speculator Historical Museum14.9 mi
A small local-history museum on Route 8 in Speculator inside the original Lake Pleasant Town Hall and Library. Open weekends Memorial Day through August, plus weekday hours in summer.
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.
Add a shot.
Sunrise on the dock, a cairn at the summit, a bend on the trail. Your camera roll, our archive.
Add a photo →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.
- How long is the Puffer Pond Trail?The Puffer Pond Trail is approximately 0.41 miles (0.7 kilometers) — a short out-and-back suitable for most fitness levels.
- How long does it take to hike the Puffer Pond Trail?Most hikers complete the Puffer Pond Trail in about 15 minutes at a steady pace with roughly 108 feet of elevation gain. Allow extra time for rest stops, photos, weather, and trail conditions.
- How difficult is the Puffer Pond Trail?Based on its length and elevation gain, the Puffer Pond Trail is an easy hike (108 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.