Wilcox Lake - Willis Lake Trail.
4-mile trail connects Wilcox Lake to Willis Lake in the southern Adirondacks, serving as a backcountry link between two remote ponds. The route is part of the Siamese Ponds Wilderness trail network, where distances are measured in effort rather than miles. Expect moderate terrain typical of mid-elevation wilderness travel, with the trail primarily used by anglers and paddlers accessing the more secluded Willis Lake.
- Half-day hikeA few hours round trip
- Good for snowshoeingNon-technical grade that carries a snowshoe track
- Peak foliage window — color starts up high and works down the valleys through mid-October.
Seasonal pattern for this trail · tops out ~1,713 ft · live closures appear above
- GroundSurface
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Where the hike begins.
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Great Sacandaga Lake.
The corner of the Park this trail calls home — its hamlets, waters, lodging, and the rest of its field record.
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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- Alpine Grille6.3 mi
A long-running roadside steak-and-seafood house on the Sacandaga, between Northville and Wells. Generous portions, a lively bar, and the kind of dining room where the staff knows the regulars by name. Reservations recommended on weekends.
- Klippel's Kozy Korner Cafe11.6 mi
India’s largest Food Delivery, Dining and Restaurant Discovery Service. Better food for more people.
- The Local11.8 mi
Fine-dining restaurant in the Great Sacandaga Lake region.
- Firetower Pizza13.1 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- Uncle Carl's Coffee6.6 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.
- ADK Blend11.8 mi
Northville smoothie & açaí-bowl spot in the Great Sacandaga Lake corridor.
- The PERKS of Speculator12.8 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.
- Caffe Vero22.2 mi
Breakfast, baked goods, sandwiches & house-roasted coffee in a comfy, earth-toned cafe.
Sweet.
4- The Village Scoop11.8 mi
A walk-up ice cream shop on Northville's Main Street at the north tip of Great Sacandaga Lake — hard ice cream and soft serve with a wide flavor selection.
- Cree-Mee Freeze12.7 mi
A summer soft-serve stand near Northville on the Great Sacandaga Lake shore, with twists and specialty sundaes.
- Speculator Creamery12.9 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.
- Zippy's Ice Cream20.6 mi
A roadside soft-serve stand on Route 30 in Mayfield near the Park's southern gateway and Great Sacandaga Lake, known for dense, cold soft serve with weekly flavors like maple and coffee.
Drink.
4- Sport Island Pub12.3 mi
Sport Island Pub offers great food, refreshing drinks, and friendly entertainment on the Great Sacandaga Lake. This family-run restaurant, with three generations of service, invites you to enjoy exquisite dishes for dine-in or take-out.
- Lemon Tree Brewery12.7 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…
- Acorn Pub & Eatery at Oak Mountain13.4 mi
Acorn Pub & Eatery is a dining option at Oak Mountain, offering a place to eat and drink.
- South Shore Dive13.8 mi
South Shore Dive: Casual dining on Great Sacandaga Lake. Made-to-order meals, craft cocktails, lake views. Book now in upstate NY!
Stay.
4- The Lodge at Harrisburg Lake4.1 mi
A 12-bedroom group lodge in Stony Creek sleeping up to 42 across 20 beds and 11 full baths, with Alpine-style architecture, lakefront, pool, multiple sport courts, and a historic tavern.
- Ponderosa Pines Campgrounds and Bar9.7 mi
Ponderosa Pines Campgrounds offers waterfront cabin rentals and RV site lots on Great Sacandaga Lake. Amenities include a private beach, dock rentals, on-site bar, and various recreational activities.
- Inn At the Bridge11.7 mi
A historic six-room inn on the shore of the Great Sacandaga Lake in Northville, with its own marina, full-property rentals, and a setup built for small weddings.
- Bearhurst Lakeside Cottages11.8 mi
Five renovated outbuildings from a turn-of-the-century Adirondack Great Camp on Lake Pleasant in Speculator, run as lakefront rental cottages by the Armstrong family. Boathouse, Icehouse, Cubhurst, and two Cherry duplex halves.
See.
4- Ampersand Christine Falls11.4 mi
Ampersand Energy LLC.
- Historic Copeland Covered Bridge12.2 mi
The Historic Copeland Covered Bridge is a 35-foot Queenpost truss bridge built in 1879 by Arad Copeland in Edinburg, Saratoga County. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it is the only covered bridge remaining in Saratoga C…
- Speculator Historical Museum13.0 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.
- The Promise Gardens Estate of the Adirondacks16.8 mi
The Promise Gardens is the perfect wedding venue with gorgeous gardens, rustic barns and mountain views near Lake George and the Adirondacks.
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Frequently asked.
- How long is the Wilcox Lake - Willis Lake Trail?The Wilcox Lake - Willis Lake Trail is approximately 4.44 miles (7.1 kilometers) — a typical day-hike length.
- How long does it take to hike the Wilcox Lake - Willis Lake Trail?Most hikers complete the Wilcox Lake - Willis Lake Trail in about 2 hours 30 minutes at a steady pace with roughly 557 feet of elevation gain. Allow extra time for rest stops, photos, weather, and trail conditions.
- How difficult is the Wilcox Lake - Willis Lake Trail?Based on its length and elevation gain, the Wilcox Lake - Willis Lake Trail is a moderate hike (557 ft of climbing over the route) — steady climbing that rewards a reasonable base of fitness. This is an estimate from route data, not an official trail rating — check current DEC advisories before heading out.